Thursday, I decided to start structuring things to fit me better. I had resolved to not get upset over the disappointing clinic. I liked the people there, and I am glad to have met them. So Thursday morning, after sitting for about two hours with no work and no patients, I decided to head back to my apartment. I could sit there in much greater comfort and do a few other things. That decision turned out well.
Friday, Barnabas was going to reenter the picture and take me to another clinic. He wasn’t coming for awhile so I walked over to the mall for a cappuccino and a chapati – rather like a large rolled flour tortilla. It is a food staple here and used in all kinds of ways.
At 10, I met Barnabas and Mike and took about a 30 minute drive to the new place. Seeing new sections of town, added to the trip. I’m especially enjoying the jacaranda trees. This is the season for them so lucky me! They have beautiful lavender flowers all through the tree’s canopy. And there was more greenery, too, so my garden starved self felt renewed. Like so many of these small non-profit clinics, this one, too, is in a slum. But a famous slum – Kibera. It’s dubious claim to fame is that it is the largest slum in Africa, home to up to one million people. Getting a census here is tricky. However, because of its fame, there are actually guided tours for tourists through the slum!
The clinic I came to is associated with an AKC church here and is on their grounds. There is also a school so it was fun to see some school children running around in their school uniforms.

Oh, an aside related to schools. Jayson, from Clinic One, told me that school is almost over for the year – off November and December and resumes in January. So it is time to celebrate the children moving up and this mainly centers around the preschoolers and early primary grades. These celebrations take place as parades. Two standard bearers carry a large banner with the school name on it. Then the children follow, all in uniform, but decked out with tinsel wreathes or ribbons and bows. So cute. There is music and they are often singing. I have seen several of these, but today, while waiting for my ride, the school by my place had its parade and it had a marching band of sorts! Some brass and a big bass drum being relentlessly banged on. It was such fun to see and a nice way to start the day.

As I mentioned, this clinic is located on the church grounds so it is behind a gate and there are separate little buildings – not the chaos and noise of the streets. It felt like a little oasis. They are here to serve the people of the area. A very nice nurse practitioner took me under her wing and we saw several patients, including a little boy. My tasks were simple but at least I finally got to use my stethoscope! It was a short morning as we had arrived rather late so about one, I set off with Faith, the NP, and Darius, the lab tech, to get lunch. We hopped a small close bus- think Joan Wilder in Columbia but without the pig!
We grabbed some prepared food at a market and ate there. Rice has become a major part of my diet here. After lunch, Faith needed to visit the hospital to see a patient so Darius and I walked back. I thought it was a mile or so based on the bus ride but I was way off! In typical Africa fashion, Darius kept telling me what he thought I wanted to hear – only 500 meters to the turn, we are nearly there . . . After about 3 miles, we made it! At least I got my steps in today! But along with the steps came some intestinal upset. Oh joy! When we got back to the clinic, I thought I should head back to my place so took an Uber. Most transportation is done this way. The other options are the bus or motorbike. I may have to try a motorbike before I leave!
It was rush hour so it took a good while to get back but my driver was very nice and we sorted out all the world’s problems on the trip. By my request, he dropped me at the mall so I could pick up some bread and soup for supper. Nurture my tender system. Back at the apt, I tended to the necessities and really was starting to feel much better. Hopefully, just a one off.

Well, I have finished my first week in Nairobi. It’s not been what I had hoped for but God is always faithful and has shown me all the good in other things I’m experiencing. Learning a lot! My driver asked me what I like most about being here and I said, the people. Always grateful for those I meet on the way. The weekend is ahead and I plan to explore Nairobi more on Saturday.
Blessings all