2009-04-18: Onboard the train to Mombasa, 2a.m.
Hey guys,
I just "woke up"... By that I mean I haven't really been sleeping... Basically just been keeping my eyes closed.
...Sat up, and 3 (to me) big roaches were running around on the floor. YUCK!!!
But then I started thinking about the people in third class...
Wooden benches - for 15 hours!!
I looked in to one of the wagons in Nairobi and I just can not imagine it!
I can't remember who told me, but someone said that sometimes it even gets so full that people have to sit in turns...
...And people complain about standing for 10 minutes going over the bridge back home.. Geez...!
Something to take my mind of it all though, was a gorgeous view!!
It's still very dark - but wow! The moon is out and the night sky is INCREDIBLE!!! You sure won't see a sky like this in Sweden. WOW WOW and WOW!!!
I am looking forward to tomorrow when it's light outside. I wan't to see the view!
...Can't video tape more though... Battery's dead cause I accidentally left the damn thing on...
But I stillhave my Canon... Love that cam! :)
Anyway, later peeps! I'm gonna try to get some sleep!
Kwaheri sana!
I just "woke up"... By that I mean I haven't really been sleeping... Basically just been keeping my eyes closed.
...Sat up, and 3 (to me) big roaches were running around on the floor. YUCK!!!
But then I started thinking about the people in third class...
Wooden benches - for 15 hours!!
I looked in to one of the wagons in Nairobi and I just can not imagine it!
I can't remember who told me, but someone said that sometimes it even gets so full that people have to sit in turns...
...And people complain about standing for 10 minutes going over the bridge back home.. Geez...!
Something to take my mind of it all though, was a gorgeous view!!
It's still very dark - but wow! The moon is out and the night sky is INCREDIBLE!!! You sure won't see a sky like this in Sweden. WOW WOW and WOW!!!
I am looking forward to tomorrow when it's light outside. I wan't to see the view!
...Can't video tape more though... Battery's dead cause I accidentally left the damn thing on...
But I stillhave my Canon... Love that cam! :)
Anyway, later peeps! I'm gonna try to get some sleep!
Kwaheri sana!
2009-04-17: Shangilia and then off to Mombasa!
Jambo sana!
This morning I woke up at around 6.30am.
It was very cloudy but still warm (according to me anyway!)
I took a quick shower and then went down for breakfast.
When I came down to the dining hall there were like 4 tables with black people and one table with a white guy.
I just walked up to the white dude and asked to have a seat and we ended up talking for like an hour and a half!
His name is Nick and he’s gone from Wales to Nairobi by MOTORCYCLE! And is heading for South Africa!
He had a lot to tell! He had been to Ethiopia and was robbed and he has been staying at the Y for about a month.
He had some sort of infection on his spine… Hernia maybe? Anyway, he had to have surgery! And now he’s just waiting to get better.
Oh! When I went up to the guy who served toast, he asked what room I am in. F22 I said, and he commented my last name, Ayera, “is that you?” “Yes”, I told him.
“You have an African name!”
Coooool! :)
I have missed the breakfast at the Y! toast with Zesta jam and eggs. Lovely! And the Kenyan tea…It sure is the best!
I also had some Kenyan porridge, which Nick told me, foreigners usually don’t eat, but he does and they seem to like him for it :)
I had to try it! Didn’t taste much, but ey, it was breakfast!
Around 8.15am I went to my room to fetch the clothes and then I waited for Mary’s friend Njoro to pick me up.
When we entered Kangemi I recognized it all immediately!
It felt so so great to be back! And when I stood by the gate at Shangilia, it just felt… Amazing!
I sat in the office and some of the kids came up to me… Anne, Ken, Ester, John… And when Grace came… Oh my God!
She has GROWN!!! I got a big hug from her! I don’t think she remembered me all that much, but I really did not care!
I was just so happy to be back and to see her again! I gave her the photo album and she loved it!
It was very calm today at Shangilia.. Most of the kids were at a camp and would arrive later in the afternoon… With Cyntia, Bonniface, Sunday, Peter, Sammy, Julius and the rest :)
But it was all good, cause I got to spend much more time with the other kids instead.
There was also another white girl there. Her name is Jorien and she’s from Holland. She’s studying children’s rights and is doing her masters degree at Shangilia… She’s been there for 5 weeks, and has 5 left… LUCKY! :)
We spent most of the day at Shangilia together and had a great time!
We actually went through Kangemi! The kids took us to a big soccer field and we had to walk through Kangemi…It was AWESOME! :)
Some of the kids were performing there today. I don’t really know what it was all about, cause most of it was in Kiswahili… But it was still awesome! :)
The girls were dancing and the boys were playing drums and trumpets.
