27 Karibu Kenya! (11122009)

A new language, a new people, a new land. Karibu Kenya! (Welcome to Kenya!) I just arrived in my second African country to explore. I know I have much to learn and I know that Africa is a very big place... so there are many opportunities for new adventures! Something that I have been told is that since Africa is so big, I can be in one place one day and see Africa one way only to go to another place in Africa another day and see it in a whole new way. That might not make sense, but basically... the whole continent offers much to explore!

I flew to Kenya to meet Austin, the taxi driver who was picking me up at the airport. He stood at the passenger pickup holding a sign that said the name of the place I was staying and my name. That was my first time having someone pick me up at the airport like that... I felt famous! He took me outside and helped me with my baggage. I really enjoyed getting to meet him and learn a lot on our drive to my house. (We actually stopped by the Brazilian embassy here before heading home... but I will explain all of that in tomorrow’s blog.) And what was new about Kenya? They drive on the left side of the road and the driver sits on the right side of the car. I had forgotten this when I approached the cab and Austin commented something about me driving home. After looking in the car at the steering wheel, I knew what he meant! (Kenya was colonized by the British, along with many other places... all of which drive on the opposite side of the road from the States.)

I finished a book I had begun on the flight and began realizing that I will have a lot more alone time in Kenya than I have had so far. In Northern Africa, I stayed in a home with four other girls my age. In Kenya, I would be on my own! My uncle found a wonderful place for me to stay in Nairobi. Maybe I should back up some. I had an itinerary planned for my whole time in Kenya and everything changed. Upon arrival, I learned about a new itinerary that had been planned and I must say, that looks incredible. Many great friends and family here redirected and re-planned my time in Kenya. Welcome to being flexible. Who knew that an entire itinerary shift would occur WHILE I was here?

So, I am staying at a mini motel-sort of housing compound that has a few houses, an apartment building and two floors with rooms facing a courtyard. The rooms are for guests. My uncle set it up for me with a discount. THE LORD PREPARED THE WAY DEFINITELY.

My friend also gave me the contact for a woman living in one of the apartments which are behind the guest rooms. Her name is Eleanor and she is a medical coordinator for people working overseas. I called her upon my arrival and check in to room upstairs and she made plans to come visit me later on in the evening.

First, I needed groceries. (Remember: this is more of me being on my own.) Lila, the wife of the man running the house welcomed me at check-in, as well as many other receptionists and workers on the grounds. THEY KNEW MY NAME. Really, God worked through many people to welcome me here. It was amazing. More of God preparing the way... Lila took me to the grocery at a strip center, helped me find what I need and then took me by a fruit market in the center. I bought peanut butter, honey, whole wheat bread, bananas, milk, Africa’s equivalent to Cinnamon Toast Crunch and FRESH MANGO JUICE. (When I say fresh, I mean that I saw them finishing up juicing the mangoes. That’s how fresh it was.) I was set up for success, for sure.

Eleanor came over later on and talked with me through all sorts of options for my week. We got several things set up for me to see and arranged for me to meet many different people. I went to bed excited and very thankful.

A side note on a couple differences between Northern Africa and Kenya:

There are malls in Kenya. It is like New York City or something. So far, I have heard of three big malls. There were no malls in the city that I came from, at least not like this. I feel like I am in a much more of a city here than in Northern Africa. There are many more things to buy and life moves faster here.

People are on the side of the road selling things. In Northern Africa, people shined shoes on the side of the road and had little stands. Here, there were people selling things on the sides of the roads that were exiting from the airport! They had balloons and maps and many souvenirs. Living here seems to be more expensive in many ways.

And, that does it for day number one here. I can’t wait to explore more this week!

Love you all,

Laura