Travel to Kigali, Rwanda, East Africa [April 18-19, 2014]

I am off to Kigali, Rwanda for 17 days [including travel days].  Two nurses and I are going to Kigali to teach Advance Life Cardiac support [CPR for with drugs and ECG requirements].  The classes will be at King Faisal Hospital but will include doctors and nurses from various hospitals.  The Global Engagement Institute/EOS Visions has partnered with King Faisal Hospital to support the nation’s long-term goal of developing healthcare across the country.  And I get to be part of this wonderful experience in Rwanda.

One bag for me, 1 carry on, and a bag of teaching equipment.

 

Needless to say, travel from Jacksonville, FL, USA to Kigali, Rwanda, East Africa is a LONG trek.  We started on Friday, April 18^th; leaving the house at 11:30 am for a 2:15 pm flight to Atlanta.  Layover in ATL was quick and we soon boarded the airplane for a hop across the pond [Atlantic ocean] to Amsterdam.  Eight (8) hour international flights can be taxing; so I advise to upgrade to the Economy Comfort (or equivalent) for the extra leg room & space - $59/79.  Fortunately, I am a Diamond Elite with Delta and receive Economy Comfort for no extra charge.  As we are about to board, my name is called.  I have been upgraded to Business Class; someone did not check in and they needed my coach seat for someone waiting on Standby.  YIPEE!!!  Business Class on Delta international flights:  individual pods, seats extend to flat beds, down comfortable, 17” screen monitor/TV.  If you flying across the pond, take the night international flight.  

 

 

 

We arrived in Amsterdam 8:00 am on Saturday, April 19^th.

Remember on long flights [>4 hours] you need to get up every 2 hours to walk around.  The veins in your legs need circulation so they will not form a blood clot.  And there are usually instructions at the seat regarding leg exercises to perform while sitting.  But we got our exercise once we landed in Amsterdam.  We walked about 3 miles from the arriving terminal to departing terminal.  KLM [partner of Delta] gave me comfort seating but no upgrades.  The airplane was half full so I had an entire 4 seat row to myself.  The food on KLM was average and not as good as previously; so I drank water a lot.  Remember to stay hydrated on your flight.

We arrived in Kigali on Saturday, April 19^th at 7:05 pm; approximately 24 hours later [5 hour time difference].  Next, customs, luggage & hotel; shower, food, and sleep in that order.