Nancy & Kenya: All That I Dreamt Of & Much, Much More...

Welcome to my first blog since returning from Kenya, where I'll attempt to recall some of my experiences and adventures whilst following my heart, as well as persuing all my hopes and dreams alongside the lovely Nancy.

I signed off my previous blog with the following quote...
 "I'll be back in the UK in a couple of weeks,
  With a pint on the table, and yarns by the yard,
  A story to tell, and a story to save..."
...and now I will try to tell you some of these stories!

The first and most important thing which most people want to know is just how it went when Nancy and I finally met after previously only conducting our relationship on the internet and phone. Well, it was an amazing, special and precious moment. After an eight hour flight to Nairobi, it then took me over an hour to get through customs and immigration, before I finally made it to 'Arrivals'...where I was confronted by a wall of people all awaiting their respective loved ones. After a brief scan along the line of people I couldn't see Nancy, but then suddenly I caught a glimpse of a beaming, beautiful smile, followed by a call of, "Hi hunny!". Nancy had spotted me! She ducked under the barrier and ran into my arms to greet me with a big, warm hug. We kissed and embraced, and it was just like we'd known each other forever. We were instantly comfortable together and then spent the next ten minutes laughing and repeating to each other that we couldn't believe that we were finally together...it was one of the best and happiest moments of my life!

After an overnight stay in a hotel near the airport in Nairobi (yes, we had a wonderful night...but gentlemen don't kiss-and-tell!), we travelled across the city to the central bus station amongst chaotic and jammed traffic, where we took the seven hour ride to Nancy's hometown of Kisumu. A brief taxi trip to the nearby village of Dunga followed, (where I'd be staying for the duration of my visit), and I then briefly had a whistle-stop tour of her family and the surrounding neighbourhood.
We spent the next three days and nights based at a guest house ('Joy's Place'), and our first night there was very interesting to say the least! Lying in bed after a romantic evening, a lightening and thunderstorm broke out overhead, which added to the atmosphere, when suddenly the romance was shattered...the torrential downpouring of rain was coming inside and flooding the bed! But we still enjoyed plenty of fun beneath the mosquito net!

Talking of mosquitos...despite pleny of preventive measures, no amount of repellent spray, nets over the bed, and covering up naked flesh was gonna deter the pesky buggers...I've been bitten from head-to toe, but hey...that's the price you pay for holidaying in Africa by Lake Victoria, and by the equator. And talking of Lake Victoria...we really enjoyed swimming in the warm fresh water, both by Redgate and by Hill Camp.
In fact the majority of my time spent with Nancy was taken up either relaxing by the water, or drinking Tusker beer whilst overlooking the lake.
Other past-times including eating hand-cut chips, smokies (sausages), sipping vodka with the boys, smoking the occassional local tobacco (or similar), chillin' behind Nancy's parents business whilst performing push-ups (don't ask!), and riding helmetless on the back of a motorbike (as all the locals do to get around). One such trip involved trying to get home on the back of a motorbike in the middle of lightening and with a thunderstorm raging all around, before getting absolutely soaked!

So, all things considered I enjoyed a wonderful time. Certain specifics obviously will stay between Nancy and myself, as like I said previously...gentlemen don't kiss-and-tell. But the whole ambience, rhythmn and culture was an absolute pleasure to experience. Nancy really looked after me, and I felt very loved, honoured and humbled to be with her.
Many people expressed their concerns for my safety prior to my trip, but I must say that all the locals in Dunga made me feel so welcome, and treated me superbly. There was a certain fascination with the 'white man' in the village, as well as a love for my shoes and my cap, and I can confirm one thing...I am definitely returning to Kenya!

My intention is to spend Christmas and New Year with Nancy, her lovely daughter Jojo (pictured with us both) and the rest of her family and friends, as we continue to enjoy our special long-distance relationship.

Until next time, may I wish you all a fantastic Easter weekend...and Nanshu', please know that I wish I could be joining you all at Hippopoint and Hill Camp...Have a fun weekend baby girl.

Steve Muskett