Every Fabulous Inch

30 January 2011

(look, look, I write the date like a Kenyan now!)

I kissed a baby giraffe yesterday (on the mouth… TIA, baby!). Their saliva has antiseptic properties, so it was totally legit. I love that I’m forced to live with my eyes wide open here—it feels like if I blink for a second I’ll miss a great adventure. It’s so easy at home to become complacent and let the days slip past, so while I’m here I’m making a conscious effort to live Every Fabulous Inch, to fully experience all that lies before me.

The most satisfying thing happened yesterday—I had to give my cab driver directions! I’m such a Kenyan. “Take Ngong to Kenyatta Hospital, take a left and then go right at Mbigathi until you get to Kenyatta Market, then veer right at the Comm. Center.” This is starting to feel less and less like a vacation and more and more like my home!

To be fair, there were some… “learning experiences” before I got to this point. The other day I tried taking a Matatu for the first time by myself. I hopped on the first one that called out “Kenyatta” because I live right by Kenyatta market—too bad they were heading to Kenyatta Hospital, which is not at all in the same direction. Rookie mistake. Thankfully, a man wearing a Santa hat helped me change matatus at the hospital and I got home safe and sound and with a new sense of confidence.

The inside of my matatu... note the padded ceiling.

Mwuaaaah!

Oh hey, baby giraffe!