Chapter 2: Mysterious Tour Guides
The week went by slowly for young Hope but finally she and her friends boarded a plane for Africa. This made Hope nervous since she had an accident where she fell down a steep hill and hit a parked bus. Needless to say it scared her ever since, to get too high anywhere.
"Don't know why you're so afraid." Sarah said, "After all, more people die in car crashes than in planes."
It was at times like this Hope wondered why she maintained her friendship with Sarah. While what she said was true it was also a little insensitive. Her other friend Miguel Sanchez spoke up about it.
"Sarah have you forgotten what happened to Hope's parents?" He asked.
"No. Why does that matter?" Almost immediately after asking that though she realized her blunder, "Oh. Sorry Hope. But taking a ship would have been dangerous too. Besides planes are faster."
"I guess." Hope said still feeling nervous about the whole thing, "It's still going to take a little over 16 to get there."
"Hey Hakuna Matata right?" Miguel asked quoting her favorite movie "This is no more dangerous than staying in New York. Let's enjoy the trip. I hear their playing 'Frozen I' on this ride. Let's enjoy it."
After putting on their headphones and looking at their screens the friends soon forgot their troubles. But Hope couldn't help feeling like Elsa who still felt out place even with those she loved. Wondering what her destiny was. Hope was wondering who she really was, where was her place? Maybe she'd find it on this trip. But probably not, life was not a Disney movie.
Once they arrived in Africa they went to a village called 'Kijijii Kidgo' which literally means little village in Swahili. They also hired tour guides named all males one named 'Changamfu' playful in Swahili, 'Shujaa' courageous, and finally an old man named 'Wakati' or time. Miguel joked that those names seemed to describe Hope's personality. Hope said that it didn't but Wakati started calling her 'Tumaini' hope in Swahili he said it meant. He also said that if any of the travelers were lucky one of them might see something extraordinary. Sarah scoffed at the thought. But Hope noticed that the were taking particular interest in her, and she wondered why.