Sorry its been a while
Hi Folks. Hope you are all ok? Sorry that it was over a week ago since I last wrote, the internet was down in Nairobi so I couldn't access the internet let alone update this page.
So much to tell you. As you know last friday we caught the coach to Nairobi. I stayed the night at Fred's house. Fred is like an uncle to me. He helps me organise my trips and is a really great friend. We had to be up early on Saturday (4.30am) in order to make sure we were at the airport on time as my friend arrived then. Well, we arrived early to find out that Andy's (my friend who is over in kenya for 2 weeks) flight was delayed!! Anyway, after picking him up we headed to the national park, an amazing place. We saw a lion, hippos, buffalo and a lot of the other smaller animals which aren't so exciting!! When seeing the hippos an armed guard walked with us to the river as apparently buffalo were around that area hence all the buffalo poo!! Well, after seeing the hippos we see a bush move around 15 ft from where we are to see a crocadile run into the river!! To think a wild croc had been so close to us and we never saw it!! There by the grace of God go I springs to mind. After the national park we visited Nairobi animal orphanage. Those these animals are not wild it was still great to see cheetahs, a leopard, lions, a buffalo and others. In the afternoon we headed to my Kenyan families house (the Mbaabu's) to relax.
On sunday we were up early (3.30am)! We were going to Mombasa as we had hired a cottage right on the beach. After the 8 hr journey the car refused tro start as we tried to drive off the ferry which we found out later was due to a low battery. Anyway Andy and I got out the car and with the help of a few of Mombasa's drunks we pushed the car off the ferry and up the slip road. The car then started again after we played with the engine for a bit though Mike (my kenyan friend who travels with me when I'm here) did spend 9 hrs that day in a garage with one of his mates trying to find out what was wrong and fixing it. We also had to pay the drunk men 20 pounds for the priveledge of them helping us, but we had no choice. Hundreads of people (no joke) were waiting for the ferry as 2 white men and the drunks pushed the car!!
The rest of the time in Mombasa was great. An amazing view, lots of snorkelling, hot, a warm sea. We saw lots of fish and star fish. Was great to relax. On Tuesday we headed back to the Mbaabus house. On Wednesday I took Andy to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage where you get really close and can touch baby elephants. After that we went to the Giraffe centre where you can feed Giraffes and if you choose kiss them! We all kissed them, Andy twice, Mike three times, me 5!!! We then visited the restaurant which Mike runs in Nairobi. I'm going to work there for 1 day when its my last week. The kenyans will be shocked to see a white man speaking their language and serving them food. I served one guy and his face was a picture!!
Yesterday we were up early as we had to leave at 6am latest in order to get in Nairobi on time for our coach. We left at 6 and were actually early. The traffic in Nairobi in the morning is really a sight to see. We got on the coach and started our 8 hour journey. It was great to get into bed last night and know that we could get up later than 7am!!
Today we are visiting both projects and going through the toys/games/stationery and deciding what to give to each project. Tomorrow Birunda the rescue centre has a football match against another project called Challenge farm. Challenge farm is headed up by a really cool american woman called Cheri but we must beat her team. The brits can't lose to the Americans at football, they don't even call it football they call it soccer! On Sunday we have another match this time with Birunda playing against a team of street boys. I'm sure this will be entertaining, 11 boys high on glue playing football!! On Monday we will give out the toys etc.
Anyway time is ticking so I'd better go. Its nearly 10am and we need to go to Birunda now. Sorry that this message is not very detailed. This keyboard is doing my head in so I'd better go before I go insane!!
Thanks for reading
Pete