Lay Over in Heathrow
The flight to Mombasa is not short trip.
One must first fly a good 7 hr flight over the Atlantic to some destination of choice and then another 8 hr flight to Nairobi. The lay over periods between these flights can be somewhat long and if you are in a less than 12 hour period of lay over it is best not to leave the airport because who knows how long you'll have to get back to the terminal with going through security, customs, etc.
To pass the time I've been going through some basic Swahili to improve language skills upon arrival. Ndiyo! (it is true, or yes). There are so many interesting facets to Swahili coming together as a trade language from different areas of East Africa. To note: most of the emphasis within the words fall on the second to last syllable. Many nouns that indicate a person have an M/WA beginning to indicate a singular or plural form.
mtoto-child
watoto-children
Along with the learning Swahili you can also pass the time by sleeping. Sleeping is good when you have lost the time going overseas.
Asante,
Ben
Comments
Oh my word, Ben! How long was your layover? My flight was just rescheduled. No longer a straight shot! Layover in Paris and then arriving in Kyiv, followed by an 8 hour train ride to Zaporozhye. Whew... I'm feeling for you! I'll be feeling it in about four days! Hope you've arrived safely! Take lots of pics... you have an amazing experience in store.
Posted by: Jaqui | May 22, 2007 7:30 PM
Jambo Ben,
So happy to hear you made it safely to Heathrow and made productive use of time with language aquisition. I will be even happier when I've heard that you have arrived safely in Mombasa.
Baba (swahili for Dad)
Posted by: Bob Marcy | May 23, 2007 8:55 PM
HI BEN!!!! It's May 24 in Perth, Australia and we are celebrating your birthday even though it appears you are on one tough journey! Will be checking your progress, and hope to hear that you are out of airports and arrived safe and sound. Happy Birthday from Down Under!!!
love,
Auntie M and Uncle Ken
Posted by: Auntie Maxine | May 24, 2007 5:04 AM
Happy Bday coz! Be safe and have an awesome time. Be checking in on ya!
Cousin Carolyn
Posted by: Carolyn | May 24, 2007 7:25 PM
Ben,
Furaha Ya Siku Ya Kuza Liwa!
(Swahili for happy birthday!)
Glad you've arrived safely in Mombasa... the adventure begins! What a great way to start your 23rd year!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
love,
Dad
Posted by: Bob Marcy | May 24, 2007 10:33 PM
Happy Birthday Ben! Hope that journal will be useful. Remember to get some interesting recipes.
Love,
Graham
Posted by: Graham | May 25, 2007 3:30 AM
Hi Ben!!! Talked to your ma for almost an hour on Sunday, and she tells me you ARRIVED! Also got to talk to Ray, Brant, Sarah, and Owen (he cried at first, then the conversation put him to sleep). Am sure you are busy with orientation, but let us know how you are -- and DON'T DRINK THE WATER (or eat salads....ask Carolyn about that). Thinking of you (went to Scarborough Beach Sunday to "wave" to the next land mass -- East Africa -- we're practically neighbors!!!). love,
Aunt M and Uncle Ken
Posted by: Auntie Maxine | May 29, 2007 6:49 AM
ben...
wow, what an adventure.
I'm glad you are making the world a better place for all of us. Your ambition and idealism is to be commended.
The staff at Senator Durbin's office was asking about you the other night at Bill Houlihan's party. Just one more place where you left your mark.
take good care of yourself.
cam
Posted by: cam davenport | June 19, 2007 4:57 PM
Ben,
Thought I should check to see how everything is going. I'm glad to hear that you have made it. Best wishes from Cedar Riverside in Minneapolis
Posted by: Rhonda Eastlund | June 20, 2007 2:04 AM