Our First Days in Africa

So here we are in Nairobi,Kenya.  I thought we'd do this blog thing, so people who are curious about our adventures could see, and I would not bore those who were not interested.

Our trip started out in Boston at the beginning of the snow storm.  We got on the plane 20 minutes late (thought that was pretty good) and sat on that plane for 3 hours before leaving.  We were de-iced twice.  Now when we arrived at Heathrow, they had booked us on a Kenyan flight that left for Kenya 9 hours later.  So we switched terminals (took 18 minutes to travel between terminals) and sat for 8 hours.  Actually we slept on some benches for a while.  It was really funny trying to figure out how to use the internet with no pounds.  We charged once, then went to Starbucks and got the right change to use the internet and tell the kids what was happening to us

We arrived in Nairobi a day late and minus the two boxes full of Grace's presents.  We spent a long time in line getting a visa to get into this country.  Then came the bad news about the boxes - they had never left Boston.

Yesterday Mike and Kristoffer traveled back to the airport to get the boxes.  When they went through customs, the agent asked  how much they were worth? When Mike told them $100 the woman questioned him and Kristoffer told her that everything was made in China!!!!!  So the duty was less!

We have had several African experiences, some of you I've already told.  When we left the airport, we saw a giraffe out in a field right next to the airport.  Kristoffer said it was a lucky sign, as he had never seen a giraffe there.  The day after we got here, Kristoffer took us to the post office to pick up a package.  It was quite an experience - Mike counted 12 people that Kristoffer had to deal with before we left with the package.  Then on the way back home, we stopped at an open food market.  Actually it was under a tent or tin roof.  What a place.  I had people coming up to me calling me MaMa and trying to sell me something.  The person Kristoffer was bargaining with was giving him a hard time about decreasing the price of the vegetables we bought.

On Thursday my next African experience.  While waiting for Lisa in the pediatrician's office, which is at the Childrens' Hospital, I was looking out the window and counted 8 monkeys crossing in the back of parking lot.

Things are very different here - I would never drive here - and can see why Lisa would not want to drive here also.  They have these crazy mini-buses that are all over the place, and there are not many stop signs.  People just drive any which way.

Lisa and Kristoffer live in a very nice area in a lovely home.  There are 10 homes in this compound.  It is gated and guards have to let you in.  At night they have guards that patrol with dogs.  So it is relatively safe.  They have a very nice lady, Ida, who is their domestic worker.  She cooks, cleans and takes good care of them.  They also have a driver, Charles, whom we will meet on Monday.

We are getting over our jet lag now.  The weather is beautiful.  And Grace was well worth the trip.  She does remind us of Lisa as an infant.  She is a very content infant.  Last night Lisa said she had 6 hours of sleep, with Grace sleeping for 3 two hour sessions between feedings.  Both Lisa and Grace have been checked by their doctors and both are doing great.

Before I close, I need to tell you how surprised I was to see several signs for Casinos here.  Now those of you who know me will know that sooner or later I will be in one of those casinos.  Today, while at their mall, there was a sign for a casino on the second floor.  It will open soon.  So you never know, African luck may be better than Foxwoods to me!

Well I think that covers our trip so far.  We will write again sometime soon to let you know what we are up to.