Stuck at Nairobi airport for Christmas Eve

24 December, Friday; Nairobi Airport, Kenya. After our amazing time in the Ngorongoro Crater it was time to start our very long journey home. First, to Arusha and a stop at Good Earth Tours headquarters where we were able to take a shower. I was glad that I didn’t have to board the plane after being in the 4x4 with the top off for hours on dusty roads. More importantly, my neighbors on the plane were surely glad for that as well. Then we braved the traffic again to get to Kilimanjaro airport where we would board our first of four flights to get home.

After the whole cancelled flights fiasco, I was a tad bit nervous about checking in, even though I’d confirmed our itinerary that morning. We handed our passports to the woman at the counter and she quipped, “You don’t have tickets.” Holy crap. Just what I need – to spend Christmas evening at Kilimanjaro airport and miss my flight to the US. Noooooo! We went to the office to straighten things out and the woman that helped us must have thought I was on uppers. Everything worked out and I calmed down….until I saw our flight on the departures board with the status “Departed.” Holy crap x 2. It was not terribly surprising because the airport is a bit strange. They don’t even announce flight departures and they don’t let you into the boarding area until they decide, which they don’t even announce that it’s now approved for you to enter. Ben dutifully went and checked. Turns out that the flight I saw wasn’t ours, although it was the same airline and the right time. Our flight was actually at a different time than was printed on our boarding tickets, but hey, why should they care to make things straightforward for their customers. That’s Africa for you, I guess. I apologized to Ben for being a nervous traveller. I think I’m just ready to get home. It is Christmas Eve after all. More forms to fill out at immigration in Nairobi even though we’re only transiting (technically). I’m a bit relieved to see our bags arrived this time. I led Ben on a wild goose chase to find the check in counter for Brussels Airlines and we braved the Mauritius Air passengers who were upset that they checkin team helped us first from the business check in line. For some strange reason, we are escorted through immigration to the First Class lounge. It was nothing fancy, but the couches were comfy and there were snacks. Unfortunately, our flight was delayed, though no one could tell us for how long. Great – just what we need. That’s exactly how I wanted to spend Christmas Eve. It seems that Nairobi airport is bad luck for us. Finally, at 2am, we are finally on board our flight to Brussels. The plane is cavernous and there are 28 of us on the Airbus A330. Business class was a fantastic treat. Lay flat beds, champagne, yummy food. We both drifted away.