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Helen in Africa
The first entry, the day before I fly to Nairobi, comes from Mandie's flat in Islington, North London. Six volunteers who met in Nepal and an army of folk from UCL gathered here on Friday to celebrate Mandie's birthday. It was great to see everyone again and we had a weekend of eating, drinking and conversations in the park, all of which were dominated by the laughter and banter that seem to come naturally to us when we are together. If I meet a group of folk I like half as much as those I met in Nepal I am sure to be in good company.
Since the others left I have waved mum of to South Africa, been cooked for by Mandie's lovely flatmate Alex and trailed Camden market for some cheap last minute essentials. The most satisfying of my London purschases is the Ukulele I bought just off Brick Lane. For those of you who don't know this is a very small guitar with four strings which I can fit in my rucksack and will hopefully learn to play while I am in Kenya. I'm very fond of her. We seem to have made an instant connection. She's green and I've named her Janet after my grandmother. Not too sure how granny would feel about that, haha!
I wish I had the money to do more while I'm here but I'll head out to the Tate modern and walk through Regent's park on my way to get my visa from the Kenyan embassy. It's a great city to walk in. Then Mandie and Alex and I are off to see some live music tonight before I head off to Heathrow at 05.30 (!) I do love London, but after spending two fantastic weeks on Iona with Celia and Michael just before I came, I admit I'm missing the tranquil surroundings and familliar faces. However, travelling girls have got to move on and I'm looking forward to being able to settle into my volunteering for a while in Nairobi before heading off for a couple off weeks in Mombasa and Zanzibar (pictured) in September if my finances allow. My project is prepared so that's a weight off my mind and I'm now excited about the challenges that lie ahead and to geting to know the Kenyan people.
Thank you for all your supportive messages.
love to everyone,
Helen xxx
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