Have I mentioned that I like this place?
It has really been a very low stress trip, so far. Because I'm only here for 5 days, I didn't have to do much at home to get ready to come, and I didn't have to pack that much stuff. My neighbor is kindly looking after Zaney, and my pumpkins should be happy on their own by this point.
So yesterday, we got to the airport, I flirted a bit with the new immigration guy as I got my exit stamp (I was using the local Arabic, and told him I was leaving to Nairobi, but I was coming back soon. He asked me what I was going to bring him from Nairobi, so I told him "cool weather and rain". He thought I didn't understand him, and repeated his question in English. So I repeated my answer in English. I guess he was fishing for something more than a bit of cool weather and rain!), and we boarded the flight. Once in Nairobi, the driver from the guesthouse was waiting for us to whisk us away to a waiting lunch. Though I was hardly even hungry, because I had eaten well on the plane. They were serving fish, and only fish, for the meal on the flight. I asked if there was something other than fish, because the combination of a really bumpy flight and a cabin full of fish-aroma was not doing my stomach any favours. The flight attendants were great and they went looking for something else for me. A few minutes later, they came with a real china plate, full of a beautifully grilled chicken breast, roasted potatoes, gravy and BROCCOLI! Wow. Kudos to Kenya Airways for wonderful service!
Anyway, after eating a second lunch at the guesthouse, I went off to meet a good friend and her hubby at a mall for some coffee. While waiting for them to arrive, I did a bit of shopping of my own, buying some nice smelling soap (not available at the moment in Jb, some new tough "tupperware" like clear plastic containers, and some doxycycline (which I take as malaria prophylaxis). I also enjoyed browsing in the Kiko Romeo shop. It's a shop filled with beautiful "modern" outfits, made from traditional African fabrics. I love going in there and getting ideas for some new dresses in Jb :) I wish I could afford to shop there, but the dresses are usually around $75 - $100, which is just a bit steep for an every day dress to bring to Jb! There were several dresses in exactly the style I have in mind for my next Jb dress, though, which was encouraging to see that maybe my fashion sense isn't completely off base!
My friends did eventually arrive, and I really had a wonderful time with them. Really, it was such a blessing that they just happened to be in town at the same time that I am. It's the second time I've seen them since they were married in January, and neither of our meetings was really "planned" - just happened that we were all in the city at the same time! What a blessing it was, and really just what I needed, to see some good friends this weekend.
After a few hours with them, it was time to set out for home. I decided to walk, since it's downhill all the way, and the weather was deliciously cool. And lo and behold, on the road, I bumped into a couple of people from Jb who I haven't seen in ages! So we had a lovely little reunion on the street corner, and have made plans to get together once we all get back "home".
Today, I decided to do something that I've never done ever before in my whole life - I went to a movie all my myself! I wanted to see the "Smurfs" movie, since I remember growing up and watching the Smurfs on Saturday morning cartoons. I know. I'm old. And I know the Smurfs movie got pretty bad reviews, but actually, I really liked it!
It made me laugh outloud a few times, and I came out of the theatre with a big smile on my face. So I thought it was smurfily worth the $5 to see it!
AND the crazy part about being at the movies is that just as I was going into the theatre, I saw another friend and her new husband! I thought they were still in the UK, as they just got married a few weeks ago, but alas, they have returned! So it was really a very pleasant surprise to see them. They were going to see a different movie, but we were able to meet up after our respective movies. It was really good to see them, catch up a bit and hear about their wedding (which I was also invited to... but couldn't quite make it to the UK last month!).
I did something else tonight, too, which I don't usually do. We went for Egyptian food with some friends who live here, too. Since my buddy J was doing all the arrangements, I assumed she also arranged for us to get a ride home with the folks that we were meeting for supper. Problem was, she assumed they would drive and car and would have no problem dropping us back at home after supper. BUT, they rode a motorbike to the restaurant! Now, if we were "proper" Africans, I'm sure all 4 of us could have fit onto that motorbike and gotten home all together. But alas, we are not proper Africans, so poor D had to ferry me and J home, separately, while his wife waited at the restaurant!
What fun, though! I trust this man completely on a bike - he's my dad's age, a pilot, and has been riding a bike in this city for longer than I've been alive. I certainly wouldn't jump on the back of a motorbike with just anyone at night in the traffic in this city. He's also a good friend, and totally trustworthy, and the sort of guy that you can throw your arms around and hold tight, and he won't think anything strange of it, because, well, that's what you do when you're riding on the back of a bike in this city (at least, he said he didn't mind, and he'd rather have his passenger be "stable" and safe in the crazy traffic). So off we went, roaring off into the night! He told me that I was an easier passenger to drive than J - said J was being a bit too modest or something, as she wasn't holding very tight and "flopping" around on the back of the bike! No flopping for me, no siree! And I had a great time! I could do that more often!
Tomorrow, the plan is to go to church, then head to the Masaai Market, as I need a new mumu to wear when I get out of the shower. The one I'm currently wearing is starting to fall to pieces. Then we get a ride out to the Suburbs where the seminar is going to be held for two days. Seeing all these friends, both planned and unplanned, is really refreshing my little heart this weekend. With friends coming and going in Jb all the time, I must admit that I've been starting to feel a little sorry for myself, and a bit bereft. So seeing all these friends from near and far this weekend is really lifting my spirits, and reminding me of all the good people God's put in my life, even if I don't see them on a daily basis.
