Tea to R&B... and everything in between.

This week started out with a walk among the tea gardens of Brackenhurst - a retreat center an hour’s drive north of the city. I spent the day with new friends, enjoying kids and talking of babies to come. It was excellent in every way.

 

Later on I went to the Nairobi National Museum and saw centuries of African culture alongside giant stuffed animals. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I were eight. But as a whole I found it very interesting. Mental note: African art doesn’t come in frames. It’s on gourds, pipes and elephant tusks.

A few days later, I found myself blistering in the African heat, dancing to Christian Rap artists and R&B beat mastas at the Share the Love charity concert. I love learning about new artists but love live music even more. I got to know the Kenyan side of Christian Rap with Julianni and Javen - and hear the heart of R&B with Dietrich Hadden and his crew. What a blast!

Then to finish my week in style, I joined a friend on a day trip to the country. I spent 7 hours in a car but saw amazing things along the way! I got to meet her family, hike a mountain, gather avocados, catch a chicken ... and ultimately see a new side of Kenya. I loved every minute of it.

Kissed by a giraffe

Kiss and Tell.

The giraffe center is a sanctuary for a certain breed of endangered giraffes. Years ago they rescued this species from poachers and possible extinction and now.... they kiss you in Thanks!

I found my way to the giraffe center over the weekend in an attempt to see these gentle beasts up close. Their stilted gliding walk and smooth bobbing heads make you stop and take note. They are mesmerizing in size and beauty.

I had to climb to the second floor to look them in the eye -- and try and get my smooches! These (almost*) gentle beasts quietly pass their days making out with strangers from countries far and wide! They don’t seem to mind who you are, so long as you have pellets in your mouth!

Kissing a giraffe is a lot like getting your face licked by a VERY large kitten. The tongue is raspy and warm... and if left to lick too long in one spot... you risk losing a layer of skin.

The first kiss I got was from a giraffe named Jack. After licking my face, he pulled his head away in disgust (you could see the disgusted confusion on his face!). He seemed to be saying,  “Yuck! That one didn’t taste right!” Apparently, giraffes don’t like make-up.

By the second kiss, he knew what he was getting into and didn’t protest. But he did slobber a lot. Kissing a giraffe was considerably more than I expected it to be. Don't judge me... but I liked it a lot.

*** I say they are almost gentle beasts because I’m told they can head-butt you unconscious if you don’t feed them fast enough. And.... if you have the misfortune of being kicked by one, you’ll be lucky to ever walk again, assuming you live. ***

Swahili Birthday Song

This is how Kenyan's sing "Happy Birthday"