On African soil...er... concrete

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Coming to you from a cafe at the airport in Nairobi!



I survived two overnight flights, despite screaming children on the first and a large, obnoxious family reunion going on safari...



Had a lovely day in London with Jess, hug from Kevin duly administered, pint of Guinness duly consumed. Though I did have to keep apologizing for yawning and falling asleep on various forms of London public transport!



Am at a bit of a loss at the moment as my flight to Kisumu isn't for 8 more hours... my laptop has 2.5 hours of power, the nook probably about 8, so I should be able to entertain myself. I did briefly contemplate having a taxi drive me around Nairobi, but it's a hazy, foggy morning and the guidebooks did not speak so highly of Nairobi itself. There aren't any day tours, and I can't risk missing my next flight.



I have successfully rescued the Safaricom phone and modem that Amanda used on her trip here in the spring. They are successfully "topped up" and won't expire during my month here. This whole concept of topping up is one I'm still struggling with, I'm used to just paying for my phone. My London friends laugh at me (perhaps my internet friends are laughing at me, too) but I've never used a pay as you go phone, or modem, for that matter. Not to mention I can't figure out the time differences and woke up my mother at 1:30 in the morning. Oops. I now have it figured out, I think. ;-)



The airport here is less that what I would have initially expected, though I had been warned to expect small, even in a capital city like Nairobi. Two baggage belts for international arrivals and a visa process so simple that I bought it upon landing. The visa itself is so unofficial looking, listing only my first name and passport number.



So far, the Kenyans at the airport have been solicitous, but not demanding. A wonderful change from the last time I did any medical travel. There are vivid memories of playing tug-o-war with my luggage and an overzealous taxi driver in the Dominican Republic, so hungry for a fare.



Not much else to say about my days of travel. Though I will say that I enjoyed Invictus, and the only concession to the big referendum vote today is that banks are closed. Next update will be my first impressions of Kisumu and my home for the next month!

On the way to Kisumu