Learning as I go…

26 hours later I arrived in Nairobi.  A long journey; Denver-Detroit-Amsterdam-Nairobi.  Small world though.  I ran into familiar Colorado faces during my layover in the Netherlands!  In Kenya I was greeted by Fred, 1010’s Kenyan Director, & my dear friend Mackenzie.

5 minutes after leaving the airport I spotted a herd of Zebras on the side of the road.  We stopped & watched.  I breathed in the cool night air & thought to myself, “This is Africa.”  At Mack’s house I was welcomed with a bowl of fresh cut mango, apples, & some tart tree grown tomato I had never heard of before.  We sat, listened to the rain on the shingled roof, and caught up over a cup of the most welcoming tea I have ever had.  I quickly fell asleep in a nest of pillows and blankets & under a tent of fine yellow mesh.

This morning I was greeted with the smell of wet grass & fresh flowers.  My host has a beautiful court yard of overgrown shrubs & trees.  With a cup of coffee from the press, I stood outside soaking in the sunrise in my pants & sandals.  I walked with Mackenzie to work. She entered the secure JVA compound, & I found a bench at a roadside stand.  She claimed that they have the best Chia-indeed they may.  I sat and ate a warm donut like treat, sipped the sweet & peppery drink, and thought to myself again, “This is Africa.”

I finished my breakfast, payed the mother at the family run stand and began to walk back.  After a half mile I caught a matatu (taxi-van). I pretended to know what I was doing.  I’m sure they saw through my stoic face… …somehow I found my way back to the right stop.  Walking back towards the house I began to really take in the sights, sounds, & smells.  I saw the piles of trash, smog filled air, & children sleeping on the street. Another block & I found a Mall.  Converse, Nike, marble floors, & the WiFi I am using now… …”Is this Africa?”