How I landed in Addis Ababa in style
I had one bag with six pairs of shoes, another with five Kaunda suits, three vests, a pair of socks, a handkerchief and other paraphernalia.
I am one of those people who have been wondering why The Right Honourable Raila Odinga, the former, current, and future Prime Minister of Kenya, has been pulling out all the stops to get to Addis Ababa. But just a few days in this great city of Africa have shown me why he is so keen. If the African Union job is based here in Addis, even I would do anything to be here.
I will tell you a little more about Addis Ababa, but first, I have to share how I landed here — in style. You see, although my travel was already confirmed and the tickets were sent a week before I left, there were enemies of development, people who believed it was all a lie. They were waiting to celebrate my failure to travel, just as some of them were waiting to celebrate Raila’s failure to clinch the AU position. To them, I say: Ng'oo!
Although the flight was in the evening, and we needed to be at the airport by 4pm, I was ready by 9am, fully dressed. To my shock, Pius was still asleep, and when he woke up, he didn’t even look like someone who was going to travel to a big place. He even suggested we go to church. I couldn’t believe that someone who would be travelling by airplane to another country just a few hours later had the patience to attend a church service.
I accompanied him to his church along Mombasa Road. A big church, with people seated downstairs and upstairs. It was my first time seeing such a massive congregation. There was lots of singing and dancing, but I must mention that my mind was not there. It was on the plane — as this was going to be my first time flying, and my first time leaving the country. Forget that time, many years ago, when I was in Busia and walked into Uganda for about 100 meters.
Regarding Sadaka, I just have to say that Nairobi pastors are blessed and lucky. The amount of money given is more than the total money that has ever been given at Apostle Elkana’s THOAG since its inception.
“Why are you carrying so many bags?” asked Pius when he came to check what I would be carrying. “It’s a flight, you need to be easy.”
I had one bag with six pairs of shoes, another with five Kaunda suits, three vests, a pair of socks, a handkerchief and other paraphernalia, and yet another bag with tea, sugar, salt, some groundnuts, some cooking oil, dried omena and flour. I also had a laptop bag, carrying my 10-year laptop that stopped working years ago.
“I hear food in other countries may not be good,” I told Pius when he asked about the bag with food.
“You are a man, why carry five pairs of shoes?”
I reduced the food, but I wasn’t going to be controlled regarding what I was packing. Regarding the laptop, that was the only way Smiffy would take us seriously.
When Pius finished packing, he emerged with a small suitcase and was dressed like someone heading for a walk: a t-shirt, tracksuit, and shoes that people call crocs. I was shocked.
How do you travel to another country and not wear a suit? I had my latest four-pocketed, long-sleeved green Kaunda suit, with the red Kick Polio out of Kenya t-shirt underneath, and with designer spectacles I had bought in Nakuru from a hawker on my way to Nairobi.
Many aeroplanes
We were at the airport by 2.30pm, because I insisted. Pius had wanted us to go much later.
My friends, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is big. Very big. There were so many aeroplanes, cars, and people. I now understood why the government had to call in Adani to help — that place is too big to be handled by Kenyans.
I had thought you go directly to the aircraft and wait for other passengers, but that was not the case. We started with security checks. After showing our documents, one had to remove belts, shoes, and anything else they were carrying. That’s where my problems started. The moment I removed my shoes, everyone had their hands on their nose. Not only did it expose my torn socks, but people complained about the smell. I personally didn’t smell anything bad.
“Kwani panya imekufa?” one passenger asked.
At the next check, one of my bags was stopped for checking. Upon checking, I had carried Omo, which they said was not allowed.
“Why are you carrying Omo?” Pius asked.
I wondered how I would wash my clothes. I had also carried bar soap. They were taken away.
We were all put into one room, so many of us, I think more than the total population of Mwisho wa Lami Primary School. Then came the time for entering the plane, or “boarding,” as they called it. To my shock, we all entered one plane. That plane was so big. It wasn’t even a house; it was a very big hall.
We were greeted by beautiful ladies in white flowery dresses who kept checking if everything was fine and settling us in.
After several announcements in English and another language I did not understand, the engines roared to life. I was holding on to my seat and Pius as the massive plane lifted, powerfully cutting through the clouds, tilting from side to side. At some point, we were tilted on one side and I could see Nairobi city and imagined we were falling and l closed my eyes, – holding the seat tightly and praying.
I only opened after some sound and an announcement that we could relax, and even unfasten seat belts. I was shocked to see some people unfasten their seat belts. Everyone around was so relaxed, others were reading, some were on their phones, and others watching TV. I also wanted to watch TV, but I didn’t know how to switch it on, and I couldn’t even ask.
Serving food
Soon they started serving food. I took exactly what Pius took. It was very nice. Pius then asked for beer. I wanted to take some, but I had no money. He told me it was complimentary which I didn’t understand, but he then explained. I asked for two, but they could only serve me one at a time.
I quickly gulped and after the third, the flight became smooth, we were just floating and I relaxed. I even managed to walk to the toilet.
Soon, too soon actually, they announced that we should prepare for landing. By then, my head was just spinning, life was good.
I just remember seeing many lights as we landed in Addis. The airplane was swinging and tilting and I was just floating, enjoying as we landed.
There were more people than I have ever seen in one place at the airport – people of different colours, ages and shapes. My head started throbbing, and I felt like I wanted to throw up. I can’t tell what happened next, but the next time I woke up, it was Monday, and I was in a hotel room. The hotel was called Ramada. The room was a big mess.
Pius and his friend were so upset with me, but we had no time, I needed to prepare we leave for our first meeting, where I would be the main presenter!
