Wednesday, October 3, 2007

We have Arrived


This happened on the second leg of the plane trip over. The standard spill but this time involving OJ and two people asleep to my right that I did not have the heart to wake up. Saw who I think was John Legend getting off the plane. Luckily with the shirt inside out you could not tell at all so I did not get any weird looks from John or hard questions while in line getting a visa.
We were welcomed into Kenya with open arms from our new friend Muthoga who greeted us with that familiar Kenyan smile that I remembered from last time I was here. Muthoga a local guide is someone who we hope will send us on incredible jouneys into the beautiful wilderness as well as to meet some of the many tribes of Kenya. It was a blessing having such a happy and cheerful man there the welcome us.


We then arrived into our cozy 150sq/ft apartment that has everything we need. Although it is not a large as my lens makes this look . How lucky we are though to have the opportunity to have this space as our own for the next 7 weeks.
Our first full day here we woke up and called Kaylo another new friend who will be our taxi driver for most of the time when we are here. He has been a driver for many years for Journalist from the U.S.A. and was very helpful in getting our cell phone as well as familiarizing us with the city. I had decided not to bring my camera gear into town until I was more familiar with my surroundings (Nairobi is known by some as Nairobbery) but did get a shot of this beautiful flowering tree that lined the streets with Jennifer's camera. The next thing I know Kaylo says, "Well looks like there is a lot of police around here." We jump out of the car and are then in the bustling streets of Nairobi, which I hope to get more photos of so you can see. It was the fastest purchase of a phone and plan ever. Then go back out of town getting stopped on the way by the President's motorcade but after a short delay we get to our local mall and enter the parking after our car is searched by guards. We get all of our supplies and food that we need from YaYa center which is only about a 10 to 15 min walk from our place. We then get back and settle in (set up internet, talk to family, etc). Then realize that we are out of minutes already on our phone and decide to walk back to the mall to get more minutes and explore our neighborhood. There are street vendors along and way and everyone is welcoming. We even meet some new friends on the way that go to school nearby. Overall a very good first day. Now today we hope to get in touch with many more contacts including some from Nyumbani which is an incredible local organization which you can google to learn more about. In short though they have a Orphanage of kids affected by HIV and AIDS as well as a village they have set up to help these orphans and Elderly who have been affected by this terrible epidemic to become self sustaining. Later.

5 comments:

laura said...

so glad you made it safely. i do appreciate that the story starts with a standard spill!

Maggie Huggins said...

It wouldn't be right with out the spillage. Love n' stuff!
M-

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

this is so exciting, michael! i'm glad you arrived safely, and hope you both stay healthy and safe and have all of the amazing experiences possible!!! - abby

Unknown said...

so.. i think you know what to do with that orphanage and all those sweet little boys who need a mother. i mean, i can get a bigger house!