Karibu

So, after 3 days in transit I finally arrived in Nairobi a bit cranky, tired and in deseprate need of a shower. I think I managed to get in about 3-4 hours of sleep on the 8 hour flights but hadn't slept the two nights prior either so it wasn't a good scene. All I could think about was a shower and sleep- the 2 most essential S's after spending so long travelling. But my eye was on the prize, we got off the plane and jumped right on the line for other passport holders (joined by new friend Ameena from Toronto who was my neighbor on the flight and fast friend!). Well, first mistake was joining the other passport holder line. I forgot that you need to go to the visa counter if you don't have your visa when arriving to Kenya (other travels take note). After moving to the back to the passport holders line and realizing the line wasn't moving at all- we became fast friends and supporters of the UK Jubilee Games team (still not clear exactly what the Jubilee Games are but apparently are some huge Muslim Sports League event where young people from all over the world are apparently all now descending on Nairobi) in order to go join a new line. Ameena and I assumed there was some expedited process for all of these athletes and we could somehow join the fun! Alas, this was not to the the case. We got rerouted to another line that looked strikingly like our first line and moved at the same snail's pace or more to the point, not at all. At one point, I think we calculated close to 30 minutes per person.

After more than an hour and a half of little to no movement and crankiness turning into downright misery, we were informed that on Thursday the Kenya Government had decided to institute some new border control process that involved sticker visas (which although pretty seriously do not warrant the extra hours of standing in line!) and lots of manual processes- copying your info from one notebook to another and on and on (let us not forget that you need two pieces of papaer, one for your via and one for your entry declaration and apparently two forms is more than double the fun!) So on and on this goes until three hours later Ameena and I make it through. One would think we were overjoyed but after 3 hours on top of your 8 hour flights on top of your day in London on top of your 6 hour flight to London (which although oivernight does not constitute a real overnight) and well, we were more relieved than anything. But the apprehension remained as both Ameena and I had to recheck our bags in London after our first flights and had to ID them before they were loaded on the plane. So, while we were mildly confident in London's efficiency, (exhibited remarkably by their assembly line security screening where they first check your bad, than your person, and then your shoes-- okay, maybe not efficient at all but intriguing nonetheless), we were terrified that our bads either didn't make it or made it but after the three hours of waiting in line had managed to get lost, taken away, sent back to London and who knows what else. But miracle of miracles- our bags did indeed make it.

Then it was off to find Ben in the airport who I wasn't sure would have stuck around for 3 hours or really whether he was planning on coming at all (given the original 6AM arrival time etc). And so Ben was nowhere to be found but I quickly found a Hilton rep, said my quick goodbyes to Ameena and went off to the Hilton for a nice shower and some sleep.

I spent the morning trying to deal with getting Safaricom to work with a supposedly unlocked Blackberry before giving up and buying a new phone. I was too cranky to think or negotiate and decided it would be nice to get a real phone that works internationally and is not from the stone age. I was truly sold on the email feature which has yet to work. I think I need a data subscription or something. Will follow up on this later- suffice it to say that after hours or no sleep and no connection to the outside world, my decision making skills weren't in the best shape ever. Finally, after some real rest and with working phone, Ben and I managed to connect and meet up for dinner at Ranalo's- the yummy and affordable Kenya food jaunt. YUMMMMMMM. I was too busy sleeping all day to eat and was so happy to finally enjoy a real meal and catch up with Ben.

More on Ben, Kids for Tomorrow etc soon. For now, it's back to repacking for Lamu and then back to bed.