The Office

It is my third day on the job. I must admit that the working environment here is very different than the U.S. There are things that are the same (I wear a suit every day, I have a desk in a shared office, internet connection). But it is kind of like working in India. There are things I cannot do for myself (i.e. printing, calling the driver, etc.). The cafeteria on site is SO much better than in India, it could be the food here is more to my everyday liking (yesterday was rice and vegetable stew). But you start work at 8:15am, and then clear out at 5pm at the latest. You leave then because people don't like to drive after dark. Which means that I leave work, and then go home to re-conenct with U.S. hours. Not too bad.

Safety in Nairobi

Yesterday I met with the Security officer for World Vision Nairobi. Most of you know that I am a pretty adventurous traveller, and I like to fly by the seat of my pants. I have now officially had the fear of God put in me, and I am going to obey the rules while in Nairobi.

- There are car jackings. They happen in broad daylight. No unlocked doors, no stopping at all, no open windows. They drive you around taking money out of ATMs (which means no ATM card for me when I am out).
- There are armed robberies. Also in daylight. Neighborhood independent. Basically you give in and give them whatever material posession they want.
- I now know where to go if (God forbid), I am raped so that I don't contract AIDS as a result. I have 72 hours to get there to not get infected.
- Home invasions - well no wonder I need to haev 24 hour security and guards and CCTV all the time. Apparently this is a big issue.

Now, the up side is that NO ONE from World Vision has had any issues in the past 12 months, I think the last incident was in 2006, but still, these things apparently happen here. I am sure that they guy is trying to scare me, which has worked. Not paranoid, just for sure not going to do anything stupid.

Finally in Nairobi . . . but not settled yet

So, I have made it to Nairobi. Not without some challenges, but I did make it. I have settled in at some temporary housing in what I will call the Deerfield / Mississauga of Nairobi. My apartment in the city won't be ready until the 28th, so I am in the 5 bedroom monster of a house. And it is winter, so no way to keep it warm. I feel like I am camping, I wear like 12 layers to bed.

Work is interesting so far, meeting lots of interesting people, trying to figure out how to navigate the waters here. I have lots of meetings over the course of the next several days.

I leave in a week for London, and then I am likely going to be in Bangkok at the end of July. In September they want me to go to Australia, so we will see where that ends up.

More to come.

Delays, Deportations, and Dumb Luck

Delays - So my flight to Nairobi was supposed to leave at 10:30am, but we didn't get out until noon. Only once I got on the plane did I know why . . .
Deportations - I get on my flight, and there is someone screaming in the back row. At first I think it is some kid that is upset. Then I listen, and the person is screaming 'Please somebody help me. Somebody help my children.' There is a Kenyan woman in the back row with all sorts of deportation officers around her. It is awful to listen to, someone back there insists on getting off the flight (more delays). She finally calmed down about 2 hours into the flight.
Dumb Luck - So I get to the airport with the same bags that I had when I left PHX, and when I go to walk thru security, they tell me that the bag BA let me bring from PHX was not acceptable for this flight. You can imagine my frustration. I tried to argue and reason, but in the end I had to buy a new smaller bag, transfer my carry on items to it, and then go back and check an additional bag. Luckily the woman at the BA counter felt my pain and didn't charge me.

I'm on my way

Left on June 21st from PHX on a direct flight to London. I decided to spend the night in London . . . too many overnight flights and Melissa goes crazy. Anyway, thanks goodness for Lunesta (sleep aid). I must have been able to get in 5 hours of sleep, which is amazing for me.

6 hours in London:

1) Evening Service at Westminster Abbey
2) Walking around the Thames
3) Trafalgar Square
4) House of Parliament
5) Beer, fish and chips
6) SPAIN beats Italy in the Eurocup

What more can you ask for? I even saw David Livingstone's burrial place in Westminster. And all my bags made the first hop. Now off to bed and then fly out in the morning for Nairobi.

Funny sense of humor

So it struck me as funny that I was staying at a hotel this week for World Vision (a Christian organization), and in the parking lot was a huge bus wrapped with the Playboy Energy Drink. I think God has a good sense of humor.

Prelude to a trip

I started with World Vision today in Monrovia, CA. I am so excited about this new project that I can't hardly stand it. There are similarities and differences in working with a Christian NGO. In many ways, it is just like any other client I work with, they need help in solving their problems. But here are some key differences:

- The day starts with a department devotional
- Conference calls start with an opening prayer
- Business document summary views start with citing Jesus
- I am invited to the chapel service on Wednesday

Quite the change of pace. More to come . . .