When my groups fly into Nairobi, Kenya for the first time (after traveling for almost two days from the USA), they are immediately (as was I on my first trip to Africa) impressed physically and emotionally by the differences in international airports. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (named for the first president of Kenya, who assumed power when the Brits abandoned their "crown jewel" colony in East Africa in 1963), is crowded and garishly lit. Soldiers (who always look, young, stern and infinitely bored) wander everywhere with machine guns slung casually over their shoulders. The corridors are jam packed with humanity. People seem to be all talking at once and no one is using a language anyone in my group is even remotely knowledgeable of. Everyone is smoking. It is hot - no air conditioning in this international hub. Kiosks and small curio shops abound. Everyone seems to know where they are going except for us. We huddle together like a colony within a colony seeking safety in numbers. We move towards customs like an ameoba, where other stern and bored governmental officials stare at our passports and our visas as if we are narco-drug traffikers or brain dead tourists (which of course we are, that is brain dead tourists). After clearing customs we grab our gear (some bags have disappeared into to the ether and will never again be seen in our universe - we are all praying that at least our camera gear made it through the chaos which is Heathrow in the UK). With trepidation we wander through the gigantic doors out into the main lobby of Jomo Kenyatta International and are immediately assaulted by Africa. Millions of people calling for our attention. Colors. Yes, Africa is the most colorful place on earth. The smells of fossil fuels, food preparation and raw humanity befuddle our tired brains. Acacia trees, unbelievable hued birds (superb starlings and weaver birds roost right in the airports trees) and traffic fight for our undivided attention. No, we are not in Kansas anymore.
And I for one thank God. We are in Africa. Off the gird. Our cell phones won't work. Animals and life abound. Now we are truly on vacation.
