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Published: August 14th 2006
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And I mean this literally! For the first time, unassisted by walls and other people, I stood on my head for a whole 2 minutes…and just to make sure I could do it again…I did! Kathy Nash, my yoga instructor in Calgary, would be very proud! But probably more proud that I have started a regular yoga practice here. I have taken over what was once a health club room in the hotel - now vacant, and claimed it as my yoga studio. Using a towel for a mat I am working through both standing and floor postures. This has become a daily or every other day activity for 60 to 90 minutes…and I feel great! Culminated today with a solo head stand!!!! Now on to the hand stand!
I also picked up my bank card today. I have a Kenyan bank account, ATM Card, cheque book and pin number. Quite exciting! I feel very international now that I have bank accounts on two different continents! Unfortunately my Calgary ATM card does not work here (wrong network affiliation) which proved problematic as my US cash dwindled. Thanks to the help of a young Nairobi man, visiting here at Imperial Hotel,
who works with Diamond Trust Bank and my banker in Calgary (thank you Mike!)…we were able to set up an account, wire funds, and have a bank card issued! This all took a week. I’m in business and just in time for my adventure to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar at the end of the week. I’ll be away for 10 to 12 days touring programs with Aga Kan University and the Development Network. I will also have the opportunity to hook up with Rachel Perks, Trish Bond’s daughter - Trish is a dear friend from United Way, on Saturday. Other than passing through Nairobi on my way to Kisumu a month ago, I have had no time in the country’s capital. I am looking forward to it.
The weekend was very social.with three parties on Saturday and a golf tournament in Nandy Hills (about an hour Southeast from Kisumu) on Sunday. We finished Sunday night at a 4 hour Indian Movie. Salima Gilani has arrived home - she is the eldest daughter of Munira and Amin. Hanif is thrilled to have is big sister in Kisumu. She is such a bright light! She has just returned from
6 weeks in Moscow studying the Russian language. She has been accepted into 3 law schools in the UK and is just deciding which one - to start at the end of September. I had the opportunity to meet Salima a few times in Calgary . Her Uncle Kabir introduced her to me when they were looking for an apartment for Salima…they were looking in my building and so I invited them up. Funny how things work out - I too feel like a friend has come home!
I am a little sad to have said good bye to my golfing partner Sheila. She and her daughter Nadia have gone back to the UK. Sheila was the reason for two of the parties on Saturday. We started with a Tea in the morning (a customary gathering of the ladies), then went off to lunch - after we ran some errands and worked through a flat tyre. We had the help of a dashing young man to help us. One always must be prepared for a flat tyre (yes that is how tire is spelled here!) in Kenya…have I told you about the roads (wink!)???? It was also Nadia’s 18th
birthday a few days ago...so in customary chica style we opened up a bottle of champagne…Nadia’s first!
As for the golf tournament - well it was a nice walk and a beautiful course - if you get my drift. I was reminded yesterday that I hate serious golf…and they are serious about their golf here. In fact I had a flash back to my married days…scary!!!! I was penalized a couple of times for not following the rules. I scratched many a hole - so save for the 9th and the 18th holes which I par’d - the round was a disaster. And a tough course too…like our mountain courses in Alberta and BC…not a flat lie to be had! But enough of the whining! A wonderful opportunity to see another part of beautiful Kenya and enjoy the 19th hole with the Gilani’s circle of friends. Again the hospitality I have enjoyed is unparalleled! Hope all is well with you back home. Take care all, Cheers, Jan
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Janet
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Happy Travels
Have a great time on your Aga Khan tour. Hopefully you'll have access to a computer so you can keep us informed of your progress. Do you realize that one year ago today (Aug 14) we spent the afternoon lounging by the pool at the villa, we had our first dinner at Trattoria del Vecchio Prof., and we had a late night dip at the Terme Antica? Ciao bella!