Kibera...and the kids

                   Kibera

This is me and Charles at the Haki offices in Kibera. Jeff is doing research in Kibera about housing issues. I have been working on a blog for Haki. Charles really needs a website but I do not know how to do it and it is very expensive to have someone do it for me. If any of you out there can help, we would really appreciate it!!!

The Kids

 

The kids are doing well. They are settling into school. Max is still not fully in love with school but he is doing fine. The weather here allows them to be outside most of the time. They will really miss the freedom when we come home!  The pic above is at a playground that is part of a sports club. It the best outdoor playground we found. Of course you have to pay as with everything here. Left pic. Our swimming pool in our patio. It is so small because plastic things like this are very expensive here.  In many cases what is cheap in the States, is expensive here. However, manicures, pedicures, etc. are very affordable!! Hope you are all well! Miss you!!
Keep in touch! XOXO Rebecca

The Kids

Sam napping with a friend at school.

The kids at Margo's house, next door. They have a great yard with a play structure.  The kids love the pool and are often running around naked. Margo's mother and Brigitta, and I have become good friends. 

Sam's birthday. Also in the pic. Antonella and Kingsley, neighbors.  The boys have become great friends with Kingsley and his parents are good friends of ours. 

Sam, Jeff, Brigitta, and Margo

Here we are at a lake about two hours out of Nairobi. We took this boat out to see hippos. 

The kids love the bars on the window!

This is a pic. of The Great Rift Valley on our way to the lake. 

The kids are in their third week of school. It seems to be going ok. I think Max is wishing there was more playtime but he seems to be adjusting.  Last night some of Jeff's colleagues from Boston came for dinner, it was very nice to see them. 

Life here, for us, is pretty good. We keep keep our doors open, during the day, and the neighbors come for tea or a glass of wine while the kids play. We all feel like we are on a sort of extended vacation. 

I have volunteered at an orphanage last week. To my surprise there were more volunteers than kids. So ... there doesn't appear much need there. I think I am going to be helping Jeff with some research he is doing in one of the slums here. 

I have been going food shopping here more than I ever have. I go to the butcher, the green grocer, and Nakumatt (Kenyan Walmart). The food is good but you cannot always find what you want. I have also been cooking a lot as there is no prepared or frozen food here. The kids desperately miss chicken fingers! 

The pace is slow here. Waiting in checkout lines, traffic, waiting for a taxi, general errands take a lot longer here...it can be frustrating. 

On the whole we are doing very well but miss you all terribly!!!! Keep in touch, let me know what you are up to. 

P.S. Everyday here is 75-80 and sunny. One thing I do not miss...... SNOW!

First Day of School, and other misc. fun

Max in his uniform, Sam doesn't have to wear one. The school is called The Key Montessori
School. They require Max to go 5 days/wk. and Sam can do 3-5 days/wk. So far I am very happy with the school. The campus is very nice (Kenyan standards). There is a lot of outside space and the classrooms are big with a lot to do. the teachers are lovely and there are many people there helping out.
Max saw some Kenyan children walking to school by themselves and is desperate to do the same. He wants to take a Matatu to school. I admire the independence but it's not happenin.

This is at The Giraffe Center. There were about 6 giraffes that you could feed and pet. I have never been so close to animals as I have been here. 

This is at Mamba Village. Mamba is Swahili for crocodile. Our guide bravely?, got into the cage with a dozen large crocs and started poking them so we could see their teeth. 

boat ride at Paradise Lost, a picnic area, very beautiful

Max loved riding this horse, his first time! 

At Paradise Lost we were walking around looking at the cows and other farm animals roaming free. Then we just happened upon this camel, no cage. Max wanted to ride it but I am not sure about a camel's temperament so we just looked. You really never know what you will see here!!

This is at a kids restaurant, play area. A train, of course!





