Nairobi

As I stated in my last blog, my parents came. After spending about a week in the Arusha area, we went  to Nairobi from Thurs-Sat. We played tourists and hit up all the big tourist spots! 

Thursday we went to the Nation History Musuem where they had a real elephant, elephant skeleton, giraffe, zebra, water buffalo, and wart hog that had been stuff so people could be up close to them. They also had a ton of small animals that were stuffed as well and a lion, cheetah, and leopard. In a different room was just about every bird that can be found in East Africa, stuffed with it's nest. Literally hundreds of them in glass cages. Upstairs was learning about the history of Kenya from colonial rule until now (minus the most recent election chaos). They also had a huge room on the different cultures and tribes of Kenya/East Africa.

I really want this painting... 

Friday we booked it. We started off at the Shedrick Elephant Orphanage where we met some nice missionaries from the Midwest US. One of them is actually getting married next week and is honeymooning in San Antonio! We quickly learned we had the same agenda for the day, so every place we went the rest of the day, they were there as well. 

The elephant orphanage is a home to baby elephants under 2 years old who have lost their mother due to poaching, disease, or natural causes. Some of the babies were found in pit latrines that were dug in the ground. The elephants came out in 2 groups, the babies and the toddlers (if you will). They each have a specific man who has taken the place of their mama. He has 2 huge bottles filled with human baby formula and the elephants GULP that stuff down! After they finished eating they rolled around in the mud, dirt, played soccer, followed their men around, and would come and hang out with the crowd. The elephants have to be fed every 3 hours!

Look how tiny the elephant is! He is wrapped in blankets because baby elephant's can't control their body temperature. He is 6 months old.

Cuddling with his handler

Did you know that elephants have amazing memories? If you blow into an elephant's trunk, it can remember you for 30 years. So their keepers do this so the elephant will remember them when they are released into the national parks. The keeper is able to go back out to the park at any time and the elephant will remember him. HOW COOL!

They loved "wrestling" with each other

Can you see his little tusks coming in?

Just relaxing

OOOPS! He fell down and had a hard time getting back up so...

he rolled over and played with his trunk in the mud. He kept using it like a snorkle

and then he was ALL cool.

 We then went to a giraffe park where the Rothschild giraffes are being mated and new babies are being born to help prevent the giraffes from becoming extinct because of poachers. Here I kissed a giraffe (fed it with my mouth) and we all fed the giraffes by hand on this little tree house type platform we stood on.

We then ventured onto the Karen Blixen Museum which is Karen Blixen's old house. You might remember her from the movie or book, Out of Africa. I loved seeing all of the old furniture, books, pictures, lace, clothes, and decorations. 

And we finished off the day at the Kazuri Bead Factory. In a way you could consider it to Shanga, but on a much bigger scale. About 85% of the women who work for them are single mothers. Shanga takes dirt and forms beautifully painted clay jewelry and tableware. This was where we said goodbye to our good friends. They were so fun to hang out with all day! We even happened to eat lunch at the same place! 

beads going through kiln first time

and third time after being glazed and "marbleized"

The wall hanging our guide had made, it was BEAUTIFUL

Dad and some of the men of the missionaries we met. The man in the middle is who I call Dad's twin. They were like the same person....

I want all of these.

 Saturday morning we had the huge blessing of being able to return to Rafiki. (Mom and I worked there in 2009- me for 2 weeks, mom for 3 and a half) Although many of the US missionaries had moved to different orphanages, all the kids were the same. Just 2 years older! Mom was SO excited to see her class she taught while she was there and to hear they are all doing great in their classes. They even remembered and sang for her a silly song about conjunctions that she taught them. It was great to know we were remembered when we would walk up to a group of kids and they would whisper, "Mrs. or Miss Bean!"

Mom & the boys from her class she taught!

David on the right, he thought Mr. Bean was SO funny when I would tell him about Dad in 2009.

Some of the older girls who took a break from volleyball to greet us

One of the cottage's art work

 And best of all, in my opinion, I was able to see Abel again. Abel was the newest addition to the Rafiki Village when we arrived. He was 3 years old and I taught his baby class, he is now 5, turning 6 in October. We connected. We were inseparable the whole time I was there. I fell in love with him. He is one of the smartest kids in his class. He said this week's memory verse for us (which was long), his ABC's, and the catechism of the 4th Commandment. When I told him I keep his picture beside my bed at home so I can see him every day, he had the BIGGEST smile run across his face. He did not let go of my hand the whole time I was there. Although I only saw him for a little while, I was on top of the world. 

