Well I made it to Nairobi….it was a LONG 2 days of travel….Tues noon was LA to Amsterdam = 10 hour flight then Amsterdam to Nairobi = 8 hour flight & with the 8 hour time difference & transit & customs its already midnight on Wed. I did sleep 6 hours on the Nairobi flight so that was good & I am feeling great & SOOOOOOOOO excited to be here. But let me catch you up....
My 50 lb suitcase became 65 lbs by the time I kept adding the things I had piled in my room but the KLM Airline folks in LA were kind & saw all my Op Smile Tags on my luggage & didn’t charge me. Now my “carry ons” were another story J I had a standard carry on size roller bag & then a giant Beach bag we usually take boating to carry about 8 folded beach towels in which I placed my backpack, camera, magazines, laptop & everything else that wouldn’t fit in my luggage. I am certain it weighed 50 lbs itself. I tried to pass it off as my “purse” but another KLM guy at the LA Airport wasn’t buying it so I had to get a supervisor to approve it. Then of course I had to carry it on my shoulder as if it was a purse so as to not draw attention that it was a GIANT HEAVY bag!!!
The “international cell phone” Doug got me got from Verizon instantly had no service once I landed in Amsterdam so i was worried...but as soon as I landed in Nairobi I had service & called home. I have also sent some texts but havent received any texts so someone please text me!!! You have to put in 011 254 then my # it is supposedly only 5 cents for me to receive a text...not sure what it would cost to send me one??? Didnt think about that!!! & remember I am 8 hours ahead of you. Once I get a text I will let you know so stay in touch & stay tuned re. that.
There we about 15 Op Smile volunteers on my flight from Amsterdam to Nairobi but I didn’t meet any of them till we landed & gathered & we all went together to purchase our Kenya Visa & exchange $. The exchange is 80 shillings =$1 and so I feel really rich!!! We waited for our luggage & I was SO HAPPY to see mine arrive. No problems going thru Customs - they didnt even ask me ?'s or look in my bags I just walked thru whihc I was grateful for mostly cause once I open a bag I wont get it closed again. I am glad to know that 75% of all I packed will either stay here in Kenya or be used here & I should be travelling light on the way home. We took a bus to the hotel in Nairobi & it really isnt bad...running water (you just have to turn water heater on 45 min before you shower), the toilet leaks but not bad & there is a bed...what more could a girl ask for?
I have met about half of the team & they are all REALLY nice...some are first timers like me & some have been on Op Smile Missions before...we will meet outr Kenyan counterparts tomorrow. Now its time for bed cause we have an early morning tomorrow & a 3 hour bus ride to Nakuru where we will be setting up. So I will update my blog again tomorrow & hopefully have more interesting things to report! THANKS for all the love & support & if you’re in South Orange County check in on my family!
Glad you made it there safe boss lady! I'm at the store tomorrow so I will make sure that your children have eaten. haha.
ReplyDeleteSo happy this opportunity came knocking at your door, I can't imagine anyone more wonderful for those kids to have as they go through these operations! Best of luck to you and the team!