Finally

I have been searching for flights for weeks now. The other night I had Orbitz pulled up on my computer and just before I got into bed I updated the search results for my flight from PDX to Kisumu. The price was the lowest I have seen. I did not want to pass the offer up, so I took it. I have my tickets booked for September 9 to November 14! Here is my itinerary:

(SEPT. 9) PDX~1:30pm to AMS~8:30am
AMS~8:40pm to NBO~6:15am
NBO~8:00am to KIS~8:45am (SEPT.11)

(NOV.14) KIS~6:20pm to NBO~7:05pm
NBO~10:50pm to AMS~5:30am
AMS~10:30am to PDX 12:00pm (NOV.15)

Tyson recommended that I take a tour of Amsterdam on my 12 hours layover. I was thinking about it. I'll keep you filled in on those plans.

I am off to work on my visa paperwork now. More updates to come...

Passport Photos and Flights

So I still have yet to book my tickets. It may sound like I am procrastinating a bit, which is about 5% of the reason. However the price is fluctuating everyday so I am waiting for the best possible time. I am going to set a goal though. I want to have my tickets booked by May 1st.
I also am glad that I did not purchase tickets when I originally planned because after talking to Adam, my contact at FSD, I found out that I am not supposed to fly into Nairobi but Kisumu. This is an unexpected extra $400 hour-long flight. Not only is that unfortunate, but will make my travel days just that much longer. It sure will be an adventure.
For an update on my visa: I went to Walgreens the other day and had two more photos taken to send in with all my other documentation. I am that much closer to getting that sent off.
Once my tickets are purchased and my visa is in my hand, a huge weight will be lifted. After that, medication is the next on my list to take care of.

Update: Flight prices are staying pretty steady as far as I can see. I just hate that I passed up a good deal last week. But I guess that is how it goes. I am working on getting all the required materials for my visa together. One step at a time...

Ugh...

I forgot how much coordination and planning it is to prepare for an international trip. However, I am confident that I can do it. I did it on my own for my trip to Senegal. For that trip I was working, taking classes, and had absolutely no experience with travel. So I can do it!
Flights have already gone up by over $200 in a week. I was not sure where I would be flying from so I did not book a ticket and now I will pay for my hesitation. Goodness, I hate that!
I also want to apply for my visa, however, you need to send flight information and two passport pictures with the application. Neither of which I have. I need to step it up! My chore for this week is to figure out my flight so that I can move on to my visa application, and then notify FSD of my plans.

Flights, visa, payments

JAMBO,

I have begun my search for flights to Nairobi. I have found some pretty sweet deals. I am hoping to book my tickets soon so that I can get the cheapest ones. I plan on contacting the Embassy of Kenya to get my visa this coming week. I have sent my initial payments into FSD and will be paying off the balance of my invoice as soon as I get paid on the 14th!

I am getting really excited because I finally have some firm plans to look forward too. I guess I will need to start looking over my Swahili notes soon :)