Help! We have been eaten by an urban monster

Jambo

So we survived the beast of the wild only to be chewed, digested and spat out by an urban monster called Eygt Air.

Sitting in Rome and feeling like the composting dung of a kalahi tree we now contemplate the next phase of our journey.

It all started on the 6 /6 . (Funny coincidences with the numbers). Eygpt Air landed at Nairobi and the plane ended up sideways across the strip in the dirt. Nairobi Airport closed.

At the time we were obliviously enjoying ourselves in Nakaru with a drive up to the crater, nice coffee and spending our last Kenya shillings on weaving trinkets.

An interesting drive back to Nairobi through the rift valley.

Our flight was to leave at 4.30am on the 7^th. Because there is a 3 hrs check in requirement and ½ hr drive to the airport we felt that there wasn’t a lot of value of getting a hotel. Down town wasn’t really a safe option with our bags so decided to go to the airport and just kill time in the lounge.

So we get to the airport @ 6.00pm. Some flights were going again.

Problem 1. There is not an effective lounge at the booking terminal. Security is tight.

We hunker ourselves down for a long wait; cold hard seats with a dirty lino floor.

At 11.00pm we noticed that other flights had been posted on the board  but the MS 850 Cairo flight was not up. We inquired at many counters but most didn’t seem to know and kept pointing to a shut Egypt air counter.  One told us the flight has been cancelled.

This confirmed the board.

With no internet available,  frequent power cuts, in a city that had a bomb go off only 1 week previous we decide its time to find a  bed.

Our usual taxi has gone home. Get another taxi to take us back into town. 3 hotels later we find a room. (now 12.45am) on the net & txt travel agent in Tauranga for re-ticketing.

Maree, United Travel says that Egypt Air is still flying. Nairobi airport is saying that it is cancelled Go figure! Tried ring Eygpt air….no response.

 Now 1.30pm review Nairobi  Airport web site and status update says the flight is on schedule and saw that there was an incoming flight from Cairo on schedule. Marre also rang and reaffirmed that it’s a go.

We now have 2 confirmed sources saying the flight will happen. Call another taxi; argue with hotel one hr use and didn’t even get in the bed. Back to airport.

Check In

Flight leaves ½ hr late.

At Cairo the connection is tight but with the Nairobi plane ½hr  late the connections are real tight. First out of the plane we quickly walk down a long wing through 3 security checks back out another long wing and puffing we join the last of the line loading.

Problem my pac safe waist bag is missing. Talked to the flight attendant. Run back 700m to the Security Point that I knew where I left it. Not there…they no nothing……..yeah right. Look round they get stroppy, time running out don’t want to miss that flight.

Sprint back to the plane and was the last on.

Now not only tired from the long night but sweaty and gutted. Missing;

Reader

Phone

Cash

Credit Card

Fancy little torch

Drivers License

Not a good flight. Seat didn’t recline. Fat cow in front of Bronni reclined her seat into our laps and loved stretching her enormous arms to display her hairy armpits and no one could see the screen, Meal was edible plastic.

Landing in Rome straight off to see the attendant re making a lost property claim. (more for insurances purposes) Given a form to fill it out. Then told to fill out another for our other 2 bags. Puzzled we said ……… these bags are not a problem. Ah said the good man they are a problem and you just don’t know it……..their still in Cairo.

Update when we get the bags.

I’m pooped. Need sleep badly. Feeling my age not having slept for 48hrs..

Arrivederci.