This blog was written on August 20, just after arriving in Nairobi for debrief.
August 20, 2011
Last week I was surprised by an
offer to step into the role of one of the logistics people on my squad. Now I
will be working with Jeff to do things like arranging squad transportation,
organize debriefs, merge team budgets, and other logistical things. One of the
changes this meant for me was leaving ministry in Uganda a couple of days early
to book facilities for the squad debrief in Nairobi this week.
I left on Saturday with Jeff and
the three squad leaders, and we were supposed to arrive on Sunday at 9am. Here
is what really happened….
Saturday, August 20
6:30am Alarm goes off
7:08 Actually get up and
start to pack
9:12 Walk (with all my gear) to the medical clinic to be tested
for typhoid and malaria. Told that the reason
that they couldn’t find a vein for blood tests is that we were “too fat”.
10:00 With the all clear on our health, we find a mutatu to Kampala.
Have to buy 2 seats in order for my
pack to fit.
11:35 Arrive at the mall. Leave my pack with Joy at the coffee shop,
and go to buy bus tickets for tonight.
After some hassle, the tickets are booked for a 9pm departure.
12:40 Back to the mall. Settle in for a long wait…
1:00 Order chicken and chips for lunch – the most delicious food
I’ve eaten all month
1:08 Start regretting eating food I’m not used to anymore
6:18 Taxi to the bus station. A little early, but then I’m there
before dark
8:00 Meet up with Jeff and the squad leaders
8:28 Board the bus
10:00 Finally leave the bus station!
Sunday, August 21
1:30am Start to doze off
2:00 Border crossing! Pay to
use a sketchy squatty potty, then get my Ugandan exit stamp. Wander around the
deserted area for a while until we find the Kenyan entry booth. Finally get
into Kenya. Walk a little further until we find the rest of the people on our bus.
Wait until our bus has cleared customs.
2:30 Finally allowed back on our bus
3:00 Wake up as we drop off some people in a small town. As we try
to drive away our bus jolts and then
stalls. Fall asleep as they work on fixing it.
3:30 Wake up to see the same area. Doze off again
4:00 Wake up. We’re still on the side of the road. Doze off
5:00 Wake up, still stranded, fall asleep
Every 10 minutes for the next hour – wake up, still stranded, doze
off
6:00 Dawn comes, but we’re still stranded. People get off the bus
to stretch, brush our teeth, use the restroom,
etc.
6:20 Bus starts!!!! Starts to drive away until those of us on the
bus tell him to stop and wait for everyone
to get back on. But then…on our way again!!!
9:00 Supposed to be arriving in Nairobi. We’re still driving
10:15 Drop off people in Eldoret, Kenya. Bus won’t start again.
10:30 Mechanic arrives. Starts to dissemble our engine.
11:00 Parts of our transmission are scattered across the sidewalk, each
one being washed with water from
a jerry can.
11:15 Consider calling Pastor P, our contact here in Eldoret from last
month. Realize we don’t have his number.
11:30 Start looking into mutatus or other modes of transport to
Nairobi.
11:35 Told our bus would be fixed in a 5 minutes
11:40 Our transmission is still scattered across the sidewalk
11:45 Start to reassemble the engine
11:50 Test drive around the block
Noon A couple of minor adjustments, and we’re on our way!
3:00 Bathroom break in Nakuru
4:15 See wild animals out the bus window! Herds of zebras,
antelope, buffalo and lots of birds.
6:00 Nairobi!!!! Finally!!!!
6:15 Collect our bags. Think
about complaining to management that mine is soaked in alcohol, TJ’s in grease,
and everyone’s is filthy and smelly, but decide its not worth the hassle. Find
taxis instead.
6:30 Arrive at the Milimani Backpacker’s hostel. Never been more
excited to see a bed and a hot shower! Feeling a little ill, so I opt for the good sleep, and a hot shower in
the morning. Finally, we’re
here!
So, that’s travel day. Might
actually top the list for worst travel day on the race. Might not have been too
bad if the bus was comfortable, if I was feeling well, or if there was a
bathroom on the bus. But, it was an adventure, and we are now safe and sound in
Nairobi. Looking forward to debrief and seeing the rest of the squad, our
former squad leaders, and our coaches, later this week.
