All we need are sunny skies...

30^th May 2011. The rainy season seems to have taken a bit of a rest so we’ve been enjoying some beautiful sunny days in Nairobi, with plenty of time in the garden and out walking the neighbourhood. There is nothing quite as magnificent as the blue of the African sky, and just seeing it makes me feel happy and more at home.

Evan takes time to smell the daisies

 Can you believe that tomorrow, we’ve already been here for 4 weeks. I can’t work out if time has flown or dragged. Some days it seems like the one, and some days the other. But we have made progress. On Friday morning the first part of our curtain order arrived – the sheers or netting. Never in a million years would I have thought I could get so excited over net curtains! Although still empty and echoing, they have made our house just that little bit more ‘lived in’ and of course, provide a little more privacy. Two of the windows are very high – they’re over the stairs and right at the top of the double volume entrance. With no ladder even remotely high enough, the curtain hanger man did some monkey style acrobatics and climbed his way up. I could barely watch it was so overwhelmingly dangerous. Obviously Health and Safety measures aren’t really that important up here…

Yay for net curtains.

Yesterday we went out for lunch with some new friends to a lovely outside restaurant called the Verandah which is inside the Utamaduni Craft Centre in Karen. The weather was lovely, the company great and the food good too. Evan had fun on the jungle jim and slide with the other kids and generally enjoyed a change of environment. He is the Duracell bunny though – busy busy busy – the little man never ever stops for a second. It was so great to see him interacting with other children, he hasn’t had much of that over the last 4 weeks (been stuck with boring mummy) that we have decided to start him at the nursery school this week Thursday. The class is for 3 hours in the morning and he will go with his nanny. Depending on how he does, we may keep taking him twice a week until the term ends at the end of June.

At the Verandah

Checking out a giant masai askari

This afternoon Evan and I are heading out to a 4 year old birthday party, which will be a great opportunity for us to meet some more people in the area and start blending into the community. Wednesday is a public holiday, so Mark will be off and I’m busy researching something fun for us to do in the area for the day. I’ll let you know what and post photos for sure later in the week.

Out for a walk with my 3 favourite boys

Wishing you a great week xxx.

Potholes, Peas and Piety

25^th May 2011. It has been a while since my last blog, mostly because not too much new has happened. We’re just settling into a routine, finding our feet a bit more every day and easing into Kenyan life. I did want to post some pictures of the most amazing dining chairs ever – we went for lunch on Sunday to the Karen Country Lodge and the restaurant furniture is so cool – but on the way home (walking) I somehow managed to lose my camera case. Inside the case was my card reader, a very handy little gadget that cost me just about nothing in Singapore 2 years or so back. And as the original USB cable goodie that came with the camera is packed up in a container somewhere, I’m unable to download any pictures. Damn shame to lose the reader as they cost a fortune over here.

Moving on, the other thing I wanted to post pictures of was the size of the potholes in our area (probably all over Nairobi), let me tell you – Jo’burg cannot even begin to compete. When we’re out walking we zig from side to side of the roads (no pavements) dodging them and hoping that we don’t either get whacked or sprayed with mud when we’re vying for the same tiny piece of good road space as the cars traveling by. It is the one thing that’s good about not having a car yet, not having to negotiate the potholes. Once I get the pics downloaded, I may still post them, just so all my friends in JHB realise just how little you have to complain about.

 Do you know, there are no frozen vegetables here? Well, none that I can find anywhere. Not that I’ve ever been a big user of them – but when it comes to peas – they are the way to go. The only other time I’ve ever used fresh peas is when Evan was just starting up on solids and I was determined to be über-mum and give him only fresh, wholesome food and veg. He didn’t like them much unless they were blitzed into oblivion and hidden in heaps of yoghurt. And he had good reason – they’re a bit hard and taste a bit too earthy. I guess that either we need to start liking them, give peas a skip altogether or take it as a new business opportunity. Outside of the pea issue, the fruit and vegetables here are amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything better, I’m even eating bananas which have never been on my list of things worth consuming.

