A Final Day in the City

12-13 july 2022

UP and out by 10am...check out time. We stored our bags with our friends in security and went back into the city to meet Jenny, our guide for eating and shopping. We had time to stop for a coffee/smoothie before we hooked up.

Jenny was great. She took us to several places to find souvenirs, but the first place was the best--prices were already marked and no haggling! Also, as we later discovered, they also had the lowest prices. We also got convinced to go into this Masai shop and I got a small pumbaa--paid way too much but in US $ it was only about $5. Jenny had also brought us each a few knick knacks as gifts.

We stopped for food after walking all over downtown and the university area where there was an outdoor market. Finally, some juicy chicken! Jenny even asked if I was sure I wanted it because it was oily. I was "YES PLEASE! I'M AN AMERICAN AND DEMAND SUGAR AND FAT AND SALT IN EVERYTHING!!" Had some chicken and fries.

We went back to the Airbnb (I was starting to feel queasy for some reason that I now believe was Dramamine withdrawal--I took so much of it to deal with those crazy bumpy roads) and got our bags, then headed to Serenity Spa for a massage! It was quite possibly the best massage I've ever had. Afterward, you lay on lounge chairs on the veranda and they bring you tea and fruit. So relaxing.

We went ahead and went to the airport, not knowing how long customs/security would take. Our flight wasn't until about midnight, but we were there before 6. Finally by a little after 7 we were allowed to check in, which thankfully didn't take long. But strangely, security is odd here--we were stopped 7 times throughout the Nairobi airport:

1. screening as we entered

2. passport/vaccination check

3. passport check for boarding pass

4. customs check

5. bag screening AGAIN

6. bag searched at the gate

7. documents checked before boarding

**and then a bag screening when I arrived in Amsterdam as well!!

No McDonalds or Starbucks in Kenya! What a unique thing! They strangely DID have a Hardee's at the airport, but instead I got a ham and cheese sandwich and some water and settled in to wait for my flight. Finally made it to Schiphol in Amsterdam at about 7am. Found the KLM Lounge for which I had pre-purchased a day pass (and good thing, because people who were walking in were being denied access). I went in and it was packed. Found some chocolate chip croissants and tea and put myself on the list for a sleep cabin at 9am.

Best decision ever. For five hours, I had a tiny room with VERY comfortable bed (appreciated after two nights on a brick), a TV and a sink. I changed into PJs and passed out for four hours. Woke up, refreshed my hair and makeup, and headed back to the lounge for lunch--pasta and red sauce, salad, and a banana.

I found a seat by the large window, filled up a cup with delicious mini chocolate shortbread cookies, grabbed a Coke Zero and settled in to wait until about an hour before my flight. At one point, I went out onto the observation deck to look at the planes, and couldn't help but think how strange it was that the night before I was in Africa...now I was in Europe, and a few hours from now, I'll be back in North America. Pretty amazing.