I am writing this as a method of distraction having been eaten alive by mosquitos yesterday in my own home!! Little monkeys!! I was actually doing very well on the bite front– some might even say I was a little cocky having only had about 10 in total in 4 weeks; however the mosquitos must have caught wind of this and decided it was time to teach me a lesson – 28 bites in 1 day!!!! Today all I want to do is scratch them out unfortunately that would involve scratching 28 holes in my skin and therefore probably not a wise idea – instead I’m sitting with a wet flannel covering about 4 bites feeling very sorry for myself!!
Apart from the current close to death, dramatized bite issue everything is going great here, I continue to feel settled and meet new and interesting people. I have even had my first camping experience – much too many peoples amusement out here my organisational skills were second to none. We went to Kilifi for the weekend as there were quite a few people competing in a triathlon. I was sensible and went along as team photographer using having no bike as an excuse not to compete. The day was great fun, what’s not to like Lycra, sunshine and alcohol!!?. There was then an after party at the boatyard with a tame jazz band followed by a surprisingly impressive DJ. Well I say that but I think it has more to do with the fact I haven’t really heard music in 4 weeks, I found myself dancing and singing along to songs that normally in the UK I can’t stand but when you don’t heard music they suddenly become the best songs you’ve ever heard!.
One of the best things about Mombasa and the people I have met is that there is no judgement I found myself feeling really shy dancing on sand in bare feet without my 6inch heels and circle of 7 girlies to back me up, however anything goes here I was soon dancing my socks off and even been taught some rock and roll!! All in all a funny night until, that was we had to drive back to the campsite. I clearly chose the wrong car to travel in 1. We got lost 2. We got scared 3. We locked ourselves in the car!! The guy driving was worse than I was for thinking of the worst case scenario especially knowing we were then going to have to sleep in tents in the outdoors –not a good start!! Anyhow we had pitched our tents earlier and as most the guys that were camping had done the triathlon they were out for the count leaving me alone in my tent with my own thoughts!! Hence why I barely slept! We woke early and just caught the sun rising over the sea which was beautiful. I rocked out of my tent in my full length pjs (protecting me from mosquitos) which everyone seemed to find amusing considering the heat, one guy then mentioned a sleep mask and ear plugs to which I replied I had managed to hold off until about 3am but then they had come in handy – he laughed and then looked at me blankly this is when I had realised that he had actually been joking and I had actually been serious – I explained I had brought my doom and pre-sprayed my tent, brought toilet roll and a bottle of water to brush my teeth with!! I don’t think I’ve really got this whole camping thing down yet but hey ho!!! We then went to one of the guys houses for a cooked breakfast – Amazing!! His house is lovely and just made me feel like I was living in a squat!
Work is going well but every week is getting closer to the summer months so getting hotter and hotter. I have my first rounders fixtures next week including a Saturday fixtureL. We had respect day on Friday which I had been asked to help organise with 5 others. Four periods off teaching where we mixed year groups and gave them six activities to rotate around – not a single moan, groan or complaint from any pupil about any activity – bliss!! We then have international day all day on Monday which is French day including French snacks and a French lunch!! Can’t complain!! Still getting used to teaching the little ones I have a class of 3 year olds who take everything literally so I have to reign in my sarcasm and heighten my enthusiastic tones.
Pantomime rehearsals are also going well I have to do a lot of gazing into my princes eyes which isn’t easy but I’m starting to learn my lines and have a song rehearsal on Monday which could be tragic!! I just want to see what I have to wear!! If my previous experience has anything to go by I always had the worst costumes – well apart from the vegetable dance!! Surely little red riding hood has to have nice outfits??? We’ll see and I’m sure there will be pictures to follow at some point.
Thursday was an interesting evening after deciding to go for a “short run” with a marathon runner (we have differing ideas of short runs – however unfortunately I found this out during and not before) which was actually really good apart from my right hip feeling like a 90 year olds. I returned home hoping to have a nice shower and chill out whilst researching some early years planning – however I returned home to no electricity – apparently power cuts out here a frequent but yet again I was getting cocky and hadn’t experienced anything more than 5 minutes – whilst shopping the other week I was advised to buy some more candles and some dishes to stand them on etc. – Me being me decided this was unnecessary, until Thurs when I had candle wax everywhere – maybe next time I will take note to kind advice!!!
Had my first proper night out on Friday I had just intended to go to la marina for a couple of drinks but ended at the local “club” Il Covo for some flaming Sambuca’s, dancing (including my typical dance off) and lots of sweaty people in quite a small place. Girls you’ll be pleased to know that despite the bar being small there is always room for a pole!!Amazing! I arrived home at some ungodly hour in the morning around 5am! But was all good fun again nice to hear some music, some of my old Uni friends will be pleased to hear that since been out here I have heard Peter Andre twice and I didn’t even have to request it!! These nights always bring a good mix of people, at La marina there’s 21 year olds – 90 year olds it’s great. I even managed to meet someone who I can do a scuba diving course with and a pilot who takes people for sky diving so hopefully I can book both those things and tick them off my bucket list!!
Well now I have bought some antihistamines so hopefully my itching will stop soon! I will leave part 5 here and hope that I have some more exciting experiences soon rather than the mundane mosquito and work stories that have filled this blog.
Oh and my house girl is getting on very well- I love the fact she makes my bed don’t think my bed’s been properly made since 2004 when I left home to go to Uni!!
Final thought:
‘You know you’re in a great place when you’re travelling dangerously, in a Matatu, in the dark listening to ace of base full volume!’
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Steph xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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