Eventually we went back...Jorien and I kind of got bored with all the Kiswahili, not understanding anything...
I do think we were filmed by Kenyan TV though! Hehe, wazungo in the slums! :)
Walking with Jorien, alone in Kangemi was just amazing! And I felt totally safe! People are so incredibly nice!
We even took our cameras out and took pictures... kind of felt bad though... SUCH a tourist... :/
But then I stayed at Shangilia until about 3pm. I also tasted the food they served that day... Getheri, it is a mix of corn and red beans with potatoes. It was good!
Just ate a bit though... Gotta be careful in the beginning at least ;)
Then some of the older girls were braiding my hair, so sweet!
And I seriously do not know how I will be able to go back... They asked me to stay with them... SO adorable!!!
MANY pictureshas been taken today! And video taping! I am so glad I bought that video camera!
At 3pm Njoro came to pick me up again and drove me to YMCA, for me to pick up my bag... I had left it there during the day, no extra charge! It was great!
Njoro is so cool! And he actually has an aunt in Sweden, AND he wore a t-shirt where it said Sweden :)
After that he drove me downtown to meet up with Mary. She had already bought me the train ticket (3650 KSh) for first class with supper and breakfast and bedding.
And whenI was gonna pay Njoro, he said 1000KSh, and Mary was like nooooo that is too expensive!
But he said I didn't pay in the morning! And OMG! I didn't! Haha, I just wen't straight to Shangilia! I totally forgot! In the excitement I guess... Hakuna matata!
Anyway, Mary and I went to an internet cafe cause I needed to get Diana's number... Apparently I did not have it in my cell! :P
After that we went to Java's coffee house and I had a delicious fruit sallad, an iced tea and a Malindi Chai Latte. It was so so good! Not at all like home! Loved it!
Then we went to a supermarket cause I wanted to buy some snacks and water for the ride and a notepad for me to write down everything, day by day! Since I don't have internet access everyday!
Check in at the train station started at 6pm, so we went straight there after the supermarket. It's right by the matatu station and it was just PACKED with people, and it still wasn't rush hour! Amazing!
At the station there were white people EVERYWHERE!
Mary and I hung out until I had to board the train at 7pm, Wagon 1210, compartment H - All to myself! :)
I told Mary I would fly back, but after this experience I'm absolutely taking the train back! it is just amazing! And Nairobi - Mombasa is SUCH a party train!
I was in the first dinner group, and I was the first one out. They just have one restaurant wagon, so we all had to eat in turns.
I thought I would be alone, but it did fill up quite quick!
Two random people sat down by my table, Mikael and Elisabeth. Mikael's also from Sweden and Elisabeth is from Germany. Cool!! They were so nice and we had such a good time!
The food was OK, I mean, I'm still not hungry... Malarone is really working it's side effects on me!
But there was soup and bread as an apetizer along with some fried fish thing...And then rice with chicken (or beef or vegeterian) and then dessert.
Then I went back to my compartment (chumba) and started writing my journal with my door open.
Down the hall I heard a bunch of Americans, so I went out and they were all: Join the party!! - Which I of course did!! :)
...Some of them were hiiiiiigh... But the group also had two Swedes, Hampus and Hannah, studying photography and going around Kenya.
Hannah and I actually ended up talking most of the night! She's really cool!
And! We're actually going back to Nairobi by train together on Tuesday!
Apparently the train just go every other day, since there's just one track, and Tuesday will be perfect and in great company! :)
We'll also hang out in Nairobi later on!
Oh! I almost forgot!
I have already got a marriageproposal from one of the train crew people (and apparently, so had Hannah)
"When you have seen the world, you come back and you marry me"
...Like in his 50's... Totally not charming ANYWHERE....
So "Nooooo, thank you, I'm good...!"
Next time, I will just take the travel guide's advice and make up a few husbands... Yes plural = high status... Like cows in India...;)
SO!
Yeah... The train is awfully bumpy and loud, but I am loving every minute of it!
Don't know how fast we are going but the cars one the road are faster and it is a 15 hour trip!
We're supposed to arrive around 9.30-10.00am tomorrow.
I'm getting up at 7am though, to watch that sunrise and film the scenery!
Until next time dear friends!
Kwaheri!
This morning I woke up at around 6.30am.
It was very cloudy but still warm (according to me anyway!)
I took a quick shower and then went down for breakfast.
When I came down to the dining hall there were like 4 tables with black people and one table with a white guy.
I just walked up to the white dude and asked to have a seat and we ended up talking for like an hour and a half!
