Blogs from Nairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya, Africa - page 9

TIA definitely applies to this blog. We were told that in Africa things go differently than most other places, this certainly was true on our first day overlanding – hopefully it isn’t a sign for things to come. We were told that our departure would be at 8.30am, make that 9.30am before we were on the road. We had the opportunity to chat with our group and everyone is getting on really well. We stopped at a shopping centre, Chris and I stocked up on some snacks as well as shampoo and conditioner. Their toiletries are really expensive over here. The truck then took off again and all was fine until we reached a hill, not a very big one mind. The clutch had gone on the truck and it took about 30 minutes before we ... read more

Just some photos of the campsite.... read more

I am now in the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, waiting for our flight to Johannesburg. Ah, Johannesburg and the British Airways Commodore Lounge! It will be smooth sailing after that. Yesterday morning our flight from Serengeti to Arusha, Tanzania left at 11a, so we got up early and did a game drive on the way to the airport. It’s hard to believe, but on the way to the airport, we witnessed a lion stalking and kill. A big, beautiful lioness was standing like a statue on a dead tree that had fallen over. We watched for a while, and then she headed across the field and got up on another dead tree. She was close to the road at that point, where 3 vehicles waited, watching her. Leaping down, she proceeded to come our ... read more

Our group for July numbers six persons. We are currently completing Visa applications and getting things together, immunizations, medical equipment and supplies for the trip: July 11 - 29, 2013. We are three pastors -- two of them women, the Rev. Margaret Crowl, and the Rev. Sherry Karasik, and me, the Rev. Dr. Donald McCord, Moderator of the Partnership Committee; plus Sarah Jane Frederick, a church choir director/organist, and two lay people, Darlene Tapie and David Yawger. We will be hosted by the Nairobi Partnership Board members and meet with members of their three Presbyteries, leadership of the PCEA (the Presbyterian Church of East Africa). Our itinerary will include work on a new young congregation, still building its building, the Kasasule Rural Health Centre in the Kibwezi District (half-way down the main road from Nairobi to ... read more

After 3 nights, I decided it was time to leave Lamu and head back towards Nairobi. I got a speedboat back to Mokowe and found a bus going to Mombasa. This was fine until, just as we were about to leave, a lady showed up with a ticket for my seat. This was despite the fact that the conductor had told me to sit in that specific seat. This left me standing in the aisle as we got going. The conductor came down looking for money shortly afterwards. I told him I would only pay half price, as I had no seat. He then sent down the armed guard, who asked me was I not satisified? I told him no. About 15 minutes later, one of the passengers got off and they made sure the mzungu ... read more