Jambo!!

I arrived at Reagan National only 35 minutes late in a total tizzy after spending an unnecessary amount of time at the Apple store fixing my iPhone that I wouldn't be using for the next six weeks. What a poor display of time management. I met Dami at ticketing and we checked our bags. I looked like mountain woman with my backpack and duffle bag while she had a pile of coordinated proper black bags. I suddenly felt totally ill-equipped. I suppose no matter how much I had packed I was going to feel that way. I was on my way to Africa.

Our flight from DC to Newark, New Jersey was on what Dami called the “chug chug” plane with “turbines”, in other words, a prop plane. It was a bumpy ride but we made it. From there, our flight was delayed nearly three hours. Good thing there was ice cream and internets.

We made it to Paris with barely enough time to navigate the secret passageway that led to the shuttle, that led to a terminal with more security. Because we were boarding Kenya Airways, we had to get new boarding passes and check through security again. Our flight was scheduled to leave in 10 minutes. A bright, young, adorable, efficient, knowledgeable, french super-agent scooped us up and took care of us. (yes, I would have accepted his marriage proposal) He flew through ticketing, yelled “Allez, Allez, Allez!” and ran us right around security, through the terminal, and right through our gate. If it weren't for him, we would have been a day late to Nairobi. Two young men on the same flight had different agents and ended up missing the plane. Very sad.

For the third flight in a row, I planted my head on the tray table and fell asleep. Pretty much slept the entire way, save the hour and a half I watched Alice in Wonderland. Oh, how I love Tim Burton's brain! We finally reached Nairobi after a total travel time of about 23 hours. Anne (our coordinator), her husband David, and Mercy (our host) were waiting for us. Hugs all around! They are extremely warm and kind and I can tell that I have gotten incredibly lucky to have the chance to know them. They brought me to the Hilton to really rough it with Sarabeth, while Dami stayed with Mercy to meet with her pastor. Sarabeth and I ventured down to the hotel bar for some much needed debrief and a night cap. Whew! Africa at last!