Well, I guess we should be used to train delays, what with suffering the cancellation of two services in a row by Virgin Trains just before we set off. However, the delay we suffered on the train journey between Nairobi and Kisumu yesterday put that to shame.
Just to update, apparently, there was an earthquake while we were on the train. It was that bumpy and we were that tired that none of us noticed…
- UPDATED, Images now inside!
Safe to say, we have now arrived. The service was approximately 7 hours late. This meant that the 6.30pm train left at 12.30am. As a matter of fact, it “left” at 11.30pm, however it soon ground to a halt, then went back to the station some 20 minutes later.
Having said that, sleeping on the train was a doddle. We had a 1st class sleeper and Hannah shared her berth with Tommy. He slept pretty soundly, but I think Hannah suffered for it! I got lots of rest for a change (I’d been sharing a bed with Tommy in Nairobi for the last 3 nights, so it was a bit of a bonus).
Tommy was very, very tired when the train arrived. We’d been talking about it for ages and how he was going to realy enjoy it. When the train wasn’t there, he was a bit gutted. So were Hannah and I. We’d arranged in advance to be served supper and had paid for the privelege. Now that the train was delayed, it looked as if we’d have to eat at around 4 in the morning!
Luckily, Hannah’s very good Swahili helped in persuading an official to serve us dinner in the restaurant on the platform instead. So we were treated to a full silver service meal surrounded by bemused and very delayed passengers.
Here are some shots of the trip in order of taking. I’ll put some better res shots up on Flickr some time soon.
We also happened to meet a couple of Americans who happen to be in Kisumu. Alone (not sure of the spelling, but that’s how it’s pronounced) and Michele. Michele is based in Kisumu for the next few months and Alone had actually arrived to visit on the same flight as us from London. As a matter of fact, he’d sat just opposite. By way of introduction, he mentioned this and I said I remembered him too. After all, he’d been drenched by the idiot who had a opened a shaken bottle of coke during the flight.
It turned out he’d been the one who opened the bottle. Ooops. I let that ride and changed the subject. Hopefully we’ll meet them later this week for a drink.
That’s all for now folks, I need some rest.
you’d better hope that drink isn’t a coke!
Good story so far - a nice image of being wined and dined amidst puzzled crowds in the station. It reminds me of our train journey from Nairobi to Mombasa in 2000.
Various bits of paper here, including you’ll be pleased to know, the official letter from ESRC about your award (Pta-031-2004-00010) ESRC have received confirmation that you passed the first year.
Cheers, Dad
Tom, they came over this week and had….
A beer.
He didn’t spill a drop.
like the pictures….keep on telling me your amazing stories. They brighten up my days! Love Alice
Dear Dave and family,
its lovely to see tommy for the first time he looks like hannah i think but maybe a bit like you too dave. I think what your doing is amazing and i’m loving the stories. goodluck with it all and happy christmas. I’m still in edinburgh and just got engaged to a canadian man called jeff who i’ve been living with for a while now and alls right with the world. we might make it to africa on honeymoon but that’ll be in 2007, will you still be there then?