Indian Wedding Part 2

Okay, so I forgot to post the end product of the mendhi yesterday so here it is. 

It got really dark over night which is awesome!! 

Today was part 2 of the Indian Wedding. The engagement. When Romaana and I made it to the venue (we were a bit late...African time!). The ceremonies had already begun. Now this wedding is a traditional Hindu wedding so neither Romaana or I knew what was going on half the time. But it was cool to see. 

Holy crap, there were so many ceremonies. And they were all very specific. The first one we saw, the bride had to accept all the gifts from the grooms side. She was already decked out in so much jewelry and a beautiful sari. Then they added all the grooms gifted jewelry and took her away to change her into a gifted sari which represented her passing to the grooms family (I think). 

Then there was a ceremony with the bride and groom seated together. I don't know what that was about so I can't really explain it. 

During this entire time, Romaana and I were seated up close because she is besties with the bride and groom. We were laughing because in the wedding video everyone is going to ask why there is a dorky (white girl) and who is she. 

Afterwards, there was one last ceremony. The priest wrote down and checked all the astronomical dates to make sure that the wedding was right and officially started the engagement. 

And then finally there was dancing and pictures. Here is the funny faced one. 

Romana and I took selfies. 

And we took a full picture as well!

We had also gone to an Ismali funeral that morning. I've been to one before but a long time ago, so it was good to be reminded of what happens. It's not as depressing as most funerals. Just a lot of singing and praying. 

But anyway, Romaana, her friend Sophie (I hope I spelled that right!) and I went to Mamboz Shizzgrill for dinner tonight. Sooo good!! It was a perfect way to end the night. 

Indian Wedding Part 1

In case most of y'all don't know, the reason the title of my blog is Indian Wedding Part 1 is because Indian weddings last for a while. It isn't just a one day ceremony...these things can last over a week! 

I am attending a real Hindu Indian wedding this weekend and the ceremonies and get-togethers have already started. Today we went to the grooms side (Romaana, my cousin, is good friends with both the groom and bride) to get mendhi (for white people that means henna :p) done. 

Romaana and I left for the groom's sisters house and were greeted as soon as we got there. It was mostly close family who was there because the real mendhi party isn't until Friday. So then we chatted for a bit and Romaana introduced me to everyone. Automatically, everyone started calling me "Karishma" which is my name but with the letters out of order 😝

Then we were sent upstairs to the neighbors house for the mendhi. The lady, Badriya, said that mendhi was her passion. And she is amazing at it! 

And here is the final product!

Well, that was a lie. The final product is when I take off the paste, which I will take pictures of and post (probably in this one). 

There is me, Romaana and Anushka. She is such a cutie pie! She and I spent most of the time while we were waiting for our mendhi to dry, playing catch with a balloon. 

So adorable!! 

Anyway, I love my mendhi! It's is beautiful and Badriya is an amazing artist! Not only is she doing the grooms side, but also the brides side on Friday! 

Back to Dar!

Saturday was my last day in Mombasa. I spent the morning with Amin Uncle, Anaar Aunty and Sheema (their daughter). They were the people who kindly let me stay at the resort from Wednesday to Saturday. 

They were so nice and welcoming and I hope I get to see them again sometime. 

Then, when I got back to Nurjan's house, we went for a drive around the city. Mombasa is not a very big city so we were able to get around from one end of Mombasa to the other. I got a picture of the famous tusks in the city. 

Then we went for BBQ and I had to start packing to leave. 

Sunday morning I was up at 6 a.m. in order to catch the 7 a.m. bus that I was taking from Mombasa to Dar es Salaam. It was a 12 hour ride (they told me it would be 10...but this is Africa!). 

We got to the border (of Tanzania) quite fast, about 2 hours in. When I got to the Kenyan guy (the first immigration officer I encountered.) I told him that I already had a visa and then he went off on me saying "do you think I am incompetent?! This is my job. I know my job. And you should have told me this first then I wouldn't have to do this!" And he just kept mumbling "I am competent." Finally, he gave me back my passport and I was able to go to the Tanzanian guy who was a lot nicer! 

After getting through customs, it was just a matter of getting to Dar. While we were driving I got to see so much of the land. Tanzania and Kenya, both, are breath-taking. I didn't take pictures because that wouldn't do it justice. You have to see it in person to understand. It felt like a movie. I don't know if any of y'all have ever seen The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, but when the main characters are on the bus to the city they go through the country side and that's what I felt like. I was in a movie that was show casing the beauty of the African countryside. 