His name is Nick and he’s gone from Wales to Nairobi by MOTORCYCLE! And is heading for South Africa!
He had a lot to tell! He had been to Ethiopia and was robbed and he has been staying at the Y for about a month.
He had some sort of infection on his spine… Hernia maybe? Anyway, he had to have surgery! And now he’s just waiting to get better.
Oh! When I went up to the guy who served toast, he asked what room I am in. F22 I said, and he commented my last name, Ayera, “is that you?” “Yes”, I told him.
“You have an African name!”
Coooool! :)
I have missed the breakfast at the Y! toast with Zesta jam and eggs. Lovely! And the Kenyan tea…It sure is the best!
I also had some Kenyan porridge, which Nick told me, foreigners usually don’t eat, but he does and they seem to like him for it :)
I had to try it! Didn’t taste much, but ey, it was breakfast!
Around 8.15am I went to my room to fetch the clothes and then I waited for Mary’s friend Njoro to pick me up.
When we entered Kangemi I recognized it all immediately!
It felt so so great to be back! And when I stood by the gate at Shangilia, it just felt… Amazing!
I sat in the office and some of the kids came up to me… Anne, Ken, Ester, John… And when Grace came… Oh my God!
She has GROWN!!! I got a big hug from her! I don’t think she remembered me all that much, but I really did not care!
I was just so happy to be back and to see her again! I gave her the photo album and she loved it!
It was very calm today at Shangilia.. Most of the kids were at a camp and would arrive later in the afternoon… With Cyntia, Bonniface, Sunday, Peter, Sammy, Julius and the rest :)
But it was all good, cause I got to spend much more time with the other kids instead.
There was also another white girl there. Her name is Jorien and she’s from Holland. She’s studying children’s rights and is doing her masters degree at Shangilia… She’s been there for 5 weeks, and has 5 left… LUCKY! :)
We spent most of the day at Shangilia together and had a great time!
We actually went through Kangemi! The kids took us to a big soccer field and we had to walk through Kangemi…It was AWESOME! :)
Some of the kids were performing there today. I don’t really know what it was all about, cause most of it was in Kiswahili… But it was still awesome! :)
The girls were dancing and the boys were playing drums and trumpets.
Eventually we went back...Jorien and I kind of got bored with all the Kiswahili, not understanding anything...
I do think we were filmed by Kenyan TV though! Hehe, wazungo in the slums! :)
Walking with Jorien, alone in Kangemi was just amazing! And I felt totally safe! People are so incredibly nice!
We even took our cameras out and took pictures... kind of felt bad though... SUCH a tourist... :/
But then I stayed at Shangilia until about 3pm. I also tasted the food they served that day... Getheri, it is a mix of corn and red beans with potatoes. It was good!
Just ate a bit though... Gotta be careful in the beginning at least ;)
Then some of the older girls were braiding my hair, so sweet!
And I seriously do not know how I will be able to go back... They asked me to stay with them... SO adorable!!!
MANY pictureshas been taken today! And video taping! I am so glad I bought that video camera!
At 3pm Njoro came to pick me up again and drove me to YMCA, for me to pick up my bag... I had left it there during the day, no extra charge! It was great!
Njoro is so cool! And he actually has an aunt in Sweden, AND he wore a t-shirt where it said Sweden :)
After that he drove me downtown to meet up with Mary. She had already bought me the train ticket (3650 KSh) for first class with supper and breakfast and bedding.
And whenI was gonna pay Njoro, he said 1000KSh, and Mary was like nooooo that is too expensive!
But he said I didn't pay in the morning! And OMG! I didn't! Haha, I just wen't straight to Shangilia! I totally forgot! In the excitement I guess... Hakuna matata!
Anyway, Mary and I went to an internet cafe cause I needed to get Diana's number... Apparently I did not have it in my cell! :P
After that we went to Java's coffee house and I had a delicious fruit sallad, an iced tea and a Malindi Chai Latte. It was so so good! Not at all like home! Loved it!
Then we went to a supermarket cause I wanted to buy some snacks and water for the ride and a notepad for me to write down everything, day by day! Since I don't have internet access everyday!
Check in at the train station started at 6pm, so we went straight there after the supermarket. It's right by the matatu station and it was just PACKED with people, and it still wasn't rush hour! Amazing!
At the station there were white people EVERYWHERE!
Mary and I hung out until I had to board the train at 7pm, Wagon 1210, compartment H - All to myself! :)
I told Mary I would fly back, but after this experience I'm absolutely taking the train back! it is just amazing! And Nairobi - Mombasa is SUCH a party train!
I was in the first dinner group, and I was the first one out. They just have one restaurant wagon, so we all had to eat in turns.