 Another thing I notice wherever we drive or walk in this area is the number of convents, seminaries, missions, friaries and monasteries there are around. I’ve decided that Karen must be the spot that every Christian denomination picks as the training ground for their future clergy. I’m not sure if that is because it is such a beautiful place or if it was because they felt it needed some religious direction. Despite all these many spiritual places, I can’t find the local Anglican church…

Take care & I’ll post again soon, xxx.

Retail therapy & exercise

19^th May 2011. This week has gone surprisingly fast without Mark here, can’t believe it is Friday tomorrow and he’ll be home late in the evening. I think it’s because I spent time doing the two things that are bound to get the endorphins bouncing – exercise & retail therapy.

When I say retail therapy, it wasn’t the type that where I got to indulge myself with lovely goodies; I went furniture shopping. We need another bed (too many rooms in this house) and study furniture so Dun, our driver, took me furniture shopping. Most interestingly, the furniture ‘showrooms’ are all located on the side of the road. Their factories are elsewhere, but you do your looking and buying right there on the pavement. Even better, you look at what they have and photo albums of what they’ve made before and then put the bits you like best together and it is made just for you. The wood is beautiful, very good quality mahogany and the craftsmanship on show looked fantastic. But the most amazing thing is that this bespoke furniture is ridiculously reasonable. I cannot believe how much we’re getting for our money. Hopefully the final product (ready & delivered in 3 weeks) will live up to expectation. I’ll post pics & let you know…

None of the rental properties in Nairobi (well, none that we saw) come with any light fittings. Our house has so many lights – 83 globes in total to be exact, a fact I know because I’m in the process of changing them all to energy saving bulbs so that they don’t completely chew the batteries in our inverter when the power fails (an almost daily occurrence) – that you can imagine how many light fittings that means we need. So while cruising the pavements, I found some hand woven ‘balls’ that I really liked. I bought some for the house and then placed and order with the guy for sconce covers as the house has at least 3 (sometimes 5) double sconce lights in all the rooms. He is going to weave them for me to match the ‘balls’ and I’m looking forward to not looking at bare globes this time next week.

Woven light fitting

One of the many sconces in our house

Percy also scored in the retail department, with a brand new bed. The only thing is that he’s not the only one who’s taken a fancy to it. Evan is a big fan and thinks it’s the perfect spot to watch TV from.

Being without a car and not having too much to do with our time, means that we’ve been walking. Walking and walking. It is a pretty good way to explore our area and find our bearings. I don’t know how many kilometres we’re walking in a day, but I think it is a fair amount. Evan is usually pretty happy checking out the scenery and smiling at the people we see along the way from his pram, but after an hour or so, he starts getting a little bored and cranky. Percy loves the first 30 minutes, then we have to stop so he can have his water break. After the break, he usually manages another 5 or 10 minutes before sitting down and ‘saying’ no more. At this point I have to load him into the basket at the bottom of the pram and push him too. Everyone who sees us had the biggest laugh and often ask me why he won’t walk! Let me tell you though, that extra 8.5 kg in the pram makes itself felt on the uphill climbs. Who knows, maybe it’ll be the best arm exercise ever and help tone up these flabby arms of mine!

One very funny side note on Percy is that both his breed and his name seem to be rather alien to the locals. So the new nanny, the complex guards and the driver all call him “Pussy”. Not the most flattering name for a boy or a dog really!

Chat soon xxx.

Off to the fair

15^th May 2011. This morning I had the blues and felt a little (or even a lot) sorry for myself. Being alone in Nairobi with Evan while I missed my friend’s 40^th birthday brunch in Jo’burg really amplified the loneliness of starting out in a new country with no support system. It’s been so long since I last did it, I think I’d forgotten just how isolated you can feel.

So I decided to clear my head and take Percy (on his lead) and Evan (in his pram) for a nice long walk around the area. About a kilometre from our house is the Waldorf School, and outside I saw a sign for an “Ecofair”. All the stalls were busy setting up and some of them looked really interesting, so I decided to return later in the day (without Percy).

