EMILY HAS ARRIVED!!

Emily arrive on Christmas Day and it was a great Christmas present!! She has been a bit jet lagged since arriving, but overall is handling it well :)

Dana and I hosted a Christmas supper for 10 people at our house- we even had a turkey!! The day was full of friends, phone calls from family, great food, and merriment through the night!

We have taken Emily to the giraffe centre and today we are off to tour the shopping areas of town. Friday, we leave for the Masai Mara- safari-ing! We are going on the trip with Dana, Martin, and Jimmy- should be a great adventure.

Anyways this is a short and sweet entry- pictures won't be posted until Jan 3 when I return to work. Just wanted to update everyone on the latest and greatest so far.

Merry Christmas to everyone!! Have a great New Year!

Also- special congratulations to Mary Kate and Tony on their wedding (Dec 23)- the pictures were beautiful!!!

Random Bumper Stickers in Kenya

Ok so I have to post this because these bumper stickers are quite entertaining:

1. "I drink the blood of Jesus everyday" - ummmm.... gross

2. "Let's talk.... God"

3. "Me and Jesus are bros" (highly unlikely)

(this one not found in Kenya- I just thought it was funny)

Visit to the Orphanage and a trip to Karen

This weekend Dana and I went to the New Life Home Trust Orphanage. It was a great experience- both terribly sad and happy watching the kids faces light up. The Orphanage is in great condition- the grounds are very nice and the staff are friendly and caring. Dana and I were able to get a list of items that are needed for the Orphanage so the donations we receive will go towards buying the much needed supplies for the kids.

New Life Home Trust Orphanage

Christmas Tree at the Orphanage

Dana and I fed the toddlers and played with them outdoors- they are in constant need of attention as they just want to be held so at one point I had two kids in my hands and one hanging on my leg- it was a bit overwhelming but you certainly feel that you are important to each one of the children. Next weekend we will deliver the supplies and hopefully bring some further joy to each child.

Meet Krissie

Meet Clint

For those of you that are helping out with donations to the Orphanage your generosity will NOT be forgotten by each of the staff members and child. I only wish you could all be there to meet the children- despite their circumstances they smile at the simplest things in life and it was a joy to be with them on Saturday.

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Decorating the Tree: Check out our "Canadian Pine" (seriously that was on the box at the store). The lights blew out within minutes because of the different voltage systems but I will buy some true Kenyan lights before Christmas.


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So Martin, Dana, and I decided that we would try to go to the Karen Blixen Museum on Sunday. Karen Blixen is famous, not for being portrayed by Meriel Streep in "Out of Africa" and having a hot boyfriend like Robert Redford, but because she maintained a farm in Kenya and once she was forced to leave due to WWI- she fought with the government to make sure that her staff at the farm would be taken care of- she also built a school for the neighborhood- so to many Kenyans she helped them achieve both education and a better quality of life.

Karen Blixen House

The trip began with a matatu ride to town and then a bus to Karen. We made it to the museum and it was amazing to see the site where they filmed "Out of Africa". We then walked over to the Karen Coffee Gardens and had afternoon tea. While Dana and Martin were pretending to be posh Brits, I spilt tea all down my white shirt- thanks to Dana's "Tide to Go" the stain was removed (slight commercial).

Posh "Brits"

We then went to our favorite Ethiopian Rest. for supper and then off to Jazz night at the local bar. All in all it was a great weekend!!!
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Please check out the updated pictures from the weekend at: http://amandakenya.shutterfly.com

CONGRATS EMILY!!!

This is a "shout out" to Emily for completing her Masters!!! She defended yesterday, December 14. I received the call at 2:30 am (Kenyan time) that she passed!! Whohooo!!!

Way to go Emily! Can't wait for you to arrive on Christmas Day.

Lize's final weekend in Nairobi and throw a holiday in there...

Sorry I have been tardy on posting this week! Monday I left my camera at home and yesterday was a holiday, so did not have the chance to post anything on the blog- pictures or words.

Lize, flatmate, is leaving Nairobi on Saturday after living in Kenya for 2 years. This past weekend we decided to do everything in town that she loves to do and then go on a hike that she hadn't gone on- so we managed to do things of "Christmas Past and Christmas Future".

Tia, Dana, Lize, and I went on a shopping spree on Saturday. We hit all of the great markets, shops, and funky Indian Sari places in town. We began our shopping spree at 10 am and returned home at 7:00 pm. It was quite the day! In between shopping we went to this amazing Indian marketplace called "Diamond Plaza"- excellent Indian food and a marketplace that reminded me of every "Bollywood" film I have seen. The only slightly annoying thing is that when you go to the food court- rather than choosing which restaraunt you want to eat at, the waiters all rush to your table- and shower you with menus and yell at you why you should eat at their restaraunt vs. another one. Thank goodness I have lived in Pakistan- because the swarm of people was intense and I basically pictured my mother's assertiveness in marketplaces in Pakistan. Lize and Dana were quite impressed with my stern voice and assertiveness- we managed to order chicken tikka, chicken curry, naan, and palak paneer. YUM!

