1. Nairobi was a little piece of heaven. I stayed at the Tribe Hotel which is very elegant and in the exclusive area of Nairobi. It was close to the embassy which was convenient and it had a most excellent spa! Oh yes I did enjoy my 2 hour massage complete with her walking on me and yanking my limbs in all sorts of directions, it was fantastic!
2. Nairobi was surprisingly cold but absolutely lush and beautiful. There are trees and shrubs everywhere! This is not the case in Kinshasa and especially not now with the extra layer of dust in the air waiting for the rainy season.
3. I traveled with one of my colleagues which was quite eye opening. I was startled on the flight when she curled into my arm like a young child would do when scared. It was then that I realized I needed to be much more informing of the actions we must take when traveling.
4. I went to an open market last Friday from the Maasi people. They had lots of hand made carvings, clothing, baskets, and jewelry. I did my best at haggling, but I hate to haggle so I am sure that I paid more than most people do.
5. Had a fantastic evening on Saturday even though I was dead exhausted from my long travels that day. One of our local colleagues coordinated an outing to eat and dance outside of our designated district. Let me start with eating...
We went to an open air restaurant on the side of the street to have goat. I did try the goat. One piece was all I could handle. When I put it in my mouth the meat was chewy but also difficult to eat with a hunk of bone attached. For someone who does like to touch meat this about sent me over the eating edge.
Dancing was quite fun. We drove even further out into Kinshasa where we went to an open air bar atop a building. The band played traditional and classic Congolese music. It was a treat to because there was a character of a woman there who took us under her wing to show us the moves. They call it a turtle move where you lift your shoulders and sort of jut your head. We were definitely the extra entertainment. At one point Andre (our colleague) trapped me out to the dance floor and it was only him and me. Oh my I could feel the eyes about me ... I only stepped on his foot like 3 times before I got the right steps!
It was a hoot and great fun.
6. I have resolved that in Africa I will not be venturing out in other than a dress or skirt. I will leave the thought to you but suffice it to say that it makes things much easier when you are peeing in a pit.
7. The elections are supposed to take place on 28 Nov. So, we are having regular demonstrations here. So far all has gone well with only limited shots fired and gassing. Hopefully, the elections are more peaceful than everyone is gearing up for around us.
8. I am going to fire my 1 day per week housekeeper. It appears that she is making off with my soap. It seems like such a small thing but once they start to take small things the boundaries seem to expand. My other housekeeper is not taking anything and regularly gives me change after buying things on the local market. So, in short I will be back to downy wrinkle releaser and or a generally somewhat wrinkled appearance.
9. I woke up this morning with my eyelid swollen and dropping. I have to figure out what occurred but pretty sure that something bit my eyelid during my sleep last night!
Off to the gym to burn off the poundage I gain while in Nairobi. Good lord I ate like a queen while I was there.
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