For a while nothing really interesting was happening and I almost texted that to my aunt. Right after I sent that message, (though I didn't say nothing interesting happened) we passed an accident with a bus that was ahead of us and a car. The car was completely flipped and all the bus passengers were standing outside. 

There was one woman behind me who was exclaiming "Jesus, oh shit lord!" Over and over again. That scared me more than seeing the actual accident! 

Then we passed one more accident on our way which was of a truck (18 wheeler) flipped in a ditch. 

But after 12 long hours, I finally made it! My cousin Romaana and my aunt Zeby came and picked me up from the drop off point. You can't say the station because they kinda just dump you right in front of their office in the middle of the street. 

I'm glad to finally be back in Dar! It's like my home away from home (:

Also, the power has been going out every day in Mombasa and Dar. In Mombasa there was no generator but here in Dar we have one so that mostly everything will work. Just not the AC...

The Art of Making Friends

I don't know if I have mentioned this before but there are pluses and minuses when traveling alone. On one hand, you have the freedom to do whatever whenever. There is no one who will say "well, that's not what I want to do." You don't have to worry about time, and the schedule is controlled and changed by you and only you! But...it can also get very lonely. Sometimes you feel as though you have nothing to do and you have no one to talk to.

But that's not the point. What I am trying to get at is that when you travel alone you're more open to meeting new people and that's what I did today. 

I had just woken up and went to the salon to get my first pedicure ever! The ladies were so nice! Faith and (this is what I heard her tell me and I repeated it back to her so I think this is name) Candy. They were aunt and niece. And very sweet! We talked about where they were originally from (northern Kenya) and just about life. 

Then after that, I went to the bar to get coffee. As I was sitting there minding my own business this guy comes and sits beside me. I had seen him before and he was in a group. I could tell from how they were speaking that they were Russian. He brings his friend with him to sit by me to tell me that he will be the translator because the guy sitting beside me is not very good with English. But then the "translator" leaves and I guess the other guy got frustrated with not being able to communicate that he leaves too. 

So there I am sitting minding my own business again, and an old man comes to sit with me. He tells me that he over heard my English and he could tell that I wasn't like the rest of the tourists there who were all European. He starts to tell me that he is Welsh (he had a thick accent) and he seemed nice enough so we start chatting. 

He tells me that his wife passed 5 years ago and that he has no family of his own. He really loved her and it's obvious by the way he talked about her. He tells me just about himself and talks about how he has decided that because he has money left over and no one to give it to he is going to spend the rest of his days traveling to all the places he has always dreamed of. 

Then he and I just discuss politics. Don't worry, there was no cursing or hatred. He was simply curious about my point of view and so I told him what I thought. We spent maybe an hour talking and as we were talking I noticed the Russian back with his friends. But this man, Gary, was so sweet and kind that I just stayed talking to him. 

After a while he told me he was going for lunch. He grasped both my hands and told me he wished me all the best and a safe journey around the world. It touched me that someone I had just met was so kind. I hope to see him again before I leave this place just to say thank you for his company and his stories. 

After he left the Russians approached me again. This time there were three. And two of them could manage English. We started talking and they were very nice. They told me their names; Dmitry, Sergey and Sergey. The one who was interested in me was one of the Sergey's. We just were chatting and then they invited me to lunch with them. 

Eventually, we just spend the whole day together. I learn that there is a big group of them here for business (I jokingly told them I was a spy) and this was just a vacation-y business trip. They told me that they had seen me around the resort and Sergey was to shy to approach me because he isn't good with English and they also thought I was Spanish! Haha! But they have been very nice and very welcoming. We even took pictures together! 

Okay so I don't know the first guy or the girls name...they told me but I can't remember. Then beside me is the Sergey who can't speak English and then beside him is the other Sergey. (Pronounced Ser-gay). 

Then I took a picture of them being super "Russian". 

The guy in between the two Sergey's is Dmitry. He is the one who can speak the most English. 

They have already invited me to Moscow (I don't know if I'll go...but it could be a possiblity!) and they are very funny. Constantly making jokes about every thing! 

I think they might have felt bad that I was alone also, but who cares! They are super cool and now I can say I have friends from Russia! It's amazing the people you meet when you're traveling alone. 

