My last day in Kenya. Strangely I feel a bit sick and nervous just like I did before I came here. It’s because the whole world is about to change for me… in the next 24 hours… and Nothing will be the same.
I am also looking forward to it, to getting home and seeing and speaking to everyone I have missed.
Kitengela is the same dustbowl in the wilderness that it always was, a small littered town on the road to Tanzania. Since I’ve been gone, the Chinese Army have surfaced part of the road through the town. The rest of the road is in an amusing state, with lumps of packed earth blocking off the street and diversions, or “deviations” (as I saw one sign labelled) directing the traffic into the dusty litter at the roadside. It is wonderful to be back with my Kenyan family; they really do everything to make me feel like I have an actual home here. Peter ran to me and gave me a big hug as I came through the door. When David saw me he said “Son!”, and hugged me too. I rested, then became dismayed at finding the belongings I left here because I had no idea how to fit them into my backpack with the rest of my stuff. I have managed to solve this problem though, due to the fact that I plan to wear all of my clothes on the journey home. I am already feeling the cold here of Nairobi weather though, which doesn’t bode well at all! Peter has learnt to kick his football higher than himself, and seems more talkative than before I left. Yesterday we were sitting on the sofa eating dinner – chapatti, beef, cabbage, stewed vegetables, and pineapple for dessert! – and Peter started a long conversation explaining something to me with lots of gestures and a very intent look in his eyes. He was particularly verbose and enthusiastic in this conversation and I wished I understood, but unfortunately I have no idea at all what he was talking about.
I have missed everyone here since I’ve been away travelling on the coast. It is so relaxing and easy to feel at home; I never expected this to be possible, when being so far away from my actual home. I played with Peter and his Lego truck, sitting on the floor, and watching Hitman with David. Anne came in to serve up dinner, and tripped over Peter who was lying on the floor. He didn’t really notice. By 8pm everyone is home except Priscilla who is still in Nairobi. We all watch Storm Over Paradise, the farcical yet brilliant Central American soap, and I can’t help myself from making exclamations at the screen, because I have missed so much: resurrections from the dead, births of babies, new lovers, old lovers, hospitalisations, imprisonments, court trials, blackmail threats, revealed identities etc. I intended to go to bed afterwards but Priscilla came back and I stayed up talking to her, and then played football with Peter, which woke me up completely.
Today I was intending to meet a friend from Korrompoi school, but I spent 45 minutes waiting at the KCB bank for her and then decided to go. Everyone is late all the time here, but today I have a lot to do. I went to Eastmatt for the last time, spoke to the security guard, and he and some other staff asked when I am coming back to Kitengela. I honestly have absolutely no idea. I may yet see her, Kitengela is a small town, and I am very easy to spot, since I am now the only white person in the town.
I am online now to check in for my flight, and then it’s back to pack!
Soon be home!