I thought I would be alone, but it did fill up quite quick!
Two random people sat down by my table, Mikael and Elisabeth. Mikael's also from Sweden and Elisabeth is from Germany. Cool!! They were so nice and we had such a good time!
The food was OK, I mean, I'm still not hungry... Malarone is really working it's side effects on me!
But there was soup and bread as an apetizer along with some fried fish thing...And then rice with chicken (or beef or vegeterian) and then dessert.
Then I went back to my compartment (chumba) and started writing my journal with my door open.
Down the hall I heard a bunch of Americans, so I went out and they were all: Join the party!! - Which I of course did!! :)
...Some of them were hiiiiiigh... But the group also had two Swedes, Hampus and Hannah, studying photography and going around Kenya.
Hannah and I actually ended up talking most of the night! She's really cool!
And! We're actually going back to Nairobi by train together on Tuesday!
Apparently the train just go every other day, since there's just one track, and Tuesday will be perfect and in great company! :)
We'll also hang out in Nairobi later on!
Oh! I almost forgot!
I have already got a marriageproposal from one of the train crew people (and apparently, so had Hannah)
"When you have seen the world, you come back and you marry me"
...Like in his 50's... Totally not charming ANYWHERE....
So "Nooooo, thank you, I'm good...!"
Next time, I will just take the travel guide's advice and make up a few husbands... Yes plural = high status... Like cows in India...;)
SO!
Yeah... The train is awfully bumpy and loud, but I am loving every minute of it!
Don't know how fast we are going but the cars one the road are faster and it is a 15 hour trip!
We're supposed to arrive around 9.30-10.00am tomorrow.
I'm getting up at 7am though, to watch that sunrise and film the scenery!
Until next time dear friends!
Kwaheri!
2009-04-16: Arriving in Nairobi, Kenya
OMG! You guys!
I’m having the time of my life!!!
Last night when I arrived, I instantly smelled the African air!
It just felt so wonderful to be back! I LOVE KENYA!
Going through passport check did take quite a while and it was so hot! …Then again, I was wearing shorts, sweat pants and 4 t-shirts!! (Couldn’t fit them in the checked bags).
And it took forever to get all the luggage at baggage claim…
When I came out of the baggage claim area it was like a wall of Kenyans with different name signs. And I just looked through my right, and there was Mary!! :)
It was so so so wonderful to see her again! I have missed her so much! And I also got to meet her friend Florence, such a sweet girl!!
We got me a sim card for my phone and then we headed for YMCA!
They only stayed for a short while, cause it was getting kind of late, but before they left I gave Mary the Easter egg! :)
I basically just got everything ready for the following day with the clothes and everything… Then I went to sleep, but it was kind of hard. I was so excited to finally be backing Kenya and I slept on the plane… (bad idea).
But I did meet a great American guy on the plane though. He sat next to me.
Seriously, the plane wasn’t even half full! Everyone could totally stretch out! :)
But this guy, Brandon, and I ended up talking for hours! He was also going to an orphanage, but in a village outside of Kisumu.
He has even offered me a job as an English teacher…. Can you imagine what I am thinking now?? ;)
More will follow! :)
Kwaheri!
I’m having the time of my life!!!
Last night when I arrived, I instantly smelled the African air!
It just felt so wonderful to be back! I LOVE KENYA!
Going through passport check did take quite a while and it was so hot! …Then again, I was wearing shorts, sweat pants and 4 t-shirts!! (Couldn’t fit them in the checked bags).
And it took forever to get all the luggage at baggage claim…
When I came out of the baggage claim area it was like a wall of Kenyans with different name signs. And I just looked through my right, and there was Mary!! :)
It was so so so wonderful to see her again! I have missed her so much! And I also got to meet her friend Florence, such a sweet girl!!
We got me a sim card for my phone and then we headed for YMCA!
They only stayed for a short while, cause it was getting kind of late, but before they left I gave Mary the Easter egg! :)
I basically just got everything ready for the following day with the clothes and everything… Then I went to sleep, but it was kind of hard. I was so excited to finally be backing Kenya and I slept on the plane… (bad idea).
But I did meet a great American guy on the plane though. He sat next to me.
Seriously, the plane wasn’t even half full! Everyone could totally stretch out! :)
But this guy, Brandon, and I ended up talking for hours! He was also going to an orphanage, but in a village outside of Kisumu.
He has even offered me a job as an English teacher…. Can you imagine what I am thinking now?? ;)
More will follow! :)
Kwaheri!
Greetings from Diani Beach, Kenya - Yes, I'm still alive!
Hey guys! Yes I am still alive!
