My trip 'back home'.

It's been a strange couple of days. Strange good and trange bad, but altogether mostly good. I'm tired as hell and really need a bit of a break (again!) but I'm really glad I stayed the extra night in Nairobi and spent some time with my friends - but regretting it this morning (I don't function too well with little to no sleep). Will make a point of getting to bed early tonight - just after Grey's.

Being in Nairobi again for the first time in nearly a year was weird. Being there for the first time since hubby passed was gut wrenching. Don't know why but I was 'uber' emotional this weekend, thank goodness for good friends that understand and support. Even had a little cry on the plane yesterday - I was consolled by the cute air steward who was serving business class... Bless him!

Seeing all my old staff members was great - they all miss me and want me to come back - makes me feel very special, bless them! As for all my old friend - stunning people. Wish I could see them more often. Also had the pleasure of eating at the new Osteria in Karen on Friday night - brilliant place and then a few (read too many!) drinks with friends at numerous pubs across the area. (Hence the tired feeling this morning!)

I have so many thought at the moment, having real trouble putting them down on 'paper' but will write. And will post, but in time.

Hope y'all are doin' fine!

TTFN

In just over a week...

My heart is heavy at the moment for a number of reasons. Firstly, I had a really nice dinner with some friends last night - he's a 'Souf Efrikan' and she is a Kenyan indian. They are such lovely people and made me feel so welcome - she even made the food less spicy just for me as I cannot really handle too much chili in my food - like it, but it does not like me too much of late...

This is the kind of kindness and hospitality I'm really going to miss. Not getting invited to dinner or going to a fancy restaurant with friends and acquaintances - no, I'm going to miss the 'local culture' of Karibu Sana - you are welcome. Nothing is ever too much trouble or 'not my job'. In most cases you get greeted with a friendly smile and a warm handshake - real, honest 'honesty'.

In just over a week I'll be getting on a plane for the last time as a resident of Kenya. It will not be the last time I'm in the country - no, I'll be visiting frequently, but it is a sad day to look forward to...

What I won't miss is not being with my hubby though!

Have a pretty day now y'all!

TTFN

Ps: And now EVERYBODY can see which words I cannot spell 'cause spellchecker is highlightin' them all pretty like in yello!

The mountain, the elephant and the very dusty trip.

Had the most amazing weekend at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro this weekend. Was actually in Amboselli National Park on the Kenyan side of the Mountain, and we stayed at a stunning lodge, Satao Elerai that opened recently. (Now if Blogger or my ISP would only allow me to upload some pictures, I could show y'all how pretty it was there - but nooo, the Internet is out to frustrate the shit out of me today and is achieving it's goals admirably!)

It was a trip that I will not forget for a long time, if ever. Firstly we had the whole planning thing arse about face - got the directions wrong and ended up being lost for over four hours, but a least it was a fun four hours - driving trough a national park at night (illegally I might add) and then 'waiting' for a heard of ellies to cross the road - so worth it! And then getting to the camp with a cold gin and tonic and a warm meal waiting for us - how tough is it living in Africa?

The next day, after a scrumptious breakfast, we did a self drive safari with a Masai as our guide. He command of the English language included left, right, straight, elephant, zebra, warthog etc and nothing else. It was amazing how this man could spot an animal MILES away and I could not find it with binoculars. Muzungu's (White people) aren't made for the bush apparently... We saw a heard of ellies (my favourite animal ever!) of over 100 animals, and the stunning sightings just kept coming. At one stage we were parked on the road with the heard on both sides of us - younger crowd on the left taking a dust bath, older crowd on the right giving disapproving glances.

So the next minute these two young'ens start making a ruckus on the left - chasing each other, kicking up a whole lot of dust and making a real noise. (I'm in heaven at this stage, ellies playing) This goes on for a few minutes and then an old bull from the other side of the road decides that enough is enough... He drops his (not unsubstantial) fifth leg and start storming across the road - trumpeting and making sure EVERYBODY knows he's now PISSED. He storms trough the crowd of other young'ens and heads directly for the two young bulls making a fuss. These two have seen that they are now in trouble and decide that the best course of action would be to RUN... They head of in separate directions and run like hell, but the old 'codger' has set his sights on teaching somebody a lesson - and gets a hold of the one young'ens tail - young'en not slowing down for a second, just being tugged at from behind by angry bull elephant and 'sort of screeching' the whole time in this very nervous little voice. It was the funniest thing ever - even our Masai Guide had this grin on his face for the rest of the afternoon.

