Charlotte-Chicago-London-Nairobi

Whew!  We made it.  Did we underestimate the toll of 2 back-to-back 8hr flights?  Perhaps.  Did we pack too much?  Probably so.  We're weary and jetlagged, but we're safe at our mission post in Karatina.  This is not without much assistance from friends here all along the way.  Here's the story.

Our journey began with a morning drive to Charlotte airport – a flight we were afraid we would miss due to the traffic!  Not the best way to begin our trip.  A quick flight to Chicago (comparatively), where  we had a 6 hr layover.  We then changed from American Airways to British Airways for our evening flight to London.  The plane was not full, the seats were roomy, the movies were on demand, and the meal was great.  We love BA! 

But things slowed town once we got to London.  The jetlag had us both dragging, walking around Heathrow like zombies at 7am (which felt like 1am).  The flight to Nairobi was another BA 8hr relay but less pleasant:  the flight was packed and it seemed that everyone had fussy kids!  Matthew slept, I did not.  I think we were both anxious about all that lay ahead.

Upon arrival Thursday around 9pm we quickly made it through customs.  We checked only one bag and were pleased to find it followed us to Kenya.  Before leaving the airport we converted our cash to shillings ($1=80 shillings).  All of our accommodations and food for our trip must be paid in cash... amounting to quite a stack of bills.  Both of us are so uneasy about such a stash! 

A driver from our guest house met us at the airport, identified by a sign reading “Dr. Carlisle”.  A 20 minute drive delivered us to CHAK (Christian Health Association of Kenya) guest house and conference center.  Everyone was very welcoming and well-spoken.  The room was very clean and efficient, complete with mosquito nets and warm water.  Now safely in our room we went about the first order of business:  filtering water to brush our teeth and take our malaria medication.  We brought with us our backpacking water pump for the job.

Our driver from Tumutumu was to pick us up from CHAK at noon.  After breakfast we took advantage of the extra hours by napping and exploring the CHAK complex.  The center trains medical professionals and hosts many international visitors and it is quite a nice facility.  The Tumutumu driver arrived about 1:15, he was delayed in Nairobi traffic.  Matthew and I enjoyed our first Kenyan meal while we waited – delicious!  More on food later.