Mary's, mandazi's and much needed rest

I took today off from work… I am working again this Saturday & just needed a day to catch up on the little things of life – like washing and grocery shopping. Such chores have been nearly impossible to do in the evening. I felt very American today – wore slacks & flip flops, rather than a skirt… almost bought a coke at the store (but realized it had one of the hard metal caps & I didn’t remember seeing a can opener in my little kitchen)… bought more water, sweet potatoes, bananas, avocados and a new notebook. My notebook is so dirty & dingy and almost used up – it really looks like it has spent three weeks in a slum (hope I don’t look so worn!). Bought more minutes for my phone (I haven’t learned how to tell the status of my “minutes” and got cut off in the middle of a conversation earlier today)… then I went to the Banana Box at Sarit Center (for those of you who remember, the cool little gift store where you can use a credit card & don’t have to barter)… I was going American all the way today! (and still find it hard to believe that I am shopping alone in Nairobi).

I had a quick lunch I my room and then explored the place where I have been staying for almost three weeks now– there is a pool below me & I found my way to it… read Julie’s “State” magazine all about North Carolina (thanks again, Julie – it was a great reminder of home!) as I sat in the shade by the pool – not quite western standards, but the small trees, flowers & birds surrounding the pool were beautiful. I was careful to stay out of the sun (I remember the equatorial sunburn I got last time & didn’t want to repeat it)… and really enjoyed the soft breeze and sounds of the birds. A little waterfall (or open spigot) into the pool made the perfect flowing water sound.

The town was buzzing today because the new fiscal year’s budget was to be announced at 3 this afternoon. As we drove home from shopping, my driver pointed out police cars and staff amassing at all the major intersections… they evidently were expecting wide-spread protests in reaction to the budget and the police intended to stop things before they got started. So glad I went out early today – the traffic was already a challenge… can’t imagine what it was later in the day with major streets blocked off! But as far as I could tell, there were no major issues after the budget announcement.

The two Mary’s came for dinner tonight (we all had tilapia) – then up to my room, where they showed me how to make Kenyon ginger tea – with fresh ginger root… so wonderful! We had a great time talking about everything imaginable – from children and families to cooking techniques to life, aging….post-election violence… rural vs urban living…it couldn’t have been a more wonderful time. I learned I had bought “Ugandan bananas” which are only for cooking… Mary took them & said she’d replace them with “eating bananas” tomorrow – how kind.

I’ll be back to Dandora tomorrow – with a focus on finishing the last surveys, picking up names of unserved vulnerable children from one of the local schools – and hopefully talking to my last two special needs contacts – plus two home visits … a full day! Mary brought a tray of mandazi’s to me tonight (like square donuts without the hole… and just a hint of sweetness)… I’m sure I could eat the whole tray – but think it would be smarter if I took them with me to Dandora tomorrow!