Also, there are a bunch of monkeys running around. They try to steal food and the bar has to hide sugar because they know what the sugar packets look like. There are guards here specifically for getting rid of the monkeys! 

And here is a view of the sea. 

Just another day in paradise! 

Mombasa

There is one word to describe Mombasa. HOT! Holy moly, it's hot. And coming from a girl who left Texas when it was 109 every day...that's a big deal. It finally feels the way I imagined Africa to feel. No end or relief to sweat or that filmy feeling you have when you aren't sweating, but you're not comfortable either. I'm not complaining though! I welcome this to whatever snowy, stormy weather any one is experiencing right about now. 

The very first night I arrived in Mombasa I met up with Nurjan Auntie and we went out for BBQ. Mishkaki and Zanzibar pizza! Best food ever. With a black currant fanta to top it off. That has become my replacement for root beer here since no one know what root beer actually is. 

The next day she had work so I just decided to relax and read. She has a wonderful collection of books and I am eager to read as many as I can before I leave. 

That night when she came home we went for a drive and stopped by the seaside to just sit and enjoy the cool breeze. I had fresh coconut! Yum yum yum! 

The next day (Tuesday) she came home early and we went to old town. There are so many Arabs and Muslims it's like being back in Turkey. There were so many shops and vendors! And we got so much food! Sweet bread (made of coconut rice), melons...and then we went to the seaside and got more coconut and sweet potato with chili and lime! 

And here is a picture of the sunset. 

Just gorgeous. 

As of right now, I've finally got some wifi. I'm at this super amazing resort owned by my grandparents best friends. I just had lunch with them and they are so nice. We just realized we have met before at...just guess y'all...an Indian wedding! I knew they looked familiar! 

So now I'll just be chilling and trying to get as dark as the Africans! I can already feel myself getting darker! :p 

The Weekend in Kilifi Part 2

Today, Sunday (17th), was our last day in Kilifi. We went to this beach resort called Mnarani Club. They have this deal where you pay $1,200 (shillings y'all! Not dollars!!) for access to their private beach all day and lunch included. 

It was beautiful. Today was also very relaxing. We had a delicious buffet lunch and then spent the rest of the time swimming in the ocean and the pool. We got an even better group photo all at the beach! 

From left to right; Tara, Melissa, Tyler (my fellow American!), Tabi, Michael, Yvette, Nicole, Inuche (I highly doubt I spelled that right..), me and Jen. We are such a hot group, eh? -hehe they were all tryna get me to say "eh" and I accidentally did one time...at Tusky's (a grocery store) and no one heard me! But I've gotten Tara to say "y'all" all the time now!! 

And then Tabi and I decided to have some more photos together to prove to our family that we have been hanging out. 

And my favorite one...

Pure happiness! 

And soon enough it was time to part ways. I was going to Mombasa and, thankfully, Inuche was going also so we shared a cab. I originally wanted to take the bus like before with all the others and get off at Mombasa but the ticket guy wouldn't let me. He wanted me to pay the full price (which was ridiculous) and I refused. But it all worked out in the end! 

I had a wonderful time with everyone and I truly hope we all stay in touch. I've invited everyone to Texas...so hopefully they show up! 

The Weekend in Kilifi

On Saturday, I had a super healthy breakfast...

There's Tabi trying to cut into her French toast. We hung around for a bit and then decided to go to this place called Bofa Beach. It was beautiful! Just like Mexico! 

And...I made more friends!!

They came up to me and the other American in the group, Tyler, and after Tyler left they stayed to talk to me. They were so cute and only 2 of them knew English but it's okay!! They were doing flips and, as you can see, back bends. 

Then there was a newlywed couple, as in just finished the ceremony, and they were taking pictures on the beach so we congratulated them. The bride was wearing heels and walked in the sand with them...which I would have never attempted! 

Cousin bonding! Haha and proof to the fam that we were together! 

Once we headed back from the beach we decided to go out to dinner as a group. We originally wanted to go to a seafood place but that place was closed after 6 p.m. (Which is super weird). So we went to some Italian place. And since we were all in a group, of course, we took photos together! 

After dinner, a group of us decided to go down to the beach at night. The moonlight was so bright that there was no worry about anything. It was just so serene and peaceful to see the clouds, stars and moon. We didn't go back to the hostel until 1:30 a.m. or so.