So after not being able to really catch this young'en the old bull decided to pee on everything and then went back to standing around and being calm and collected... (By the way, a bull elephant having a pee is a sight to behold!)

Telling you more of this trip will take me a whole day and I just don't have time, but will try and post some video of this event and share it with y'all.

On another note - I only have another week or so left in Kenya before I go back home... Sadness has gripped me, and at the same time happiness as well. And on yet another note - has some really exciting news on the work front as well which I will share soon... Going to have a whole lot of fun I am!!!

Hope y'all are having loving, sharing days now!!!

TTFN

Amazing !! Don´t try this at home !!!

This was posted by Wilde Yearnings and I thought I'd put it up as well...

By the way, it's usually a lot worse than this! I love every minute in Africa!

Hope y'all have a pretty day now!

TTFN

Ps: WY thinks that 'Shitty hoppa' drivers are on crack - but if i had to sit in this traffic all day, I would also use A LOT of drugs!

My youth and Kenya now.

Had one of those 'reminisce' evenings last night - nay, I lie, could not sleep so the mind wandered a bit, and my thoughts took a stroll to my youth again. (Seeing as I'm such an old codger at the ripe old age of 38!)

Twenty odd years ago I was an Innocent-ish young man with very little experience of life. I grew up in a typical Afrikaans home where rules were rules and you obeyed them, end of story. My parents (bless them) were WAY more liberal and progressive than most. Yes, I grew up as a privileged little boy with parents that encouraged us to think and to 'debate' the situation in our lives, but we were also very 'guarded' as to the 'big bad world out there'! This is not a bad thing - my parents protected us as any parent would, and we somehow managed to survive despite our guarded upbringing. But to get back to twenty years ago when I left my parents home.

My first experience out in the real world, all on my own that is, was when we went on our 'Matric Holiday' with a few friends. Matric is what your last year of High School is called in SA - or Grade 12 as it is called now. Then you're supposed to go off to further education - but in my case it was a case of going to do my National Service - Conscription was still very active in those days. That is a story that I've told before - just follow the link, so not going to get into that again. What I do remember so well thought from this time in my life was my awakening sexuality.

Here I was in a time when it was still very much taboo to be anything but a total 'skirt chaser' and I was on holiday with my group of male friends - all of whom where 'obviously' as straight as they come. (No pun intended - well maybe just a little...) Eight boys travelling trough what was then known as the Eastern Transvaal (Now Mpumalanga), hiking nature trials, skinny dipping under waterfalls, sunbathing on the rocks afterwards. It was such an innocent time... (Ja right, I hear you saying...)

At this stage of my life I was sexually active already - his name was C and he and I had been at it for quite some time already, but we both thought this was just a 'phase' and that we would still get married (to women darlings - try and focus!), have children/breed and live the 'normal' life. We were unaware that gay people actually existed - had normal lives and that this feeling that we had for each other was actually that L word. Now, thinking back, we had no real frame of reference at all - TV had no gay characters, it was not something that was discussed by anybody, and it was a very closeted society we lived in. (Which makes the new South Africa all that more special!)

What I'm getting at is that young gay men and women of today probably have it a lot better than I did in my time - in a open minded society, that is. Kenya reminds me of my youth to an extent when we had to live our lives under covers and behind closed doors. My wish for this country is that people will come to realize that Gay people are not evil, vile terrible creatures that intend on stealing their husbands (well, unless they're cute - KIDDING!) and calling the fashion police on them. (Maybe in certain cases it could be justified.) Maybe one day all people can live their lives as they choose and not be victimised for being themselves.

Just a thought...

Hope y'all have a pretty day now,

TTFN

It is official...

Yes, it is official. I am relocating back to South Africa by the end of next month... And, to be honest, I'm completely confused. I wanted this - I wanted to be 'home' to look after the hubby and to make sure that he is his own self again. It is my duty, nay, my pleasure to be there for him in his time of need and I'm looking forward to being the man he deserves. After all, love flourishes not just during the good times, but also during the hard times So why am I so sad?

