After a very long trip, we have safely arrived in Bondo, Kenya.
From London, we flew to Doha, Qatar. Getting off the plane was an experience. Walking down the steps onto the tarmac, we knew immediately that we were in the desert. A very dry heat, sand blowing, sun shining with an intensity that I've never experienced before.
The flight to Doha was an experience in and of itself. Qatar Airlines is amazing - food was incredible, staff were awesome and services were great. When we got to our seat, headphones, pillow, blanket, and a package of travel supplies awaited us. In the package was an eye mask for sleeping, socks, ear plugs, and a small travel toothbrush and toothpaste. The flight had entertainment systems in the seat backs so you could choose from a plethora of tv shows, movies, music, and flight information. Only drawback - we were in the very last row of the plane and so the seats didn't recline. Made a 6 hour overnight flight very long and not very restful.
Travelling to Doha from London required flying over the Middle East - including Iraq and Kuwait. It was a very strange realization to look out the window and see city lights that might have been Baghdad and, later, were definitely Kuwait City!!!!
We had a two-hour layover in Doha before catching our flight to Nairobi. This flight was a smaller plane that had 3 seats on either side of the aisle. Movies were played on the more traditional screens hanging from the ceiling.
In Nairobi, Stephen's nephew Abraham and his friend James picked us up. After purchasing our tickets to Kisumu, they drove us to the Free Pentecostal Fellowship of Kenya guest house. We checked in and had some free time before dinner. One cold shower later, lesson learned - showers in Kenya have a switch that turns on the heater!!!!
Dinner was served at the Guest House. All afternoon, I had seen very few people at the Guest House, but at dinner time the room was crowded. Dinner was ugali, beef and vegetables in a broth, rice, and a hot coleslaw. There was also lemons and watermelon. Ugali is a type of corn bread made from water and maize. These white buns or slices are a very dry dish that is loved by the Kenyans. For me, it was best when dipped in the broth from the meat dish.
Very early the next morning (although not as early as it should have been - more to come!), Abraham picked us up and drove us back to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Dad purchased coffees and cinnamon buns just as boarding was announced. However, we were able to carry these coffees out onto the tarmac and onto the plane!!! Security was more laidback for this internal flight - all bags had to go through x-rays, but I was able to bring my water bottle with me.
Flying over Kenya was amazing. Seeing the changes in landscape - rolling hills; Mount Kenya; arid regions; lush, verdant areas - was incredible.
We arrived at Kisumu Airport at about 7:30 where Ed Peters and Jeremiah picked us up. We ran errands in Kisumu - trying to purchase electrical wire and pipe clamps was an experience!!! We also went to Tusky's, a large supermarket that sold absolutely everything - in a very small way like the newer Walmarts. We had lunch at a restaurant near the supermarket. I had breaded tilapia fillets and french fries. Dad had Kuku Kenya chicken - chunks of chicken in a cream sauce.
While in Kisumu, we also met Ben and Vincent, two guys who work for another NGO in Bondo. Ben is from Wales - talk about a small world!! Vincent is from Bondo. We drove Vincent and a bunch of supplies they had bought back to Bondo before continuing on to Matangwe.
Driving from Kisumu to Bondo was much like driving from any town to any village - smooth, paved roads, lots of traffic. At the same time, very different - bicycles everywhere, people walking on the side of the road. Jeremiah was constantly on the horn warning cyclists and pedestrians to get out of the way.
Once we turned off the main road, however, it was a whole new world. Dirt roads, angled almost 45 degrees at times, lots of potholes and trenches - very, very, very bumpy!!!!
Stephen greeted us in Matangwe and showed us everything that was going on. Dad came here in 1998 to help build the Medical Clinic and, as a result, was constantly amazed to see all the changes and progress since then.
In the medical clinic compound, there is the medical clinic, a mortuary, a water tower, a generator, and a volunteer & staff residence.
Down the road from the medical clinic is the new community centre, currently under construction. As we walked, children started following us. By the time we had spent a few minutes in the community centre, they had come closer. One boy took my hand, told his friend to take the other, then a third came up beside the first boy and grabbed onto my wrist. It was incredible to see how open they were to a stranger. Mzungu is a cry often heard as we drive or walk past - it means white man.
Everyone we met at the clinic has been very open and welcoming. They are so pleased to have use here, to show us what has been done and is still to be done, to see our interest in their lives. Many remembered Dad from his first visit, others remembered Mom. When Dad told one of the ladies that I was his daughter, she took a second look and said that I look like my Mom. (Mom came over in 2000 ? to help out in the clinic)
It has been a very dry summer here, but it did rain for a little bit today. Perhaps Dad and I brought the rain with us???
I will try and post a few photos later on this week, however, it is a slower Internet connection so that might need to wait until I get home.
Until the next time!
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