Hot hot hot!!

Do kinda feel that a pic of Enrique would be quite fitting here but I will resist!!

This afternoon I took my class around campus to measure the temperature in different spots. We started off with ice, then moved to the swimming pool. Those of you who have swam in the swimming pool here will agree that at times it does feel like ice! We all sat on the edge with our thermometers in the pool....as I had flip flops on I thought it fitting to dangle my feet in the pool. It was hot today! 12 children then followed suit, or asked to.....as they all had their shoes and socks on I suggested they put a hand in....or jokingly, suggested maybe a nose! I could not believe when suddenly there were 12 little noses in the pool! So sweet! The kids loved it, and was so funny! Fortunately none of them fell in, and they all seemed quite refreshed afterwards! On the Astro turf we measured 51 degrees C so they soon dried off. It is crazy hot today!! Have new respect for the children who have to run around playing hockey on it. No wonder Kenyan runners are so successful!

How Kenya has changed me...

The other day I was in the shower and realised that there were quite a few spiders...now, rewind a few months and I would have been out like a shot, calling for help!! I hardly batted an eyelid and this made me smile as I thought of how brave I had become. Hahahaha you really have to do a before and after comparison to describe me as brave!!

A few examples:
Geckos have become my friends-is quite easy to love them when they eat mozzies.
Camping is no longer an absolute no chance possibility when going away.
I am no longer a veggie....not even close. No excuses either actually  as veggie food is great here, but the 4 days that I lived in Africa as a veggie I did get a lot of hassle and stick!
My driving has def changed....cutting people up is no longer a thing to worry about...instead it's watching out for traffic coming towards you in your own lane, fog lights blinding you, baboons crossing in front of you...

Major exception to the new brave Hannah was my first Kenyan cockroach sighting....in my bath. I shrieked and ran out...came back a few hours later and fortunately there have been no future sightings. There are def a few areas where I refuse to become fully Africanised.....still wear heels every day, still love nail varnish, still won't have pets, still hate mozzie nets and try to avoid them as much as poss but I do feel the change is very admirable!!

Kenyan sweetness

The last few weeks have been filled with experiences of Kenya that despite some rather crazy things happening, are endearing and kinda refreshing....

I went to the cinema and for once was really late so got to see the trailers! When they finished, on came the national anthem! Sadly no-one stood up which I have heard is the normal thing (there was only about 6 of us in the cinema and I wasn't going to lead the standing-I thought my friend was joking about it!), thought this was incredibly sweet!

Next followed our school trip to the Railway Museum. It was on this day that my job really felt poles apart from working in the UK. I don't think we saw any signs of keep off, or out of bounds...the kids were completely free to jump all over the trains, climb on the roofs.....at times I couldn't watch!! Amazingly we returned with no casualties.

Yesterday to conclude our Kenyan History topic in school our year group held a Jamhuri day. It was so fun! The kids dressed up in traditional Kenyan clothes, brought in various flags and cakes decorated with the Kenyan colours and we celebrated! We had a Masai jumping competition for the boys to prove their strength whilst the girls hummed and did a shoulder dance, entered a spear (ruler!) throwing and long jump contest and tried to learn the anthem and had Kenyan quizzes. This was after monkeys jumped over the roof and played in the trees at lunchtime (not so keen on the warthogs at the mo-one gave me quite a fright the other day, and they have gotten huge, they are absolute beasts!) and so despite the crazy storms that have been disturbing our sleep the last few nights (I have never heard such loud thunder) I am feeling rather endeared to Kenya at the mo! The fact that our mini half term break has just started may also be a contributing factor...and the fact that in about 12 hours I will be on my way to the airport to pick up my dear older brother, yay!!

Re adjusting....

So after a few junk food filled weeks (totally self induced!) in the UK it was time to return to Kenya. It is good to be back!

Leaving was sad...I was determined not to cry in front of Mum and Matt....so just about held off until I walked round the corner to security-two different security guards came over to check I was ok...managed to talk through my sobs to explain I had just said goodbye to my mum! Hahahaha such a baby! My hand luggage was routinely checked...and had to be emptied...rather embarrassing when I had a load of tupperware containers and my stereo in there hehe was not what they were expecting! Sadly though, it did not contain my house keys....anyway, mishaps make life more interesting-thanks to all for your help in getting me into my house the next day!

The heat is unbelievable. Was a bit of a shock when I arrived-coaching games in the afternoon is hard! I have massive respect for the kids who have to run! It is beautiful though, and really enjoying the sun and the bright days. Working out is so difficult though...perhaps due to the altitude-rubbish you have to readjust, and also the lack of exercise and major McDonalds intake in the UK! Do not regret it though, was amazing! (Is it bad that I can't actually remember what being a vegetarian was like...?)

Really struggled with what I like to call jet lag...a few people understand, many though have made fun of me! I think that a 3 hour time difference is significant! My sleeping patterns are finally back to normal, though still enjoying afternoon naps!

Went to a proper African church on Sunday-two non-Africans present-me and my friend! Was such a happy and active service, was great fun, and only lasted 90 mins, bonus! Loved the way they clap for and want to appreciate everything, so sweet!