It has really been a very low stress trip, so far. Because I'm only here for 5 days, I didn't have to do much at home to get ready to come, and I didn't have to pack that much stuff. My neighbor is kindly looking after Zaney, and my pumpkins should be happy on their own by this point.
So yesterday, we got to the airport, I flirted a bit with the new immigration guy as I got my exit stamp (I was using the local Arabic, and told him I was leaving to Nairobi, but I was coming back soon. He asked me what I was going to bring him from Nairobi, so I told him "cool weather and rain". He thought I didn't understand him, and repeated his question in English. So I repeated my answer in English. I guess he was fishing for something more than a bit of cool weather and rain!), and we boarded the flight. Once in Nairobi, the driver from the guesthouse was waiting for us to whisk us away to a waiting lunch. Though I was hardly even hungry, because I had eaten well on the plane. They were serving fish, and only fish, for the meal on the flight. I asked if there was something other than fish, because the combination of a really bumpy flight and a cabin full of fish-aroma was not doing my stomach any favours. The flight attendants were great and they went looking for something else for me. A few minutes later, they came with a real china plate, full of a beautifully grilled chicken breast, roasted potatoes, gravy and BROCCOLI! Wow. Kudos to Kenya Airways for wonderful service!
Anyway, after eating a second lunch at the guesthouse, I went off to meet a good friend and her hubby at a mall for some coffee. While waiting for them to arrive, I did a bit of shopping of my own, buying some nice smelling soap (not available at the moment in Jb, some new tough "tupperware" like clear plastic containers, and some doxycycline (which I take as malaria prophylaxis). I also enjoyed browsing in the Kiko Romeo shop. It's a shop filled with beautiful "modern" outfits, made from traditional African fabrics. I love going in there and getting ideas for some new dresses in Jb :) I wish I could afford to shop there, but the dresses are usually around $75 - $100, which is just a bit steep for an every day dress to bring to Jb! There were several dresses in exactly the style I have in mind for my next Jb dress, though, which was encouraging to see that maybe my fashion sense isn't completely off base!
My friends did eventually arrive, and I really had a wonderful time with them. Really, it was such a blessing that they just happened to be in town at the same time that I am. It's the second time I've seen them since they were married in January, and neither of our meetings was really "planned" - just happened that we were all in the city at the same time! What a blessing it was, and really just what I needed, to see some good friends this weekend.
After a few hours with them, it was time to set out for home. I decided to walk, since it's downhill all the way, and the weather was deliciously cool. And lo and behold, on the road, I bumped into a couple of people from Jb who I haven't seen in ages! So we had a lovely little reunion on the street corner, and have made plans to get together once we all get back "home".
Today, I decided to do something that I've never done ever before in my whole life - I went to a movie all my myself! I wanted to see the "Smurfs" movie, since I remember growing up and watching the Smurfs on Saturday morning cartoons. I know. I'm old. And I know the Smurfs movie got pretty bad reviews, but actually, I really liked it!
It made me laugh outloud a few times, and I came out of the theatre with a big smile on my face. So I thought it was smurfily worth the $5 to see it!
AND the crazy part about being at the movies is that just as I was going into the theatre, I saw another friend and her new husband! I thought they were still in the UK, as they just got married a few weeks ago, but alas, they have returned! So it was really a very pleasant surprise to see them. They were going to see a different movie, but we were able to meet up after our respective movies. It was really good to see them, catch up a bit and hear about their wedding (which I was also invited to... but couldn't quite make it to the UK last month!).
I did something else tonight, too, which I don't usually do. We went for Egyptian food with some friends who live here, too. Since my buddy J was doing all the arrangements, I assumed she also arranged for us to get a ride home with the folks that we were meeting for supper. Problem was, she assumed they would drive and car and would have no problem dropping us back at home after supper. BUT, they rode a motorbike to the restaurant! Now, if we were "proper" Africans, I'm sure all 4 of us could have fit onto that motorbike and gotten home all together. But alas, we are not proper Africans, so poor D had to ferry me and J home, separately, while his wife waited at the restaurant!
What fun, though! I trust this man completely on a bike - he's my dad's age, a pilot, and has been riding a bike in this city for longer than I've been alive. I certainly wouldn't jump on the back of a motorbike with just anyone at night in the traffic in this city. He's also a good friend, and totally trustworthy, and the sort of guy that you can throw your arms around and hold tight, and he won't think anything strange of it, because, well, that's what you do when you're riding on the back of a bike in this city (at least, he said he didn't mind, and he'd rather have his passenger be "stable" and safe in the crazy traffic). So off we went, roaring off into the night! He told me that I was an easier passenger to drive than J - said J was being a bit too modest or something, as she wasn't holding very tight and "flopping" around on the back of the bike! No flopping for me, no siree! And I had a great time! I could do that more often!
Tomorrow, the plan is to go to church, then head to the Masaai Market, as I need a new mumu to wear when I get out of the shower. The one I'm currently wearing is starting to fall to pieces. Then we get a ride out to the Suburbs where the seminar is going to be held for two days. Seeing all these friends, both planned and unplanned, is really refreshing my little heart this weekend. With friends coming and going in Jb all the time, I must admit that I've been starting to feel a little sorry for myself, and a bit bereft. So seeing all these friends from near and far this weekend is really lifting my spirits, and reminding me of all the good people God's put in my life, even if I don't see them on a daily basis.
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