Adventures of Amy

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Arrived in San Antonio

I have finally made it home!!! Landed in Dallas Monday night and hung out with my aunt & uncle in their home. It was soo nice to be able to relax, enjoy great company and conversation, & much needed rest!! And the hot tub was just amazing. For dinner we had salmon, broccoli, roasted red potatoes, and salad :) Emily & Krisit drove to SA early the next morning and I stayed in Dallas to spend time with my family and see my best friend from UMHB- Ashley. I met up with Ashley at Starbucks and we talked for over an hour! It was nice to share with her my adventures in Africa and get updated on each others lives. Then I made my way to Waco to see Katie & her husband Jesse in their new home. I had not seen Katie and Jesse since they got married just over 3 years ago and it was soo nice to catch up in person instead of over the phone.

The following day I stopped at UMHB to see the maintenance guys and tour the campus. Then I had a delicious lunch with Mrs. Kelley & Popa. While in college they became my "adopted" family through a program with the church and the college department. Every Sunday I would go to their home for a Thanksgiving size meal and some very strange new foods to me. I learned to always try a little of everything on the menu and found some favorite new foods like fried okra, deviled eggs, carrots, and many more yummy things. Spending time with their loving family is something that will stay with me forever. I was soo happy that I was able to spend time with them and enjoy another meal!!!

Arrived to San Antonio about 4:30 in the afternoon and about 15 minutes later Mrs. Garcia calls to see if I would like to join her to the SPURS game at 7:30!!!! I had not even unloaded my suitcases from the car but I said YES!!! Our seats were 4 rows behind the Spurs bench and I have had to pass on these tickets before due to work. So I jumped at the chance to see my favorite NBA team especially since I am moving to California and probably won't see them live again this season. :( So we got to the game early and I got MANU GINOBILI to sign my jersey :) Oh it was just amazing!!!!! I loved the entire game and Mrs. Garcia and I yelled and cheered the whole time!!!!!!

Will be posting pictures soon from the Safari, Africa, Emily's family, and so much more!!!!

Friday, January 1, 2010

New Year in Nairobi

Celebrating the New Year in a new country, in a new time zone, and with new friends was great!

We just relaxed at home instead of venturing into the city-- safety first! We watched the Devil Wears Prada and drank some wine too. Also, snacked on popcorn and leftovers from the past few meals. It was a nice relaxing way to start the new year.

And plus we are 9 hours ahead of the central time zone we were up when they celebrated their new year too! Then we ate breakfast and ventured to the Village, which is a shopping center near the US Embassy in a rather nice part of town. The UN headquarters for Africa is also located near this area as well. The UN here in Kenya is the only UN located in a third world country in the whole world!!!

We went to Masaai Marker which happens ever Friday in a open area of the mall. There are many little booths full of so many items for sale. Anything you could imagine was there! They has kikoys, jewelry of all kinds, dishes, wooden animals, clothes, shoes, beads, carved wooden birds, baskets, batiks, paintings, banana leave creativities, soap stone dishes, glassware, malachite, ebony wood, purses, baby dolls, picture frames and everyone wants you to buy something from their shop. It reminded me of some the booths and crowds during Fiesta in downtown San Antonio.

The mall their was open but most of the shops closed for the holiday. The food court was just booming with business! We ate some bahjahas which are like fried potatoes with some cilantro that are super yummy!!! It is usually served with fresh salsa, which I love!

Nairobi Java House

Yesterday was Kristi's birthday- she turned 25! To celebrate the whole family went to Nairobi Java House. Its like a Starbucks when related to the coffee items but also like a small cafe with many yummy food items too. Food includes omelets, burritos, pancakes, french toast, bagels. The best desserts in Nairobi, well according to Emily's mom. Also, she says that they serve foods that most Americans will enjoy!

I had the bacon and cheddar omelette that came with home fries and 2 pieces of toast. I ate the whole thing and loved each bite! I even put mixed fruit jelly on my toast which made it so delicious. Don't worry I took pictures . . . which I will try to post later.

Customer service here in Africa is a little different than in the states. At home everyone is in a hurry and on a time sensitive schedule. But here time is just something that is displayed on watches and clocks. At home people (including me) pull out their calendars to find time to visit with friends and family. Here people don't have schedules and most people don't plan things far in advance. And next week is far in advance for most Africans.

There is a saying that American's have watches and Africans have time. After being here for almost 3 weeks I am learning that that saying is very true. And that I really like that. Here people value more relationships with others over jobs and money. Everyone always has time for coffee or tea. And no one ever shows up right on time but is usually 15 minutes late or even more and no one seems to mind. It is African time here!!!

heres their website . . . nairobi java house

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Kitengela Glass

Yesterday for Emily's birthday we traveled down a very very bumpy road to a glass factory. It was actually very cool and reminded me of some of the things from First Friday in downtown San Antonio. All of the things made here are from recycled Kenyan glass or other recycled items. They have pottery, beads, and the glass factory.

The factory aka making glass process was on holiday break so we did not see actual items being made. However, I have seen glass made before. My first time at the Tacoma Glass Museum in Washington and the last time in Vermont with my cousin Apryl!

They had a whole room dedicated just to glass beads. You could even purchase individual beads or products such as bracelets, necklaces, key chains, and other items. They even had little bugs made from glass beads and wire. Also, these door coverings with long strings and lots of BEADS. I really liked this shop the best!!

The items they had for sale included glasses of all kinds, candlestick holders, vases, bowls, candy dishes, small jugs, apothecary bottles, and many other things too! All the glasses were pretty sweet. The areas in the store were separated by color which was nice. I really enjoyed the solid blue glass and the green glass too.

I will try to upload pictures before we head back to the states but the internet here is being really funny. I actually typed this whole blog entry already but the internet and the computer just turned off due to the electricity turning off and I lost everything!!! Well this is Africa and things like that happen a lot actually!

heres their website . . . kitengela glass check it out!

Well I better post this soon before I lose it all again.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

New Hair!!

So today I sat outside in the Kenyan sun for 4 hours while my entire hair transformed into tiny braids :) Even though I got a little sunburned it was worth it!!!

Here's a new picture of my hair . . . done by Esther