Now that the holidays are over, we have been meeting a lot of people. Our neighbors from Denmark are great and have a play structure in their yard that we can use. Our neighbors from Holland have just returned from the orphanage with their son, 31/2. They are also very nice. I am still trying to find a volunteer situation, it is not as easy as I thought it would be. I am hoping to plan a short trip to the coast or to one many of the other parts of Kenya that people keep telling us about. We are doing well! The kids are happy and seem to enjoy a more relaxed/independent lifestyle. Things are different here but not in a bad way, it just takes some getting use to.

MISS YOU ALL!! Reebcca

random shots of life in Kenya

New Year's Eve in Nairobi. Frozen pizza on our laundry balcony. Don't be jealous!
Every one here has some sort of balcony to hang their laundry. You see clothes hanging
every where here. 

Every time we walk to to little market down the street several men try to sell us this fruit. It looks delicious but not worth the risk!

This is the view of our complex from the street. This is Ali (as in Mohammed). He is an askari (guard). He is always smiling and loves the kids. There is one more gate before you get to our house. Ibrahim is the guard there. He is also very nice and loves playing with the kids. All of the guards are from Somalia. We often see them washing their feet in preparation for prayer. They have a very boring job as their presence seems unnecessary. 

Two cuties having super cool popsicles or ice lollies as they are labeled.

All is well. Jeff will be in Boston next week, wish me luck. We are very jealous!
I visited a wonderful school for the kids today. There is an informal admissions process so we do not know if they will be able to go there but I am hopeful!
I miss taking walks with out crazy matatus blowing exhaust in your face. I also miss driving my own car and American TV. and of course, all of you! Take Care, Rebecca

Animal Orphanage

This weekend we went to the Animal Orphanage and the Safari Walk (like a zoo).  It was in Nairobi National Park. We had a great time, it was a beautiful place and as usual the weather was perfect. In the "monkey village" some monkeys were in their cage but many were not. This was both cool and a little frightening. 

This little guy was very interested in our stroller so we gave him a ride.  At the Animal Orphanage several people were pointing at us and saying muzunga (Swahili for white person) as we were looking at the animals, the Kenyans were looking at us. We always get some stares but this was more. They are always very friendly and seem most taken by Sam. One man even took a picture of us. We are always in the minority but it is never a problem.

Jeff started work today. He has to wear a suit! He looked great! We have met a few more people and our neighbor returned today with this new wife. They seem very nice, hopefully they will still be nice after hearing one of Sam' s tantrums at 8 am. I have many more pictures to share but it often takes 10mins. to upload one so I am only able to do a few at a time. Hope you are all well. We miss you! Rebecca

The Elephant Orphanage

The other day the kids and I went to The Sheldrick Wildlife trust where you can watch them feed the elephants. We were so close, only separated by a rope. You could lean over and touch them. These are the babies, all of them have been orphaned in some horrible set of circumstances. You can read more about he plight of the elephant at wwwhttp://sheldrickwildlifetrust.org

We have been keeping busy exploring Nairobi and playing with the children who live in our community.
I miss having reliable electricity, as it often goes out for 1-2 hrs. or more each day. I have more to post but Sam is pulling on my hand pleading with me to pay (play). Happy New Year!

Christmas Day at Village Market

Yesterday we went to Village Market. This is an outdoor shopping area with lots of things for kids to do.  We have gone to many shopping areas because they they have indoor play spaces for the kids. My biggest complaint so far is that there are no outdoor playgrounds here. We do have a patio but we have to get out sometimes! Here Max is waiting for his turn to drive the little cars. 

Max driving Sam. Max loves this, yet another thing that would never fly in the US, but the kids loved it!

After lunch we enjoyed some gelato!

Today we went to the Massai Market, which is a market where Kenyan's come to sell there handmade crafts. As a "muzunga" (Swahili  for white person) it is hard to make your way through as all the vendors want your attention, saying "sister" or "madame".  I managed to buy a few things but most likely paid way too much! We also had "tea" with our neighbors from Holland who have adopted two Kenyan children. Unfortunately they will be leaving soon. After the holidays, another couple from Holland will come. In a week or so I will check into a school for Max (and maybe Sam) and will hopefully get to do some volunteer work. I miss salads ( too afraid to try uncooked produce), washing machines, and dishwashers!
Love, Rebecca