Sunday, 10 of us, rented a matatu (which we dubbed the Mzungo (white) express) and hiked Ngong Hills. We were a mix of Europeans, Canadians, and New Zealanders. The Ngong Hills are less than an hour outside of town and are absolutely breathtaking. There were so many moments on the hike that I thought "Pinch me- I live in AFRICA!". We had to hire two armed guards to take us on the hike as apparently there are numerous buffalo and robbers along the way. Thankfully we didn't run in to either. Due to the rains, the scene was breathtaking- lush forests and green landscape. It reminded me of pictures I have seen of Scotland and/or New Zealand. We ended the hike at a great spot overlooking the Ngong Hills, called Ole Polos- a famous Yoma Choma (Roasted meat) joint. Generally you go there to eat roast goat (after individiually picking you live goat they then kill it and roast it for you).... hmmm... not sure how brave I am yet for that. We stopped there for a beer and then had to head on back to Nairobi. While we were there a group of Masai tribespeople danced around our table. See picture below of a Masai woman:

The weekend concluded at another friend's house for supper and a movie- all in all another great and action packed weekend in Nairobi.

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Ethiopian Rug Shopping on the Holiday

Yesterday was a holiday, in fact it was Kenyan Independence Day. However, there were no fireworks or BBQs so it didn't feel like a typical Independence Day. After a long brunch at our favorite joint- Lize, Dana, Martin, and I hit the Ethiopian Rug Shop that we have heard about.

We were awed by the quality of the rugs, the price, and the fact that we had the opportunity to watch the women make the rugs- which is a great selling feature as you appreciate the time and quality of work that goes into each rug. Lize walked away with 4 rugs and I have my eye on one that I plan to buy later this week or early next week.

We then came back to our flat, had naps and lounged by the pool- ahh... a great holiday in Nairobi. Tonight is another farewelll dinner for Lize, followed by Salsa dancing, and Friday night is a Hannakuh party at Tia and Ben's...and then Lize flies home (Nelson, BC) on Saturday :(

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Pictures: http://amandakenya.shutterfly.com

(FYI: there are 2 new folders- weekend pics and ethiopian rugs- enjoy!)

Back from Lamu aka Paradise

The town of Lamu began life as a 14th century Swahili settlement, but the island has seen many visitors and influences, including Portuguese explorers, Turkish traders and the Omani Arabs. All left their mark, but Lamu developed its own particular culture, which has ultimately endured. Lamu’s narrow streets remain unchanged, and in the markets and squares around the fort life moves at the same pace as it always has. There are no vehicles on this island, and the donkey and the dhow remain the dominant form of transport. (http://www.magicalkenya.com/default.nsf/doc21/4YMS72FZEI2?opendocument&l=1&e=2)

Ok enough of that brief history session and let me tell you about the Lamu that I experienced.

Dana and I left on Saturday afternoon- we were delayed about an hour in Nairobi due to the rains, but that didn’t matter as we lounged on the benches, chatted, and got hyped up for the trip. When they finally called our plane to board we didn’t realize that it was first come, first serve seating so we ending up sitting in the flight attendant chairs that face backward- looking at everyone.

The flight was only an hour and a half and when we landed I knew this was going to be a great place to spend the weekend. The air was humid and the sun was fierce- just what I wanted after being in the rains of Nairobi for a long time. From the airport you then take a boat to your hotel- we were staying in an area called “Shela” and our hotel was called the “Island Hotel”. We were staying in the “penthouse” which was the rooftop room- overlooking the roofs of Shela and the water… it was wonderful!!

We immediately made our way to the beach where we found white sand and blue water- completely ideal. As the sun set we then had a drink at the ritzy hotel called “Poponi”. Side note- I am so used to beer that costs a little over $1 now that I was outraged to find out that the beer in Lamu is $2.50! (I know, it’s ridiculous since I am used to paying about $5-6/beer in Canada). It was at Poponi that we met “Dude”. He introduced himself as “Dude” so of course, being the inquisitive person I am, asked “SO- you are telling me that when you were born your parents named you Dude”. His response “No- that is my nickname, my born name is Mohammed”. Dude was born and raised in Shela and runs a dhow- taking tourists on trips. He was trying to convince Dana and I to take his trip, but we thought it would be best to stick with the hotel dhow. Dude was quite the character- he has somehow managed to be quite the linguist. He can impersonate any accent- so it was quite entertaining to hear an African man from Shela speak in a Scottish, Australian, and American accent.

The next day we went on a dhow (sailboat) ride. We started at 9 am and finished at 5 pm. It was amazing! Dana and I had our private sailboat with Captain Abdul and another shipmate (don’t remember his name).

We went snorkeling and watched them catch fish for lunch and then they docked the boat at a secluded island where Dana and I went swimming again, while Abdul and the other guy made lunch. It is fair to say that I have never had fresher fish than that before! We had yellow snapper, grouper, and calamari! It was great- accompanied with salad and fruit.

It was at lunch that the shipmate said to me “Ah- you look like lobster!”… Umm… thanks! So I knew that my time in the sun was coming to an end. On the way back on the sailboat I managed to find bits of shade, but Dana was soaking in every bit of sun possible. When we docked at 5:00 pm we then had some juice (very good in Shela) and then made our way back to the hotel for showers and supper. It was at this point that Dana started feeling poor and we both figured that she had way too much sun. It was an early night for both of us- Dana went to bed early as she was sick and after a comfortable hammock nap I then went to bed.

The next morning Dana was still not feeling well so I went for a walk on the beach and had an early morning swim. The water was so warm- even at 7:30 am when I went for a swim it was like swimming in bathwater. This was the last day of our trip and unfortunately Dana spent most of the day in the hotel room, not feeling well, while I read, sat on the beach, napped in the hammock and took in the rest of the town of Shela.

Overall, Lamu is an amazing part of Kenya. I would highly recommend a trip to Lamu or the Kenyan coast!!

For pictures of Lamu/Shela go to: http://amandakenya.shutterfly.com