Well, I have a mixed account of this week. Some of it has been amazing where other bits have been quite terrifying!

The kids are back at school this week, today was their first day back and has been so much fun. My class has about 20 students now which isn't as many as I thought and means I get to spend a lot more time independent teaching. Today I taught 9-9.50 then 10.20-12 then 2-4 so we get a lot done. English, Maths and Science are the main subjects but I may get to try my hand at social studies soon. The plan for tonight is lesson planning as they do the work so quickly. As soon as it's written on the board, they are asking for it to be marked. Being in school does keep me occupied and makes the time go faster though. Also it means that I don't have to talk to the guy in charge of the orphanage who is sooo corrupt it's ridiculous!

Yesterday I went to the beach for the first time, it was so nice, really beautiful and there were camels walking up and down. We sat and had some lunch then I actually went in the sea-up to my shoulders (which for anyone who doesn't know is a huge thing for me as I am sooo scared of the sea) I had to try soooo hard not to think of sharks! Afterwards, Lewis told me that there have been reports of sharks where we took the ferry but there weren't any in the sea where we were as there is a reef. (I didn't really believe that though) After going in the sea we played some cards then some pool. We just had such a relaxed day as it was the first weekend I'd been there and not been busy. I got the tiniest bit burnt on my shoulder, but that just adds to the peeling on my arms!

Ok, now for the terrifying bit. I haven't had the best luck with money since I got here, I was scammed out of $30 on the first day! but I haven't seen as much theft or anything as I thought I would. I don't know anyone whos bag has been stolen or who has had anything else stolen and although you know to be careful, your not nearly as careful as when it happens to you. We were on the matatu on the way to the beach and I was sitting in the very back next to the window. As you can imagine it's very hot with no air conditioning in Africa so the window was open. When your on a matatu, people are always at the window trying to sell you things and people are always walking right up close to the van so when I saw a guy running alongside me I didn't think anything of it. I still didn't think anything of it when he slid my window open more and then, as if in slow motion, he tried to steal my bag. I don't know how because I never really thought but I managed to hang on to it and get it back. It felt like a dream and afterwards I was completely calm (which is not like me). It has really made me realise how cautious you have to be and how quickly things can go wrong. If he had gotten away with my bag, he would have had my camera, all of my photos, my i-pod and a bit of money. I think everyone has learnt from my experience. On the way back I was next to the window again, I gripped my bag so tightly and whenever somebody came to the window, I had a little panic attack!!

As I say it's been a mixed week but enjoyable overall and it hasn't put me off anything but I wouldn't want to repeat the experience!

I'd best be off now to plan tomorrows lesson but I hope my next entry has more of the good and less of the bad!!!

Love you all, xxxxxxx