I'm back...

From the sights to the smells to the smiles...it was all the same. As I touched down in Nairobi after my adventures in Sydney, China, L.A, Atlanta, Buffalo, Canada, Chicago and London. I was greeted, as usual, by smiles as wide as the planet. White teeth set above deep, rich faces in the night. I approached customs and the usual greeting of Habari? Mzuri? (Hi how are you?, I’m fine) began. The man at the counter then started speaking in Swahili at rapid pace. I caught the first part and replied...only to be ignored. I then realised that he was speaking to the lady who was also assisting the passenger next to me. I smiled, under my breath, and knew I was home. At the end of my time, as he was writing out my visa he said, “Where are you staying”...to which I replied “Rosslyn Academy”. No more questions asked. Praise God! I said “Asante” to which he replied “Karibu Kenya” (Welcome to Kenya).

I continued downstairs and was able to find ALL of my luggage! Woohoo. I then proceeded to exit the arrivals hall to a massive crowd of people all shouting ‘Mzungu...taxi, Mzungu’. Soon enough I found my wonderful hosts Wes and Jane who had been arranged to come and collect me and get me settled into my home. As we left the airport we hit the road and once again we were stopped in traffic. The cool breeze was a refreshing way to arrive. We drove through the outskirts of town and into the place where I will be living. Some streets were familiar, but it was hard to position exactly where I was at night.

We reached my house. And WOW. I am SO blessed! J It is up a no-through-traffic street. At the end of the street there is a boom gate in which all cars are stopped and checked. People who are walking are also asked what they are doing on the street! My house is about halfway along the roadside and there is a big hill that leads from the road into our house compound. A compound is basically a fenced area of land in which the house and garden and room for cars is. We have quite a nice, big compound with a big avocado tree just down the hill. There are lots of trees that border the edge. There is a massive, locked security gate at the entrance to the compound. The entire perimeter of the compound walls also had broken shards of glass bottles that have been cemented in place.

Inside the house we have a 2 security doors to enter through which leads into the kitchen. The kitchen door also locks. Our kitchen is AMAZING. HUGE. We have a fridge and an oven (which is SOOO awesome!). We have been given some plates and cups etc on loan from the school until we set up our house.  From the kitchen you walk forwards to our dining/living room. It is a big open room with a fireplace...not sure if it works?? Off to one side of this room is a spare room (for guests when they come...when we get a spare mattress/bed!)

Following on from this there are 3 raised steps which lets you enter the main house. There are 3 rooms in the main section. They are MASSIVE! My host family who came and cleaned the house and set it up gave me the biggest room and it has an attached ensuite!! With...a BATHTUB!!! My room is at the back of the house with some large (barred) windows that look out into a green garden. There is a banana tree too. I have some cupboard space as well as a desk and chair and a bed! The bed is funny as the mattress is smaller than the actual frame for the bed! I love it (very African!). I also have another little area which has a smaller window that looks to the side of the compound.

We have a water heater that you have to switch on an hour before having a shower/bath (if you want hot water). It took about 5 minutes of the water running for the hot to come through...but it was SOOO worth the wait!

So...with security. There is a Chinese/American man who works for the UN living upstairs. He apparently owns the guard dog and hires the security personnel. We have 1 guard at all times during the day and then we have 2 guards at night. They have a little house on the side of our house where they stay. And as for Dora the dog... I have gone out and bought special dog treats for her, to woo her into liking me and not attacking. My first phrase in Swahili that I need to learn is...‘Can you please tie up Dora?’. I am onto that now! We also have emergency buzzers in almost every room of the house and one on a keychain to carry around. This is apparently a silent alarm that will send more guards to the house from the security company.

Sooo...I am feeling highly, highly secure...it almost gives me an uneasy feeling. Is this much security really needed? I’m sure it is better safe than sorry and I am glad to be in such a secure place. I would value your continued prayers as I try to adapt to being in such a high security location and for the ability to feel free in spite of these security needs.  

This morning my host, Wes came to get me and as he walked up the hill towards our house Dora went off...I was watching from the windows, not daring to even think about going outside. He barked and barked and barked and lunged at the metal bars. The guard got him and let Wes in and tied him up to let us escape.

We firstly walked over to Rosslyn (My new school!). It is about a 15-20 minute walk...down our road and then up the UNEP road, past a man selling beautiful roses and many types of flowers on the street. I then have to take another turn and walk a bit more before reaching Rosslyn.

Rosslyn is simply beautiful. The trees and lush green grass set on the backdrop of beautiful, colonial type buildings as well as newer ones. I got to walk all around the campus and see where people live as well as where all the different parts of the school are. I got to see my classroom too and it is amazing! It is absolutely MASSIVE! HUGE...MASSIVE. Have to get some ideas together as to what I will do with all of that space. Am planning to head to the market in Thika and bargain for some Kanga material to use for the walls and as curtains.

After this I went and had lunch with Wes and Jane and their son at their house on campus. After lunch, Jane took me in her car down to Village Market. Village is a place which I didn’t go to very much last year (only as a treat!). But this year, I guess it’s going to be the place I do most of my shopping. It is about 2.5km walk each way from my house, past the UN and the US Embassy. I was able to buy some things I needed like dog treats and laundry powder and a clock for the wall. I was also able to get a phone as the phone I brought from Australia didn’t work.. L But, I will let you know my phone number when I can. I don’t have internet at home just yet, so internet will be a bit sparse for the first little while at least.  

Tonight I am venturing back up to Wes and Janes’ place for dinner. They will drop me home afterwards to be safe. So...tomorrow I am going somewhere again with Jane and on Saturday I am going back to Jesus Helper’s to see my precious bubbies!!! Wahhoo!!! After that I think that I will be travelling up to Thika to see my Kenyan family, Lil, Francis and their new bubba Sarah and hopefully Peter and Mary Anne and Hope. I will also be seeing my gals Mary and Trizah and eating plenty of samosas from my favourite Kenyan shop, Qweutu! Can’t wait!

Mimi ni nyumbani!!!

Love Waithera.