We arrived! Though still not sure what day it is, we have arrived and are staying in Nairobi.

We arrived at the airport late last night. Tim and I stood in a very long and chaotic line to get our VISAs. We each knew we had to say we were coming as tourists, not to work. We both filled out a long form and got our Visas and passport stamps. We were accepted! The diversity of people in that Visa area was amazing. People from all over. They did have Ebola posters up but we know the area we are in has not been affected.

I would have taken pictures of the process but we are not allowed to take any pictures of government buildings or employees. Being a government employee myself, this is disappointing but I shall comply!

We then got our bags and went through Customs. Dad had given us fair warning of the process. We weren’t bringing in any electronics for anyone or anything worth more than $500. But when the Customs guy asked us if we wished to claim anything and I said no- he was doubtful. He looked at me sideways and said, “Nothing?” while looking at our bags. I told him we had donations we collected from my coworkers and family. He asked if they were taxable…Tim and I looked at each other in confusion. I said, “my coworkers and family helped us bring supplies for the children”. He looked in one bag and saw dum dums,jump ropes, and the duck hats from Uncle Bill. I guess that convinced him and he sent us on our way. I sweat like bullets for those few moments. We were not doing anything wrong but it was an intimidating encounter during that first hour of being in the Country.

We were so happy to see Dad and Sue. I think I waved at them like my 19 month year old niece Cora waves when she eats cheese. It was THAT exciting.

Traffic in Nairobi can be blogged about another day. Let’s just say…wow. Wow.

We got back to the sweet hotel where we are staying two nights.

It has a hot shower and warm bed. As usual, I’m fascinated by the bathroom-I took pictures for my father-in-law, a retired plumber. The average blog reader may not care so I’ll spare you the pics.

Before bed we were able to visit with Dad and Sue. It’s wonderful to see them. On one hand this place seems so foreign. But on the other, since they are here, we feel instantly at home.

They taught us Kenyans always greet each other when entering a room. They greet each other by name and with a handshake. They taught us how to shake hands with great respect.

The bed has a mosquito net. I love it as I had one when I was younger. I always felt like a princess. It came down the first night we got a kitten about twelve years ago. But since there aren’t any kittens but some Mosquitos here, we get one! Practical yet princess like!

We slept well! We got up early this morning- our first full day in Kenya- and had many adventures which will be the subject of many blogs.