Plaited, Weaved and Bleeding Scalps!

This morning I woke up happy, drank some strong coffee and skipped off to the Salon. Braided hair awaited me!

I was met by four lovely Kenyans waiting to cause me medieval torture! Under the veil of Kiswalhili banter which included a lengthy discussion on the extent of my dandruff, I quietly suffered.

If you have yet to have your hair pleated, let me explain. It’s a scary mess of hair knots, scalp stretching pain and tiny little braids. I honestly wanted to cry at least 3 times! What was I thinking!

Then... I looked in the mirror. What greeted me were tiny, meticulous braids that flared at the end (since my hair doesn’t stay put) and a balding look that only suits a select few. I’m not sure I’m part of that few but I don’t care.

I like the fact I only have to wash my hair every month or so... and get to use waxy-oil on my scalp. I like it a lot.

And frankly, I’m excited to hear what my Sudanese Pregos think of it all. I’m betting they laugh pretty hard! ;- ) I like it when they laugh.

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.

Can-buch-what? and the ‘Bean Sprout of life’.

When the nearest grocery store is 4 hours away, you tend to look at food a bit differently. Everything becomes intentional. You have to intend to eat that day. You have to wake up with a bit of determination and a lot of gumption. You have to think outside the rice crispy cereal box.

Such is my new life.

I’m not saying that I drink cows milk straight from the teat or slaughter monkeys for meat. In fact, I (thankfully) don’t have to think much about food. We have a wonderful cook who deals with that. But... for her, cooking means canned beans and toast.

Now, please do not think I’m complaining here. Because I am not. We eat very well in Tonj and I’m very thankful for it! I’m just saying... when the nearest grocery store is hours away, you tend to look at food differently. Yes, you even become a bit more intentional.

So, what are my intentions? Well these days, it’s Kambucha and Bean Sprouts.

Let me explain.

Kambucha for those who are unfamiliar is a chinese fungus that you culture in sweet tea for a week and a half until it ferments and grows even more fungus. This beautiful, petulant and freaky beverage is full of billions of little lactobacilli. It’s super healthy and yummy to boot! Love the stuff! (Side note: I actually found this in Kenya! Unbelievable but true! Thank you random health food store! You rock!)
 
The bean sprouts are another story. A friend gave me the starter kit and told me to grow my own bean sprouts in Africa. I didn’t know what to think at first but I’ve done it a few times and I love it! There is something extra special about having little plants grow on your window sill. It’s even better when you get to eat them.

So... there you have it. Two of my new coping mechanisms. They may seem strange to you. But to me they are the spice of life... achem... I mean the bean sprout of life!

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"

33 yrs of blessings!

I particularly liked the spelling of my name!

This week I turned 33 years old and honestly...  sometimes it’s hard to believe. There are things I thought I would have and do by now but haven’t. But then again, there is a list twice as long of things I’ve had the joy of experiencing. As I look back over my life, I can’t imagine living this adventure any differently. Sure, I would have avoided those freaky wave bangs of the 80’s and probably would have at least tried out for some kind of sport in High School... but all in all, no complaints.

It’s been a great 33 years. I pray the next round is just as fabulous.

One of my sisters got me a ‘special delivery’ package through a short term team and I’ve kept it to open on my birthday. It was a beautiful yellow dress. Oh! So African! I felt so thrilled to have a nice dress to wear to church. (Here, you get dressed to the hilt for Church service! I’ve been worried I would have nothing to wear.)

After church, I celebrated my birthday with missionary friends at an Italian restaurant called Medditeraneo. It was absolutely marvelous! When our server found out it was my birthday he offered me a dessert of my choice. Raspberry Cheesecake! Of Course!

But I asked him kindly NOT to sing “happy birthday” to me. (I have issues with the song. It’s like nails on a chalkboard.) If he insisted on singing, perhaps he could do it in his local language, I suggested. This confused him somewhat.... and I could hear a long discussion about it with some of the other staff in the background.

However when my most excellent cheesecake came out... it was followed by ALL the staff (including the kitchen!) singing in Swahili. It WASN’T the happy birthday song... but some chant in my honor. I loved it!

The best part was one of the chefs was beating out the rhythm with serving spoons! Priceless!

It was certainly a birthday to remember. If I can ever get the song video uploaded on youtube, i'll link it here. :- )