Journey to Africa via London and Nairobi

My African adventure began Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at O’Hare airport. I was traveling with Kaitlyn Tris, Lee Springer and Renata Donis as advance team leads to Uganda. The plan was to fly to London (stop over for 12 hours) then fly 10 hours to Nairobi, then on to Entebbe, Uganda, be picked up and drive by car to our house.

I made it to Uganda just fine but my luggage didn’t! I believe the luggage is left in Kenya. Kaitlin, Lee and Renata also had luggage that did not make it as well as a group of people in Nairobi. We think they missed loading a whole trolley of luggage – maybe it will come later?? Maybe it will come never.. Who knows… but it’s an adventure already and I’m having fun. I think that it WILL come.

The airlines only allowed us two pieces of luggage 50 pounds each…so for one piece, I packed creatively using a Rubbermaid tub as a trunk. Drilling holes into the lid and side and using zip ties to secure it better than my old duct tape method. Hey, think of it as a cheap and effective modern day steamer trunk… They can sure take a beating and they weigh less than a traditional suitcase and fit right on top of my wheeled suitcase. I was a little over and a little under on each suitcase so I swapped some things around and got just EXACTLY each one to 50 pounds. My carryon and “purse” (beach bag stuffed full) could not hold anything else. Thankfully the checked luggage would be checked through all the way to Uganda, IN THEORY.

A slight bump happened when Renata did not make it to the plane in Chicago, but, we figured she would catch up with us in time to make the London to Nairobi to Uganda flights and she did. Kaitlin, Lee, and I took the Tube into the city and walked all over during our 12 hour layover. We saw:

· Buckingham Palace

· Kensington Gardens

· Princess Diana’s Memorial Garden

· Hyde Park Gardens and the Peter Pan statue

· Harrods

· Big Ben

· Parliament

· Westminster Abbey

· Tower of London

· London Bridge

We walked forever because it was nice weather but then about 2 PM, I discovered I had a little problem. My socks were too tight and were cutting off circulation to my legs to the point it HURT. Taking them off at Westminster Abbey helped but the damage was already done… I’ve now got some broken blood vessels in my legs and severe bruising and swelling. It’s going to be a long time till it heals…. It hurts. All because of SOCKS! I will truly have to stay off my feet for a couple days and it makes me mad cause I want to get out and GO… explore, get to know my new ‘hood…. But I don’t want to cause aggravation to injury.

We were on the sleep deprivation and starvation speed tour of London! Notice I didn’t mention eating- cause we didn’t! Instead, we grabbed a sandwich and banana at the supermarket and ate on the run… We did all of this and back to Heathrow by 5 PM. By the way, Heathrow ROCKS as an airport…. Is it super friendly workers- NO… Is it the speed and accuracy of processing- No.. It isn’t particularly beautiful or even well marked… But the thing that makes Heathrow the best airport I’ve ever been to is the FREE HOT SHOWERS! I took a great shower in Terminal 4 (Arrivals) which made me a new person to get ready for the flights to Nairobi and then the connection to Entebbe.

We finally arrived In Entebbe and drove an hour to the house. And got here about noon. The total travel time door to door, a mere 36 hours. The house we rented is beautiful, and the people are all so nice. We sat down and got to speak to Idah and Joseph in person, Kharm, the cook, and unpacked the little we had in our carryons and are going to stay up until the first natural night, have dinner and crash…. Funny, I am exhausted, but keep getting second wind. I’m having a great time.

Problem is the luggage is lost along the way- somewhere. Hope it gets worked out… tune in tomorrow as we reveal the exciting conclusion……