Mombasa, Kenya
I’ll try to make this shorter than my last post. Sometimes I’m a real detail person (I said sometimes). Currently, this update is coming to you from an Internet Cafe here in Mombasa, Kenya (I think I spelled that right). Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a photo uploaded as I’m dealing with a 128K line here and no way of making the photos smaller. Life is interesting without my own computer – a serious challenge for me.
Anyway, on Monday we made the 8 or so hour drive down from Nairobi to Mombasa. It was a beautiful drive going from an altitude of 6000 or so feet to sea level and the heat index went up as we drove. Here in Mombasa its about 35 degrees celcius (near 100 F) but the humity (being on the India Ocean) is extremely high. I feel like my sister who lives in Savannah, GA but with less air conditioning. Well, the drive was beautiful and we got to see zebras, wilderbeasts, donkeys and monkeys on the drive down. We also had a wonderful lunch at this “Oaisis” where I got a club sandwich – not what is typically in a North American club but it still tasted really good. Once we arrived at our hotel, everone went for an immediate swim to get cooled off and it was extremely refreshing.
Tuesday we spent relaxing around the hotel swimming and trying to stay cool. I also have to say its a little different sleeping under netting to keep the bugs out every night but all in all, its been good. Alex, who is highly alergic to bug bites, has only had two however one was over his eye so when you do see pictures – he’s not winking at you. Or he might be and you just can’t tell. His sense of humor has really grown lately. I also got my first glimpses of the Indian Ocean and as I did, some camels walked by.
Today, Wednesday, we met with a Kenyan friend of my in-laws and toured Fort Jesus – an old Portugesse fort built in the 16th century or something only later to be taken over by the Arabs and then the English. Very fascinating stuff. We then went for a traditional Kenyan meal. We’re still really full. Alex and I also spent some father-son time going out for ice cream and just talking like “men”. I’m praying that this will be a memory making trip for Alex in more ways than just being in Africa.
Well, in an attempt to keep this short (too late!), just wanted you to know that the family is doing great – we’re having a wonderful time catching up with most of Krista’s family (we are from three different continents with one more family from North America that couldn’t make it – We miss you Jud!) Alex is having a blast as the oldest child (but not being bossy) and its just good to catch up with everyone.
In case I don’t get back to this cafe before Christmas – Mom, Dad, Gina and everyone else – Merry Christmas! May your time be a wonderful experience of celebrating that greatest gift of all – Jesus, God’s Son.