Sorry about the late update! But internet access hasn't been top priority, really!
Still won't be able to show any pictures... It's uploading right now, but it's gonna take forever!
I'm writing a journal as I go, and I have A LOT to tell you! But I won't be able to write it all down right now. So unfortunately I'm gonna have to get back to you later!
But just letting y'all know I'm alive and I'm having the time of my life! And never wanna go back! :) Hey! I even got a job offer as an English teacher at an orphanage around Kisumu! Tell you more about that later!
Right now I'm in Diani beach, at Forty Thieves to be more exact... Tomorrow, I'm taking the train back to Nairobi!
Until next time people!
Take care!
Kwaheri!
Sorry about the late update! But internet access hasn't been top priority, really!
Still won't be able to show any pictures... It's uploading right now, but it's gonna take forever!
I'm writing a journal as I go, and I have A LOT to tell you! But I won't be able to write it all down right now. So unfortunately I'm gonna have to get back to you later!
But just letting y'all know I'm alive and I'm having the time of my life! And never wanna go back! :) Hey! I even got a job offer as an English teacher at an orphanage around Kisumu! Tell you more about that later!
Right now I'm in Diani beach, at Forty Thieves to be more exact... Tomorrow, I'm taking the train back to Nairobi!
Until next time people!
Take care!
Kwaheri!
Hello Amsterdam!
Greetings from Amsterdam! Ik ben in Amsterdam, jaaa! En ik wacht op mijn volgende vlucht, jaaaa! :)
When in Rome, right ? ;)
Seriously!
Waking up at 4am... NOT fun! .... Finally being on the road... AWESOME!
My flight leaves at 10:15am from Amsterdam... The boarding starts in an hour... I'm gonna go get a chai latte at Starbucks and then I'll be on my way to gate F...
I sat next to two women from Gothenburg... It was funny to listen to them talk!
"De va la gött mos... Den saken legger la der... Har'u hetta't eller?" (haha)
And when they were ordering drinks "yääs, a coffee och a cåca cååla lajjt, please" (yes, a coffee and a diet coke, please)...
The plane was full of elderly people... probably going to Mallorca or Lanzarote or something (charter ftw!)...
Okay, so I only have 5 minutes left of this insanely expensive internet access (6 euros for 30 minutes).. Just rob me, why don't 'cha!
I'm gonna go find my gate! See ya when I see ya!
Kwaheri Sana!
When in Rome, right ? ;)
Seriously!
Waking up at 4am... NOT fun! .... Finally being on the road... AWESOME!
My flight leaves at 10:15am from Amsterdam... The boarding starts in an hour... I'm gonna go get a chai latte at Starbucks and then I'll be on my way to gate F...
I sat next to two women from Gothenburg... It was funny to listen to them talk!
"De va la gött mos... Den saken legger la der... Har'u hetta't eller?" (haha)
And when they were ordering drinks "yääs, a coffee och a cåca cååla lajjt, please" (yes, a coffee and a diet coke, please)...
The plane was full of elderly people... probably going to Mallorca or Lanzarote or something (charter ftw!)...
Okay, so I only have 5 minutes left of this insanely expensive internet access (6 euros for 30 minutes).. Just rob me, why don't 'cha!
I'm gonna go find my gate! See ya when I see ya!
Kwaheri Sana!
Lovely afternoon in Gothenburg!
Counting the hours!!
I went to Gothenburg at 11:08 as planned... And the trip went very well!
... And then Thomas met me in Nordstan and we went to a place called slim food. I at AMAZING sushi, and Thomas had a sallad that just looked delicious!!
Veggie Heaven in Teaneck New Jersey still is number one on my list, but Slim food has a safe 2nd place!
Kinda funny... Thomas asked for a Diet Coke, and they said ''Sorry, we just have healthy stuff here". Hehe :P
Then we walked around in Nordstan, and we played table hockey.... He won.... whatever! :P
It was so much fun though!
Then we bought an ice cream and sat down on a bench and enjoyed people spotting!
I bought Ben and Jerry's 'Wich... Gotta love it! :D
Thomas tried the new Magnum temptation... Hahaha, you should have seen the look on his face when he opened the box! The ice cream was pitiful!!!
- THAT'S IT????
It was so nice to spend the afternoon with Thomas! I've missed him a lot!
Now I'm in the suburbs of Gothenburg, not exactly sure where... But I'm at my dad's brother-in-law's house... it's so nice!
And now I'm just counting the hours!!! :D
I don't know when I'll be able to update again... But until then!
Peace out!
I went to Gothenburg at 11:08 as planned... And the trip went very well!
