In Nairobi, I instantly recognized the smell of the city, the chaos of the streets, the busy nature of the people. While everyone was nice - it felt good to step off the overnight bus in Kisumu. Pam and I waited in the Bus Booking Office area from 3:30am - 6:30am until it was light enough to venture into the city. I was nervous, anxious, excited. Kisumu (even though I was only there for a couple months) was a place I had fallen in love with. As soon as we caught a matatu to Dorothy's everything was happening fast - walking up the path to her house - it was as if I was just there a week ago. I immediately recognized and remembered faces - and to my delight - everyone remembered and recognized me too! Dorothy ran out of her house, dressed in her best dress - she looks older and has been sick, but you couldn't tell when she first saw us. She prayed, hugged me a million times, said it was a miracle I had returned. I cried! We had some breakfast, slept like rocks for a few hours, then I gave Pam a tour of my old home! I can't even believe I was there for all that time. We went for a walk around the village as kids were coming home from lunch. The students did double takes of me before some of them yelled out "Chelsey, Muzungu teacher!" One even remembered the song - Old McDonald Had a Farm that I had taught them. I feel so happy, content, at home! The whole day and night visitors came and we reminisced. It was so fun to show someone from home where I had spent my time. We walked to the school and the orphanage to visit people there too and they were so happy to see me. It felt so great and amazing. At the orphanage I was almost brought to tears when Pam went to sign the guest book and I saw my name in it from two years ago, I looked at what I wrote under purpose for visiting "to grow, learn, and make friends"...wasn't that the truth!
Anyway, it is the morning of day 2 in Kisumu - we are in town now and things are great. Pam and I will pick up some things for Dorothy at the grocery store, we will go to the post office, visit the downtown market, have lunch, and head back home to the little village. I smiled when we got on the matatu yesterday to go to Dorothy's and the driver asked where we were getting off - "Paradise" is the bus stop right near her village.
Our luggage was found and is at the Kisumu airport, we will pick that up later too. The kids at the feeding center are great - they sang us songs this morning and we were sure to get it on tape. Dorothy doesn't have Malaria but is still a little sick, but she is going to the doctor again today and feeling slightly better.\
One last thing - my nieghbor girl named Lindsay (who is now in second grade and so tall!!!) ran into my arms and smiled her big smile as soon as she saw me - just like old times! I was sooo afraid that no one would remember me, but it has been the opposite and I am so happy to be back. Pam is also loving it here and is now a part of the community as well! Actually she was even proposed to on the bus this morning (but don't worry Korey, we showed them her ring and they apoligized! lol)
Peace to all and take care!
About Me
- Chelsey
- I started this blog in the Fall of 2008 to document my semester abroad. Now, the blog has turned into a journal of my most recent adventures! Stay tuned!
6 comments:
Thanks for calling this morning. I am so glad everything is what you remembered it to be. Very happy Dorothy is feeling better. You and Pam might have to take care of her for a few days.
I will call you in a couple of days. Hope everything turns out ok with the luggage.
Love you,
Mom
Keep up the blog we all enjoy it so much. Would love to see some entries from Pamela to hear what she thinks of the the village and the people.
Hey honey just checking something out with Grandpa to see if this will work on his computer. Love you girls
Sound like everything is going well so far despite a few glitches. Maybe you just have really bad luck with baggage and airports! Have a great time and I can't said to see you again. -Nick
Well, here it is Monday Morning about 11:45. Got most of my personally assigned chores done.Opened your blog to seeif you had posted any new stuff.
Guess you must not have been near an internet source.
Grandma is in white bear shopping at a consignment shop with Judy Rice.
It's partly cloudy with huge white mushroom looking clouds intermixed with clear blue skies. Pretty. But, there's a bunch of humidity hiding there. You can feel it building up.
Hope you and Pam are doing fine. If I remember right you'll be leaving for Tanzania. If you get chance to post something it would be great if you'd post your plans ...and, then followup later with the results of those plans.
Talk to you later. Lots of love,
Grandma & Grandpa
HI CHELSEY AND Pam.
Today is Monday and we know you will be leaving Dorothy's tomorrow,I'm sure it will be sad to leave the kids.
How is Pam holding up?.
I don't know where you are going next,will have to wait and find out.
Grandpa will have the map ready and start looking.
Please stay safe the two of you.
Love you. Grandma.
Grandma said " why don't you go on the internet to find a map of Kenya & Tanzania" . Good Idea.
Wow, got it so up close and personal I thought I'd be in the backseat of the bus...next to you. She's a good analyst and helpmate. Still love her a lot.
Well, Grandma played in a tournament today at Stillwater Country Club. she had a lot o fun...there was over 90 ladies playing.
Her team came in 3rd.
I played with Nicklaus at Sawmill. Just the two of us.We had a good time. After having a beer after the game I went over to Sam's. Filled up on gas and picked up a few things in the store.
What can I say Hon?
Be safe. Have fun. Watch out for each other. Keep posting on yur blog. It's great reading.
Love Grandpa
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