Africa at Large

Of course, traveling for a month in Africa requires much planning.  Part of my plans included getting from Uganda to Zimbabwe in order to meet one of my children that I sponsor through World Vision.  I am a "mom" to three African beauties.

I purchased an airline ticket through Kenya Airways.  My itinerary showed that I would depart at 10 a.m from Entebbe, Uganda and then stop over briefly in Kenya and move on to Harare, Zimbabwe.  Prepared and organized American citizen that I am, I arrived two hours early as instructed.  I made it through the initial security lines, which are prior to even entering the airport, unlike LAX which takes your luggage and then sends you through the agony of security lines.  Then I made it to the counter in order to retrieve my boarding pass.  Imagine my surprise as the attendant announced, "You have missed the plane.  It left at 5 this morning."

I smiled and replied that my itinerary stated otherwise.  She examined it, called a superior, and began to work with another passenger.  The Superior took my paper work and had me take a seat.  Meanwhile, the announcements are calling out for my flight number, stating that it was boarding time.  I approached the counter again and received a smile and, "She's working on it."

I have missed the flight.  I am directed upstairs and didn't bother to notice a lift, or elevator, so I lug my bags up the stairs.  In the Kenya airways  office, another superior "superior" assists, inquiring about when I changed my flight.  Of course I did not change the flight.  I received this itinerary and that was my plan.  She rebooked my flight for the morning, called the online helpline to find out why my itinerary had been changed on their system but not in mine.  Their response is unforgettable.  "We changed her flight but did not notify her in time.  Do not charge her for re booking her flight.  Sorry."

I find this amusing, delightfully so, only because it allowed me another day in Entebbe, enjoying Lake Victoria  and Africa at large.