I looked at Tomas nervously I wasn’t a fan of doctor’s offices Why I asked You’ll need all your vaccinations updated and we’ll need to see about anti-malaria protection Dad said Marisol it’s no big deal I shrugged it off Sure no big deal I repeated trying to convince myself it was true The next few weeks were a flurry of activity We had doctor’s appointments for our vaccinations It wasn’t so bad Mom took us shopping for outdoor gear and new hiking boots Dad mapped out our homeschool work and loaded books onto our tablets Just because we were going to Africa didn’t mean our studies stopped With our bags packed we headed to the airport It would take us a full day to get to Nairobi Kenya From our airport in Chicago we’d fly to Atlanta then cross the Atlantic Ocean to the Netherlands and from the Netherlands we would fly south to Africa As we boarded the airplane Mom said I hope they don’t lose our suitcases Dad joked Oh well you’ll just have to shop some more in Nairobi Mom rolled her eyes at Dad Very funny sweetheart You
know I don’t like to shop Mom said Really Dad laughed as he pointed at all of us decked out in our new hiking boots and khaki pants We looked like tacky tourists decked out in our safari costumes That was enough shopping for a lifetime Mom laughed It will take me a year to pay off the credit card bill for all these outfits I couldn’t tell if she was joking or serious I knew going on safari was expensive an unreachable dream vacation for many people around the world We were very fortunate Since this trip was part of Mom’s job some of our expenses were paid for by the university You don’t have to remind me Dad said When we get back to the States I’ll need to find a second job to pay for this trip I could be a historian by day and a waiter by night The full day wasted on planes was the most boring time of my life I read a few books took a few naps and ate all of the snacks in my carry-on bag Tomas did exactly the same thing The planes didn’t even have any decent movies for us to watch just old kids movies that we’d seen years ago When we landed in Nairobi the next day we were sweaty and tired It had been a very long trip Mom pulled out her map Let’s find our hotel I think we could all use hot showers and a nap in a real bed Mom flagged down a taxi and gave the driver instructions to our hotel
Nairobi is a modern city with shopping malls hotels and apartment buildings Our hotel had stone lions by the front doors and mahogany floors and leather chairs in the lobby This is nice Dad said as we walked inside After we checked in we took the elevator to the fifth floor Our room had dark wood panels on the walls crisp white blankets and African art above the beds This feels like Africa Tomas said as he rolled on the soft bed Really Dad laughed A big soft bed feels like Africa You’ll be surprised when we get out to the bush in a few days No Tomas answered The artwork the dark wood It looks exotic like Africa Mom read through the hotel brochure on the desk We have twenty-four hour electricity here room service a pool and a spa Sweet I exclaimed We could escape the heat in a nice cool swimming pool Wait a minute Tomas interrupted What do you mean by twenty-four hour electricity Is there any other kind of electricity Mom explained Not all parts of the world have electricity all of the time They might have limited power supplies or outdated equipment Electricity is a luxury You should be thankful you
have such a comfy life in America Enjoy it Mom continued In four days we’ll be in tents in the bush surrounded by insects and wild animals Mom was used to camping in rough country It was part of her job as a biologist She always joked that biologists don’t study pigeons in a city next to a luxury hotel She liked being out in nature I liked being out in nature but I also liked a nice soft bed and a warm shower too I guess I wasn’t as tough as Mom Tomorrow I need to stop by the university to meet the research team and help load the trucks But the three of you are welcome to explore Nairobi Mom said Sounds like a plan Carolina Dad smiled and patted Mom on the back affectionately We’ll be tourists while you work Honey Mom said to Dad Be sure to hire a driver Don’t wander around without a guide or a driver Dad gave Mom a frustrated face I’m serious Mom said Nairobi is a huge city There are lots of criminals that will take advantage of tourists There are many very dangerous neighborhoods I want to go swimming Tomas demanded He unzipped his suitcase and tossed his clothes all over the floor I’ll take them to the pool Dad told Mom You look like you could use a nap Mom did look exhausted Weeks of planning for this trip
