Independent Travelling Woot!

OUR TRIP!!!

Over the course of 21 days, Mimansa, Megan, Amelia and I will be travelling to four different cities in Kenya. First we’ll travel from Nairobi to Kakamega, where we’ll stay in the Kakamega rainforest. [We’ll be travelling to Kisumu via bus, and then to Kakamega by matatu.]

We'll be staying in Udo’s Bandas, a small place which offers two-bed, thatched roof bandas. Mosquito nets are provided, and there is a small group kitchen area, where we will be cooking all of our food. We’ll be staying in Kakamega from Dec 18 – Dec 23. The rainforest itself is home to over 300 species of birds, and a bunch of primates – including BUSHBABIES, which are my newest favorite animal.

Look how cute they are!

I plan to capture one in the forest, domesticize it, and train it to sleep in my backpack so I can take one home with me. I’ll let you know how that goes.

On the 23^rd, we’ll be taking a matatu South to Kisumu, where Lillian (our resident director) lives.

She has graciously said that we can stay at her mother’s house with her and her family over Christmas. What fun! Kisumu is Kenya’s third largest town and lies on Lake Victoria. We’ll be staying with Lillian from the 23^rd until the 26^th.

On the 26^th, we’ll be travelling Southeast to Embu, to visit Roseanne and her family!

Roseanne has also said that we can stay at her place for a few days. We’re so lucky to have such giving teachers here. We’ll be staying in Embu with Roseanne until the 29^th.

Finally, on the 29^th, we’ll start out longest time period of pure travelling. We’ll first go Southwest back to Nairobi, then take an eight hour bus-ride Southeast to Mombasa, and then travel Northeast to Lamu.

Why are we making these seemingly crazy stops? Because travelling in Kenya is weird and there are no straight buses to Lamu, except through Mombasa. It’s going to be a crazy day or so. Finally we’ll get to Lamu on the 31^st, where we’ll celebrate New Years and then relax for a bit. We’ll be staying in Lamu until the 6^th of January, and then travelling home.

YAY! That’s all I have for now – I promise I’ll blog about (a)going on safari and (b)MOM AND DAD COMING TO SEE ME sometime soon. Before we leave.

-katie