I've learnt to love this country... No, not just this country, but I've learnt to love the people here.

The friendly, totally phenomenal nature of the Kenyan nation makes me feel at home - always. And that is what makes this place so wonderful. In fact, someone said to me a while ago that I'm a Kikuyu of South African Decent - but I think that because I'm so utterly tight with money! Oh well, I saw it as a compliment... I will miss my members of staff that I've learnt to love dearly, I will miss the humour in the traffic in the mornings when the Matatus drive like absolute maniacs. I'll miss the chaos of the city, and the peace and quiet at my home. I will miss the fruit that still taste like fruit - not just 'shiny mudguards' on the outside and watery and tasteless on the inside. I will miss my friends and work mates. Sad? Yes, sad that I have to leave this place and move on to other things, but also glad that I've been able to spend a small portion of my life in this place, and with these people. Glad that I've had the chance to learn from them, and that I've been able to see that joy comes from within...

Ah well, so it is then. ('So is dat dan' - my Dutch uncle used to say!) Now to decide what I'll call my blog from the end of the month? Any suggestions?

Have a pretty day now y'all!

TTFN

Innovation!

Was stuck in a bit of a traffic jam last night. Now those of you who've been to Nairobi should know that the gridlock when it rains in this city is something to behold. It is not uncommon to take up to 4 hours to move 20 Km. It has happened to me before, and I'm sure it will happen again... The big problem is a road infrastructure that was developed years ago and has never really been improved, so the round abouts (traffic circles) are a real headache.

So, last night while sitting in this traffic there was an add on the radio that basically said that China Plate - a local Chinese restaurant will deliver take-aways to your car with a scooter if you just let them know your car make and registration number, and between which two roundabouts you were stuck! AMAZING! (The picture is from a time when I was stuck in a taxi from Mombasa Airport to Diani on the South Coast - a five hour trip for 40km!)

I love this country!

Hope y'all have a really, really great weekend.

TTFN

What has transpired this week.

Well, the foreman has a hissy fit 'cause Dawie 'let loose' on him, most of the contractors have done what they were supposed to do, except for two who got it from me this morning, I've booked my flight down to Joburg for next week Friday in order to help with the physical move, the moving company has been booked and is ready to do the 'enormous' task of moving our stuff a full ten blocks, and I had a sleepless night due to my little brain not being able to 'switch off''.

It is said that moving house is one of the most stressful events to take place in one's life, but all my previous moves have seem to be a lot smoother than this one. I think it's because I've always decided that what does not get done can be done after the move itself, but this time I really don't want a whole bunch of people 'traipsing' trough our home after we are in. It just feels like such an invasion of privacy, and with age comes a whole new level of privacy. Also, Dawie and I have agreed that this is our last move - the next one is to the funeral parlour. (Well, except if we win the lottery - which we never play - and can move to Monte Carlo for the rest of our lives.) This house has everything we've always wanted and we are not 'making do' with anything this time around. Yes folks, we have become that 'couple of a certain age'. Comfortable shoes, the whole lot...

After all, our pleasure of life is the most important thing, right? We work hard so we deserve a nice place to life.

This weekend I will spend quietly at home in Nairobi - have a few movies I want to catch up on on the PVR, and will go for breakfast with E on Sunday. D will however be working his cute bottom off at home, although I have told him to relax and leave it for next week - sure he won't, know him too well.

Time for me to get going - hope y'all have a purdy weekend now, and be good!

TTFN

Ps: It was Gay Pride weekend in Cape Town this last weekend. A few pictures can be viewed...

The 'colonial' lifestyle.

