Flight Troubles With Ethiopian Airlines

This trip is proving to be an adventure already!

And I haven't even packed my bags yet!

When I decided to go on this trip, the group was already formed and they already got their tickets few months earlier through a travel agency. The agency quoted me for the flight some $400 more than what the group paid, and $200 more than what I was able to find online. So, I purchased the ticket independently from the group, for the exact same set of flights, through an online travel site. I was going to fly with the group, just my ticket was issued by a different source.

Since then, the site first notified me of one flight changed by the airline, a 30 min difference, and I confirmed with the agency that the group had the same change. When I got another notice of a flight change, few weeks ago, I didn't bother to look closely at it, thinking it will again be the same for the group and I don't need to worry.

Well, today I noticed that the change was to a flight which leaves before we arrive! The flight to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) would arrive at 7 PM, and our next flight from Addis Ababa to Entebbe (Uganda) is supposed to leave at 11.30 AM, that same day! Ooops! I called the web site agency, and they told me I have two options: take a flight that leaves that evening and arrives at 3.10 AM to Entebbe, or spend 16 hours between the flights in Adis Ababa, probably at the airport, and take the flight at 11.30 the next morning. Both are too adventurous, even for me.

I called the travel agency that the group was using, and they were even not aware of this change until I talked to them. Ideally, of course, I would want to be on the same flight arriving to Uganda as the group. So, now they are trying to get on that flight in the middle of the night, but have trouble getting all the tickets the group needs, and have to wait till tomorrow to know which one they will be on. In the mean time, I am competing for the seats on that same flight, because I don't want them to get the last seats and I get left behind.

In either case, if we are not on the same flight, it would be interesting. Either I would arrive alone at 3 AM to Entebbe, where supposedly somebody would still come pick me up and take me to the hotel. Or, the group arrives on that earlier flight, I get to spend the night at the airport in Ethiopia, and arrive the day after all beaten up from (not) sleeping on the chairs, while the group is already in another city Kampala, 19 miles away.

After talking with fr. Isidore, he advised me to try to get on that earlier flight, which I was just able to do. He also assured me someone will be there at 3am to pick me up, even if the rest of the group is not there. So we shall see. He joked that the hotel is within walking distance from the airport, and that he could show me how Ugandans carry stuff on their heads, but I'd rather not walk alone, in the middle of the night, with the suitcase on my head, on the outskirts of a little town in Uganda. Call me too picky, but that's just how I feel!

And so the adventure continues!

My flights are: Austin-Washington DC-Rome-Addis Ababa-Nairobi-Entebbe. (no plane change in Rome and Nairobi). Leaving 11.42 am Sunday, arriving 3.10 am Tuesday, local time, which is 8 hours ahead of TX.

I Have Enough Varicella Virus In Me

...so I don't need another booster shot! Yay!

I just found out that my blood test result came back, and I have enough varicella antibodies in me, a live infection in a way, that I don't need to get another shot. That makes me happy! Especially since, for that blood draw, I had a very energetic nurse, whose work is still visible on my arm a week later in a form of a very nasty, 4-inch bruise. It was worth it if it means no more shots.

Because of this trip, I had to get:
Hepatitis A,
Hepatitis B, 2 times,
Polio,
Meningococcal (meningitis),
Yellow fewer,
Typhoid,
a blood test.
That's 8 pokes, and I still have to get the last doze of Hep A&B in five months and take anti-malaria pills for 25 days.

I am done with needles!

What To Wear On a Safari?

It's exactly one month before my trip to Africa, but I, being a big planner, like to at least start thinking about what to pack well in advance.

Couple of weeks ago, fr. Isidore had few of us from the group over at his house for an information meeting. We learned some valuable tips there, like, that we need head scarves on dusty safari roads or else our hair would be all dirty the whole day. Also, because of the pesky mosquitoes, it is preferable that we cover our skin as much as possible.

This week I looked up some safari web sites for ideas of what kind of clothing I would actually need. When going into the 'bush' to view the wild life, it is recommended to wear neutral colors, khaki, brown, and olive, to not scare the animals of make them charge at us. The temperatures should not be more than 85F, which is still hot for me, so I confirmed that people do wear shorts and t-shirts at these expeditions. The nights are cooler, and mosquitoes more active then, so longs sleeves are still necessary, and layers that can be shed are a good idea.

So, I looked in my closet and realized I only had three pairs of trousers, one shorts, and few shirts that match that description. Not enough for an 18 day trip. The stores that specialize in the safari clothing are super expensive, and such a splurge for me is not necessary. So, I visited few cheaper alternative stores, and got me a few items to complete my safari wardrobe.


neutral colored safari clothing

I just need to add shoes, jacket, few bright colored outfits for days/evenings in the towns, and some dressier ones for the Mass and fr. Isidore's anniversary celebrations at his home parish - and I can start packing!