The billboard in the Nairobi airport covers half the wall and despite the jetlag, confusion and uncertainty I found myself doing just that. I am embarking on what will no doubt be a challenging and interesting year, and am super keen to get started!
The village in which I am working for the year is at least an eight hour drive from Nairobi and so I leave town at 7:00 in the morning in order to arrive in daylight. My driver is super friendly and helpfully stops several times on the trip so I can buy groceries and get a Kenyan phone and sim card organised. Navigating the roads in Kenya is no mean feat as high speeds are regularly stopped by the presence of speed bumps, pedestrians (who cross the highway anywhere they like), trucks, public transport vans that often drive head on into oncoming traffic; and on occasion donkeys and cows which meander onto the highway. No one seems to obey the 'rules' and I wonder if there are even any!
About 5 hours into the trip my driver appears to be sick of driving and casually asks if I can take over! I had planned on driving in Kenya but didn't expect it to be on my first day in the country! However, I didn't want to miss the opportunity so jumped behind the wheel and navigate the remainder of the way to the village. My driver seemed unperturbed by my novice Kenyan driving skills and said I could manage here no worries :)
The school has changed noticeably since my last visit with a double story dormitory under construction for the many students who will be living onsite when the school term starts. I am shown to the volunteers house that I have to myself until the Moggs arrive in 6 days time. The locals tell me that the power has been out for most of the week, which also means no pump and no water. I unpack by lantern light, padlock the door and head to bed!
Unsure yet as to when and how regularly I will get internet but will post updates whenever I can :)
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