Exploring Mombasa

Over the last week i've been left to my own devices,, apart from KiSwahili lessons in the afternoon i have no responsibilities. So i've taken it upon myself to get to know Mombasa.
I've found my favourite cafe/resturant which does cups of tea for 35 bob, thats the equivalent of about 30p in English money, it called Badri Corner Cafe - as its on a corner of course.





I went down all the craft shop lanes and down on to the very seaweedy and rocky beach near Fort Jesus, unfortunately i've only got photos of that on my SLR...
..i also travelled down to the bottom of the island to see the baobab forest,, here i sat down for a while drawing and the amount of hellos i got was astounding.
From there i walked up the coastal road to see the lighthouse, this led me past the golf course, police/army base and many snazzy houses - that end of town is so posh and painted, creating a HUGE contrast to the craft and market area.







On wednesday i made friends with a doctor at a local hospital,, he accompained me around town and was very good at helping me practise my Swahili. When i suddenley realised i was bursting to use the loo he led me to a resturant with european toilets straight away - i think he was scared that i'd wet myself in the street beacuse he kept saying 'just hold yourself' with a very worried expression on his face.

I also had a lesson in how to wash clothes by hand,, things like a washing machine are a luxury most people cant afford, although Pricilla does own a microwave! The soap/detergent used here is very strong and by the time all my clothes were washed, my hands were red and sore,, but my clothes smelled wonderful and the sense of achievement i felt in having completed my task made me want to get rid of the washing machine at home. (Just look how dirty the water is afterwards!)





Another luxury here is being able to shower...not shower in warm water,, just to shower. So I consider myself lucky that i've got that oppertunity - even if it does mean freezing cold water pouring down my back!

Today i went off the island, back to pirates beach again as i probably wont get the chance to go there again after i've left Mombasa (and i'm leaving tomorrow). I walked through the shallow water with my bag held high so it wouldnt get wet,, once again because i'm a mzungu i attracted a lot of attention and i made one friend to fend off all the others. He said he was Captian of the peddleboats and he proudly showed me his peddleboat.



Well thats my week of Mombasa so the next post will be of all the sights to see in Diani.

Kwaheri! (goodbye)

Finally here!

I stepped out my my door at 3:30 English time - 18 hours later - at 11:30 kenyan time, i arrived at Mombasa's Moi International Airport and was met by Angela and Nijeri, two travellers. They drove me over to my host family (Pricilla and her daughter Faith) and after an afternoon cup of chai i was left to settle in...

...a few days later and i feel like i've been here for months, i've got my bearings around Mombasa, been to various resturants and cafes, the local supermarket, the beach (called Pirates!) and even ridden in a matatu.

A matatu is the kenyan form of a bus, its a mini van driven by a lunatic with his accomplice hanging out of the side yelling their destination. If you feel brave enough to join them - give a arm wave and the crazy guy hanging out of the side, will tap on the roof and the matatu will come to a shuddering halt. You have to jump in pretty pronto because they start driving whether you've reached your seat or not! If you're mzungo (white/european) you will undoubtably be charged double so having the right change handy is advisable.

Today i had my first Swahili lesson and after the first hour i already felt exhausted, so many new words have been crammed into my head. I can say all the usual greetings and that i want certain things... i've also been taught what is probably the most useful word ever - sitaki, which means 'i dont want it'. Since i've been here i've been hassled constantly to buy things from various stalls, shops and even people carrying trinklets in their hands, now i've got this word i'm free as a bird!

I've also managed to convert my family into veggies, as i'm a vegetarian they've decided that this week we'll only have vegetables. We've had VERY salty fried spinach, various concoctions of vegetables in sauce, a kenyan type of mashed potato which contains peas, potato and sweetcorn; and even spaghetti... they've also managed to get me to eat an omlette and a slice of tomato which is no minor feat as they are some of my most hated food stuffs. I think by the end of this 9 months i'll be a lot less fussy with what i eat and hopefully i'll have adopted the kenyan attitude to life.

Hakuna matata - No worries.