My people, how far? After traveling for 21 hours on the plane, 7 hours on a bus, and 3 days in general, I am relieved to let you all know that I am here. I am a frequent traveller, but I can tell you that this is the loooongest trip I have ever taken in my life. When we got to our destination, I did not feel like a human being at all. Let me take you back to the beginning of it all.

I started packing for my trip on Friday at 4pm. It was very easy to pack for because we won’t be gone for long, and I had just come back from another trip. I knew exactly what I needed. It took me about 45 minutes and I was all packed and ready. We had class from 6pm till 8pm, and then our sleepover. Everybody was just shining eye after the class, but sleep was disturbing me too much. I was out before the lights were turned off. We woke up at 1:30am and left Saint Mary’s at about 2:45am.

At the airport, everything was moving in slow motion. It was too early for the staff to be there, but not too early for us. We got our bags checked, waited a little, and got on our flight to New york. That flight was so cramped, and I slept basically the entire way to New York.

When we got to New York, it started snowing. I have never been more excited. I’ve never seen snow before and I was amazed. I snapchatted about it and my brother, who goes to school in New York, made it seem like less of a big deal. We were at the airport for about two hours, and we were off to Amsterdam.

As a Nigerian citizen who couldn’t be bothered to get a visa for twelve hours, I stayed in a Yotel at the airport in Amsterdam. It was weirdly designed but it got the job done. I tried to watch a series called ‘Aso-ebi’ on Irokotv (peep my advert skills), but I was out before one episode was done. I slept for like five hours, showered and continued watching my series. Everyone else went out to explore Amsterdam and they were whipped by the time they got back. I felt like I cheated them because I was showered and well rested, whilst everyone was tired. We had dinner at an Asian restaurant, and finally boarded our flight to Nairobi, Kenya.

Because I crashed at the Yotel, I was actually awake on the plane. I watched a few movies and series, one of which was ‘Queen of Katwe.'(everyone needs to see that movie)  The food on the plane was good, and it was the only time the entire trip that I ate on the plane. The flight was smooth and at this point, everyone was just ready to be at our destination.

Postcard from one of my classmates from the Van Gogh museum. Thanks Zoe!

The airport in Nairobi is beautiful.( Nigerian airports need to get their lives together!) We retrieved our luggage and met with the volunteer coordinator at Daraja Academy (our home for the next two weeks). Daraja is supposed to be four hours away from Nairobi in a town called Nanyuki. It actually took us seven hours to get there. More traveling *in a sarcastic tone.* While our bags were being loaded unto the bus, the airport porters made away with over a $100 from our group. I didn’t give them nothing because some things in Africa never change. I felt bad for those who did tho!

The drive was beautiful and the road was very good. We stopped at a shop to pee and they tried to convince us to buy souvenirs. I told the man that I didn’t have money and he told me to use my plastic money(credit/debit money). I asked him if he gave me any plastic money and he couldn’t respond. I laughed and walked away.

We stopped at a supermarket in Nanyuki to change our money and buy some food/supplies. I made a friend who goes by Oga Sammy. He tried to convince me to buy fake raybans and watches, but we ended up talking about Kenya and learning Swahili (on my part)

I know this was long so I will stop here. Look out for more stories in upcoming blog posts. I am having a ton of fun and I wish you all were here with me. (jokes!) See you in future posts.

P.S.-Some of my pictures are screenshots from snapchat. Accept my humble apologies, but don’t forget to follow me on snapchat @ adaora97 for live updates of my trip.

Proverbs 2:8-9 ‘For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.’