Animal spotting

How fast time has gone.....the last few weeks have been really good and animal filled, though in more planned, expected and fun ways! Been on a few game drives; in Nairobi and Nakuru National Park. Saw my first lion, was very cool!!!

The flamingos in Lake Nakuru were incredible, a stunning sea of pink, there were hundreds. The wildlife here is just amazing.

A week ago we went to the Elephant orphanage opposite our school and saw lots of very cute baby elephants. I am really not an animal lover, but it sucks you in here, and you can't help but get excited about seeing a rhino, or a field full of zebra (my current favourite animals, the stripes are just so funny!) I was quite reluctant to touch the elephants, but did rather briefly pat one on the head! Wasn't expecting them to be hairy but then am hardly an animal expert to know what to expect!

Settling into the school routine, and really enjoying it. Started running before work-decided it was time I battled the altitude! It is harder definitely, but is starting to get easier. Can't see me doing any marathons over here though..... Loving the pool too though it is freezing at first, and so hard to jump in! Guess it makes the first few lengths faster though.

My trunk is in Kenya...still at the airport though....it's being scrutinized by Kenyan customs.....oh dear, sure they will be enjoying the Stephen Jones caricature! It is expected on Friday.....trying not to get hopes up yet, Kenyan bureaucracy is well....intense!!

Get real pangs of homesickness, and think of you all a lot and giggle, but settling in and really enjoying it. It feels more and more like home. Planning a lil explore for half term, and keen to see more of this beautiful country-animals included, bring on the leopard sighting!!

Malaria?? Ummm....no actually

Well, I got sick! Looking back it was kinda inevitable. I was exhausted and hadn't stopped for weeks, but was still rather upset and shocked to get struck down! After a few days I went to the Dr and was prodded and poked, then told I more than likely had malaria (60+bites in Tanzania and full symptoms). There were tears, I realised then how far away mum was! But, 6 hours later, a phone call discounted malaria and so, on 15 tablets a day and bed rest I was to recover! The funniest thing was how much the Doctors and pharmacists blamed the weakness of my choice of anti malarials, and made me feel so silly for stocking up on them....I now swear by them!! Totally fine now thankfully. The staff here were amazing, and really looked after me. Not exactly the best first impression made to some, but is a bit of a giggle now!

A sad consequence of being ill though is my feelings towards meat since getting better. I've had it once, and really can't face it now. Missed out on a night in Carnivore, so yet to try crocodile and ostrich, but we'll see whether that actually happens. Gonna take it a day at a time, but feel maybe I had a two week lapse and am now back to being veggie, feel gutted though, had such a positive response to my meat consumption both here and from the UK, well apart from Patrick, though some good points were raised!! hehe

Term started today. The ten children in my class so far are lush, was a fun day. A lot of readjustment, especially when a dog wandered in at playtime, and I had to call on a lil 7 year old to sort him out for me hehe good way to meet the kids and make them feel brave I think! Questions today, well the first was regarding my weight-always a delight!! The next load, seriously, load were about my tooth, so funny! The kids are so funny, want to know everything-each day I get a load more questions-even got asked for my mobile number!! So cute though.

Biggest current adjustment is probably to my house girl. She is amazing, and a massive help, but it is weird having someone come in and wash, clean up etc. I can imagine your bemused, maybe even confused faces right now, telling me to appreciate it, and believe me, not washing up any more is pure bliss, but coming home to re organised wardrobes, toiletries, even folded underwear (!!) is a re adjustment! Sure I'll get there....