Welcome to Kenya!!!

We have arrived in Kitale, Kenya, after completing the four-day traveling part of our trip. I feel like I have entered into an article on Kenya from the National Geographic - I cannot even begin to tell you all about this amazing country/countryside/people, but will try when I get more time with the internet - that has been a hard thing to accomplish but hopefully it will improve once we get organized.



As we traveled the Rift Valley from Nairobi to Kitale, we saw zebras, a few baboons, huge birds, donkeys pulling carts of supplies, young boys tending cow and sheep herds, women working in field, women walking with bags of supplies on their head, and children running home in their school uniforms or playing with a simple bike tire and a stick, rolling it as they run. The scenery through the Rift Valley is lush and green. Kitale is 6000 feet above sea level, so it is not too hot - yet!! We evidently have come in the rainy season, although we haven't had rain yet.



None of our 15 - 50 pound suitcases, two guitars, an electric keyboard and 15 carry on bags were lost - a miracle!



Our stay in London before we boarded another plane to Nairobi was awesome. Took the Tube into town and saw Piccadilly Circus, Leister Center, Trafalgar Square and Big Ben in the distance. Then off to my first of 6 months nights sleep under a mosquito net!



We are now in our accommodation in Kitale. It is really wonderful. We each have our own bedroom, windows have bars on them, we have keys to lock our room when we are inside our room or go out and a metal gate to lock when we leave our wing of the house plus a locked/guarded gate around the house. We do feel very secure and safe.



As you drive around Kitale, all of the sudden there will be a police check. You are stopped, but quickly waved on as they see a 'mazungus' (white people), as they think highly of us. Their purpose is to intimidate you with some accusation of your car or driving, but will not cause you trouble if you pay them. That is one form of corruption, which is huge in this country. You learn to keep a check on your surroundings and personal belongings you carry with you as 40% of Kenyans are unemployed and very poor. We each have purchased a cell phone to keep in constant contact with each other.



Have been to the orphanage twice and ... well, that is just another story that is magical. When we arrived there yesterday, 120 kids in their red and blue uniforms came running out, hugging each of us. It was so emotional. While there today, two little girls were carrying my purse and two others were braiding my hair. I am known as Mama Elizabeth, or grandma - whichever, I am treated with lots of respect because of my age. Today we watched a football game which the kids were playing and they brought me out a chair to sit on while I watched it. I did ask them what they thought my age was, and their guesses were from 50 to 99! Take your pick!



When I have more time I will send a photo and write more, but I wanted you to know that I have arrived safely and am enjoying my stay very much. It is very relaxing here so I do not feel tired.

Love you all.