Nairobi - Feb 4

Last night we slept well.  We had our first breakfast with fresh mango (Aby is looking forward to eating this every morning).   We then ventured off to the Masai Market.    I can not adequately describe our experience.   First of all, there are 4 small aisles with merchants crammed in on both sides and everyone wants you to purchase something from them.   Aby struggled at first.   The vendor offered a price and Aby was ready to buy it.   I stepped in and "low balled" a price.   Aby looked at me and said "Mom, that is not fair".  I was able to convince Aby to continue looking.    It did not take long before she got the hang of things and was the queen of bartering.     Personally, I struggled with not buying too much stuff.   Mark had to continually remind me that we had weight restrictions with our luggage.   I think I may have convinced him that it might be worthwhile to buy a large wicker basket with a lid as a 5th bag, so we can bring more items home.    Micah made some terrific purchases.   He is now the proud owner of 2 Masai spears and a shield and a friend of nearly every merchant there.   Somehow he only paid about $13 for these.   Micah would look at items and tell the vendor that he would come back.    At one point, we were on the other side of the market and a vendor came up to Micah smiling and offered him even a lower price for a chess set.   The funny thing was that Micah was not interested in buying it, he was just looking at it. :) Mark had the most self-control.  I think the only thing he purchased was a pipe for one of his brothers.

Later in the afternoon we had another orientation about what to expect and what we will be doing in Eastleigh. We went to the Kenny's for a fabulous BBQ (a Webber, no less) supper and an outdoor movie.    It is surprising how cool it gets in the evening here.    We had to put on our sweaters last night.   The kids snuggled up in sleeping bags and blankets and watched a "A Series of Unfortunate Events".   It was a lot of fun.   Too bad, the sun does not go down until after 10 in the summer in Winnipeg.   It has been great to be with the Kenny's.   Our kids have become fast friends.     

I must try and describe driving in Nairobi.   First of all put on your seat belts as tight as you can.   It is still hard to adjust to being on the "wrong" side of the road.   There appears to be 2 lanes but often there can be 3 or 4 lanes.    It does not matter what time of day it is, there is always traffic and often you are sitting in line waiting.   You need to keep your windows closed & doors locked because people are coming up to the vehicle while you are waiting trying to sell you items.  The other thing that is hard for us to get adjusted to are the walls that are built around premises.   Homes all have large walls and gates.   The gates are locked and sometimes guarded.    The homes have steel bars on all the windows.   The doors are locked and then they are gated on the inside that is locked as well.

Getting ready to watch the movie

Micah with his treasured purchase

Mark & Aaron enjoying the BBQ kabobs.