Long time no...

It's been a crazy few weeks here with lots to do, lots to plan, financial budgets to complete and all this while I just cannot wait for the days to pass till our 'wonderous' summer holiday! I've been up to my nipples in paperwork for the last two weeks and have hardly had time to think... (Something I do very often, always jumping to the most ridiculous conclusions.) So, what's been going on in Nairobi?

We're in the midst of the 'short rains' and it seems to not want to end. Today is a lovely sunny day, as was yesterday, but last week was terrible. Rain, mud, cold winds - not very summery... Also visited the Bizarre Bazaar on the weekend and bought the most beautiful handmade teak chest with brass detailing. Had to lug this thing all over the bazaar as it was bought at one of the first stalls we visited. Typical of me - HAD TO HAVE IT THERE AND THEN! I have absolutely no self control when it come to pretty things.

Had lunch at Rangers on sunday, and sat looking out over the national park - life could be worse... Had a lovely lunch followed by a raid on the veranda by one of the resident baboons. He helped himself to some leftovers on our plates and succeeded in getting a British tourist type person at the table next to ours in a total 'tiz'. Could have sworn she was being physically asaulted by this poor creature...

The rest is basically just much of a muchness. Work is driving me crazy and, even thought we are winding down towards the end of the year, seems to be no less than usual. All I'm thinking about at the moment is the 11th when I'm catching a flight to Joburg for a break!

Hope y'all have a really fruitful day now!

TTFN

Today!

Since I've been 'really bad' at bloggin' lately, me thought me would try and at least put something in here today, even if it's completely silly and without substance! (How that is different from what I usually post I cannot explain, but just bear with me...)

Today was one of those days where I should have killed the alarm clock this morning and should have stayed in bed. One of my senior guys at the office came in this morning and gave me his resignation. Off to Iraq on a contract soon, and he feels this would challenge him no end. (Me thinks it's got something to do with the substantial pay package they offering him, but ok.) Kev was one of the guys I really relied on, and he's going to be missed greatly. Now the process of looking for a new guy starts, and you don't just find someone of his calibre behind every bush. Oh well, good luck and keep safe!

My dear hubby is also travelling this week (again!) and is also away from home. He travels a hell of a lot for work (away for three weeks in a month), and he's also really tired at the moment. We both are really. We've decided that instead of travelling to Namibia for our December break, we will be staying at home (Pretoria) and just chill. Cannot tell y'all how much I'm looking forward to this. Besides, Jason will be happy as he won't have to visit Grandma (read: My mom) for three weeks. As it is between the two of us never being at home, he basically lives at Grandma's, and seems ever so reluctant to leave when he's picked up. I know my mom spoils him rotten, and he get's to sleep in my parents bed instead of his basket on the floor where he should be sleeping. Well at least my mother gets to spend time with her 'grandchild', and he gets to spend time with my mom's bunch of girls! (Three daschund bitches - 16 years young, 12 years old and Peanut - the youngest little ball of love and terror!)

Ok, been rambling on but better get home now.

Hope y'all have a fruitful evening!

TTFN

A whole week...

Just noticed that I've not posted anything for a whole week. just shows how busy I am... (He lies to himself.) Truthfully, been really crazy lately and have not had any real time to do the things that give me joy - instead of the things that keep me out of trouble - big difference there.

Spent a couple of days in Uganda last week - Kampala to be precise, and really enjoyed the trip, even if it was for work. After seeing 'The last king of Scotland', and now visiting the country where it took place was a rare pleasure. The history of Uganda still runs deep in the people of the country, and having talked to a lot of people while there, it seems that even after all these years, those events still have an effect on them.

The city itself is sparklingly clean, the faces all smile, and the 'boda boda's' (Motorcycle and bicycle taxi's) are harrowing. Some of these have up to five people on one motorbike! (Three adults, two kids sitting on the tank.) My driver, bless him, had me shooting prayers most of the time. He uses a ooooold Toyota that was certainly still used to transport furry animals to the Ark in Noah's time, and insisted that he was the fastest, smallest, most nimble thing on the road... My nerves where shot! (The glance I got from his side of the car after I screamed like a girl while he was overtaking into oncoming traffic was precious.) I will post a few pictures of my trip tonight when I've downloaded the camera.

The hotel - The Kampala Serena, is worth every Dollar, and the service, friendly staff, restaurants, facilities, in fact everything is top notch. Now, how can I get the company to send me there again and then I get to stay the weekend and go and see the gorillas...

Enough for now - hope y'all have a fruitful day!

TTFN

Sunny Skies.

Woke up this morning to a wonderfully sunny day, for the first time in what feels like forever. A beautiful sunny day to me, is like a little peace of heaven on earth. It gives me the will to live again - the energy to go ahead and achieve that 'extra' little bit, and it puts me in the most wonderful mood. Think this is part of the reason I love to live in Africa so much, cannot stand the dreary gray days that so much of the 'western' world is subjected to... My mood is wonderful today, and I'm starting to feel alive and 'fitter' for not pumping my body so full of toxin all the time! Have not completely quit smoking yet, but it's getting there, and already has a positive effect on my wellbeing... (But, this will not be another post on my personal little struggle, as it seems it's all I can talk about at the moment...)

Thought I'd share a few more pictures from my 'travels' across East Africa. Above is a pic from a beach house in Diani on the South Coast. I can sit and watch the sea for hours on end - helps if you're surrounded by good friends and a ready supply of Pina Colada's (Made with fresh coconut milk straight from the tree/palm!)

