Wednesday, April 8, 7 pm

Here I am at the Nairobi airport and find a computer section! As planned, I was "picked" early since gridlock can happen, but I'm here are ready in time.

I thought I might add a few things about the home in which I stayed....Although it is a 12 bedroom home and huge by any standards (for me), it had an institutional feel. I think dorm life probably prepared me for the experience! I wouldn't say it's in the "rich" area, but it certainly was "middle class." It was built by the owners about 16 years ago, "when cement and plaster was reasonable." It's referred to as a "compound" as there is a high wall all around the large piece of property and a gate. Twelve dogs reside someplace on the property and are let out at night. I'm glad I didn't meet one. I only made friends with an old dashhound that was rarely acknowledged.

When I asked why they had such a big house, they said, "So everyone can have a room when they visit." I guess if you both come from families of 8 - 10 kids, that makes sense!

There were two full-time employees: one female for inside the house named "Angela"....she did the cooking, cleaning, and washing...continually! Then there was a male for the outside of the house named "Ben." Ben took care of opening and closing the large metal gate, watering the garden, plants, washing the cars, and feeding the dogs before they came out of the cage at night. Ben decided he couldn't do the work any more, so he quit the other day--which made getting in and out of the compound difficult!

On my way out to the airport, I asked the driver who has driven me before about the "compound/wall/gate" issue. He said that it's not just the well-off people who live this way. He has a small place out in the country and still has a fence and gate. The slums, however, do not have gates or fences!

I've really enjoyed the various facets of my time here--working in Malawi; safari and luxury; home stay with a family and volunteering at the home. But, I'll definitely be happy to get back home to Chelsea where I can walk about the door and forgot to lock it---and walk practically anywhere I need to (except to Midland.