Hello from Africa!

The update:
(1) trip from Aachen to Amsterdam was tiring but not hard. The bag ended up weighing 27 - and the limit is 30 kilos. So, i must be getting weak, because it sure felt heavier! Other than that, nothing particularly exciting... I did have to unpack my ENTIRE carry-on backpack. The lolita lempicka perfume is in a "dagger" form... And it was packed in the bottom. So, that was a kick.

(2) plane ride. Uneventful. I sat next to someone that I did not like. Actually did not like him -- unreal because that has never happened to me ever on a plane. But he was so particular - i had the isle but he did not like that i had one of my carry-ons stored under the seat because it would get in his way when he wanted to leave, etc. What a pain. But that is ok. Read a new book -- am halfway through it now. Only slept 3 hours.

(3) NBO airport. Got the plane and headed to passport control and visa app. I was filling out my visa app, and she walked up to me and asked if i was here on holiday, to which i said yes. She then took me to a desk behind the main desk where i paid my $50 and got my visa. Weird and fast. But, heck, this is Africa where rules matter in different ways... I did not even finish my visa app. So much for needing two pics and all that jazz.

(4) Drive from airport to backpackers. It took an hour and was tiring because people here are CRAZY drivers. Especially interesting to pass places like Simba Manufacturers and Rafiki engines (characters from the Lion King). EVERYONE was walking to work, which was interesting to see. Streams of people walking. And some men stopping to relieve themselves along the way!

(5) Backpackers... I am staying in a little room off the main building. It is COLD here. Apparently, it is "winter" time. Checked in and got to sleep for four hours.

(6) Got up, exchanged $50 for 3500 Ksh (much better than any exchange rate at any airport! - essentially only cost me $3 to change the money, which is great. Took a taxi to get my bus ticket, which i was apparently overcharged for (oh well. that is what it is to be white and not know!) . I even asked in advance and the backpackers had my driver go in for me. But, i paid 2000Ksh for the ticket - $27 (appx). The guide book said it would $24, but the folks here seemed to think it should be 1000Ksh. Maybe if you are black/African!

(7) Came back with my taxi driver, Chris. V. interesting guy. Likely will buy some candleholders from him -- 300Ksh each and I thought I would get four. He is an industrious sort of dude, so we will see. And the holders seem to pack well, so that is good. And for $16, I figure that is good deal. They are made of resin - and they make the molds etc. He took me to where the produce them - he and his partner (Chris also owns a second car, used for a taxi, and he and his wife run a small food business out of their home.). So, that was neat.

(8) Am now back at the backpackers and am going to shower, maybe nap?, prepare for tomorrow, read, and relax. There is a bbq here tonight (for 300ksh), so i will eat here and get to bed early. I have to leave here at 6am to get to the bus station tomorrow at 630am. The bus leaves at 7am. I am really anxious about the long bus trip and getting car sick and whether i should take the drammamine or not. It does make me sleepy -- and i don't want to worry about my bag being stolen. but, i think that i will take it (the non-drowsy kind even makes me tired!) and put those wrist bands on and hope that my anxiety will keep me up (or at least wake me when the bus stops!).

OK - more tomorrow when I get to Uganda.