He is still so tiny!

Dad, Abel, and I

Sunday, back in Arusha, we finished off Mom & Dad's trip with church, lunch, and a quick market stop. At church we had a little girl, the same one from last Sunday, come and sit in between us. Soon after, her two sisters came and sat behind us. Mom quickly found out they are orphans who live at this orphanage school called St. Jude's School down the road from church. They walk to church to hear about Jesus, have some chai (tea) and mandazi (similar to a donut), go to children's church, and get some love. 

We stopped by the Maasai market on our way to lunch where we bargained down prices and Mom and Dad bought some final gifts for the family. We then went to Maasai Cafe for lunch (best pizza in town in my opinion). We came home, packed and headed to the airport. Helafu, wazazi wangu waliondoka kwa Merikani (then mom and dad left for the States).

Dad's favorite driver, Chaz/Godi

 I thoroughly enjoyed all of the activities that we were able to do, but most of all I loved being with them and showing them what I have been doing and meeting some of the people I come to love so much.

I love you so much Mom and Dad! Thank you for coming to see me!!!

Wazazi Wangu

I apologize for the delay, but it was for good purpose-- my parents were here!! In the 12 days they were in Africa, we conquered Arusha, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Nairobi.

This was Dad's first time outside of the country (minus Mexico). And as some of you may remember, Mom and I were both here in 2009.

Upon arriving and loading up the car, dad tried to get in on the wrong side. It gave for a good laugh and a mistake he didn't make again! (They drive on the opposite side of the road here) Our cabby wasn't really gung ho on letting dad drive. Good thing too, he fell asleep on the ride to the hotel.

The next morning I woke them up, walked them out of the hotel and onto a daladala (the public transportation). The first ride was empty and uneventful the second, not so much. On the ride home, Dad and I were standing/leaning over people when people got out and I sat. Dad continued to stand in the 8 inch space he had while a woman climbed in after him with her groceries and friend. They chatted and talked while this lady kept pushing into Dad's body to not fall over. It was my way of saying, "Welcome to Africa!" The next morning Dad asked if we could ride a daladala again. I was very impressed and let his wish be granted.

A daladala --the place we loaded

The daladala provided our transportation to and from the Peanut butter shop I have been volunteering at. They were able to come and meet these women I have been telling them about and their families. We walked up a hill in the mud then to one of the lady's houses where they watched me tie Billy to my back African style. Dad kept asking me if he was going to fall out.

We ventured to the shop where they watched and helped with the process of sorting out the bad peanuts, roasting, peeling, sorting, peeling, cremating (into peanut butter) and were explained the jarring process with the application of the jar labels.

We walked through town all afternoon, did a little souvenir shopping and they bargained for mangos and avocados on the street.

Dad was so excited because he brought Ritz crackers just so the women could try the American style peanutbutter and Ritz. They were okay about it, but the little boy in the back (Billy) LOVED them.

Friday we went on the Camel Safari I went on in February. Dad said his bum was sore for quite a while--halfway through we found out his camel's saddle was too small for the camel therefore, ill fitting for dad. They were able to learn a little about the Maasai culture and see a boma. They were both amazed, just as I never cease to be, at the amount of flies swarming these children. The flies are in their mouths, their eyes, their runny noses, and their ears. No wonder these kids all sound like they are struggling to breathe because of the congestion in their lungs. It was the Maasai and the three of us. Much more personal than the 8 of us from last time. I was able to practice my swahili the entire time as the Maasai don't speak much english and I don't speak any Maa or much Swahili.

Dad, ready to go.

OH NO! My first flat since I have been here.

Just trying to be Maasai

The parents and our guide

Sweet Little Darlings.

On Saturday, we were tourists around town. We went to Shanga, the (amazing) Cultural Heritage Museum, and a coffee farm restraunt. Sunday we went to church for Easter. Kessey, our driver was late to pick us up because he was getting his hair cut (which for him means his head shaved bald and shined). It was not something we could be upset about because he wanted to look his Easter best and came in a houndstooth suit and button down fully equipped with cufflinks.

