Wednesday 4 May 2011

Jetlag and Giraffes

After 17 long hours of flying, we finally arrived in Niarobi, Kenya. I am so glad to finally be here, because in the last couple hours of the flight to Nairobi, I wanted to jump out of the plane I was so sick of sitting. I met upt with the rest of my friends in London, who had all stayed overnight in the city. We arrived at the airport (named after one of the past presidents that i can't pronounce) and proceeded to get our visas. All of our luggage arrived without any problems, and w proceeded to load ourselves and luggage into a bus. Since Kenya is widely based on the \british system, they drive on the wrong side of the road, which was a rather frightening expereince. \there is also a huge fuel shortage in \kenya, so it is not uncommon to see cars stranded on the side of the road. As we drove out of the airport, there were advertisments everywhere - kind of felt like new york city. we also past a national park, where elephants and lions were only separated from the highway  by a metal fence. We arrived at the hotel, which is gorgous. One of the staff greeted us with hot lemon towels and tropical juice-delish! \sidenote: the juice here is amazing! it probably has to do with the fruit, because everything here is so lush and green. |Defs the best juice i have ever had. \we had a buffet breakfast this tomorrow (delishous) and i was so tempted to have a muffin! i refrained, reminding myself that I did not want to spend the afternoon by the toilet (which is a problem, considering the one in our hotel room does not flush!) \in 20 mins, we have a briefing of the day, and are headed into town to do some shopping anf banking. \The we are going to a national park to see giraffes - so excited! \the weather here is cool and rainy, just like good old vancouver.


I apologize as this post will probably not make a lot of sense as I am still extremely tired and am not feeling the greatest. \more cool info will come.

all the best,


Mary

Just touched down in London town!

Well folks, step one of the journey is complete! I made it to London, England without too many hiccups. By geroge, typing on this crazy euro keyboard is quite the challenge! The flight from Toronto to London was late by about 45mins. I made the mistake of not getting up once during this flight. However, I met a nice dude named Jimmy from Niagra Falls who I chatted with for the duration of the flight. I am not used to travelling internationally, because it was such a suprise to get two free meals - score! Then again, it is airplane food. I was also very impressed with British Airways as they give you a free blanket, pillow and earphones-sweeeet! I watched about three movies during the flight, caught some shut eye and did some reading on a guide book for Kenya. Overall flight grade: A-

People watching the London airport is spectactular. You have the fancy, business class dressed to the nines and then travellers that look like death (aka myself) from getting off of such a long flight. I must say, british adolescences are hilarious. I really need to come and see London again. Did i mention that it is sunny? Such a rare occurance for dear ol' England.

One more flight to go!


Mary

Tuesday 3 May 2011

The itinerary

May 4-12: Nairobi, Kenya (the capital city of Kenya)

May 9-10: Masai Mara (going on a safari! lions, tigers and bears-oh my!)

May 13-14: Kisumu (another major city in Kenya)

May 15-17: Muhanda, North of Lake Victoria (we will be staying at our professor's house during this time)

May 18-20: travelling to Uganda! (to Mbale, to be exact)

May 21: Jinja

May 22: Mpigi, South of Kampala

May 23-24: Kampala

May 25: depart from Entebbe, Uganda

I will be travelling back through London and then before I know, I'll be back in Canada! I realize I forgot to explain what exactly I am doing over there-- I am going on a travel study through my university. I will be taking two classes while I am there (economics and communications), touring and working on a water filtration project, visiting orphanages and other things that I have yet to know about! I have kind of been out of the loop as I have just finished exams, flew home to Toronto, packed, repacked and am getting back on the plane. Seriously, I really think I should live at YYZ (toronto international airport).

....I still need to go shopping to get those last-minute things. I should probably get on that!

Counting down!

Mary

So I'm leaving on a jet plane...TO AFRICA!

Hey Everyone!

So the day has arrived! I am leaving!! I have 6 hours until I need at Pearson (the international airport in Toronto) and I still haven't finished packing yet! (I'm all about last minute things). I am attempting to blog about my trip, however, I am not bring a computer with me as internet connection will be limited over there. Regardless, I will be journal so I can remember all the cool stuff I did and update this blog after I get back.

Here is my travel itinerary for the day:
-leave Toronto at 6:50pm
-arrive in London at 7:00am
-meet up with the rest of my classmates in the Nairobi airport (I have a 3 hour over in London... maybe i'll see William & Kate?!)
-leave for Nairobi at 10:30am
-arrive in Nairobi at 9:00pm

I am running off of no sleep, and am hoping to find a little coffee shop in the London airport.

I'll post an update itinerary of my trip in a bit, I just need to go and buy some last-minute things for the trip!

Beyond excited,

Mary