Today I had one of my, wow, I live in Africa moments-we are studying habitats, so I took my class on a walk around campus to identify animals and their habitats-we spotted bugs and things, then some rather exotic birds, warthogs, chickens and a monkey! Love it!

It is good to be back!!

Driving home for Christmas...

Yesterday I made a playlist for Christmas, and one of the songs was, "Driving home for Christmas". No way did I imagine then that I would be doing just that a day later! Very spur of the moment decision, but well, I have been described as reactive before, so better live up to it! Ridiculously excited!! Not sure sleep will happen! Especially as I need to be up in 3 hours... Packing was very quick though, it helps that I have very few clothes here that are suitable to wear in freezing snowy weather!

So bring on the McDonalds!!!!

Africa rocks but I do miss....

I've been in Africa for over 4 months now and am loving it. It has really flown!! Was thinking today about the things that I really miss about UK living and that I still struggle to get used to. Think this is inspired by all the snow stories/photos right now, and although it sounds a nightmare and incredibly cold, I am kinda envious about how festive and Christmassy it is. So after a few hours on my veranda (gotta rub it in!!) I gave in! Wearing summer clothes, I now have all the windows and doors open, yet am curled up under a blanket watching a Christmas dvd just so I can feel a lil more like I am on holidays from school in this special season and also cos I got bored of doing my planning!! Also happily munching on British chocolate-thanks Mum!

So, apart from of course my gorgeous friends and family, I really miss:

Drinking water from the tap. It surprises me sometimes that I still automatically go and fill a glass only then to remember I can't drink it!

Having hot showers any time. I have to forward plan here, and often forget-the worst being when I'm already in the pool and realise it's a cold shower on my return or a 40minute wait!

Walking anywhere!!

Going out at night without wearing mozzie spray. I get bitten so much! Apparently there are some local brands that aren't as strong smelling-I need to investigate. It is embarrassing when you get into a car and your friend coughs, then opens the window!!

Reasonable prices. Things are either so over priced and expensive in the shops (particularly candles, ridiculous!), or require heavy haggling in the markets.

Smooth roads, street lights and drivers who do not use their full beams unless it's foggy.

Good cheese!!! Oh man, it is just not the same. When I return I want to eat cheese every day, preferably for every meal, and with red wine!

Holiday antics

School broke up last Friday morning, well, not before the Kenyan/Junior school custom of cocktails at 9.30am whilst the kids are looked after by other staff members. I was struggling to walk in rather high heels by 10am and supervise the children swimming...was glad when the bell rang later that morning and we finished for the year. Secret Santa and the staff meal followed, before Hannah and I swiftly ran home to pack quickly and make our way to the train station. A lot of people have said that the overnight train to Mombasa is a must do experience of Kenya. When I ask, is it fun/luxurious/quirky/why a must do, the simple answer is, it is an experience. Well, with that in mind, and pre warning that the train often stops for no apparent reason or breaks down and to take enough water for 20-30 hours, Hannah and I excitedly boarded the train with a well stocked cool box of beers and chocolate (gotta love the Christmas presents from the kids).

We were advised to go first class so we had a private cabin with bunk beds. Hannah doesn't sleep very well, and I seem to have little problems, so I went on top, in a very narrow though comfy bed. It was only in the morning that we realised that is could be lowered-I had lil room between me and the ceiling and it was a bit claustrophobic at times!! A bell rings to tell you to go to the dining cart for the meal and it was here that you could definitely see signs of its former glory: table cloths, silverware, 3 course meals etc, but the food was, well, interesting. We had quite a giggle. The train was also quite jerky, so eating thin soup was a bit of a challenge!

At half 8 we went back to our carriage and I happily curled up in my small bunk...sleeping soundly for pretty much the next 12 hours. Starting to drink at 9.30am I was amazed to have lasted so long! I missed the bell for breakfast, and didn't notice Hannah leave to go and umm, enjoy, maybe more, have hers. We're not sure why, but both had it in our minds that we would arrive at 10am, so when we pulled into blisteringly hot Mombasa at 11.30, we thought the train had been quite punctual, and not actually 3 hours late! The relief to do the journey in under 20hours and finally get out and start our holiday!

We then travelled up to Watamu where we spent a few days amazed by how many crabs there were, and generally enjoying lounging and relaxing on the beach. The Kenyan coast is beautiful. We visited a colleague one evening who has a house on the coast and were very excited to learn that Johnny Depp is one of the former guests! Kenya is so far away from the celebrity obsessed craze that I am used to living in, so any sightings, or links really do excite me (ooh, on that note, I did see Nigel Havers the other night, he did have to be pointed out to me, and also explained as I didn't recognise him, but still, cool!!)

I flew back last night, and it is so nice to be back in Nairobi! I was particularly excited to get back and open an incredible suitcase filled with shoes, dvds and chocolates! Thank-you to all for contributing! My fridge is now well stocked with nail varnish and chocolate but little else-need to go to the supermarket later!

The Christmas spirit is still not with me fully, though I did appreciate the random decorations appearing on the coast. This Santa was a particular favourite hehe

Hannah with our favourite Santa with unfortunately placed light bulbs