A while ago I saw an interview with Richard E Grant. He grew up in some British colony (I do not remember which, my short term memory is SHOT!) and had a little gem of wisdom to share on colonial living. The three B's - Butlers, Booze and Bonking - or something like it. (STML - Short term memory loss has set in...) Why I thought of this is 'cause a few friends came over for dinner last night as I'll be away for a while and, well, we needed an excuse to drink a bottle of good red wine that I got as a gift from houseguests a while ago... (Trying to thin out the stock

As most people in Kenya, I also have a housekeeper to look after the normal day to day running of the household. Honestly, I wouldn't be as happy a camper as I am if this man was not in my home, making sure the place is neat and tidy, the basic foodstuffs in the house are fresh and available, and that services are paid and done. Really great to have this 'little luxury' in my home. Anyway, I didn't let him know that we would have guests for dinner last night, but in less than an hour he prepared a feast for dinner. We had Chipati (local version of a tortilla, I think), stir fried chicken strips marinated in oriental spices (Sesame Seed oil, oyster sause, soy, garlic, herbs and chili), a nice 'salsa' of tomato, avocado, spring onion and yellow pepper with a balsamic dressing, a bowl of fresh mixed lettuce leaves, tsatshiki (Cucumber and Yogurt), grated mature cheddar and a stunningly sweet fruit salad for desert. The meal was basically a 'build your own' around the dining room table - take a chipati and fill it with whatever it is your heart desires.

As for the other B (Bonking), I'm a failure. But, got the butler and the booze covered...

Have a pretty day now y'all!

TTFN

Weekend ahead.

As the weekend looms ahead of us a whole truckload of thoughts are running trought my little head. My dad has always reffered to me as the 'last great warrior' - and he does not mean that I'm all brave and willing to fight a cause, but that I worry too much about things... Bless him. But it's true, I do worry about stuff and tend to analise something to death, working out all the little cenarios in my head and wondering if my course of action (usually taken too quickly) was the right one.

Anyhoo, as per usual I started typing something and my thought process is a little all over the place... I wanted to write about how I'm looking forward to spending the weekend quitely at home, and how I'll be varnishing the outside table before the rainy season starts, and how I'll go to the rental store and rent a whole bunch op pirated DVD's for the weekend (Hey, pirated is the only kind you get here in East Africa, OK!) but instead my thoughts wonder off to my real home and my hubby and how wonderful it would have been to spend some time with him and our children.

How I miss my man...

Oh well, I will keep myself busy with all sorts of little chores around the house as it's not really safe to travel around at the moment. Can go to places like the Masai Mara (for free at the moment for local residents), can go to Mombasa (Can spend a week in Kilifi at the moment for US$250 including all meals and accomodation), but I will sit at home and feel sorry for myself! Maybe some of my bloggin' buddies would like to take this oppertunity to travel to East Africa as it is DIRT CHEAP now! (Hint Hint!)

Hope y'all have a fruitful weekend - safe and filled with sunshine and happiness!

TTFN

A local friend commented on my previous post, and even though anybody can go and read his comment, I've decided to actually post this here - with permission.

He is a young Kenyan with a very positive outlook on life, and truly does not deserve this to happen to him...

Yep, all this events are really petrifying ... Inasmuch as am really sorry for the family of the late MP, I do not understand why politicians should react so strongly towards it while in the last few weeks, when hundreds were dying in Rift Valley, none of them stood up to speak but kept pressing on with their selfish political ambitions ... Is it that common people are dogs and politicians human?

Both leaders have truly failed us ... ODM has shown that it wants power whatever the human cost ... The president is worse than a puppet, failing to assert himself to ensure security in the country ... and there are talks about how he rigged himself in ... which if true, it means he just took us all for a ride. I am really bitter because I am from the rift valley, and bore witness to endless days of road blocks and eviction of the 'wrong tribe'. I am a Kalenjin from eldoret and at the moment i cannot travel home to my parents coz mungiki gangs along naivasha road would make minced meat of me ... the same goes for the kikuyus who dare go towards eldoret coz the so called kalenjin warrior gang bays for their blood. I wonder how my parents will plant their farm this year coz where will they get the seeds and the fertiliser ...

My two sisters have fled from naivasha and nakuru without carrying anything and they have no idea whether they will come back with their property intact .. or whether their landlords will accept them again. They told me that human heads have been grimly arranged along fence posts in some parts .... I do not believe it is us kenyans fighting each other ... we have lived in peace for long ... someone is supplying this gangs with guns, food and all manner of artillery to lay siege on us and then blame it on members of a certain tribe.

