I didn't sleep last night, which I mentioned previously, because I didn't want to miss my plan for getting to the airport. I repack my big bag, moving the cold weather clothes to the bottom of the duffle and the hot weather clothes on top. I stumble down the stairs with my two bags. One bag has my clothes and accessories while my new carry-on has only my souvenirs. I program a ride with UBER, and within 6 minutes, the sleek black private car arrives and like the past they load my luggage, drive me to the airport and send me the receipt by email.
At the airport, I check-in through business class line which takes about 10 minutes, and get through customs in about 5 minutes. So, getting the UBER car, getting through check-in and customs so quickly, I'm two hours before the flight leaves. I find the KLM airlines Executive lounge and grab an expresso and yogurt with fruit.
I board the KLM flight which is a huge 747-400 and get to sit on the upper deck of the two tier airline. Its feels strange sitting so far forward and higher off the ground compared to you standard wide-bodied planes. As was the KLM flight from Rio to Amsterdam, the service was impeccable. Since it was a late morning flight, lunch was served. Veal stroganoff, potatoes, caramelized carrots and croissants. I decide not to sleep so I can get sleep tonight in Nairobi. It was foggy at the Amsterdam Airport, so we were one hour late leaving out of the gate.
The flight was to pass over France, Italy, Mediterranean Sea, Egypt (the flight even trailed the Nile River for about 30 minutes), then we hit the stark desert countries of Southern Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia before we start seeing the greener landscapes of Kenya. About halfway through Ethiopia I watch a very colorful sunset out my west side window.
We arrive at the Nairobi airport and all passengers have to board busses to be escorted to the immigration, customs and baggage claim area. Business Class persons were off the plane first, so first on the buses, thus the first in line to go through all the processes. As soon as we get off the buses, we are guided through a gauntlet of surgical masked "nurses" that require us to remove our glasses so they can see our eyes. They also take our temperature with a quick tap to our head with a some type of thermometer. As we head to the Visa check area, I notice a sign and a line that is well off the rest of the lines, the sign read "East African Arrivals Only". These would represent those countries under the EBOLA crises. I get through immigration and baggage pretty quick, but in customs they decide to go through both my bags. I stay cool, but they did seem very nosy about my souvenirs. I finally get to close up my bags and I notice a money exchange booth. I trade out $300e and get $34,000KS of Kenyan Shilling. Wow, Im rich.
I walk out of the arrival area and negotiate a cab fare to the Hilton, in the central business district. We settle on $2,000KS, about $15US. William my cabbie is an absolute riot. By the time I get to my hotel, I know all about his 3 daughters, and his 14 yr old taking the first of several state test to determine if she is college prep material, and all the places he has visited in Africa. I had called Bronce to check up on my house, and William the Cabbie ends up talking to him. I call my mom and he talks to her. We decide he will help me around town because he says I should not walk the streets.
We arrive just outside the Hilton and their is a security hut with a long red/white gate. The cab is checked over by two guards inside and out. He checked under the front hood and trunk with the luggage. The other guard ran a lighted mirror on a rod underneath the cars frame and tires. "Have a nice day". Kind made you think. Then as we get out of the cab, once we are let through the security gate, there is another security check. This time my bags are checked and I have to walk through metal detector. "Have a nice visit". I guess I should feel safe! But, let me say all the people involved at these checks are very considerate. I decide tonight to stay inside and enjoy the jazz club that is playing at one of the bars. I need to get a better lay of the land.
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