Dad standing infront of airplane parts they recyle to use for alimunum beads and pottery

Shanga Necklaces made from marbles, kanga, and clay beads

Sunday afternoon, we hired out a Cessna 206 for Dad's Father's day present from us kids. The three of us and the owner of the plane, Babu ___ flew over Arusha and a full 360 degrees around Mount Kilimanjaro. Kili is the tallest mountain in Africa and the highest freestanding mountain in the world at about 19,000 feet. Babu kept telling us he was impressed Dad still remembered how to fly. I think that he thought Dad flew 30 years ago when I really said that he has been flying for over 30 years. He gave the plane to Dad for about 90% of the flight including take off, ascent, and the landing. Mom wasn't too happy because Babu was descending about 3x's the speed she likes to. He told Dad he is a hero because instead of turning back, he flew straight through the clouds with no hesitation and that most people he is with will turn around or go lower to avoid the clouds. This was funny to us because we fly through the clouds all the time. Babu. kept telling us that Dad should be his teacher because dad knows more about the plane and flying than he does. Kili is breathtakingly beautiful. We were at about 17,000 feet and saw some of the campsites on the top of the mountain along with the beautiful snow that gently ices the top. I saw the top of Kili and now have no problem not climbing it (not that I was seriously considering it).

We are at 15,000 feet. The white line is the way our airplane is giong. The red and yellow shape on the right is Mount Kilimanjaro...so according to this we flew into it.

This mountain was on the left

And Kili on the right. We flew right inbetween them.

The pilots

Happy Father's Day Daddy! 

This is pretty much Arusha.

The big blue building is across the street from where our house is, the triangular white buildings are the Rwanda Courts for the genocide that occured in Rwanda and the blueish-whitish buiding next too all the empty grass was the hotel we stayed at with the golf course in front of it.

Monday-Wed we went on safari to Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara with our guide Babu & driver Habib. They were both wonderful. Babu is this wonderful mzee who knows EVERYTHING about East African wildlife, tribes, Maasai, and just how things work. Mom and Dad loved having him because he could answer ALL of their questions and let me tell you, there were a lot! Safari was actually cold...I wore my patty a lot.

We saw EVERYTHING minus the leopard. We saw tons of elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, impala, heyenas, hippos, gnus, hyraxs, warthogs, anddd....

2 cheetahs- one was chasing zebras and the other was walking down the side of the road beside our car as though he was no big deal.

a good amount of lions including one lioness chase a family of warthogs for a kill but was unsuccessful because she was by herself.

A pack of lions with one of them laying on the side of the road with his tail in the road. He laid facing us then stood up, modeled, and turned around so the people on the other side could see him.

A rhino who walked from the water and grazed with the animals through the grass till he was about 15 yards from the car. Babu & Habib said it is VERY rare that you ever see them with other animals or so close to the road.

He was missing a tusk

Me and Daddy at my favorite tree

Babu's version of Gig 'Em

Flamingos at Lake Manyara

The thorns are HUGE!

beautiful bird at lunch

Hippos and Gnus

Cleaning each other

He also had a growth deformity, like the elephant

Ngorongoro Crater from my window at the lodge we stayed at

Once a kid, always a kid....

LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD! (do you see the lion?)

A whole herd of zebras greeted us on our way to the Crater.

The animals all herding over to the watering hole

BEAUTIFUL Crater

The hyenas were snacking on a gnu skull

We watched this lioness chase the family of warthogs. Although the chase was good, the lioness failed because she was on her own.

He was HUGE! He way oversized the land-rover pop top he walked in front of

BABU! our sweet guide

Infront of the Crater

We also visited a Maasai boma where Mom and Dad were greeted with dances and shown a different type of Maasai homes from the ones at the Camel Safari. They invited me up to dance with them. I wish I spoke Maa so I could talk with the women, but I don't. This boma has 24 homes in it. It originally started with one man and his 8 or 11 wives (I don't remember). But now his sons and their wives live there as well bringing it to 24. Because the boma is so large, they have their own school for kids age 3-6.  We visited the school, made out of cow dung and sticks and met all the children sitting 2-3 to tiny desk. They were like little parrots and repeated everything we said to them, even what I said in swahili. One of the little boys stood in the front and said each number and had the children repeat up to 100. The sad thing was their teacher who was supposed to be teaching them Swahili and English didn't know either... so how can they learn...

All of the goodies to buy outside the boma

The sweet, sweet baby who has some serious eye problems. They swatted away the flies for this picture. But when I held her, we were both COVERED in flies.

The classroom & teacher. The baby in the front right is the one I was holding