Expedition

 

Since it has begun to rain a little less often these days (and it is way less hot than it is in the dry season), I’ve started venturing out and taking longer walks, exploring the surrounding areas of Makeni on foot. Some days are absolutely overcast and gloomy, but some days I get nice sunny days with fluffy clouds dotted throughout the sky. It’s so good to feel the sun on my face! I even managed to get pictures of Stocco Road in the sunshine!

 

Usually before I set out, I’m greeted by Bobby. Bobby is one of the local dogs here at Stocco Compound. He is always so friendly. I’ve trained him not to jump on me anymore, but he sometimes forgets himself. He’s always so happy to see me out and about. I usually wander around the University of Makeni (Uni Mak). The grounds are well maintained and clean and I like seeing the different lecture halls. I took a picture of me there with Wusum Mountain in the background.

  

During one of my expeditions, I went to a dress shop that we always pass on the way to the hospital. I had always admired one of the custom-made dresses they had on display in the front, but it always looked too small for me to wear. However, when I got there, the owner insisted I try it on and oddly enough, it fit me perfectly! I wore to mass the next day! All the Sisters complimented me and told me I looked very “Africana”. It makes me feel like I’m from the 80s. I love it!

 

 

I’ve been trying to stay more active. The Wusum Hotel has a gym, and I sometimes go with my Italians neighbors. It’s very tempting to just stay in my house all the time and avoid the gym all together. When it was raining all the time I had a better excuse. But now, I’ve found it’s better to get out and about more. Yesterday we were invited by several of our expat friends to go on a hike up the Menna Hills. I thought for sure it was going to pour on us but it only sprinkled a little and it was refreshing. The view was nice from up there. We didn’t go the whole way up because the paths were too overgrown. 

 

But it was nice being able to see the town I’ve been living in from a new perspective. Makeni is much larger than I had thought. And it was nice sharing it with friends. Some locals even came and joined us with their two dogs. It was a fun day. I hope I can climb the other hills around here and get some practice before I try to climb Wusum Mountain. That’s going to be way more challenging.