... And then Thomas met me in Nordstan and we went to a place called slim food. I at AMAZING sushi, and Thomas had a sallad that just looked delicious!!
Veggie Heaven in Teaneck New Jersey still is number one on my list, but Slim food has a safe 2nd place!
Kinda funny... Thomas asked for a Diet Coke, and they said ''Sorry, we just have healthy stuff here". Hehe :P
Then we walked around in Nordstan, and we played table hockey.... He won.... whatever! :P
It was so much fun though!
Then we bought an ice cream and sat down on a bench and enjoyed people spotting!
I bought Ben and Jerry's 'Wich... Gotta love it! :D
Thomas tried the new Magnum temptation... Hahaha, you should have seen the look on his face when he opened the box! The ice cream was pitiful!!!
- THAT'S IT????
It was so nice to spend the afternoon with Thomas! I've missed him a lot!
Now I'm in the suburbs of Gothenburg, not exactly sure where... But I'm at my dad's brother-in-law's house... it's so nice!
And now I'm just counting the hours!!! :D
I don't know when I'll be able to update again... But until then!
Peace out!
KENYA here I come!!!
Hey guys,
Geez... Feels like I've spent most of the day in a bank...! I have, more or less!
But now I'm done with everything! I've packed everything... And I really don't know how I'm gonna be able to carry it all... It's gonna be a problem... But I'll just have to keep thinking positive...! :P~
It's SOOOO heavy!!!
So! Tomorrow at 11:08am I'll be on my way to Gothenburg! I'll arrive at 2:17pm, and my dad's brother-in-law will pick me up. Good, cause I'll need the assistance... :P
Then I'll hopefully be able to grab a coffee with Thomas! I met him today too... I miss you so much dude! Malmö isn't the same without you!
Then I'll be suffering from insomnia until around 2:30am... Cause that's the time I'll be going to the airport in Gothenburg... and at 6:20am I'll leave Sweden! :)
Headed for Amsterdam... Then I'll have 2 hours or so there... And then an 8 hour flight to Nairobi! :)
I'll arrive at 7:05pm and Mary's friend will pick me up and drive me to YMCA, where I have now made a reservation. It was enough to send an e-mail!
Then the plan is - so far - that I'll go to Shangilia early on Friday morning and drop off the clothes and spend time with the kids... And in the afternoon I'll go to the train station to buy my tickets for Mombasa, and the train will depart at 7pm.
Then I'll arrive in Mombasa at around 6am on Saturday.
The only thing planned out so far is the Dolphin Safari (I'm gonna swim with dolphins!!!!! ... I hope!) on Sunday... It's gonna be awesome either way! :)
...That's all I know for now... I haven't figured out how many days to spend in Mombasa and what to do while I'm there... But I'm really looking forward to meeting Gloria's sister Diana! It's gonna be awesome!
When I'm back in Nairobi later on though, I'll spend more time at Shangilia and I'll also go to Kiserian with Mary to visit her family! I can't wait! :)
I'm gonna look through the travel guide on the plane and figure out what I could do...
I've read about white water rafting, sky diving, horseback riding and sailing... Yaaaaaayyy! :D
Well peeps. I'm exhausted!
Anna won't be home until around midnight... and I'm struggling to stay awake til then... Don't know how that'll work out...!
Anyway, when I'm on the road I'll try to keep you guys updated as much as I can, but I don't know how much that will be!
But stay tuned! I'll be back! :)
Geez... Feels like I've spent most of the day in a bank...! I have, more or less!
But now I'm done with everything! I've packed everything... And I really don't know how I'm gonna be able to carry it all... It's gonna be a problem... But I'll just have to keep thinking positive...! :P~
It's SOOOO heavy!!!
So! Tomorrow at 11:08am I'll be on my way to Gothenburg! I'll arrive at 2:17pm, and my dad's brother-in-law will pick me up. Good, cause I'll need the assistance... :P
Then I'll hopefully be able to grab a coffee with Thomas! I met him today too... I miss you so much dude! Malmö isn't the same without you!
Then I'll be suffering from insomnia until around 2:30am... Cause that's the time I'll be going to the airport in Gothenburg... and at 6:20am I'll leave Sweden! :)
Headed for Amsterdam... Then I'll have 2 hours or so there... And then an 8 hour flight to Nairobi! :)
I'll arrive at 7:05pm and Mary's friend will pick me up and drive me to YMCA, where I have now made a reservation. It was enough to send an e-mail!
Then the plan is - so far - that I'll go to Shangilia early on Friday morning and drop off the clothes and spend time with the kids... And in the afternoon I'll go to the train station to buy my tickets for Mombasa, and the train will depart at 7pm.
