tuanana

On Saturday, my aunt and I went to Kasarani to visit some of the houses of the people I have met here, which was one of the highlights of my trip here. The first house we went to was my friend Pendo's house. I had already met her whole family and this was absolutely my favorite visit. She has two little sisters, little Pendo and Mercy who are just the cutest. Mercy is very shy, but Pendo is incredibly outgoing and hysterical. I brought them some markers and paints and paper, and some stickers, which from the picture below you can tell were a big hit. Little Pendo took a whole sheet of stickers and went around and put stickers on everyone. We were served a huge breakfast here, including eggs, biscuits, chai, coffee and lots more. Pendo's parents, Margaret and David are very sweet people as well, and they have both told me I am now part of their family. David's direct words were "Molly remember, you will always have a family here." While we were there Margaret took off a gold (or gold plated we're not quite sure) chain from around her neck, and put it on me. I asked if she was sure she wanted me to have it, and she said "This necklace is not nearly as precious to me as you are, of course I want you to have it." Out of everyone I have met here, I will definitely miss this family more than anyone else. 

Me, little Pendo and big Pendo

Me and the fan

Our next stop was James, my motorcycle driver's house. It was really nice to meet his whole family, which includes his wife Caroline, his one year old son Kelvin, and his niece Cynthia, who is living with them while she goes to secondary school. Here, we were served a lunch of some sort of goat soup, potatoes and carrots, and chapatis, which are kind of like crepes but not really. His house has three rooms. There is a kitchen, a bed room and a living room/ dining room.

One of the rooms of James' house.

Our last stop was at Madame Mwangi's house. She is another one of my favorite people here who I will miss dearly. The hardest part is that when I am home, I will barely be able to communicate with them because internet and computers are so scarce. Here, we were served some fresh fruit which was delicious, but I was absolutely stuffed after all the food we had already been served.

Me, Madame Mwangi and her children Lillys and Kuria

Along the way we stopped very briefly at some other houses, and I saw many of my students along the way which was fun. Right now, we are at the Massai Mara for a safari. The camp we're staying at is VERY nice, and we have seen lots of animals. I will write one last post with pictures of animals, probably when I get to Paris. Tonight is my last night in Kenya, which seems crazy to me. 

Oh, and the title of this post means, see you later. At every house we went to, I was asked when I will come back. I told everyone I hoped I'd be back next summer, but who knows. Every time I said goodbye to someone, they would say "This isn't a goodbye, this is a see you later." So for this reason, I am going to create a Send Molly Back to Kenya Fund :) If anyone wants to contribute, just let me know! I'm not actually, but in all seriousness I really hope I will have the opportunity to come back sometime soon.