Kenya's coastal paradise....

Of the three big coastal options in Kenya: Mombasa, Malindi, and Lamu, I couldn't be happier that we ended up in Shela, right next door to Lamu. 

This part of the Kenyan coast was a crowned jewel discovered by accident for me.   I had planned on extending my time in Kenya with one week of vacation, but left for Kenya with no definite plans for the week. 

I was asked to join the group of girls headed to the beach, and being a beach lover there was really no decision to make;)   Shela forever changed my view of what the beach should be.... US beaches will never look the same again.

Lamu/Shela is like walking back in time..... to place of such rich history and diversity ....this sign embodies the culture of the town beautifully...

This hidden gem along the Kenyan coast could have been the thing to make me lose my passport for awhile...narrow streets, fascinating architecture, wildly adorable beach boys, and fresh seafood were all part of this seaport's charm that quickly cast its spell on me....

Catchin' up...

It has been awhile...but at last back to finish up the tale of my Kenyan odyssey....

I returned from Matete late on my birthday ~ after a birthday of events that will forever change the way I look at the world.  Thanks again to World Vision for a visit and memories that will last a lifetime.

After a long trip back and tour through parts of Nairobi that helped me understand IBM security concerns ( by accident, a bit lost on the way back to my hotel for the night)...I settled in for my last night in Nairobi.

On Tuesday, I had a few hours to explore before my flight to Shela.  I went downtown to view the Kenya Burning display - a picturial display of the post election riots that occurred after the 2008 elections.  The exhibit had special interest to me.  I read the book - "It's Our Turn To Eat" as soon as I found out that I was going to Kenya.  Fascinating book - and this display was a visual portrait of what occurred.  I also drove through the town that was burned during the riots on my way to Matete.

After a few stops at several malls to look for Kenya soccer jerseys, off to the airport I went.  No Kenya soccer jerseys to be found....

After driving me around for 4 weeks in Kenya, these guys felt like family.  A few pictures with our drivers ......

Ralphael and Julius...

And off to the Wilson airport I went.  I got upgraded to Air Kenya....since I was the only person booked on the SafariLink flight.  The 9 seater plane will have to wait until my return flight :)

After a few days away from my CSC possi, I am looking forward to returning to my new entourage - Tamara from Austrailia, Vivian from China, and Dorine from Poughkepsie.   Sun, fun, and friends...on my way...


A little piece of Jory travels again with me...from the top of Mt Kenya to the Indian Ocean - the Air Force backpack is already very well traveled :-)

My first sighting of Shela...

Dorine (the sweetest thing ever) had a belated birthday present waiting for me...a fine bottle of South African red.   Life doesn't get much better....Indian Ocean, fine wine, the best of new friends...

 The girls at Peponis...



And to end my first evening at the Kenyan coast after a fine seafood feast by the sea....a beach bonfire and some music by the beach boys of Kenya...



Happy Birthday......tuko pamoja

Yesterday was my birthday....and I spent the day meeting the World Vision child and his extended family that we support.  He is the sweetest thing....and the entire day was amazing.

I traveled to Matete on Sunday and arrived at the World Vision office bright and early to meet the staff there.   As is customary in Kenya, we had some delicious chai tea and chapati fresh off the stove,  and then we set our for Hagai's community.

Rural Kenya gets few visitors....and word was out that a visitor was on the way.  It was a bumpy road back to his home.  Along the way their were several extended family members waiting to join our journey on bikes...

When we arrived, there were kids scurrying around everywhere....but Hagai soon appeared from the crowd of cousins and sisters...

I met many cousins, mom, dad, grandmother, grandfather, and his three sisters.....and in line with everything that I have experienced here in Kenya, even those with little share.  I was welcomed graciously with a feast of tea, ground nuts, arrow root, soda....the mother barely sat down while I was there.

We shared gifts and played a little soccer....and I taught them how to play tic tac toe...

They modeled their hats made by Robin and Hagai's soccer quilt made by Stacey..

And I even got present when I left...it is customary to give chickens to visitors in their community.  Although we bonded instantly, I left the chicken at the World Vision for another family to enjoy....I saw trouble at customs with that gift.

 My transport from Nairobi to Matete and back....

It was hard to say goodbye....but it was an experience I will never forget.

Tuko Pamoja...we are together....

The last blog will be from the USA....:-)

#ibmcsc Kenya 6

Extended stay in Kenya....

Sunday was a sad and happy day.....it was time to say good bye to several team mates but off to some extended Kenyan adventures for me!

We started our day with a tour through Kibera.   Kibera has a special interest to me because of the book It Happened on The Way to War...have wanted to see it ever since I read that book.

 Kibera is the world's second largest slum, possibly the largest at this point.  It was second only to South Africa but Kibera's numbers may now exceed theirs.  There are over a million people living in Kibera.   

A few interesting notes after my trip to Kibera....we visited Kibera on Sunday morning with an escorted tour of people that live there.  It was interesting to note that you couldn't walk a block without coming across a church in session....even in the slums.

We visited an AIDS clinic for women whose mission was to provide support for HIV positive women.  There was bustling food market within Kibera itself.  We were shown government housing right next door to Kibera and were told that Kibera residents had lived there briefly but all had returned to Kibera because the rent was unaffordable. 

At the end of the day...my trip to Kibera compounded my belief that solving the problem of poverty is an enormously complex task.....

Next on the agenda.... time for a a few quick goodbyes to friends returning home to USA, India, and Australia.

Then I set sail for the long trip to Matete to meet my World Vision child - Hagai.   The World Vision Land Rover arrived in Nairobi to escort me safely to the sight.  7 long hours laters we arrived at the hotel for a fresh start to meet Hagai and family in the morning...Traveling in Kenya is always a new experience....this was no exception.  

Catchin' a ride....

You buy virtually anything you need from the window of your car...



CSC time is coming to an end...but a little while longer in Kenya...

Saturday was our last day of CSC team outings.  Team mates that did not extend trips were leaving for home on Sunday.  So of course....

Saturday was one last BUSY day!! 

We started out at the David Sheldrik Elephant Orphanage...watching those baby elephants drink from bottles was adoable ...and we even got to pet one that walke close enough.

After the Elephant Orphanage, off to Masaai Market we went for sovenier shopping.  The place was a madhouse...and it is exhausting.  Haggling is a way of life or you pay an extremely inflated price if you are not up for a driving a hard bargain.  But we all left loaded down with our trinkets from Kenya...

We finished off the night with dinner at Lord Delamere's....it was our own Out of Africa CSC movie :-)