Once Evan had eaten his lunch we went back out on another walk to the fair. It was so interesting – fantastic organic and ‘green’ products with the most stunning craft work and knitwear (not sure you need much of that here in Kenya, but stunning, none the less). Evan had a total blast in the kids’ playground, including his first time ever on a swing – which was a massive hit!

 One of the stalls sold the most beautiful picnic blankets with traditional Kenyan fabric on one side and then a waterproof layer on the other. I didn’t have enough money with me to buy one, but most definitely will soon. I got chatting to the owner of the business who was lovely and lives just a few roads away from us – so perhaps another opportunity to make a friend just there.

The other great thing was the food. Specifically an Indian stall that had the most amazing smells wafting out into the fair, compelling me to stop there for sure. I bought a ‘take-away’ paneer palak with naan bread which I ate for dinner. Delicious, very spicy, but delicious.

I’m still feeling homesick and a little sad, but at least we got out the house today and did something, saw people and had some new experiences and enjoyed the sunshine. 

All in all, not a bad day in Africa.

Giraffes and more

14^th May 2011.  Yesterday Mark had the afternoon off and we took Evan to see some giraffes at the Giraffe Centre, conveniently located in the same suburb that we live in, Karen. They are the most adorable creatures, with those huge eyes and never-ending eyelashes. The giraffes at the centre have all been rescued and are very tame – visitors can feed them and stroke them. Mark and I really enjoyed it, but I’m not sure Evan really understood what we were seeing. He was a bit surprised when one of them licked his hand (Percy licks him regularly), but overall – he wasn’t nearly as impressed as we were!

Mark & Evan feed a giraffe

 While we were there, I saw my first cat in Nairobi. (Although, when we were out on a walk earlier this week, I saw a rat that had been run over in the road … and let me tell you, it was bigger than some cats I’ve seen in my life. I’m hoping desperately that we never get one of those at our house!). Anyway, this cat was happily snoozing on the stairs and all I could think about was our lovely cats, Thandi & Billy, that we left behind in Jo’burg. They are ‘boarding’ with a good friend Viv, whose love for cats is legendary – so they’re in a very happy place. Kind of like being told you have to leave your house, but you can stay indefinitely in the penthouse suite at the Michaelangelo hotel. So while I know they’re in good hands, I still miss them terribly. Especially at night when they used to come and snuggle up with me. Viv – please give them a big cuddle from us?

 The very missed Thandi & Billy

The other thing I did yesterday was to take Evan to his new nursery school to register him to start in the new school year in September. He got all shy and clingy when introduced to his class – but then warmed up to all the toys and the slide. I can’t believe my little boy will soon be going to school! Even if it is only for 3 mornings a week and accompanied by his nanny! Speaking of which, we did decided on one, and Grace is starting with us on Monday morning.

Mark left early this morning for his management conference at the Vic Falls. He has a stopover in Jo’burg both on the way there and the way back, but I’m sure the event will be stunning! Maybe when the next one comes around in 2 years time, Evan will be old enough to leave with someone for a few days and I’ll be able to join Mark and have some R&R too.

Evan 'driving' as Mark left for the airport this morning

 A special shout-out to my cousin Ande in Melbourne who turned 40 today and then to my good friend Louise and my sister-in-law Cheryl, who turn 40 tomorrow. Wishing all of you a super birthday and fabulous decade ahead.

Happy weekend everyone xxx.

Nannies, Playdates & Sushi

11^th May 2011.  This morning interviewed 4 potential nannies/helpers. It’s remarkable how educated they all were and all had good, relevant experience. So on paper, they’re pretty much equal. I’m hoping to see one or two more this week and then make a decision, but one really stood out for me. It doesn’t really matter what position you’re hiring for, in the end it’s a lot about gut instinct really. So with any luck, we’ll have a helper start on Monday! It’ll be brilliant for Evan, because although he has managed all this change so well – his constant has been me & we’ve been together pretty much 24/7 for a few weeks now. So if he can connect with someone else, we can conquer some of the (both of our) separation anxiety.