This is called a 'Dawa' - swahili word for medicine. (Luckily, does not taste like cough medicine at all!)

Recipe is:

A double tot of Vodka in a short glass,

A big spoonful of honey,

Cut a few limes in in thirds, place in the glass and give it all a bit of a squeeze,

Top up with crushed ice, place a straw cut in half in the glass and serve.

Prepare to see your friends and family turn into fools in a REALLY short time! This stuff tastes wonderful, but it does have a bit of a kick!

Last one for today - time has caught up with me...

This is a baby elephant at the elephant sanctionary in Langata in Nairobi - precious little baby was taking a nap and was covered in a blanky! How utterly adorable, and to adopt one costs only Ksh4,000 per year - that is about US$60 per year! That feeds them and helps to rehabilitate the 'little' critter back into the wild. Don't know if I've mentioned this before, but of all the wild animals out there, Loxodanta Africana (African Elephant) is my favourite!

Well, that's all for now.

Hope y'all have a most wonderful day!

TTFN

Some more photo's

Thought today I'd share some unique 'Africa' photos. Things that make Kenya special, things that - after a few years here, you don't notice anymore, but that make Kenya a wonderfull place to be.

This is a war cemetary that we stumbled apon on the way back from Mount Kenya. Perfectly manicured lawns and well kept gardens and graves, and just outside the gate, poverty and scalour... Graves where of British, South African, Indian and Kenyan soldiers and officers that died during the second world war, in the battle for East Africa.

Taken during a dhow trip up the creek at Kilifi, on the North Coast of Kenya. This was the captain - life is just so much more calm here...

Taken in Dar-es-Salaam - once again, no rush in Africa.

Getting a lift from a truck up the hill. Trucks are generally overloaded, so they tend to move VERY slowly. Cyclist hold onto the back of the truck and then don't need to peddle up the hill. It also means they sit in the billowing fumes that the trucks spews out.

Sign at a pub in Mombasa. Note the 'cockage fee' - that tickled my warped sence of humour...

Now, I hope y'all have a fruitful day.

TTFN

Ps: Only three sleeps and I get to see my hubby! Jipeeeee!!!!!

Friday, weekend and work!

Sitting here, just a little irritated... Don't know if I've 'confessed' this before, but I do have a bit of a temper - bugger that, I have a lot of a temper actually! When I lose it, the eruption of Mount Helen looks like a sundayschool picnic on a warm balmy spring day. Everybody is walking little circles around my office today... Bless them!

I've had to change my holiday plans for the end of the month 'cause it coinsides with a vital plan for a division that is moving into our operations at that time, and appartly 'they cannot do it without me'. (He says with just a little chip on his shoulder, btw) At least hubby was able to change his leave plans, and all the places were we are staying is able to change our bookings to a week earlier. Still, work is interfering with my personal life!

Really should not complain too much, after all, if it wasn't for work I would not be able to afford going in nice holidays... Life is a bitch, daaaahlings!

Anyhoo, spending this weekend with Estelle and friends of C & C's that are here from SA, so not too bad. And then on a plane to see 'me husband' on Thursday. All in all, not a bad day. He is traveling for work as well next week, but will be back home by Thursday night, just in time to pick me up from the airport. Loverly!

Now, I hope y'all have a really pretty weekend, and be good!

TTFN

Ps: Few notes to the comments:

Daniel: Yes, part of the charm of working in Africa is that things have not gone completely 'commercial'. People keep asking me why I love Kenya so much. And my answer is always the same - the people! They are truly phenomenal!

Lewis: I've bought a few soapstone carving there too! Our house in Pretoria and Nairobi covered in African art...

David: Thanks for all the comments! Will share some more pic's as the fancy takes me.

Tom: Pleasure. The 'southern bit' comes from my love for movies. Every time somebody says y'all, I just completely fall in love...

Life and work and stuff...

Work is really crazy at the moment, we're in the midst of a full audit, sourcing expansion funding, appointing new senior staff members, training a new accountant (Thank goodness for this one!) and then Mergers and Acquisitions are still in full swing... My brain is putty - a big blob of gray putty! My big saving here is that I've put in for some leave at the end of the month, and everything is booked and paid for! So, I'll be flying to SA on the 26th, and hubby and I will be spending some time alone - well, after we get to spend a day with all the family for my 'bathday' on the 29th...

Our trip will be to the lowveld in SA - Hazyview area, close to the Kruger National Park, and then off to Dullstroom, which is on the highveld and stunningly cold and misty and wonderfull this time of year! Nights spent around a fireplace, drinking Red wine, eating lovely fresh trout we caught (bought) ourselves, lying in in the morning under a heavy feather duvet. How marvelous! We will be spending some time here and then some time here. Cannot wait!

The pic in the previous post is my hubby! Those eyes are dreamy... I have the ability to take pictures of people at their worst, and this was taken one morning after we went to his year end function at work - obviously quite a late night filled with lovely food - and loverly amounts of booze! (Neither of us really drink a lot, so we don't get trashed, but it did get very racous that night.) I think he still looks gorgeuos!





Weather in Nairobi is miserable at the moment - July is usually winter, and the nights are very chilly - temp in my house is down to 18 degrees at night... So, here is a pic of warmer climates and wonderful holiday spots. This is in Diani on the South Coast of Kenya - about 60km from Mombasa town.

Love the black and white bit...

Hope y'all have a wonderful, fruitful day and week!

TTFN