Welcome to my first 'An African Adventure' blog for quite some time...and it will probably be the last for a while too! After uploading all my photograph's to Facebook from my holiday in Kenya, I thought an update on here would accompany them nicely.
Unfortunately, my arrival was overshadowed by the horrific incident at Garissa University, and the consequences of this tragedy caused some of our plans to alter slightly. We had hoped to travel to Uganda, but with all the educational facilities being closely monitored with an additional security presence, as well as the onset of the very heavy rainny season, we felt it best to mainly remain in Nancy's home village, and limit our movements to local areas only.
I arrived via British Airways at Nairobi International Airport around 9.15pm local time on April 1st, and unlike last time I breezed through immigration and customs. The problem was my internal flight to Kisumu to be reunited with my love didn't leave until 6.15 am the following morning! Never mind, there were a few coffee bars open so I patiently passed the time until I could check in.
The internal flight with Fly540 was interesting to say the least! No screenings on any departures board, no tannoy announcements...just one final reassuring check with a stewardess that I was actually on the correct plane!
Once I arrived, I was greeted by Nancy at Kisumu Airport, who had been given a lift by her kind brother-in-law Andrew, and our great friend Kerry tagged along for good measure too. I was so buzzing to see her after almost a year that the fact that I hadn't slept for over 24 hours didn't register with me at all...that was to hit me later. We returned to Dunga village, and her parents compound where I saw for the first time our brand new house which has just been built over the previous few weeks. It wasn't completely finished, but it gave us some privacy and I loved our 'love shack'!
After reaquainting myself with Nancy (you know what I mean!), she then proceeded to give me a fashion show with all the clothes I had brought for her. Thankfully, they all fitted well and more importantly to me Nancy appreciated my taste in choosing her clothes.
In the afternoon we jumped on the back of a motorbike and headed into Kisumu with Kerry, where we enjoyed a few beers (Tusker!) and some food. On our way back the rains started so we just brought some provisions for our house warming party, as Nancy had invited loads of her friends around. Despite the weather we all enjoyed a great time, although as I earlier indicated I was totally shattered so I retired early to bed.
Over the next two weeks I caught up with the rest of Nancy's family including her beautiful daughter Jojo, and started to revisit old haunts from my last trip to the area, namely Hippopoint, Dunga Hill Camp, and Redgate. We enjoyed a great night at Hill Camp where I caught up with Nancy's good friend, also called Nancy, and many beers were consumed with much fun and laughter. I also met Nancy's good friend Johnny Anderpants (?) for the first time who is from the US, as well as countless others during my stay...they are all very good and decent people, and I feel extremely priviledged to have been made to feel so welcome.
We also ventured to some new bars which was amazing to experience, as well as meeting new friends. Joe's Bar was a regular nearby waterering hole where I was introduced to Belozzi lager, as well as some milk stout, but the best suprise was a bar in Nanga called Skyweb.
I made the mistake of stating that I was a decent pool player (back in the day!), so my friends were keen for me to try my luck against some local talent (see attached photo).
I was a little rusty at first but I took on allcomers and generally came out on top. This included a match-up against the bar owner Ken as well as numerous other challengers. In fact by the end of the evening I was proving to be quite a celebrity, as photographs were being repeatedly requested, and it was a bit overwhelming at times to be totally honest.
Other new places we visited included The Rooftop, Le Pearl, and Caro's (the latter two both sharing amazing views and sunsets over Lake Victoria).
Towards the end of my stay Nancy's dear friend Samora arrived from Nairobi so we met him in town and went clubbing which was good fun...even if Nancy left me exposed to the clutches of some local girls who wanted a piece of me! I kid you not, but as I said to the three of them...I am a one woman man!
The following morning, Nancy, Samora and I walked to Dunga Beach where they introduced me to a very special local brew which I can't remeber the name of, but what I do recall is that the best way to describe it was fermented porridge which was extremely potent!
As my stay drew to a close the inevitable sadness began to creep in on both sides, but we did have plenty of time to talk and plan for our future together...so watch this space. Nancy's parents gave me some lovely traditional native vases to bring home, which drew compliments when I took them through customs on my way home, and saying goodbye to everyone was very tough. At least I got to meet the new addition to the family in baby Fifi, and I was pleased to see that Nancy's niece Lucille hadn't forgotten me, and it was great to see the pride on her brothers face when he showed me his new business which had just opened.
The journey home wasn't the best, as the internal flight was redirected via Eldoret resulting in my connecting flight being delayed. This meant I arrived back in the UK at 6am on the day I was due to be back at work, so as you can imagine I was very tired and exhausted once I finally arrived at work at midday. So much so that I am still struggling as I write this blog...but never mind, all the trials and tribulations were worth it to spend some precious time with Nancy.
An amazing adventure was experienced once again, and we will be reunited again soon, someday, somehow. Always and forever Nanshu' and nakupenda mpenzi.
Steve Muskett
