Brooks
After a supposed rest in Nairobi from the grueling trip from California to Kenya, we were finally in the Nairobi airport at 7 a.m. Monday morning to catch our flight to the western city of Kitale. Unfortunately, as excited as we were to be finally going to the place and people we’ve come to love, we were told that there was a slight delay: our plane was in some eastern beach location and wouldn’t be by to pick us up for another 5 hours. Not to be dismayed, Roger and I both set up camp at a nearby table with laptops, Kindles, phones and knew exactly how we were going to spend the morning.
It’s amazing how acclimated we’ve become to Kenyan ways. Undaunted as we may have been before, now buying a cup of tea, I know that when I’m asked, “White or black,” I’m being asked if I want my tea with milk, as in made with all hot milk, or just water. Or, if I want a soda, I don’t ask for diet pepsi, I ask for Coca Light or Pepsi Max and sometimes it’s even available! We’ve gotten quite accustomed to carrying TP with us, in our pockets, just in case (there’s none available), because if it’s needed, it’s probably not going to be a “just in case” time. It used to be unnerving to be in the minority and have people stare at our glaring whiteness, and now we hardly even notice. And, then there’s American time and there’s African time…need I explain? But, seriously, what is the big rush??
The hours quickly rolled by and soon we were boarding our plane. We laughed as we boarded and the British man ahead of me was questioning the steward, “What do you mean I have a seat assignment? You never have done that before; the seats weren’t even numbered before!” It was true. Fly 540, the name of the airline, was definitely making some upscale changes! We had seat assignments! And, we were on the big plane. This was different: two seats on either side of the aisle. So, of course, Roger was on the aisle; I was by the window. I had to laugh as a very excited American gal across the aisle from Roger started a conversation with us. She and I had a great time, as she eagerly told us about going to see her daughter and grandbabies here in Kenya, and then discussing another daughter’s wedding in July and so and so’s anniversary, and... It was great! I loved being entertained for the jaunt, and occasionally we even allowed Roger to add his two bits as we talked over, through and around him!
Our friend Dawson met us and brought along another friend we knew, Aaron and his “first-born” Nathaniel. What a great reunion, as I laughingly commented on Dawson’s handsome beard. He quickly explained, as I had forgotten the usual “Saturday go to town to be shaved” ritual. He told us he hadn’t gotten there for a while, so this was two week’s growth and he’d be going today. (I’m sure per wife Elizabeth’s insistence.) Either way, he looked great to us!
After lunch with the guys and getting settled, Roger and I took off through downtown Kitale to do a few errands. Kitale town is a large city, but the downtown area is condensed to within a few dusty, hectic streets with lots of shops, stores, vendors and people everywhere. We were winding our way through the familiar alleyways off to the GigaMart (yahoo, there is Walmart – of sorts, even in Kenya!) when I heard a shout from behind me, “Brooks, Brooks!” I turned around quickly and couldn’t believe it. There was Kefir, a church planter and husband of one of the women who helps with the women’s center. With a huge grin and arms wide open, he greeted and welcomed us so warmly back to Kitale, “Karibou, karibou!” Welcome, welcome! What a great way to start our stay in our beloved Kitale town.
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