Week 17

Monday morning we discovered a little gem 15 km outside of Eldoret – the Sosiani Power Plant that generates much of the power used in the region in wet seasons - and an 80 ft high waterfall. With recent rains, the water level was high. The next pictures were taken there.

On Tuesday we went to our first Kenyan wedding. Just after the couple exchanged their vows, the pastor called us up to give best wishes to the couple. We had asked him at our farewell supper if we could come. Unlike brother-in-law Tom, he

1.              Called us before the wedding telling us he would call us up.

2.              Asked us to make a speech (not announcing that I would sing a solo).

The wedding was very enjoyable (not referring to our part). The procession and recession had a lot of motion. The reception was to be outside, a few tents had been set up. While we were eating it started pouring. One of the tents was blown down. 

 On leaving the wedding we passed our street and noticed both ditches were overfull and our street was under water, as were several other streets.

This week Grace’s principal (Martha Tubei) and my department head (Philip Nyangweso) also had a goodbye supper for us.

Early Friday morning we bid our adieus to Eldoret, flew to Nairobi from where we boarded a train for an overnight train ride to Mombasa. Skies were clear and we got a good view of the landscape between Eldoret and Nairobi. Our train ride went quite well but we did not get to see the wildlife we had expected as we were out of Tsavo East National Park before daybreak even though we arrived in Mombasa two hours late. However, we did enjoy the scenery. Also, every place where the train stopped or even slowed had many children standing all along the track. All of them waved, the older ones also held their hands out for shillings.

 Mombasa Harbour

For this week we are at a resort north of Mombasa along the Indian Ocean. A peaceful walk along the ocean may be but a dream. This is the low season for tourists because of the rains, although we have had just sunny, hot, humid weather so far. Our resort is far from full and the moment we show our faces at the ocean we are surrounded by the “beach boys” trying to sell us tour tickets or provide us with transportation to their restaurant. Unlike in Mexico, they do not let us alone. They earn their living getting commissions and this afternoon we were the only tourists at the ocean. Here are some pictures at or of our resort.

 At high tide.

Next weekend we do not expect to have internet access so the next update will be Monday, May 14.