Then I'll arrive in Mombasa at around 6am on Saturday.
The only thing planned out so far is the Dolphin Safari (I'm gonna swim with dolphins!!!!! ... I hope!) on Sunday... It's gonna be awesome either way! :)
...That's all I know for now... I haven't figured out how many days to spend in Mombasa and what to do while I'm there... But I'm really looking forward to meeting Gloria's sister Diana! It's gonna be awesome!
When I'm back in Nairobi later on though, I'll spend more time at Shangilia and I'll also go to Kiserian with Mary to visit her family! I can't wait! :)
I'm gonna look through the travel guide on the plane and figure out what I could do...
I've read about white water rafting, sky diving, horseback riding and sailing... Yaaaaaayyy! :D
Well peeps. I'm exhausted!
Anna won't be home until around midnight... and I'm struggling to stay awake til then... Don't know how that'll work out...!
Anyway, when I'm on the road I'll try to keep you guys updated as much as I can, but I don't know how much that will be!
But stay tuned! I'll be back! :)
Die weisse massai
I just watched "Die weisse massai" (The white masai)... And now I'm all sentimental...!
Even though it's a German movie, and y'all know how I feel about German... (Yeah, not too crazy about it...)...
Anyway, I just love it... It is such a great story... and the fact that it's based on a true story makes it even better...!
And when I see Carola with her child Sarai... I just feel... Gosh.. I want that... I want to adopt an African girl... 
....That's a little further in to the future though... As for right now... It made me miss Kenya even more...
And I just can't wait to go back! It's going to be so so so WONDERFUL!
I have talked to Gloria, and she talked to her sister in Mombasa.... So I'll be going there too! :) That will be really exciting!
Something else I'm really looking forward to is to go to Kiserian to meet Mary's family and meet the masai people...!
I don't think I can smile more than what I'm doing right now... Just thinking about my trip, I can't wait!
Am I nervous about going alone?...
No not really... I mean... Okay, maybe it's not the ideal situation for a mzungo girl to go to Kenya alone...
But I won't be alone while I'm there...! I'll be with some of the best people in the world :)
I am just SOOOO bummed out that Gloria won't be there! It will NOT be the same without her!
Oh, and how's the Swahili going, you may ask?
Haha, could be better...! I wish I knew someone who could teach me!
Where's Kintu when I need him!?...Okay, so he's in South Africa, but still! He's just adorable though...!
He called me Masai Blanca on MSN! Haha, yeah, for sure I am! ;)
There's this guy at work, I think I've written about him before... his name is Johan and he has been in Kenya, when he studied at the school I've also applied for (Österlens Folkhögskola)...
And he told me he went by train between Nairobi and Mombasa... and just hearing him talking about it... Made me want to try it out! Maybe just one way though... it takes SEVERAL hours to go there... Can't remember really, but 17-ish?
Well, while I'm all sentimental and stuff, I'm gonna continue cleaning out my wardrobe... (No, I'm not done yet....!)
But before I go I want you all to sit down and relax... And listen to this AMAZING song... It totally brings me right back to Africa... And some other memories too... But anyhow... Press PLAY dear friends!
Enjoy!
Kwaheri sana! :)
KLM Travel information - Checked baggage allowance
I just checked KLM's website to see how much luggage I can bring with me to Kenya...
Last time we had one bag each with 23kilos per bag...
Either we mis-read the last time or they changed the amount!
I'm allowed to bring 2 bags with 23kilos in each! Sure it's going to be REALLY heavy... But I'll manage! And it will be worth it, that's for sure!
I'll be able to bring more than 40 kilos of clothes to Shangilia! This is awesome!!
...But just in case I'm gonna call them tomorrow and ask... Oh! And I'm gonna call the embassy as well, asking about the VISA...!
AND I also need to call the doctor's office to see if I should get Malaria pills, more shots or something else I might need on my trip! :)
Tomorrow I'm actually gonna go to work and talk to my ''team leader'' and ask her if we can make some sort of collection for the kids at Shangilia as well!
I'll also make some sort of flyer or just send a mass-email to everyone at DSB asking people do donate clothes and shoes for me to bring... Preferably for kids around 5-13 years old...!
I am SO SO SO excited! Seriously, I can't wait to go back!!
And hey! I actually found my Kenya travel guide in one of the boxes today! And I'm actually gonna do my best to learn as much Swahili as possible before I go... I'm gonna go to a book store tomorrow to see if they have some sort of Swahili dictionary! It's a facinating language!
Anyway, I'm gonna go through my wardrobe... Yes, once again!
It's gonna be a while, so I'll see y'all later!
