Vacation from a vacation

We are back at a town called "Karen". This is where the trip started for us. We then went West to Rwanda and back tracked to Karen. We let go of 4 people and gain 14 more....yikes, clausty for sure.

This trip has been amazing, no doubt, but I did have a few days when I wanted to be home. There are up and downs of trucking the roads of Africa. When we arrived at Karen, I told Leah "I just want one day away from Africa". Away from the dirtiness, chaos, bugs, etc.

We had a free day in Karen/Nairobi. Most of the group went to an Elephant Orphanage. Leah, Gary, Ralph, Lucy and I decided to go into a shopping area. The drive there was interesting. Our van broke down and had to get another ride. The van couldn't make it up a small hill and we had to pile out! I really wanted to get clothes. I had to sacrifice so much of my clothing back in Seattle. Going 3 weeks with two pants and 4 tshirts is not fun. The shopping area was night and day from the Africa we have been in day in and day out. It was clean, we had REAL coffee that didn't come in powder form, ordered food from a REAL waiter and sat at a REAL table to eat! I was very, very happy. Also, not being rushed was refreshing. Usually when we travel with our whole group, it feels like Amazing Race...I should do that when I return.

After coffee, we got cash out of the ATM. Its awesome to withdrawal money and your balance is in Kenyan Shillings($1= 75 shillings). I felt like a millionaire seeing all those digits! Then we went to a clothing store called "Mr Price", which is like a Forever 21. I got a bunch of cheap, cute clothes. I tried on a pair of pants which I thought was a velcro closing...it opened easily like velcro. But it wasn't. I ripped the metal clasp and fabric apart. We'll see how long these clothes hold up!

THEN...the best part....we slurged and escaped from Africa by stepping into an air conditioned movie theater and saw Terminator! It felt like being home. I didn't care what we watched, it just felt nice to have a break. When we stepped out of the theater, I forgot that we were in Africa.

This is exactly what I needed and I couldn't have used it at a better time. I now feel refreshed, recharged and ready for the next journey!

Thanks again for keeping up and reading up on me. Thinking of you all! Miss you and take care!

I tired to post pictures yet again, but failed. Soon hopefully!

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