Outside of Margaret being ill on the DC to London leg of our flight due to potential food poisoning, we arrived all in one piece. We had almost 8 hours in Heathrow and thanks to Margaret's pre flight research got us into the Serviceair lounge for small dollars, we had a place to kill time, sleep, watch the Olympics prior to the next leg of our flight.
When we arrived and the met Franco, I think for both of us, it sunk in, "this is real". It was really nice to have someone pick us up and I have to say that it is much nicer to just have 2 to maneuver than 14 like last year. I realize that Jane should be made a saint for herding this cattle of Academic/Administrative types through Kenya.
We checked in to really nice accommodations at the Salveburg Retreat Center, blocks from the Loyola House were we will dine with Father Superior of East Africa, Valerian Shirima next Saturday. A great man whom is the head of the Jesuits for East Africa.
After we checked in, we started our day at, of all places, Nairobi Java. It felt like home. Kenya feels like home. Where we are staying is just blocks from the Adam's Arcade district.
From there off to Nakumatt, the greatest "all things" store ever to buy water and things that assure that we will not starve though I could go for a good week of starvation, though we need to make sure Margaret eats every meal!
After this we went to Pedro Arrupe and had tea with Deborah Moijoi, "oh dear Lord, Charles and Margaret, what are you doing here!" It is always great to hear her voice and those that have been here, know what I mean. We had tea and made plans to see her family next weekend. We also had the privilege of meeting Fr. Jim, head of Pedro Arrupe. Great man whom we may see at Nyumbani tomorrow.
After that, we went on the overwhelming adventure to the Kazuri Bead Factory tour and shop. I resisted until later, Margaret made a great purchase.
From Kazuri back to Salveburg for some rest and now we are back to Nairobi Java for a nice dinner.
In my conversations with Margaret, it feels like we have already experienced a sense of returning home. I never thought I would feel this way about Kenya. Home is always where my family is and being a Navy brat, home can move, and for me, home has moved a bit. This is now one of mine and Margarets homes.
We have internet via Nairobi Java and Salveburg so we will be in contact via the blog hopefully daily, even if we are getting our tea here in the evenings.
Best wishes and Be well,
Charles and Margaret
2 comments:
Margaret -- Hope you're feeling better! You guys are amazing. Allyson
Hey Charles: thank you for taking the time to keep a blog and post....it makes for fascinating reading. I hope that, one day, I will go with all of you to Kenya too; and/or perhaps we can all go to India, where there are a number of Jesuit schools. Keep them coming; and if you can, post some pictures too.
shiva
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