Shinkou

June 18
London, England

The eight hour flight into Heathrow was uneventful. But it is cruel to keep me in a windowless terminal for 7 hours. We aren't allowed to leave the terminal during our long layover. So my plan is to grab something to eat (it's lunch time here), walk around the shops and then rest. Such disappointment! The shops are uninteresting, the food very expensive and plain and this place is so crowded! I finally see a sign that reads "Prayer Room". Hmm... a quiet room to unwind.

Somehow most of the team found a way to sit and rest or sit and work on their laptops (no free internet here). I was antsy and finally found a window to look out onto the tarmac. It had been raining when we de-planed but now it look gorgeous out ther
e! I really wanted to be outside. So I walked around the different departing terminals and people-watched. But most importantly, I found a store that sold Diet Coke in 16oz. bottles. I bought 6 bottles, hoping that they would last me two weeks in Africa! I would have bought more, but I couldn't fit anymore in my backpack. What I noticed immediately during my people watching was the tremendous Muslim influence in London. It would not be an exaggeration to state that 25% of the women walking around the international terminal wore burkas. You could not see their face or their form, but their designer handbags definitely made a statement against the black burka. It finally dawned on me the reason for the flashy handbags! If I had to lose my identity behind a burka, I probably would carry a glitzy designer handbag or wear a flashy bangle bracelet or ring. There is a need to be recognized, even if it is just for adornments.


Okay you know I was bored when I started taking photos of things I found somewhat interesting. Here is a photo of a typical Heathrow toilet. I like the shape. The sound of flushing sounds like a train. I took over one hundred mundane photos but I won't bore anyone with them.

Seven hours is a long time when you are bored. Finally, our flight was called! This is a photo I took with my iPhone at Heathrow awaiting our rows to be called! Seven more hours in the air and we would be in Nairobi!