Travel planning

[scarlettina]

So the actual payments and phone calls have begun with regard to my trip to Kenya and London. I sent my passport out for renewal on Monday with expedited service so it won't take a ridiculously long time. I gritted my teeth and wrote the expedition check this morning: it goes out today. I called the recommended travel agency and asked for price estimates. A little later this morning, I'll be calling the UW travel clinic about arranging the all the necessary shots.

Somehow, it wasn't the writing of the check that suddenly made this whole thing seem much more real. It was talking to the travel agent about the possible routes I might take, depending upon cost.

"Do you want to go the fastest or the cheapest way?" she asked.

"Cheaper is probably better," I said.

"Cheaper may not be especially direct," she said.

"Oh yeah. I worked at Expedia and I understand how these things work," I informed her. "The only request I have is that I not fly through Uganda."

"Um, sure, okay. Anywhere else not feel comfortable?"

"Nope."

"How would you feel about going Seattle-London-Dubai-Nairobi? Would Dubai be okay?"

Okay, let's stop right there. Dubai. On the Persian Gulf. Via Emirates Airlines, one of the cushiest airlines in the business. I'm having a moment here, really. I know it will only be a transfer but ... Dubai. For some reason, the mention of Dubai, actually flying through Dubai, suddenly made this trip more real to me than any of the other steps I've taken in planning so far. I don't know why. I'm almost tempted to leave a couple of days earlier than I planned and take a couple of days there before going off to Kenya. I mean, I've been a woman alone in an Islamic country before; I know how to handle myself. It could be incredibly cool.

Taking a deep breath here. Let's not get crazy.

So yeah, the financial commitments and substantial planning are in full swing now. The air is pretty thin up here. If I was excited before, it's a whole different ball game now.

Comments

[oldmangrumpus.livejournal.com]

Why not Uganda?

Dubai would be really cool. Not that it would really mean much since you'd be in Airport World. If you're interested, I can loan you Code 46 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0345061/); it has footage of Dubai. And the airport, too.

[ironymaiden]

the Dubai airport has a big duty-free mall...

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

Oh dear... ::chuckle::

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

And now, having seen it here (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2011911840099892473IzIqBK) and here (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2488210470099892473dREOmA), I know what it looks like! (Actually, it looks pretty American. I guess there's little difference between malls around the world, though the mall I went to in Frankfurt definitely felt European).

[oldmangrumpus.livejournal.com]

Oh my God those Christmas trees are surreal....

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

It's emotional more than practical. When you're raised on "Raid on Entebbe," not a lot is practical.

[ianrandalstrock.livejournal.com]

I must have missed the beginning of the discussion. Sounds like a neat trip, but the way you wrote that, you're making getting there sound even more interesting than being there.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

I've been excited about going to Kenya for almost a year now (click the "kenya" tag and you'll see). I promise I'm excited about the destination, really. :-) It's just ... even traveling through Dubai is interesting, mainly because I never thought, growing up, that I'd do any of this kind of traveling. My parents never got off the continent, for heavens' sake. I think just discussing the route possibilities makes this whole excursion more tangible to me.

I know it sounds weird to be excited about a place I'll only be transferring through. It's like being excited about passing through Newark. Only, um, it's not.

[oneminutemonkey.livejournal.com]

I liked the Dubai airport when I passed through. Lots of shopping tobe found there. And Emirates Airlines is very nice as well. Just make sure you get an aisle or window... I ended up sandwiched between two guys on a return from Dubai to London and lemme just say, they don't seem big on the personal space. Elbow space was violated. :>

Hope you have fun.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

Ah! A first-hand encounter!

My requirement is always a window if I can manage it. I'm just a gawker by nature, an unabashed tourist ... who tries to be a little savvier than the average American about these things. But yeah, a window or, barring that, an aisle. I figure that booking 4 months in advance can help me get some choice in seating. We'll see.

fun trip

[kenrand.livejournal.com]

Have yerself a dang fun trip. Report expected, of course.

[pixxelpuss.livejournal.com]

Woot! This trip sounds amazing. I'm waiting to visit my parents in Qatar until I have the time and money to hit Egypt while I'm there.

[webcowgirl.livejournal.com]

Apparently shopping is the Thing You Do in Dubai. But since you're American, you won't see the same kind of saving people from Europe would.

Me, I'm planning on going to Michigan with an empty suitcase, which I will fill with clothes and books.

[gaelfarce.livejournal.com]

I know people in Dubai...but they're uncool thus I shall not mention them specifically. However, the gold shopping in Dubai is very good.

[varina8.livejournal.com]

Woo-hoo! The flight alone sounds like an adventure.

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

I've flown via Dubai airport. It's massive and quite ludicrously expensive (I am not paying $10 for a cup of indifferent coffee - we waited until we got back on the plane). Although apparently the ceiling tiles have a habit of falling off.

My principal memory of it was of covertly studying everyone's black chador in the Ladies and realising that, yes, they are all completely different - just as some girls could make their school unifom look chic, while others (me) just didn't.

My other half used to work in Dubai itself. Says it's 'bloody hot, spectacular if you've got money and the horse racing is second to none. There is a wonderful souk, top quality gold and silver, and they do ship and are honest.'

Also says you should have no problems being a woman on your own there (hotel should sort out a sensible taxi driver for you and let you know where you shouldn't go).

[kit-hartford.livejournal.com]

Do stop by and say "hello" when you're in London!