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 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.
6 comments:
Lovely to hear what you are up to!
KK...well done, super to keep getting an update on your work/travels and trials (mossies and kids!!)...keep up the great work and keep that news coming too....
Dad xxx
Great to hear your news. we are all well here and have just sent Elizabeth back off to Leeds. She is living in a great house with 7 others. Just had the central heating mended - I bet you can't imagine what it is like to be cold right now!! We are loving your news and photos - keep them coming. We also feed your dad from time to time - he still remains as thin. What are we doing wrong?? Love Karen &n Lindsay
ek dam thik
hami dekheko timro pic
Super to have the update...hope the last month goes well and you can achieve all you want (On land and sea!)
Dadxxx
Hope you are having a great time - thanks for the recent photos and news. I remember saying similar things to Lindsay in various letters I wrote to him when I was a medical student in Kenya!It is amazing what we take for granted after a while. Take care. Lots of love Karen
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