Time Flies

During these past two weeks a lot has happened here in Mlolongo. I have wanted to write about so many things but the timing was always off and have not had much time. Beauty and I made it through that last two weeks alone. I was happy to have Salima return at last on Tuesday. She had a wonderful time up-country with her family, but since both her parents are ill, leaving them again was hard for her. When she first stepped into the house she looked and me and simply shook her head. “Too thin, too thin. You were more beautiful big, like when you arrived. What happened?”  Sometimes I forget that this is Africa, and big is beautiful. She had brought home a live chicken in a box wrapped with string that she had bought in town before making her way to Mlolongo. She slaughtered it and watched me eat to make me get “back on track”. Wednesday was a public holiday – Madaraka day, which celebrates Kenya’s independence. There was a football tournament near our house so I sat with our youth all afternoon and watched. Later my friend and I, drove along Nairobi National Park to Uhuru gardens and spent the evening sitting in the park. It was a relaxing day. Yesterday we received three new volunteers from an organization so the house is no longer quiet. Even though I enjoy quiet and a less hectic household I am glad they are here. Two are from America, a girl and one boy, and one girl from New Zealand who is named Lexi also. Today Beauty and I took them around Mlolongo to see everything and introduce them to their placements. First we went to Heritage, the orphanage and school and then to the centre. Walking through Mlolongo with new travellers is always fun. The culture shock and anxiety can be read easily from there body language. It was a busy day with lots of walking in the heat and we are looking forwards to a quiet evening.

Nairobi National Park

Holiday football tournament

Nairobi National Park - just across the road from us.