Libby in Africa

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July 11, 2006

Nairobi, Kenya

Greetings from Africa!

We made it safely to Kenya on Sunday evening. The flights were long and loud… and long. I took some sleeping pills, but they just sapped me of energy, so my mind was very awake, but I felt totally lethargic. But, we made it, and after our first night (with the help of the sleeping pill again—they work best in a quiet room when you can stretch out flat, not in a seat on a plane…) I felt rather well adjusted. And now after the second night I feel totally adjusted to the time change (10 hours here in Kenya, it will be 9 once I get to Nigeria).

I had flown from LA to Chicago, where I met my mom who was coming in from Texas.

We then flew on through London (below :)and to Nairobi, Kenya.

We arrived at night, and met our driver at the airport. I was surprised to find that in most of West Africa they drive on the left side of the road. I sat in the passenger side, which felt very weird. Since it was night, I didn’t see much on our drive into town, but what I did see reminded me a lot of driving in Mexico.

Our first night was spent at a Mennonite Guest House in Nairobi. The room was small, but very sufficient. Based on the furnishings in the room, I could how important safety was compared to furnishings: there was a little old sink in the corner, a funky lamp and an ugly brown phone, and great seventies looking chenille bedspreads. But attached to one wall was a shining electric safe. Punch in your code and you are good to go!

I was up and about in the morning eager to see Africa for the first time. Our view from the room was really great and the grounds at the Guest House were very pretty. There were flowering plants everywhere.

The climate is really nice—from what I hear it stays between 50 and 80 degrees all year long. I was actually surprised at how cold it was.

We ate breakfast at the Guest House with all the other guests. My first taste of African food (not necessarily traditional, but still made in Africa). Oatmeal, toast, and a slice of melon. The melon looked like a cantaloupe, but tasted like the smell of those bushes that are all around Mount St. Mary’s in Grass Valley. Some of you may know what I’m talking about. It was weird.

It was so neat to hear new birds and just breathe in real African air—I’m really here!

We were driven downtown (again, even in daylight it feels a lot like driving in Tijuana and other parts of Mexico—crazy drivers, lots of exhaust, and dust) and went to a sort of mall. Driving around downtown I realized that there weren’t any tourists (at least not that I could see), even when we went to the Hilton to confirm our reservations in two weeks. Seeing this really made me feel very white—I’m not used to standing out like that.

Yesterday we drove out of Nairobi to visit the Rafiki Village here in Kenya. On the way there we passed a lot of roadside stands selling fruit and other smalltown necessities. Many of the roadsides were lined with small plants and seedlings in black plastic bags, like a roadside nursery. It was so strange. The Village was beautiful—it smelled of fresh eucalyptus and was full of other new trees and plants I didn’t recognize.

The staff was very welcoming and the girls at the center were so sweet. We watched them during part of their skills class. Here in Kenya they are teaching the girls painting and some sewing.

We stayed in the village overnight and left this afternoon to return to Nairobi. On the way back to town we stopped and bought some bananas at a stand on the road—I haven’t tried them yet, but they look so good.

I’ll be they are much better than bananas in the states. Back in town we asked our driver to stop at the Tuesday street market so we could look around. It was so crazy!

The whole side of a hill was covered in vendors (you can't see it very well in the picture) with their items laid out on sheets and tarps on the ground. The dirt walkways were very narrow and when you stopped to bargain, people would keep pushing past you, nearly knocking you over onto piles of necklaces and wood carvings and baskets. I got a little crowd-sterphobic. My mom bought quite few things, I got two woven fabric scarves.

Now we are at another Guest House in Nairobi. We leave tomorrow early to go on Safari. The drive out to Massai Mara takes about six hours and from what I hear, the road is rough. But the rewards I am also told, are much worth the travel. I hope to see elephants, lions, giraffes, and perhaps zebras, hippos, and cheetahs. We will be at Massai Mara for safari for two nights, when we will return to Nairobi to catch a plane to Mombasa, on the coast. Mombasa is the beach resort that I have pictured in a previous post. It looks gorgeous. I don’t know when I will connect again, but I will hope to be able to post some marvelous photos.

So far things are great. Our days are full and there is sooo much to see. I wish you all could be here. I’m still getting used to the cultural differences—appropriate greetings, the Kenyan English accent, money (70 shillings to one dollar), etc. I miss home a little. It’s exhausting to take in so much in such a short time. I wish I had my iPod (I know, I know, how horribly “LA” does that sound…). Think about how much we listen to music. I haven’t really listened to music since I left, so I have had the same song stuck in my head without anything to replace it (Vienna, don’t know the artist, it’s on the 13 going on 30 soundtrack). Anyway, I’m glad I got to connect. I am getting some of your emails. Feel free to keep in touch that way, I will reply when I get the chance. More to come soon hopefully!

-Libby

ps. Hey Sunny, everywhere we go in Nirobi there is this car called a Nissan Sunny. I tried to get a picture, but no luck. Anyway, I thought you would appreciate it.

Posted by libbystokes at July 11, 2006 11:14 AM

Comments

Posted by: jamie at July 11, 2006 12:47 PM

Posted by: Sunny at July 11, 2006 12:56 PM

Posted by: Becky at July 11, 2006 06:16 PM

Posted by: barbara at July 11, 2006 07:25 PM

Posted by: David Stokes at July 13, 2006 07:53 AM

Posted by: carolyn at July 13, 2006 10:16 AM

Posted by: Lauren at July 13, 2006 12:18 PM