I am so bitter and wonder why we fought against colonialists if we knew we were still to keep killing each other. The good thing is that am young ... young enough to forgive ... young enough to dream again and build a better Kenya.

Peace bro .. that is all I sing

My heart goes out to all Kenyans who have suffered because of this ordeal. I've not really been badly affected in any way, as I'm one of the 'priveledged few' who has the financial means to survive despite the turmoil. The worst affected areas and people are the poorest of the poor, as per usual...

My fellow countrymen, my heart goes out to you!

TTFN

This morning...

For the first time I'm a little despondent. What is happening to this stunning country?

Early this morning an opposition MP was murdered at his front gate to his home. A couple of hours ago, a colleague and I had to go to Ngong Rd for a meeting, but we could not as the road was blocked due to riots taking place. And now, a few minutes ago, we heard the shots being fired - probably at the rioting crowd.

What will we do?

Political comment...

Throughout this political uncertainty and violence that has marred this stunning country that I live in, I've tried to remain calm and keep my opinions to myself. Not wanting to offend anybody, but also not really knowing enough about the country's history to make a educated comment, I've kept my thoughts to myself and kept my opinions guarded. Well, this is about to end. I'm sorry, but enough is enough and I will now air my grievances, no matter how 'uneducated or biased' they are!

Fine, the election was rigged/was not rigged and the presidency was stolen/legitimately obtained.

Fine, people have the right/should not be allowed to protest peacefully about this 'terrible' injustice.

Fine, people like Riala Odinga should boycott discussions with the illegitimate ruler of Kenya based on his strong/idiotic convictions about how the election went down.

Fine, Mwai Kibaki should settle himself into State House and let all hell break loose around him, but not even bother to go to the areas where people are being murdered purely because they belong to a specific tribe.

Fine, let the general people of Kenya suffer because these two pig headed men are in what can actually be referred to as a pissing match! Let the whole tourism industry (employing the bulk of Kenya's population - directly or indirectly) collapse around you while you decide to stand idly by and people are killing each other left right and centre.

Fine, let an economy that took years to build up collapse into non-existence in one short month while your ego's bellow in their pompousness.

Fine, let it all go to hell - at least you have your pride, gentlemen! (Said very loosely!)

I cannot believe that two grown men, trusted by the people of Kenya to rule them have such little regard for the general populous of this country. Surely sitting down and talking about this is more important than getting your ego stroked by a rioting crowd. Surely the safety and security of all people in Kenya - rich, poor, Kikuyu, Kalinjen, Luo, Muzungu, Muhindi - should be the priority, and not winning a pissing match...

I'm upset - this is ridiculous...

Ps: If I've upset anybody with my comments, I'm truly sorry, but I think this has gone far enough. The only people really suffering at the moment is the poor, average Kenyan citizen, and that should stop!

Everybody should have a change to exist in peace.

Back in Nairobi, back on-line...

Lets first scream it from the rooftops - HAPPY NEWYEAR to all! Hope that 2008 will bring a time for dreams to come true, love to be abundant and happiness to prevail always!

Then, to all of the people that have enquired about my safety in light of the events after the general elections in Kenya, I'm fine, thank you! It is still a bit tense in Nairobi, but in general I feel safe and secure. My heart does go out to all the people affected by this tragedy thought, and my sincerest condolences to those who lost loved ones in the senseless and stupid violence! Lets hope that the politicians come to their senses soon...

My holiday was phenomenal, but I feel this is not the right time to talk about this. Too much happening right now to keep my mind occupied - and the need to visit all my 'bloggin' friends to see what's going on in the world.

Will share one little thing thought - Dawie and I have become parents again! Her name is Jessica (Jess for short) and she is a pocket Yorkshire Terrier! She has the heart of a lion, and Jason (our 7 year old boy) has grown to love her too - although id did take him a few days... She weighed a full 400 grams when we got her (at eight weeks old), but she's now (four weeks later) touching 600 grams, and healthy and fit! Her estimated size will be aprox. 1.1 to 1.2 kg when she is fully grown... Is she not the cutest thing!!!!

Well, got a ton of email to respond to, and get back to work at some stage.

Hope y'all are well and happy!

TTFN