Conclusions from the first 48 hours

So I am just over 48 hours into my trip to Africa (24 hours traveling and 24 hours in Kenya). I have compiled a few of my conclusions thus far.

1. Having frequent flyer “status” is akin to being a rockstar

It has been over a year since I left Deloitte but I still have “Premier Executive” status on United Airlines through the end of the year (a small token of a miserable 6 months of flying between California and Pennsylvania). This status enabled my colleague and me to upgrade to more legroom during our 10-hour flight from LAX to London. Working my status made me feel fancy (no, it does not take much).

2. Children should never fly alone on international flights

… or at least not those that I am also on. My rockstar status evaporated once we arrived in London and had to transfer to Kenya Airways for the next leg of our journey. Three unaccompanied minors were seated behind me and after only an hour of giggling, fighting and nonstop seat kicking I found myself asking  “who sends their child to Kenya alone?” The next seven hours were some of the more miserable in recent memory – not even pain pills and wine helped to make it more bearable.

3. I love Tusker

After over 24 hours of traveling, we had a short list of priorities when we finally landed in Nairobi, drinking being the first on the list. Upon arrival at our hotel we set our bags down and headed straight to the downstairs bar. We ordered the local lager, Tusker, and I must say I approve, not only of the taste but the giant bottles it is served in.

4. I also love the internet

Our hotel in Nairobi is called “Olive Gardens” despite the fact that it has no gardens or all-you-can-eat meals of soup, salad and breadsticks. It is not fancy (nicknamed “Hotel 6 – Nairobi” by one of my colleagues) but is kind of cute and does have most of the necessary modern conveniences including wireless Internet. After fulfilling our first priority of beer, I returned to my room and worked on my next set of priorities. First, I connected to what is likely the slowest high-speed Internet connection known to man. Despite this speed, my love for the Internet holds strong. I was able to call my girlfriend for free via Skype. The delay was a little ridiculous, but hearing her voice from thousands of miles away was quite amazing. Next, I called my mom– being a little less savvy about the delay, she hung up on me. I emailed her instead. Thanks to Al Gore and his Internets, my mother knows I am safe.

5. Lady Gaga and Beyonce rule the world

The familiar voice of Lady Gaga was somewhat soothing as I rode on the shuttle bus between terminals at the London airport. I felt as though Lady Gaga was my traveling companion, with me almost everywhere I go.

Lady Gaga in London did not seem that out of the ordinary, but waking up in Nairobi to Beyonce and her “Single Ladies” was strange but yet, again quite comforting.

6. I am really white

I know what you are thinking. Yes, I already knew I was VERY white before arriving in Africa but from time to time I forget. I was reminded while walking through Nairobi this afternoon (with two other white girls and a black girl who is quite the snappy dresser). Total show stoppers.

More tomorrow.