Bits and bobs

Hi guys and gals...it has been a long time between drinks and I apologize. I have been a very busy beaver of late. I have had some requests to write about our weekends and adventures. I'll give you a quick insight of what we have been doing other than our placements and volunteer work. Yala is a beautiful town and so incredibly green, yet so densely populated. As many mornings or afternoons as we can bear, we go on a trot into the villages. We are huffing and puffing, then an 80 something year old mama will coming running next to us in a dress and bare feet. Children will line the dirt track waiting for high 5's or to run with us, or sometimes just to feel a 'white' hand or your hair. It truly feels like your a rock star at times. Josh and I went swimming in some of Kenya's finest drain water. I think I have an ear infection, but other than that we are fine. The locals thought we were crazy. We adopted a pet turtle called Tiny Trevor, we feed him carrots. We have been on weekends away to a village on the lake where Fred was from. We rode a motorbike the whole way there no map just kinda knew the towns to pass. Only took a few hours and made it safely. Absolutely gorgeous country. Went to Uganda, but that is a whole new blog story. Highly recommended. Visited Lake Naivasha and had a boat ride with thousands of pink flamingos. Walked with giraffe's, buffalo, zebra's etc at Crater Lake and Hell's Gate National Park. Walked in a giant gorge, saw where Mufasa died in the Lion King, shed a few tears. Played with monkeys, walked in bat caves, and watched the sunrise over Kakamega forest. Had supply runs to Kisumu and visits on the lake, crossed the equator many times, eaten some local cuisine, visited Yala waterfalls and that is all I can think of for the moment. Our home life isn't that interesting. It is actually quite difficult at times being a volunteer. Come 5:30-6:00pm, you are locked in your house because you cannot be out at night. It is simply too dangerous. There is limited freedom to go and do the normal things we do back home. Jump in the car, visit friends, get takeaway, watch a movie, go for a ride, surf etc. When we do go out we say hello to at least 30 people. Children want to constantly play, people are always staring and watching, you are never inconspicuous. But that is also part of the charm of Kenya. Our daily routine normally follows something along the line of; wake up early, normally to a baby crying, breakfast (weetbix or toast) and off to placement. Come home walk around the corner for some fresh produce (avocados, tomatoes, onions are the staple), cook tea (usually rice and beans or pasta and beans). Play with our African family, talk to the volunteers and bed time. Maybe some guitar or reading plopped in there somewhere. So that is the general run down of what has been going on. We are working so hard in Kenya, but also having lots of fun and meeting many smiling faces. I fear we will definitely miss this place when we leave.