Our Intrepid Start

OK, so a lot of people think we are going on this exotic trip where we'll be sleeping among lions and getting deeply immersed into new cultures. Let me set the record straight.

To start, we are flying via business class on British Air from Seattle to London, spending a day in London, then via business class to Nairobi, Kenya. Sounds a bit luxurious - but it's all for free. I spent the last couple of years flying Alaska Airlines a LOT. I got both our tickets in business class on their mileage partner program. Cost: 175,000 air miles.

So- We land in Nairobi, a pretty exotic location. Maybe we'll stay in some post-colonial cool Kenyan place, or have some sort of Out of Africa experience. Get outside of our little American envelopes? No, no, no. We'll be staying at the Nairobi Holiday Inn. Hey- I get Holiday Inn points!! Cost: Nothing.

We'll sleep with the lions NEXT week.