this is me

airport, that is. This is a 26 hour trek home, and that doesn't include the SuperShuttle from the airport to my apartment. 8ish hours from Nairobi to Amsterdam, 9ish hour layover in lovely Schiphol Airport (i'm serious, it really is lovely), and 8ish hours to DC. I'm so ready to be home, even if it is too hot for early June and I will likely turn into a sweaty complainer as soon as I step outside. I look forward to colleagues receiving emails from me that say they were sent at 1am on a Saturday morning. Man, I'll look dedicated. Anyway, the airport. There is a store called Flowers & Bulbs that has the most beautiful tulips, and bulbs and seeds you can bring home, and all sorts of tulip souvenirs...which I would totally buy if it didn't feel ridiculous buying a trinket from a country I've never actually set foot in. I want to bring a bouquet of tulips with me but I can't imagine they'll survive the flight in any way that would be worth the cost....

Today we made it to the elephant orphanage! Well, it's really more than that - see here for more info. Viewing hours are from 11am-12pm only, and Martin decided he'd like to be my chauffeur, so we headed out after breakfast and got there just as the 'show' was starting. There were nine elephants under 18 months old being fed and having a good ol' time playing in the dirt. Some selected shots: From Nairobi, take 2 From Nairobi, take 2 From Nairobi, take 2 I've never seen that many elephants interact at once - so playful, so small yet huge...pretty awesome. And, we saw two of these guys on the way out (behind bars, don't worry): From Nairobi, take 2 And I bought a bag I really like, so that was icing on the cake. This concludes the 'fun' portion of my stay in Nairobi - from now til I leave it's work, work, work (mixed in with a trip to the wine cellar restaurant in this hotel, perhaps).