Jambo from Nairobi, Kenya!

Unlike my last trip to Kenya, I arrived on schedule in Nairobi this morning (with all my bags!). I thank God for that! It took our team five days to get this far last summer, due to mechanical problems on our first plane at PDX. That caused us to miss all our connecting flights. Nice to make it on the original itinerary this timeJ

Krista Fink was my “hostess with the mostest” in Wimbeldon, England during an 11 hour layover yesterday. She met me at Heathrow airport and gave me a lesson on navigating the Tube. I even have my very own Oyster card now! We ate a traditional breakfast at one of her favorite pubs near her home. The guy who took my order thought I was crazy to drink my tea black. It was great to take a shower (wash off the first layer of travel stink) and rest on her couch before my final flight to Nairobi. Much better than whiling away the hours at the airport. BTDT.

Weather has been spectacular along the way. It never occurred to me that flying through Chicago in the winter may not have been a good choice when I booked my ticket months ago. That thought came to mind as we were making our descent into O’Hare. It was a clear, sunny day in Chicago and I didn’t have to leave the airport to endure the bitter cold. London was equally glorious. Clear skies and sunshine, although brisk. I have yet to experience the dreary weather of merry old England that is classic for that region. It has been sunny each time (3) I have had a long layover there. Of course, that could all change when I have a few days of stop-over on my return trip at the end of March. It is summer in Kenya. AKA: Dry season. Quite a contrast from the snowfall my last day in McMinnville, Oregon.

Was able to enjoy a day of rest at the home of Ed and Dayle Lauber after arriving in Nairobi. That was much appreciated after two days of travel. It was great fun watching Dayle unpack the bag of supplies that I brought for them. I commented that it was like Christmas as I watch her gleefully pull out one item at a time. Then she told me that most of what I delivered actually were Christmas presents from family and friends this year. Call me “Santa.”

packing day

Actually, today was my practice packing day. Yes, that's right. An international traveler needs to do a "test run" on packing in order to determine if all the baggage restrictions are met. Take a look at the photo. How is all that going to fit into two bags, which have a weight limit of 50 pounds each? Yes, I am taking the therapy ball. It will be deflated for packing;)

Note: That's not all my stuff. I am carrying some supplies to friends, Ed & Dayle Lauber, who live in Nairobi, Kenya. They are missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators.

 

Result: It all fit in the two bags and they weighed 40  and 43 lbs! Don't ask me how much the carry-on weighs;)

I won't have any problems on the initial flight from Portland, Oregon to Nairobi, Kenya. However, I am over the 20 kg (44 lbs) weight limit for the short flight to Eldoret, Kenya.  Will need to do some item shifting for that one or pay extra. Hmmmmmmm...how much can I put in my carry-on? 

Hence, the reason for a practice packing day. I have a few more days to sort it all out. 

P.S. I took the practice packing day one step further this year. My friends, Arnold and Marilyn Owens, who are taking me to the airport have a new Prius and wanted to see if the bags would fit in their trunk. Yeaaaaa..they fit! We'll be able to enjoy that new car smell en route to PDX and have a good conscience for being green:)

Open Arms Village - July 2008

One of my favorite days in Eldoret, Kenya last summer was at the Open Arms Village. A family from Oregon had sent stuffed animals for each of the 23 children living in the orphan homes. It was so much fun watching their excitement as they received their personalized stuffed animals. We could see how therapeutic the animals were going to be for these precious children. I can't wait to see them again in a couple weeks:)