Flying in planes and sitting in airports, all day. The first two days were a blur - two days of solid exhausting travel. It’s very late here in Nairobi and I really should be in bed sleeping. Instead I’m siting in bed typing. I met Patrick and his wife Panina tonight at the airport and I have to say it was quite a relief to see them standing in the large crowd of folks waiting on arrivals holding up a sign that had my name on it. Also on the back of the sign was the name of another volunteer who also arrived last night his name is Jordi Calsina, he’s from Barcelona, Spain.
While it is fresh in my mind I want to describe the feeling of getting off the plane for the first time. I’ll admit I was a bit unnerved by this because I had no idea what to expect. Hopefully my experience (and sharing it) well set others at ease. This will apply to anyone arriving in Nairobi. The first thing to know is that everyone seems quite friendly and also most speak English quite well. So you should not hesitate to ask questions. While still on the plane they announced about getting your Visa not much in the way of the process or where to go, but they handed out the forms and it gave me plenty of time to fill out the paper work.
First thing then is be sure to bring a pen with you. I had to borrow one from the stewardess - I didn’t think I’d have a need for one - but just be sure you have it. As soon as you get off the plane you will follow the signs that take you to the visa/immigration exits. You have to take care of this before you can get your luggage. Since I had just gotten off the plane, with many others, the lines to get the Visa were quite long. However - for some reason someone grabbed me and said follow me (I did) and he basically took me around the corner to another “area” similar to the first crowded one but with very few people in line. Jordi had the same experience.
ADDENDUM ITEM: Another volunteer (Casey from Chicago) didn’t get so lucky - he waited nearly two hours.
Also, I was required to fill out a form for Swine Flu - it was a quick one sided form with a few basic health questions. I got the visa relatively easily - but if I had not been grabbed and moved as I was - it would have taken hours. I sat in a bar at the airport with Patrick and Panina and had a Coke and both are quite nice and dedicated to the Chazon group. We were waiting for Jordi to arrive. Patrick is Lucy's brother and he has become the official greeter at the airport and also depending on when you arrive he may be the one to drive you to Chazon. I’m told this is a three to three and half hour drive. After Jordi arrived we were both taken to Elizabeth’s house Lucy and Patrick’s sister where we enjoyed a delicious traditional Kenyan meal - it was a good hour drive from the airport to Elizabeth’s home.
ADDENDUM ITEM 2: Do not shoot photos at the Nairobi airport! They will take your camera! It's not aloud by or around any goverment building of location. Be careful even a post office counts. :)
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