Weekend In Kisumu

We are down to just 6 volunteers and everyone wanted to go to Kisumu for the weekend so we commandeered the Pajero and headed out Saturday morning. It is a little over 2 hours of driving. The first have of the road is some of the best I have been on in Kenya. The second have of the road makes up for the first have. It's so-so in terms of potholes, but has enough speed bumps to really drive you crazy. They put speed bumps everywhere and not just in the market areas you drive through. Anyway we made it.

Kisumu is south of Bungoma and is the third largest city in Kenya. It sits on the shores of Lake Victoria. It is very strange because you see so many mzungus (non-Africans/caucasians). In Bungoma, aside from us at ICODEI, you only see a few others that volunteer at another local organization.

Geri and I stayed at the Imperial while the others were at a less expensive guest house. The Imperial was such a splurge because it had a TV (with CNN), hot showers, big beds, and AIR CONDITIONING. It wasn't all that expensive and what a treat! It wasn't a late day, so we actually got to enjoy it.

After getting cleaned up, we met the others for lunch and then were going to go shopping for souveigners. However, the brakes did not seem to be working. I checked the fluid which was low and so added more. That didn't seem to help so I looked again and you could see that it had all emptied out by the front right tire. We went to a gas station where there is a mechanic. The funny thing is that the mechanic then takes you to this big outdoor "mechanics shop" where they do the work. I wish that I could post the pictures. We ended up getting new brake pads put on for about $25 plus $15 in labor. Car problems are always par for the course, but the can be stressful.

We finished up and decided to go on to the market for souveigner shopping. Kisumu is apparently much cheaper than Nairobi. It was near the Kisumu Museum, but it was not an easy find. Many of the roads aren't marked, so it took a few, or many, wrong turns before we made it. Everyone did their shopping.

We had planned on going to Hippo Point to see the hippos, but the clouds were rolling in and I was tired. We decided to wait and go in the morning. After dropping the others off, we went back to the hotel to enjoy the room. Geri had a couple of screwdrivers and I had my Coke. We ordered room service, took our second HOT showers, and watched CNN and another channel that had a CSI episode. The storm definitely arrived with some loud thunder and very close lightening strikes. I was probably asleep by 8 or so.

In the morning, we went out to Hippo Point and rented a boat to take us out to see the hippos. They only come on land at night so a boat is a must. They took us out and we got to see a group of about 6. They are so funny as they have just their ears above water but then will lift their whole heads up and snort at you.

The ride back seemed like a very long one. The speed bumps are so bad and I it the same one, that is just over the crest of a hill, that I hit when coming back from Kisumu before. I was in a stressed mood by the end of the ride and was my usual pleasant self.

I drove into town alone and picked up the water pump that Geri, another volunteer, and I pitched in to buy. They were overwhelmed with the present and so grateful. It was about $125/each for us, but will make a world of difference for them. Their well serves them, the school, the volunteers, and a number of families that walk their to get water. It'll be know more hauling up of buckets using a rope. Hopefully, it will get installed in the next day or two.