From February until April Ray worked with the travel agent to get a good tour of Africa. Back and forth the emails flew until finally in the begining of May the plans were set. So Ray sent the plan to Joe in early May, and he could ask for leave for the three weeks that we would be in Africa. Unfortunately, Ray included the price of the trip on the bottom of the itinerary. Joseph saw the price and got upset. He called his father and told him that a family of four could live in Africa for several years on what we would be spending to visit him.

Ray hung up on Joseph. Then he called me (at work) and told me that "You have to talk to your son".... So I called Joseph and told him that his father was upset, and Jospesh launched into his reasons why it was too much money for us to visit. I stopped him and said "Joseph, I am your mother. I have not seen you very much in two years. I would like to see you you are in Africa, and I am not willing to stay in inexpensive uncomfortable hotels for three weeks. This is how I am going to visit you." end of conversation. Joseph hung up, and got the leave. I love my son.