Travel column - Nairobi: The preps before check-in
Posted 10:49 PM by Internal Voices in Labels: 6th edition
Annemiek Verduin, intern at UNRIC, Benelux & EU Institutions desk, in Brussels
A true traveler doesn’t need much, yet he or she is always prepared to leave, but since this is my first ‘grand journey,’ apart from one summer in Russia, I like to keep my to-do list close by at all times. It’s now the length of a short novel. To organize the basic things one needs for moving to the other side of the planet for six months here is my short list: Step one: you will obviously need to book a ticket to your destination; I got mine quite cheap (you are going to want to book very early or very last minute) and with only one stop preferably. Don’t forget your cancellation insurance (especially if you book early) and your traveler’s insurance. Step two: the visa. In most countries you can get your visa upon arrival at the airport, but it’s better to get one at the embassy before you leave because you might not be the only one who doesn’t have one. I was welcomed by a very friendly lady at the Kenyan embassy in Brussels where I handed her my passport (which always scares me but, hey, I don’t think anyone will steal it at an embassy!) plus a copy of my ticket, and I was able to pick it up the next morning, which I did. For only 40 Euros, I now have a passport with a pretty sticker of the Big Five in it.
To sum up: I managed to get all of my vaccinations, medicine (like Malarone) and I got a ‘yellow passport’ (an international certificate that states you actually are vaccinated, obligatory for Kenya), so theoretically I should be ready to go. But first, I am moving to the less urgent but far more pleasant things to do before I leave, like shopping for a new work outfit, books and sunscreen, visiting family back in the Netherlands and planning a goodbye party in Ghent. In the second week of April, I will be landing at Jomo Kenyatta International and I can’t wait to exchange the Belgian rainy days for Kenyan sunshine. I will make sure I write you from there about life at the embassy and working with UNEP. ■
Annemiek will be writing her next column from Nairobi. Join us in following her journey!
“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”I think these wise words of Lao Tzu are applicable to my situation: I am a Dutch intern (but living in Belgium) for the Benelux-EU Desk at UNRIC in Brussels, and in about two weeks I will be leaving for a ‘new internship adventure.’ I will be working at the Belgian embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, for six months. My work will include the representation of Belgium at UNEP, so I will still be a (small) part of the UN family. In this column, you’ll be able to read about my travels, but since this is the first column, this one’s just about my preparations before check-in.
A true traveler doesn’t need much, yet he or she is always prepared to leave, but since this is my first ‘grand journey,’ apart from one summer in Russia, I like to keep my to-do list close by at all times. It’s now the length of a short novel. To organize the basic things one needs for moving to the other side of the planet for six months here is my short list: Step one: you will obviously need to book a ticket to your destination; I got mine quite cheap (you are going to want to book very early or very last minute) and with only one stop preferably. Don’t forget your cancellation insurance (especially if you book early) and your traveler’s insurance. Step two: the visa. In most countries you can get your visa upon arrival at the airport, but it’s better to get one at the embassy before you leave because you might not be the only one who doesn’t have one. I was welcomed by a very friendly lady at the Kenyan embassy in Brussels where I handed her my passport (which always scares me but, hey, I don’t think anyone will steal it at an embassy!) plus a copy of my ticket, and I was able to pick it up the next morning, which I did. For only 40 Euros, I now have a passport with a pretty sticker of the Big Five in it.
To sum up: I managed to get all of my vaccinations, medicine (like Malarone) and I got a ‘yellow passport’ (an international certificate that states you actually are vaccinated, obligatory for Kenya), so theoretically I should be ready to go. But first, I am moving to the less urgent but far more pleasant things to do before I leave, like shopping for a new work outfit, books and sunscreen, visiting family back in the Netherlands and planning a goodbye party in Ghent. In the second week of April, I will be landing at Jomo Kenyatta International and I can’t wait to exchange the Belgian rainy days for Kenyan sunshine. I will make sure I write you from there about life at the embassy and working with UNEP. ■
Annemiek will be writing her next column from Nairobi. Join us in following her journey!
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