Kwaheri sana! :)
Last time we had one bag each with 23kilos per bag...
Either we mis-read the last time or they changed the amount!
I'm allowed to bring 2 bags with 23kilos in each! Sure it's going to be REALLY heavy... But I'll manage! And it will be worth it, that's for sure!
I'll be able to bring more than 40 kilos of clothes to Shangilia! This is awesome!!
...But just in case I'm gonna call them tomorrow and ask... Oh! And I'm gonna call the embassy as well, asking about the VISA...!
AND I also need to call the doctor's office to see if I should get Malaria pills, more shots or something else I might need on my trip! :)
Tomorrow I'm actually gonna go to work and talk to my ''team leader'' and ask her if we can make some sort of collection for the kids at Shangilia as well!
I'll also make some sort of flyer or just send a mass-email to everyone at DSB asking people do donate clothes and shoes for me to bring... Preferably for kids around 5-13 years old...!
I am SO SO SO excited! Seriously, I can't wait to go back!!
And hey! I actually found my Kenya travel guide in one of the boxes today! And I'm actually gonna do my best to learn as much Swahili as possible before I go... I'm gonna go to a book store tomorrow to see if they have some sort of Swahili dictionary! It's a facinating language!
Anyway, I'm gonna go through my wardrobe... Yes, once again!
It's gonna be a while, so I'll see y'all later!
Kwaheri sana! :)
It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A (Youth Hostel in Nairobi)!
Yeah!
I wrote to YMCA Youth Hostel in Nairobi a few days ago to check the new prices, since they've renovated the place since I was there last time...
They sent me this price chart:
I wrote to YMCA Youth Hostel in Nairobi a few days ago to check the new prices, since they've renovated the place since I was there last time...
They sent me this price chart:
Deluxe Rooms:
Single occupancy: B/B: 2900KsH H/B: 3400KsH F/B: 3900KsH
Double occupancy: B/B: 3500KsH H/B: 4450KsH F/B:5400KsH
Standard Rooms:
Single: B/B: 1400KsH H/B: 1900KsH F/B: 2400KsH
Double: B/B: 2100KsH H/B: 3100KsH F/B: 4000KsH
Dorm per person: B/B: 1050KsH H/B: 1550KsH F/B: 2000KsH
Non self contained Rooms:
Single: B/B: 1100KsH H/B: 1550KsH F/B: 2000KsH
Double: B/B: 1800KsH H/B: 2700KsH F/B: 3600KsH
Dorm per person: B/B: 950Ksh H/B: 1400KsH F/B: 1900KsH
B/B= Bed&Breakfast
H/B= Half Board
F/B= Full Board
The prices are in Kenyan shilling and according to FOREX today 100 Swedish Kronor gives you 1024,595 KsH!
(100 Swedish Kronor = 13,19 US Dollars = 10,39 Euro) (Updated: September 9th 2010)
I wrote them back asking them to explain what's included in the different types of rooms and half/full board, but I still haven't gotten a reply. I'll get back to you when I know more!
But since I'm going to be spending quite some time at the orphanage I don't want to live at a fancy place... It just doesn't feel right...
Besides, even though it's not the fanciest place in town, I think it was a great place to stay in. The staff was really nice and the breakfast was great!
And actually... For me it's a must to stay at the YMCA when I go back... That's just the way it is :)
Well, that's all for now...
Now I REALLY need to hit the sheets!
Hakuna Matata!
(100 Swedish Kronor = 13,19 US Dollars = 10,39 Euro) (Updated: September 9th 2010)
I wrote them back asking them to explain what's included in the different types of rooms and half/full board, but I still haven't gotten a reply. I'll get back to you when I know more!
But since I'm going to be spending quite some time at the orphanage I don't want to live at a fancy place... It just doesn't feel right...
Besides, even though it's not the fanciest place in town, I think it was a great place to stay in. The staff was really nice and the breakfast was great!
And actually... For me it's a must to stay at the YMCA when I go back... That's just the way it is :)
Well, that's all for now...
Now I REALLY need to hit the sheets!
Hakuna Matata!
KENYA here I come!
Oh YES! I HAVE the tickets! All booked and done! :D
On April 16th at 6:20 am I'll be on my way back to Kenya!
It is going to be AWESOME!
I'll get back to ya'll with the details! Right now I'm celebrating! :D
KENYA KENYA KENYA!
Hakuna Matata!
On April 16th at 6:20 am I'll be on my way back to Kenya!
It is going to be AWESOME!
I'll get back to ya'll with the details! Right now I'm celebrating! :D
KENYA KENYA KENYA!
Hakuna Matata!
