en route

arriving in nairobi almost-on-time was a feat. kelly and i arrived in newark to discover that the flight to amsterdam was delayed several hours. at the last second and after a friendly guy working at the airport managed to overrule the three unforgiving women at the counter for a heathrow flight, we squeaked onto a london-bound plane after the doors had already closed.

sleep was aided by an ambien from heathrow to nairobi. it was odd being back in london...my life was so different the last time I'd been there.

we bought our visas into the country and met up with two of our passengers, together piling into the most amazing 4x4 ever. it was a converted toyota truck - converted so that the roof raised up for safari, seated up to 9 people, had two gas tanks, and was painted a perfect army green with an olive green canvas interior. 

as we left the airport, we received a great welcome to the country - not even 5 minutes away from NBO, two majestic giraffes actually crossed the road in front of us. as if they were geese. apparently this isn't terribly normal but they were a gorgeous sight. i was in such awe that i couldn't even dig out my camera.

our accommodation in nairobi is in an area called upper hill, the hill park hotel. elegant looking buildings sit behind wrought iron gates monitored by security guards who salute the vehicles as they pass through. the owner of the hotel is a prominent local businessman and university chancellor, as well as a friend of our company. he is said to be the richest man in kenya.

we got everyone situated and a small group of us assembled in the restaurant/bar for some Tuskers, gin & tonics, local brandy, and chips. the first night, after more than a solid day's travel, was pretty hazy. and i had that familiar but not well-liked feeling of airport grime permeating my skin and hair. staving off fatigue a bit longer, while a Premier League match played on the tv, i rang in my birthday with kelly, matt, stan, and john.


this particular birthday would be tough to beat. birthdays abroad automatically qualify in my mind as being the top ones, but the birthdays i celebrated in europe would not be able to touch the one i spent on this continent that would completely capture my heart.