In Mbita!

I made it - finally. I don't have to worry about re-packing my bag anytime soon. Whew! I met Soti this morning at Tusky's (a HUGE supermarket) and we took a taxi to the ferry - which, incidentally, cost me the same as my taxi in Nairobi, even though the ride to the ferry was 2 hours and the taxi in Nairobi was 20 minutes! What a rip-off - but it was hired for me, so whatever. Mostly, it's just funny.

So, my first animal story. Last night, (still at YGC) I got out of the shower and went into my room, flipped on the light and there is a massive rat sitting on my bedside table. So, I did what any strong woman does - I screamed and jumped on a chair. Harold told me I should have stomped on it - I said I didn't have any shoes on and he asked "Why should that matter?" Okay, next time, maybe... Anyway, it immediately scurried out of my room, but I woke up all night thinking it was there again. I need to toughen up a little.

Okay, lunch time! More later...

.........

Okay, I ate (cooked cabbage, rice and scrambled eggs – mm, mm, good) – feeling much better. So, we made it to Mbita and I am at Soti’s house. It’s very nice – it has two bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room. Very simple and I get a space to myself, which is so nice. I will have to head back to Kisumu in two weeks in order to extend my visa – that was a story. When I came into Nairobi, I went to the visa counter, gave them all my paperwork and, when they asked what I was going to be doing, told them I was visiting friends and helping at a clinic. Well, this guy either doesn’t like mzungu’s (white people), was having a bad day or just decided to have it out for me, but he got all mad and lectured me about how I needed a special pass to do that in Kenya and I should have done my research, etc., etc… Then, he would only give me a four-week visa instead of a six-week visa – seriously, can you believe that? I was so mad, but didn’t want to make things worse – he could have just reneged the whole thing and then where would I be? It won’t be hard to extend, but a major pain. I’m pretty sure he was making everything up about the special rule – no one knows what he’s talking about when I’ve told them.

I’m having a great time – it’s been a little crazy, but I have this feeling it might be a little crazy the whole time. J Tomorrow to the clinic.