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 [View Full Entry]

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Images of Kibera Africa » Kenya » Nairobi » Kibera By The Tenderfeet Travellers May 30th 2007I wanted everyone to see these photos that Frank took a while ago around Kibera. He volunteers his time with youth in Kibera, teaching them photography and computer skills and I think these images are extre [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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Today is everyone’s day of rest and a day to spend with family. I planned yesterday to attend church with Frank this morning at 9:30 am since poor Nicole is still working through until tomorrow. Still no baby! I find it a little bit frustrating with the phone system here, or rather lack of. Everyone and their brother has a cell phone since they are very cheap to buy and it’s the only way to communicate in Kibera since there are no land lines. Frank’s phone has seen better days - on the better days you can be assured at [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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Frank and Edwin came to the hotel today to meet me since we planned to go shopping for more things Nicole and I discussed about purchasing for the school after our discussion with everyone last night. As I came into the lobby, they were coming through the security checkpoint at the front door and said they were pleasantly surprised to be able to get in. Apparently many of the downtown hotels that cater to Westerners and businessmen don’t allow anyone from “outside” in regardless of whether they are meeting a hotel guest or not. I invited them up to our [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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Busy day today - Nicole and I are going for a quick visit to Tenderfeet today. She wasn’t allowed to come yesterday until I checked everything out. We took another full bag of supplies for the kids and the schools in and Nicole got to meet everyone. They were so happy to meet her since I talked about her so much the day before. I swear Mom it was a quick one hour visit - don’t worry! She had a ball and is very sad to be starting work tomorrow since she will be working everyday until Tuesday, the day [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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As soon as I was given this opportunity to come to Kenya, I promised myself that I was going to try and experience it on a different level than that which I normally would experience life. Nothing has been normal about this trip so far - from the way it came about to the planning and now to the physical travel - it all seems so surreal. I’m so happy that work has been insane over the last few weeks because otherwise the anxiety and excitement would have been battling non-stop for top spot. To say I’m going to be [View Full Entry]

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