In August I moved from Addis Ababa to Nairobi Kenya. I do the same type of work I did in Ethiopia—providing funding to NGOs who are doing humanitarian response and recovery programs—but it’s a regional position and I’ve covering a number of countries. Right now things are calm, but if things get busy in the region, it will be hectic.
A few weeks after I arrived, all of my things arrived from Ethiopia. I spent two three-day weekends unpacking my numerous boxes!! One of the photos below shows the massive pile of boxes in my parking spot after the first long day. Ugh. But I’m mostly settled in now with only a few things not in a new spot. So about my house—on the first floor there’s a entry way closet, bathroom, living room, dining room and kitchen with pantry and laundry room. I also have a little front porch and backyard (not pictured). On the second floor there’s a master bedroom with closet and bath and two other rooms and a second bathroom. The good thing about this house is all of the closets!! I still managed to fill them up—though I might not be super efficient in my use of space. Being mostly done with the unpacking gives me time to do fun things…..
For my birthday (still accepting cards and gifts ☺ ) some of my friends took me out for Thai food. For desert, they brought me a big ice cream “sundae” of sorts with fried figs stuck around the sides. Don’t worry—I shared. Some pictures of dinner are included below.
Yesterday, since a few of us got our residency cards this week which gives us discount prices at parks and touristy things, we went to the famous Sheldrick elephant/rhino orphanage and the giraffe center. At the elephant orphanage, they allow visitors for only one hour. During that hour they bring in two separate groups—each for 30 minutes, where they get bottles of specially designed formula and can play in the water/mud. While they’re playing, some of the care-ers explain both how the elephants were found and why they’re at the center, what kind of care they get, the center’s goal, and the reintroduction program. The hour just flew by but we took a minute to say hi to one of the rhino orphan also in residence.
After the elephant orphanage, we made a quick stop at the giraffe center. I’ve been before but feeding giraffes pellets on their long slimy purple tongues never gets old. The giraffes have a lot of space to walk around so they can come and go as they please, but a few were really piggy and got frisky if you were near the edge and didn’t have pellets at the ready for them!
So that’s about it for now. I have plenty of guest space and both of my Saturday outings are a great trip for visitors to Nairobi—so come on over!!
Miss you! Love, Jane
Link to the album:
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| Kenya Aug/Sept 2010 |
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