So I'm back in Nairobi. The remainder of travelling in Rwanda and Uganda by my lonesome was quite entertaining as I kept running into the same backpackers I had met on my way into Rwanda the first time around. More Mexican food, more parties and a good deal of catching up (I was a little proud that I had been the only one to venture into Burundi, while everyone else regretted not joining in on the fun). From Kampala it was back to Nairobi where (surprise surprise) I ran into some more travel buddies I met in Uganda. We had a nice night or two on the town and Dro, Jesse, Alec and I had a farewell sushi dinner.
That Friday I met a nice young lady named Aviva and we went to the only synagogue in Kenya (that I know of). It was a gorgeous, 95 year old building (dedicated by the queen in 1912!) with a congregation of about 11 people. An odd experience to say the least, I met the Israeli ambassador to Kenya, an aid to the US consular department and a few African Jews from Uganda and Ethiopia. The service was short, but sweet (it even included Manishevitz wine!!!). I didn't know all the tunes they used, and I was a little out of place in flip flops (my only closed toed shoes had been destroyed by some nasty fungal invasion from the Ugandan wetlands), but we had a good time.
From Nairobi I headed with Silvanos back to Mikinduri for a surprise check up on their progress. Since my last visit they had convened in Nairobi for a restructuring meeting based on Pete and my report, and the results were mixed. Money is now being handled by a CPA (so no more corruption!) and sub-committees were shook up to removed inert members. Projects were still lagging waaaaaay behind their supposed "end" dates, Bishop (who I like less and less these days) was still meddling in the affairs of others and maintenance of buildings (pest control, cleaning, fixing, etc) was pretty non-existent, but I am confident that after some initial growing pains over the next few weeks things will turn around. I'll be back on the 23rd of June for a final check up, so I'll hold judgement until then.
In other news, I get to see my family in Israel in three days!!!! YAY!!!!!!
Cheers,
-Dave
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1 comment:
Yo Dave!
Glad to hear all is still well with you on your Search to Find Africa's Finest Beer! Happy to know that some of the recommendations from your report are starting to be implemented, too.
I leave for Havana on June 8 ... four days after you arrive in Israel! I'll be thinking of you in Jerusalem as my Air Canada flight touches down at the Havana airport. I'm looking forward to meeting my friend Yuni and to exploring the largest city in the Caribbean.
I'll be at the cottage in Georgeville with my parents this weekend. My mum's having a photography show at a museum in Lennoxville this summer and the opening is on Sunday. The museum is just around the corner from the house where Kit's father was born!
Have a great time in Israel with Diana, Jen and MOBB!
Bill xxx
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