Leaving an hour early yesterday from school to “rest” has really worked...the kids are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready to go. I notice that many of the kids are dressed in what I would consider their “best” clothes. This trip is obviously a big deal and we’re thrilled that we could make it happen for them. The bus arrives late, or should I say on time by Kenyan standards :0) Everyone has such good intentions for being on time, but the roads and the traffic almost ensure that this never happens. The kids all pile on along with Margaret and the teachers...Nicole and I intended to go on the bus as well, but it’s a really tight squeeze so we follow behind instead. We leave on a road out of Kibera in the opposite direction ... read more

I ran around this morning preparing for dinner at Margaret and Daniel's this evening. We explained our Canadian tradition of bringing something for the host and hostess when you're invited for dinner. Nicole and I also bought little gifts for Frank, Edwin, Margaret/Daniel and the teachers as a token of our appreciation for taking such good care of us while we've been here. It was only fitting to purchase a bottle of wine each since they so enjoyed the wine we had at dinner. We also bought pop and chips for the kids, a cake for dessert and had many of the photos we've taken over the last week processed and put in an album for the school. We processed a larger photo of all of out for dinner and put them in a frame ... read more

As I sit in the cab in traffic to go into Kibera again today, I look around with such fondess for this place on the other side of my world. How could you not have an affinity to a place that has opened its arms up and wrapped itself around you so tightly you can barely breathe? That’s exactly what it’s like - the initial embrace makes you feel warm and fuzzy, but it can start to feel too tight sometimes, a little uncomfortable. As we round the corner to Kibera I realize there are certain disturbing images etched in my mind forever…the man so dirty, in such tattered clothing rummaging through the garbage heap that I have seen everyday; the goats beside this same man, rummaging for the same purpose; the 2 boys playing ... read more

I spent a few hours this morning getting the posts and photos on travelblog.org for everyone to see. I’m really far behind…there seems to be no time to do this, especially since we lost 7 hours along the way. We’re both still a day behind and can’t believe how quickly time is marching on. Nicole is doing fantastic - no baby yet, but boy have we been getting great service everywhere. They see the pregnant lady coming and everyone runs for cushions or to open doors or pull out chairs, etc, etc…you get the picture (funny enough, no one is running to get me cushions)! I took a cab into Tenderfeet around noon and the plan today was to visit the Kibera market to purchase fruit for the kids today. Margaret, Frank and I hopped ... read more

Tuesday May 22, 2007 Well we arrived thankfully after our 18 hour journey, no worse for wear. The second leg from Amsterdam to Nairobi was a longer trip, but more enjoyable since the flight was not full and Nicole and I managed to get 4 empty seats each to stretch out and sleep for a couple of hours. Once on the ground, we quickly got through the line purchasing our Visas and was surprised that our luggage arrived as quickly as it did. We were a tad worried about customs since out 4 huge suitcases, 2 carry-ons, laptop bag and 1 large purse drew a little attention, especially for people who are in Nairobi for 10 days! With a 45% duty on goods coming into the country, we were quickly calculating in our heads what ... read more