Blogs from Kisumu, Nyanza Province, Kenya, Africa - page 5

I was up early this morning. Another wash in the public bathroom and down to check out of my room, leave my bags at the front desk, and have a little breakfast. I set out to the school. One brave little boy, about 3 years old, spied me no the way to the school and ran right up to, grabbed onto my pant leg, and yelled "Wuzungu, wuzungu!" (white man, white man!). He had also corned me the other day and seems to have a naive fascination with my appearance and presence.His mother is always about 30 seconds behind him to gather him up and take him back to their house. A short time later, a young boy from our school came running up from behind me, having obviously spotted me from a distance. Out ... read more

Hi Everyone, Larry & I arrived safely yesterday and our baggage made it all the way to Kisumu. No flights were delayed. We were so glad to check in to the peaceful Nyanza Club and rest in their 1960s style bedrooms overlooking Lake Victoria. They have spacious rooms with hot water, fans, bed nets. The swimming pool is great and the food is better than at Mbale Hotel! Kisumu underwent some property loss in the riots. Today we walked down the main street and I saw four or five large businesses burnt to the ground, including the best internet cafe. In any case, here are some items of interest to TJ travellers: Kenya Airlines says you can bring 2 suitcases of 30 kilos each if you are travelling from abroad. However, our own Delta airlines inCinci ... read more

Another short blog to fill in the gaps. Since we have this little internet opportunity in Ragengni, Sarah and I are coming in each day to do a little. You should see us sitting in this mechanic shop working on the computer! I will really try to send pictures next time. After I last left you from Bondo, I had no idea what was about to happen. While I was on the computer in Bondo, I heard cheering in the streets, and thought the announcement came that Raila Odinga, the ODM (opposition) candidate had won. The computer store attendant went out to check and told me there were bonfires in the streets, but everything was peaceful, so no worries. When we broke for lunch, I proceeded to the matatu station, but only a couple of empty ... read more

Hi everyone! The excitement here is all about the general election (last one 5 years ago), but first, let me bring you up to date since last week and Christmas. While at the internet place here in Bondo last Saturday, I printed my handout for that afternoon's nutrition class for the Community Health Workers. I asked an attendant here to make 40 copies (5 page handout). When I went to check out and get my copies, he had only made 1 copy. Normally, not an issue, especially since I had shopping to do and could return.....but, a line had formed for the copy machine that went outside the entrance! Primary school test results (8th grade - for passing and qualifying for secondary school) were out, and teachers/whoever were lined up to make copies of their printouts. ... read more

Kisumu rests on the shore of Lake Victoria, the largest fresh-water lake in Africa. Once called Port Florence, after the wife of the chief engineer that completed the railway from the coast, it is now a bustling, friendly town. Men or women, locals or foreigners, can walk in perfect safety, day or night here. The only hazard is the potholes, mostly in the pavements, where surface slabs have collapsed into the subterranean drainage systems. I saw one partcularly huge gash today that plunged over ten feet down and was more than twice that in length! I'm not sure I'd want to work in the stall that is balanced on the surviving section above. The streets are mostly lit, but on those lacking illumination I found I could only proceed when the headlamps from passing cars were ... read more