Finally found the internet... it's in Kenya

    I'm back! In case you hadn't noticed my father has been posting some photos and text messages on my behalf whilst I have been without a good internet connection in The Gambia. Since my last post a lot has happened. For one thing my Gambian Adventure turned into a full out African Adventure. The Gambia, Senegal, and now Kenya. An unexpected surprise which has turned into a great experience.

     There are two ways to get to Dakar, Senegal from the Gambia. One way is to take a half an hour flight, I like to call this the Easy Option. For those of us who can always seem to make things more complicated than they need to be there's option number two, also known as the Banjul/Dakar Safari. 2 ferries, several taxis, one bush taxi, two horse drawn carts, and a motorcycle are required to reach your final destination in the sand covered city of Dakar. As described by my father, its a more intense version of "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles",  and I can only say that I have never been in so many different vehicles in a period of eight hours. Not to mention the eight hour flight to Nairobi the following day.

    Now that I am in Kenya I have better access to the internet and will be able to update my blog more often. Being in Kenya is another amazing opportunity for me. On the weekends we go on safaris throughout Kenya and see all the beautiful wildlife and witness the different cultures. Starting today, during the week I will be working at Rafiki, a local orphanage for children whose parents have passed away due to HIV/aids, which is run by a family friend. I will keep posting now that I have internet! Thank you all for your support as I continue on my journey!
    Love always,
           No longer the ginger in The Gambia
                            Niamh "the ginger in Africa" xx

Welcome to Kenya.......Time for Some Relaxation and Recovery!!!

Initial impression is that this is no place for vegetarians.....

Had a great day at the Elephant Orphanage......they have Giraffes as well!!!

If only England had him in the World Cup.

Planes, Ferries, Automobiles, Motorcycles and Horses.......Also Known As "My Journey to Nairobi"

Jambo everyone!

  I just wanted to let you know that we have arrived safely arrived in Nairobi, Kenya after a very "interesting" trip from Banjul via Dakar, Senegal and Abidjan, Ivory Coast. 

For those of you familiar with the comedy film "Planes, Trains and Automobiles", I can confidently report that I have "out-trumped" it with 6 modes of transport.....or to be more precise....2 ferries, 4 taxis, 1 bush taxi, 2 horse drawn carts and 1 motorcycle :), plus a 8 our flight complete with no television !!!!.

As you know I was a bit apprehensive but I am feeling much better now we have reconnected with Auntie Sara and are at the hotel in the Kenyan capital.

 I am exhausted now and I am about to go take a shower (yay for hot water and flush toilets) and then take a much needed nap before updating my blog now that I have WIFI and access to a PC. 

All my love always,

Niamh

Week 6 Travels in the Black Pearl, Happy Independence Day and Countdown to Kenya

I can't believe I have been here for 6 weeks already!!
 It's been "go, go , go" since I have been here, moving between different properties that my Aunt and Uncle live in, here in The Gambia. 
By way of background, I should explain, they have been renting a house in Fajara, which is near Banjul, whilst their new house is being built in Medina Salaam. Therefore we travel on a regular basis between the 2 houses. In addition they have a beach hut, where we stay at the weekends.
 Fortunately, my Uncle Ebs has a nice SUV known as the "Black Pearl" that cruises the roads between Banjul and Gunjur. Here it is on "moving day" with a mattress on the roof!!

Next week I am off to Kenya with my Uncle Ebs, to help my Aunt Sara move back to The Gambia.  She has been away for nearly a month now, so I am looking forward to seeing her. In addition to visiting Nairobi I hope to do  short safari or two, so it won't be all work and no play. 

To get to Kenya we are first driving to Dakar in Senegal to catch the flight which goes to Nairobi via the Ivory Coast I believe, so 3 more countries to cross off my list of places I have been. 

I had my last day of teaching  today, as school will have broken up for the summer holidays, by the time I get back from Kenya. My class sang me a farewell song which was very sweet. 

Everyone in The Gambia seem to treat each other as part of an extended family. By way of an example, Mom's  just hand me their children . This is something my Dad told me would happen, but I did not believe him. (No Enya I will not be bringing a baby brother back with me as you requested, so you will have to make do with the goat I got you).

Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Americans. Originally we were due to attend a party at the American Embassy in Banjul to celebrate the day and I was looking really forward to a nice burger.

However,  the Embassy celebrated already without us. We hadn't realized but they had a breakfast on June 16. Although I don't know what kind of real American celebrate  BEFORE 4th of July and by eating breakfast.

 Anyway, I have made it to day 5 of Ramadan successfully. No food or water during the day!!!.