DAY 8

The rift valley in the background

Just happened to be passing

The chance meeting with a teacher trainer

Arriving at the Sarova stanley

I needed to have a break from blog writing last night as I was feeling so home sick that the keyboard may have got wet! But of course, weeping may remain for a night but…today is a new day with plenty to do and every day brings me a step closer to home.

It’s been building up for a few days. Sarova Game Camp had begun to feel a bit claustrophobic but when it came to leave you knew you had made good friends and it had become more like home over the days. For me, the countryside will always be a more comfortable place and I knew we were on our way to the big city, the part I was looking forward to least…no more chances to see elephants here I think!

Gerry skilfully negotiated the journey back to Nairobi, and though she makes this look easy, I know this sort of brinkmanship takes her beyond her comfort zone too. Sonal and I looked on gratefully as she had several conversations over the past few days with the guys at Sarova that arrange guests’ departures. It was a case of get up early to wait and see what happens. My pals will know that ‘unplanned’ is one of my no-nos! Fortunately there was a Spanish couple that were happy to have us rag-tag bunch of charity workers share their mini bus back to Nairobi at no charge. Even more key was that the taxi driver didn’t mind. And so we set off on the 5 and half hour drive (That really should probably take half that time on British roads) - known as the African massage! The couple, Anna and Cesar were on their honeymoon and had fantastic English, so we shared with them what we had been doing all week and they were interested and supportive.

After a fairly uneventful trip, including a ‘chance’ conversation with a teacher trainer Maasai woman (a potential good future contact), outside a souvenir shop, and despite Sonal haggling for a metre high wooden Maasai statue (goodness knows how we’ll get that home!) we were dropped exactly where we needed to be, at the Sarova Stanley Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Nairobi. Tres posh, in an out of date colonial fashion!

We waited there to be picked up by our hosts, a Kenyan Asian couple who have offered to put us up for the remainder of our trip. How kind is that? They know of our work through their son Niraj who works in London and was involved in advising Etc when it first established. A few minutes drive from the Stanley we arrived at their home, in a gated court near the Uni residences. We have a room each, which is wonderful for some privacy and head-space, and Surya and her husband, Rajni, have made us most welcome. She was once a secondary school teacher herself so has some helpful input too.

It’s really amazing how everything – all the people we have come into contact with and the places we have been – have added to the whole picture. It’s almost as if there’s a plan!

In the evening we went out for dinner (Italian – very good) with George. George is a 28 year old Kenyan, who is responsible for Etc here. He is the link person who helps teachers when they first arrive, has sorted out some of our arrangements and arranged some of the meetings we will be doing later today. George is a lawyer, about to be accepted to the bar. We got chatting and he was telling me how he had been baptised at 15 at St Luke’s Chapel!! He had been to church earlier in the day, a rocking service by the sounds of things. George has political aspirations and may be even standing for election as an MP this time next year. He seems keen to work in Human rights as a lawyer (whilst earning his cash in conveyance).

We walked to and from the restaurant…I must admit it was not as threatening as I had imagined, as we are in the good side of town, although George didn’t fill me with confidence as we walked back across the park in the dark, which even he found creepy.

The end of another tiring day, I would have got on a plane home there and then given the chance. But perhaps it’s in the tougher parts of this trip that I’ll learn most about myself. Thanks for the texts…they help.

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