Uganda 2026 Day 1-2

Uganda 2026 day 1-2

Today it is travel day! On the way to the airport, mom and I stopped for lunch at Fin Tai Fung. This has become a tradition to do before I leave or when I arrive home. When we went to the airport, Benjamin, Papa Tony, Mama JoAnne were already in line waiting to check in. We learned some hard news. Our carryon and personal bags together had to weigh no more than 8kg. I think that is 18lbs. When I was checking in I was told I could not have 3 checked bags, only 2. I explained my reservation said 3 bags and I showed him the print out I had with me. He said he would look into it and did let me take 3 bags. I was so flustered about the check in and carry on bag that I forgot to ask for aisle seats. I also forgot to ask about paying for my hotel on the way home during the Doha layover. When I saw Alma that reminded me of both. We were told to pay in Doha. So, I jumped in with her to learn about the hotel, but her check I was rough. She had a personal bag and carry on. They told her she would have to check one bag for around $225 or she could move enough weight out to her checked bags that she could combine the other two bags. She rearranged the weight and they still did not let her because she had two carry on bags. The lady at the counter told her then that she can just overfill one of her checked bags for an additional $75 instead of the $225 for another bag. So, we stepped aside and found a bag that could hold more items. On the third try, they finally let her check in. Although, they did give more grief because her name on her passport was one letter off from her name in her visa, but everything else was the same. They did say she may have more problems once she arrived in Uganda because of the spelling difference. The same problem with the bags happened with JoAnne and Chloe. Both of them had to put their personal or carry on bag in a bag that was going to be checked. Not long after JoAnne finished checking in she received a call from Hector. Him and two others are traveling from another state. One of the ladies with him had her name wrong between her passport and flight reservation. They knew this before and called to have this fixed, but it was not. I walked with Alma to the gate and around the gate area. I have decided she is my trip mom. She bought me a water, pretzels, and chocolate. She would not take no for an answer. I was surprised to see Bethany and David at the airport. Usually they fly separately because they are from another state. 

The flight said it was 15 hours, but I think after boarding and taxi time. It was just over 14 hours. This was my first time on Qatar Airways and the steward and stewardess were so kind. I actually got some sleep! I think about the halfway point I fell asleep for about 10 minutes and when we had about 4.5 hours left in the flight, I fell asleep for about 1.5 hours. The Doha airport was also easier to navigate. Chloe, Alma, Jen, Algena, and I went to find where to pay for our hotel because we had to pay 3 days prior to the day we need it. We tried online and over the phone before the trip. We stopped at an information counter and were told where to go. The line was long. When I got to the counter, the lady said we had to pay the day we arrive. Our group got together with Chloe as she clarified. From there we walked to the gate and found Hector and the other two ladies. Next stop, Uganda!