But, first of all, to all of you: A very good New Year! I can't believe it's 2010... My wish and prayer is that all you loved ones find breezy, airy open windows that allow you to achieve the new years' resolutions. That peace of God overrules every step of the ways it takes to meet the fulfillment of your desires and dreams.
I had the honour to be accompanied by three handsome Kenyan men to Mombasa; Silas, Isaac and James. The more I think about how thankful I am for these genuine dudes the more my love grows...sometimes on the edge of my heart exploding. :-)
We left on saturdaynight the 26th for the 8 hour busride.
Any Western mindset would be nervous for that lenght of a ride. "How will survive a full workday in 1 bus?!"...
But, for anyone who tasted a little bit of a country like Kenya...8 hours is very do-able and feels like 2 hours really.
Mombasa is HOT as in H.O.T. The heat smacks you in the face but after about 1,5 day I noticed I had gotten used to it. The way of life is a little more easy-going anyway and esspecially for us (as we were there to celebrate holiday) there were no deadlines whatsoever.
Monday the 28th we visited Fort Jesus; located on the edge of a coral ridge overlooking the entrance to the Old Port of Mombasa, Built by the Portuguese in 1593-1596 to protect their trade route to India and their interests in East Africa. It was designed by an Italian architect, Giovanni Battista Cairati.
Tuesday the 29th we rented a car and drove to Malindi. We first drove to the Gedi Ruins. Played around and pretended to be living in those days, walked through the jungle surrounding the ruins, ate a VERY sour wild 'tamarind' fresh from the forrest there (My goodness that was sour!) and took off to the coast.
We decided to find a swimmingpool (at some fancy hotel) with the ability to also take a jump in the Indian ocean if we wanted. (What do you think I wanted?!)
I had craved to jump in the Indian ocean and taste the saltiest water ever since I entered Mombasa!
This very day was exceptional. I enjoyed every single moment of everything. Finally a feeling of freedom and no worries.
It's fun to see these historical sights but the stuff that will stay with me are other things. The fresh fruit they sell on the side of the road, the very first ocean air blowing in my face, the idea of painting me black so save on entrance costs, the African art-expositions and wondering how it would look in "our future mansion", seeing Kenyans struggle to keep their heads above the water (most can't swim), the slimy seaplants surrounding your bair feet in the ocean, realizing I am the only white 'mzungu' in te midsts of all those black Kenyans...etc.
After a long day of an undescrible amount of fun and joy in Malindi, at the coast and of each other - we headed back to Mombasa. (About 1,5 hour drive).
Late in the night we arrived. Then, the weirdest thing happened. Silas had driven the last part and got out of the car. Apparently he was told by two men (coming towards him) to lay down on the floor. I slowly got out myself but within fractions of seconds I was told by Isaac to get back in the car. I saw a weird shade of a policeman or guard coming at me with a gun-looking-thing.
It looked fake...
We were actually robbed.
The guy started searching my pockets and whispered all these things in Swahili to his co-thug. I stayed very calm, luckily - because afterwards realizing what all could have happened...well...let's not even go there.
Most pissed off I am about the fact all those wonderful pictures were taken away. Memories in our minds and hearts is now all that we have left.
So, an unfortunate ending of that very day and a change it made in our further plans of our trip - but truly Thanks to God for our lives. We we're all unharmed, 'just' robbed from many personal belongings.
As you can understand I am experiencing way too many things to write out on paper.
For me the little things count. People and my friends count. A quality conversation is what sinks into my heart and inspires me. The differences in the look of things, the scents, the ways of expression. It's what makes Kenya it's own culture. It's a joy to me to try and adapt to the fullest and learn about those differences.
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