I called the girl I met at the restaurant we went to on Sunday yesterday and Evan and I have a play-date set up for Saturday afternoon. WooHoo! Obviously at this stage I’m way more excited about it than he is! I’m hoping it is a start to making some friends and getting a circle of contacts and support set up here; which will make life so much easier and ‘fuller’ for us here in Nairobi. Because, in my first week here, the only thing that has been an issue for me at all, is missing my friends and feeling a little isolated. I think that’s also because I don’t have a car yet. If I did, I have not doubt that I’d have Evan strapped in the back and Percy perched up front while we just cruised the area, found our bearings and our way round etc.

 

Speaking of Percy, he is starting to settle in a bit better. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to keen on the Kenyans yet – barks insanely at all of them. I think he’s barked more here in a week than I’ve heard him bark in his 5 years. What is funny is that nobody in Kenya seems to have ever seen a Pekingese before. Everyday when we go out walking, he attracts the most amazing amount of attention – people just stare and stare, some have even asked me if he is really a dog!

Tonight we’re going out for dinner with one of Mark’s colleagues and we’re going for Sushi. Yum. I’m so excited to be going out (even if Evan will have to come along in his pram) and so hoping it’s good sushi. Hold thumbs that they have a take-away service, because that would definitely add serious value to my life….

Happy Mothers' Day

Sunday 8^th May 2011. I’ve had a fabulous Mothers’ Day – my first of a few we'll celebrate here in Nairobi. Unfortunately Evan didn’t get the memo about allowing me to lie in a little on this auspicious day, so our good day started just a little before 5.00am. 

My boy and I

My boys – Mark, Percy & Evan – spoiled me with two novels and a beautiful cardigan. Very nice and very impressive that they achieved this after only a few days in the country I think. After breakfast, showers, etc. we went on a nice walk around the neighbourhood. Some of the properties here are absolutely enormous, but they look so established and the gardens so lush and lovely. Percy got a little tired after ½ an hour, so we had to come home.

Then we went out for lunch to a restaurant called Tamambo that is located inside the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden. It’s really beautiful with great gardens and some historic houses that belonged to the Blixen family. We had some good food (delicious brownie dessert) and relaxed in lovely sunshiney weather.

Our family (without Percy :-))

Evan met up with some other kids and made friends with a very cute little 18-month-old girl. The upshot of his sociability is that I got to meet her mother – she seems lovely and gave me her number to get together in the week. She has a playgroup to introduce us too and said she can also help with stuff like a good pediatrician, GP, etc. in the area. Info worth it’s weight in gold really! So maybe Evan has found himself a girlfriend and I’m on my way to making my first friend here too!

Happy Mothers’ Day everyone xxx.

Lovely gardens to keep Evan busy

Swedo House, a museum on the property

I need a bottle opener.

Friday, 6^th May 2011.   Today I really missed home. Usually on a Friday afternoon, my good friend Louise & I meet up with our two little boys and sometimes some other mums & babes too, at a very child oriented spot for a play date and our regular Friday afternoon tea of wine and lemon meringue cake. Her boy Liam is 6 weeks older than Evan, and they have been besties since they were born – whether they like it or not! So this Friday, being my first in Nairobi, was a little sad as it made me think about what I’ve left behind in Jo’burg and how much I still have to achieve here in Nairobi … making new friends being very high on that list!

Melancholy aside, I did go back to the supermarket today & had the driver wait rather than trolley push for me. Progress. Checked out all the stuff on offer and generally found everything I was looking for is available here, with the exception of fish fingers. And there are some fruit & veg I’ve never seen or heard of before – will have to google the names, find out more and try them out I think.

Something very unusual is that the margarine is not found in the fridge – it is packed in the normal shelves. And if you do put it in the fridge it goes unusably hard – it’s manufactured to live in a cupboard or whatever. Makes you wonder what is in it, doesn’t it? Tastes okay though.

Mark got home fairly early today and cooked us a delicious dinner of ‘chops chutney’ with paratha. I was so looking forward to having a glass or two of a very lovely bottle of red we have,  but of course, we don’t have a bottle opener! So I settled for a Corona instead.

