Day One: Bumps in the Road

 

Well we got checked and it seemed to take forever! I mean the line was not that long but oh my. All went fine and we made some new friends at the TSA security check.  As we were beginning to get tired, they made our night.  They were funny and asked us where we were going.  It was just the boost we needed.

As we boarded the plane, a chef in hat and coat greeted us.  It was very cool. Once we were settled in our seats, I turned on the in seat entertainment system.  We had so many movies to choose from.  We were delayed on leaving Dulles. The 10 and half  hour flight went pretty quickly.  We ate, slept, drank, and watched movies. When we arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, there was a really long delay on the runway.  As they were letting us off the plane our connecting flight was to leave in 30 minutes.  It would be tight, but we felt sure we would try to make it. Little did we know that ahead of us were many roadblocks.  Waiting for everyone to get off the plane, going through another security check, waiting for people to make choice of which line to get in, then walking (or running) to the gate through a crowded terminal.   With all of that we did not make the flight.  SO my mom began to worry and Gram really began to worry.  Mom stayed clam and asked when we would be able to catch another flight.  Not until the next night. On any other trip, we would have been thrilled to explore a new country and be shuttled to a hotel. But mom seemed worried she would not make it to Tanzania in time to begin her climb.

WE ARE STRANDED IN TURKEY!

We were showed where to go to have our tickets changed.  Mom and Pops talked with the ticket person and she was able to work her magic and get Pops, my mom and me on a plane that would transfer through Nairobi, Kenya.  But again that was going to be tight to make the flight.  Once we got the thumbs up to allow this change in flights, off we took running through the airport. The ticket lady escorted us to the security check, through the terminal, and to the gate.  Mom and I sprinted the whole way.  Pops holding his own the whole was as well.  When we reached the gate, we were relieved we had made the flight…last ones to board the plane.

We left the other to spend the night in Istanbul, Turkey.  I hope they take advantage of the experience and see some of the sights.  They will fly out tomorrow at 6pm.

The plane was not full and it was going to be 6 and half hours to Nairobi, Kenya.  Again, movies, food, and sleeping.

As I looked out to see the lights of Nairobi, I began to get so excited that I was going to finally be in Africa.  Mom and I began talking about some of her experiences and we both just had huge smile son our faces.  As we left the plane, I finally had arrived in Africa! The fresh cool air was amazing.  We would have a 5 hour layover in the Nairobi Airport, but it will go fast. 

Mom said she is so proud of me and how well I rolled with the punches.  I was worried we would not make and now that we are so close, I am so excited.

I am resting now in the airport as we leave for Tanzania at 9am.  It will be a short 1 hour flight. I hope to write more when we arrive in Moshi, Tanzanzia. As well as a few pictures we took.