March Break

 After our trip to the TreeHouse during the week of March Break, we spent the rest of our vacation in Nairobi: hanging out, getting some rest, and getting caught up on some things.  And we did eat at some new restaurants -- to combat the "self-catering vacation" (oxymoron).

Because it is a multicultural city, the most fun part of eating out in Nairobi is the variety of choice available.  The worst part of eating out is the drive to the restaurant.  The most challenging part is getting a bill when you are ready to leave.  We usually ask for the bill when we receive our food.  We have waited up to an hour to get a bill.   

 We had delicious pizza at a hard-to-find cafe.  We ate at a new El Salvadorian open-air cafe.  We enjoyed the teppanyaki grill at a Japanese restaurant.  Each time we took someone different with us so we were able to enjoy good food and good company that we don't usually have time for.

The Treehouse

For the first few days of March Break, we traveled north of Nairobi to a getaway called Malu Farm.  It was a 1.5 hour drive to Naivasha Town and then 11 km on a dirt road to the farm.  That 11 km took 45 minutes.  And we used our 4 Wheel Drive Low.  A regular car would never make it on the worst roads we have traveled in Kenya (so far).  I can not begin to describe the feeling of being thrown around the vehicle, using all the grab bars available, and a back ache that would not quit.  Locals say that the bumpy roads are part of the "charm" of this location.  

We stayed in The Treehouse with our friends, the Pruitts.  It was a large house with a loft and a full kitchen.  Being "self-catering" means that Mom spends her vacation preparing meals for the rest of the family -- much like at home, when not on vacation.... hmmm....   However, this kitchen was beautiful and well-stocked with tools.  But the people who designed it were obviously giants.  Anne Marie and I are actually standing on the floor in the above picture.  Thankfully there was a delicious Italian restaurant on site -- you only had to drive over those terrible roads to get there.

The Treehouse offers little in the way of entertainment -- so we made our own:  watching the hippos in the river; reading; playing SkipBo and Zilch and chess and Yahtzee; eating snacks (that mom prepared); having a bonfire; watching Colobus and Sykes monkeys.  One of the boys' favourite past-times was playing with their electronic DS in "the basket" -- a large hamper that fit all four of them at once.  It was especially popular in the cool mornings (they would take hot water bottles with them).

Malu Farm is in the middle of a cedar forest and the furniture in the cottages is made on site and very beautiful.  Visitors are able to tour the workshop and purchase cedar items.  We also could see the chickens, horses, donkeys on the farm and the boys took a turn milking the cow.
 

During the day, the temperatures got very warm.  In the afternoon we made a habit of going to the "Plunge Pool" to cool off.  This is a hot tub of sorts, made from the hot springs coming from the mountain.  One of the kids called it magical!  It was on a small creek in the woods and was a very quiet escape -- from the roads that you had to travel to get there.

 The trip home to Nairobi was uneventful but interesting as always.  This is one of the vendor stands along the way -- selling fresh fruits and vegetables.  There were also places to buy sheep skin rugs and hats, geese, chickens.

Settling In

Thanks to so many who have sent thoughts, prayers, and money for Cathy and her family.  You recall that after Cathy's home was broken into, her family moved the very next day because of fear that the robbers would come back (they had a key).  Cathy lived in a very unsafe neighbourhood for 2 weeks while they looked for a new place.  On March 1, Cathy, Ken, and Rickie moved to a much more secure home.  I gave Cathy my camera to take some pictures to share with you.

 Like their other home, this one has one room for living, sleeping, eating.  Cathy has been able to purchase a few things to re-establish her home.  She also received several donations of basic items -- sheets, blankets, pots, utensils.

What is wonderful about this new home is that they now have their own toilet!!  With running water!!  Cathy is so excited about this and she giggled like crazy when she told me that she even has a shower now.  Imagine!

There is a small area, shared with other people in the village, where Rickie can safely play.  One concern that still remains is that Cathy does not have child care for Rickie in this new home.  At the old home she left Rickie with a neighbour when she went to work.  She now has to make new arrangements.  There is a pre-school nearby that will accept Rickie (age 2) beginning in May.  This stilll leaves some time without a good arrangement.

One of the saddest things for me was that Cathy's water filter was stolen.  But we were able to use a donation from kind friends to buy her a replacement.  Cathy was so grateful for this new stainless steel filter.

One downside is that this home is a bit further away from their work.  Cathy and Ken now have to take two matatu (20 minutes driving).  But it seems this is a small price to pay for a beautiful new home in a safe area.

Max is 12 !!

Friday March 5 was Max's 12th birthday!  We had a party after school at the end of a long week.  He invited 12 boys from Grade 6 and everyone had a great time.  We have entered a new stage of life with boys -- success of a party is dependent on the food.  The boys made their own mini pizzas.  They just kept eating and eating!

The cake was angel food topped with whip cream, mangoes, and ice cream.  Whipping egg whites at this elevation is no easy chore but this year Lisa was excited to have a beater!


The boys also had some pool time.  It was a very hot day so a swim was refreshing. The boys had fun with water guns and splashing around.