Maasai Market and Friends

Saturday 6th October

Today was a pretty chill day - stayed in bed til 8 (what a luxury) and had a lazy breakfast with everyone before heading into Nairobi city centre to go to the big Maasai market there. We had a really interesting chat over breakfast about American politics amd how the system works and all that jazz - Jennifer said that with their parties in America, people either vote for their interests, what will help them in their life; or vote for their principles, (or something like that). I thought it was an interesting and quite well put take on things. The American voting system blows my brain.

Anyhow - me, Cordelia, Kait, Destiny, Bailey, Jennifer and Stephanie took the bus into Nairobi and spent the day wandering through the shops and buying lil bits n bobs and had a nice lunch out for Kait and Destiny's last day :(

Nairobi city was pretty crazy though - felt quite big and very busy. I was slightly surprised to see massive glass buildings too like ones you'd see in London and western cities, that juxtaposed with the street children who follow you asking for money is just another example of the crazy contrasts I'm seeing here.
After lunch we went on another mini adcenture...we all went to a tattoo parlor Cordelia knew and she, Kait and Bailey got tattoos! It was really fun going all together and they looked really good - I was tempted but when reminded of the Hep C and infection risk I decided I'd rather not!

I'm also getting myself a lilllll bit worried (surprise surprise!) I feel like I've been a bit liberal with my spending, jumping at the chance to go on excursions and also wanting to by all the amazing handcrafted Maasai things...I've booked ziplining tomorrow and the Maasai Mara safari for next weekend which I am looking forward too, everyone's said I have to go! But from now on I need my sensible head on and I won't be spending much more on things I don't really need, I have 3 weeks left after all!! It's all going to people that need it though. By booking trips through Marafiki and their Voluntours company, a percentage of the money goes back to the community and to local charities and things, so it's doing a bit if good too :)
(I've done some math and I should be fine, again I almost feel guilty worrying about this kind of thing - I am so lucky and some people here have so little... That's why I came here tho I guess, to give a bit back).

I also went to go and meet up with my fairy godmother that adopted me on the plane, Lydia, after we went to Nairobi. It was so nice to catch up with her and she's just as crazy as ever. After my Uber adventure to go find her we went and briefly met her husband, Brett (he makes knives and leather sheaths, what a guy), and their pals that live here too - they were at a local watering hole watching football and waiting for the rugby time start! So British, they were all really nice guys and we had a lil chat and stuff - i actually found it quite weird going somewhere and there being so many mzungus!!! Me and Lydia sat together and chatted about her business trip on Wednesday and the people she met and networked with - the more I'm getting to know her too the more I like her and am inspired too!

She's really made me feel like I have a lil safety net here if I need it - we went back to her house for a coffee (a proper coffee, was soooo good!) and a chat too which was so kind of her. It's a lovely place, beautiful garden and great design - they designed it themselves and had it all built... for £50,000!?!?! Really lovely house and in a nice area. Also got to meet her prized Maine Coon cats, Willow and Angus I believe, they're huge and beautiful and fluffy! She grabbed one and dumped him in my arms as soon as wee arrived, very sweet cats. (There's a possibility I made up the boy cat's name... I'm unsure!!)

He is handsome tho.

Was quite nice to step out of the volunteer bubble for a moment - into a very different bubble though. Again my thoughts about the contrast in lifestyles came to the fore. Just to get to Karen, the place near where Lydia lives, I drove past a huge shanty town that sprawled over the hills either side of the road, then 10 minutes later was into a place where politicians owned land and complexes that cost half a million pounds per acre, Lydia said. Just does not make sense, it's mad.

In our bubble though, me and Lydia bonded over the piano she had in the corner. I started playing I Giorni and she was very impressed and excited and played me some pieces too, it was nice, and also bonded over Barbara Streisand and old school musicals, singing The Spy Who Loved Me on the drive back! 

I feel like I've found a fabulous human and I'm very glad I met her - for all her madness she is still quite grounded. We also had a good chat about an actor's way of life and things if that's the route I want to take... was a good time.

I was back home (a little bit late) for tea and a final hour with the girls before they had to go - it does feel quiet without them! A fun farewell, Destiny fireman-lifted everyone one by one over her shoulder and span them round super fast, it was great. Sad to see them go ♡

Then a fun but chill hour in the bar - I'll have to try and get a picture of it - playing football with a tennis ball with Megan as Bailey played pool with Yvonne then Sophie, and then cards then bed! Sophie (to my right in the picture) is a pool MACHINE though, she takes no prisoners! 

Time for sleep before ziplining tomorrow - should be fun! 

Love to everyone back home xxx