Looking forward to a family weekend (Mark isn’t even playing golf) and spending some more time getting to know our new neighborhood together.

Happy weekend everyone! 

Africa Time

5th May 2011.
Today was a lesson in African time. After thinking things were running so smoothly and sorting themselves out very nicely, today was a reality check.

 The DSTV installation guys who said they'd be here at 12.00 arrived at 3.30  - only after numerous calls from both Mark and I threatening to take the business elsewhere (presuming that 'elsewhere' would provide better service of course).  Then the people who I'd phoned to come and measure for curtains who said they'd be here at 10.00, arrived at 4.00 - admittedly, they did phone to say they'd be running a little late...


Anyway. The upside is that we now have DSTV and will hopefully also soon have some curtains in the lounge at least. 

I'm going to have to adjust my inner and outer clocks and remember that really, I'm in no rush at all.

Welcome to Nairobi

After a very early start on the 3^rd May that included dropping my very distressed dog off at 5.30am with the Animal Travel crowd and checking in at Jo’burg airport with an epic amount of luggage plus one 14 month old child – we made it to Nairobi in the early afternoon. Percy, our precious Pekingese, arrived a couple of hours later and had to wait even more hours to go through customs, a state vet check and other red tape to be released. But by 7.00pm – we were all together in our new home in Karen.

With our shipment of furniture from SA only expected in 6-8 weeks, we rented some basics to get us by. And basics they are. The house is pretty big (but it seems there is no in between around here – just the two very ends of the scale to choose from) and we have a bed in our room, a camp-cot in Evan’s room, 2 small couches and a TV in the downstairs lounge, a mini dinette in the dining room and that’s it! So we have a whole heap of empty rooms that make the house echo a little. I guess it’s like camping with some very good bathroom facilities!

In case you are fooled by some of the pics which don’t show any gates, fences etc. – I should be point out that the house is in a compound (kind of like a cluster complex) and that there are very high walls with electric fences on the perimeters and security guards with controlled gate access. So not quite Utopia, still Africa.

Yesterday was our first full day here and we had some tasks. I should start by saying that my car is also being shipped from SA, so it won’t be here for some time yet. In the meantime, Mark and I are sharing a car and a driver. Dun, the driver, picks Mark up for work early in the morning and takes him to the office – and with Nairobi’s hideous traffic (I’ll never complain about William Nicol again) that can take up to 4 hours for the return trip. Then I get to have Dun as my driver until he goes to fetch Mark again.

So yesterday we first went to arrange to have a satellite dish and DSTV installed – I need some entertainment, Evan needs CBeebies & Mark has to have Supersport. Apparently our PVR decoder doesn’t work here which means we have to buy a new one! Other than that little hitch, the process was pretty easy; in fact, I’m expecting installation today.  Next on our agenda was a visit to the recruitment agency to hire a helper/nanny for our home. All going well, they’ll have a few people for me to interview early next week and I’ll find someone who works well with us and especially with Evan.

Then came the interesting part. We went off to Nakumatt, the local supermarket, to do some shopping. I’m not sure exactly what I expected, but I didn’t think that Dun the driver would come in with me to push the trolley for me. I’ve been doing that pretty successfully on my own for a very long time now! I found it so strange to have him follow me around the shop that I forgot half of what we needed and didn’t feel I could linger and check out all the stuff that they stock locally. Basically, I flew around the supermarket pushing Evan in his pram, chucking things into Dun’s trolley at speed just wanting to get out and to not feel so uncomfortable. So my plan is that for the next supermarket visit, Dun can wait for me outside or in the car, and I’ll linger to my heart’s content and check out all the goodies on offer here in Nairobi. It was pretty nice to have someone bring in all the shopping from the car though…

And just in case you didn’t get how bad the traffic is here, it took Mark 2 and ½ hours to get home.

 The very empty & curtain-less downstairs lounge.
 

 Another empty room.

Evan and Percy on the patio.

Evan's new favourite play-place - very tough on my nerves

The road our complex is on.

It may only be temporary, rental furniture - but Percy has already assumed the position.

The back garden.

 The house from behind (back garden view)