First Weekend

Wow this seems wierd, just like its the first time iv been able to think since about Tuesday! Everything has come and gone so quick, last time I was able to think, I had loads of time and was still packing leisurely and now I have arrived here in Kimilli and already had a few days. After rushing round town on Thursday morning, saying goodbye to my sister and grandma and completing my journey down the Heathrow with my parents I have been alone and in a totally different environment than I have ever been in before, although it has not at all felt that way. In a way I have felt at home, and comfortable in the things I have done, and in a funny way this feels like abit of a shame, that I have not felt really shocked or anything like that.

Although there has been an exception to this, during my long wait for my connecting flight from Nairobi to Kisumu. I felt a little intimidated during this time, and for the first time had a very slight feeling of what I had let myself in for, although this was not for long and I soon settled into my plastic seat, which would be home for the next 6 hours, and just kept myself to myself for a while, and really not being able to wait to get to Kimilili and being able to get on with something. It seemed a shame that I just wasted this 6 hours just waiting for my plane, not doing anything else in my first few hours in Kenya. Although saying that, at no stage did I feel bored, I spent my time reading and listening to my ipod, as there really is nothing to do in Nairobi airport, especially in Domestic Departures, where there isnt even anything to eat until you have checked in. I also met a Kenyan man who was telling me about Kenya and his recent travels, and also life in general, about his education and job, as well as his friends and family in England.

The flight to Kisumu was shorter than I had thought and only took half an hour, after which I had the journey to Kimilili, which I mostly spent asleep, which i felt was abit rude, but i really couldnt keep my eyes open. Later in Kimilili, I found out that there had been some tension in Kisumu, and was not particularly safe, due to the Nominations for the upcoming elections taking place.

The next morning was lost, as I slept untill 1ish, and only just made it in time for some lunch. At this stage I also met the other guests in the Guest house, David and Saskia. The afternoon was spent in Kimilili, having a look round and also buying a new Kenyan sim card, for some cheap communication back home and here during my stay, and other supplys such as water etc.

Sunday was my first morning awake in Kimilili and I went to church with Mathew. This lasted about an hour and a half. And the afternoon spent on a bike ride up to Dreamland and round Kimilili. Its funny how people, especially little children in the more rural areas, like to stop and say or shout "Masungu" (or white person in english), and love to ask "How are you" as you go by.

Then I had a sleep in the afternoon and then Dinner. The food here is beautifull and really fills you up.

That brings me to today, and after my first good nights sleep I really feel refreshed and ready to go. But I still feel abit shy, and just getting to know the place and what to do. I cant wait to get rid of this and get things done and maybe feel a little more invloved, and hopefully this will come. The people here seem really enthusiastic about playing abit of cricket etc, and the plans for my time here seem really exciting, so I now just cannot wait to get invloved. O, and also learning some more of the language.

So Thank You,

Adam