My Distant Relatives

The hostel we are staying at is called Distant Relatives Echo Lodge. It's such a cool place. It's very hippie and indie. So many people from all over the world are here. We are staying in a hut that has 4 bunk beds on bamboo with nets. 

We have a tree growing through our hut. 

They also have these bathrooms that are compost. So you pee in one part and poo in the other. And you use toliet paper to wipe but then you cover it in saw dust.

And the shower is made out of bamboo as well!

It's just gorgeous. Randy: if you ever decide to go back to Africa for a vacation or something, this is the perfect place for you! Every thing here reminds me of you and Monica!

Yesterday, (Friday) we just hung around in town. 

When we got back we went for sunset yoga on the beach. It was amazing! The instructor, Mode, is from Montreal and she has spent a year in India training and she lived in New York for a year just practicing yoga. All the locals were just watching us but it was so much fun. 

We ordered, here at the lodge, a pumpkin spinach curry on coconut rice. 

It was amazing! So delicious. Who knew that eating veggie could be so amazing?? 

Midnight Bus Ride

So on Thursday, I slept in for the first time in a while. Only until 10 (so not my usual sleeping in). Then Julie Aunty and I went to check out the area where I was supposed to meet Tabi for the bus to Kilifi. After exploring downtown for a little bit, we went to the market that is five minutes away from her house. 

It was so cool. There are so many awesome crafts that they have, all hand made. They are making all of them right there. It was an African version of the Grand Bazaar. I even saw lots of things that dad has brought back from Africa or what Ma and Bapa have gotten Saffana and I from Africa. It was weird and cool to see where all those gifts originally came from. So many things I recognized from home. 

While we were at the market, of course, we were bothered by every one trying to sell their goods. The good thing was that I understand Gujarathi and because I've been around people who are speaking it so much I'm slowly able to respond better. So the entire time Julie Aunty and I were speaking Gujarathi so that the vendors wouldn't know what we were saying. And since I've been here, Julie Aunty hasn't spoken any English with me which is great! 

After looking around the market we came home to rest. I was so tired all day yesterday and I have no idea why. (It's probably because of flying- I hate flying). Then at 5 p.m. the driver, Eddie, (who is my new BFF) picked me up to go meet Tabi at 6:15. At 7:45, I finally arrived at the restaurant. TWO HOURS AND FORTY FIVE MINUTES LATER!! That's how long it took to get to a place that was 5 kilometers away! Y'all. I was so pissed. I hate traffic to begin with. I hate just sitting still also, and it was just sitting still. Dead stop. Eddie was used to it, but not me. Ugh. 

So during the traffic Eddie and I got to know each other pretty well. He is super cool. We jammed out to Tupac and Jay-Z. He told me about Nairobi, I told him about Texas. He promised me when I get back to Nairobi in Janurary he will take me to a rap store so I can go buy Kiswahili rap CDs! He was impressed that I like African music. I also told him he was invited to my wedding to Drake...(;

Finally, I got to the restaurant and immediately we left for the bus stop. (I had already eaten so it worked out for the best). The bus left at 9 and we got to the station at 8:50 and had to pick up tickets. But this is Kenya, and the bus didn't even leave until 9:30! And we didn't get out of traffic until 10:30. 

Tabi and I chilling in the bus! 

The bus ride was pretty uneventful. They had 2 pit stops but I just slept. I had my headphones in and just relaxed. We didn't get to Kilifi until this morning at 7:15 (Friday). We have just been relaxing and all of the group have exams next week so they are all studying. And I am chilling with the puppy!

Good bye Kisumu!

...well, I have no Internet as I am writing this...so this is probably going to be super late. I left Kisumu today (Wednesday, 13th) for Nairobi. It was a bittersweet farewell. I was glad to be leaving, in the sense that I am going to be seeing more of Kenya, but also sad because Munira Aunty and Amin Uncle have been so wonderful. I can't thank them enough for everything they have done for me. I am so lucky to have family like them. Yesterday (Tuesday), I went to khane and had a dinner with Asma, Munira and this architect from Israel. It was nice to have one last dinner with Asma before I left. 

I also spent most of the day with Massi and Masa. Masa and I talked about the changes in the country and he was asking me about US politics. Then Massi wanted to show me photos. It was crazy to see how young everyone looked. She had so many stories to tell about where they were in the pictures, what they were doing and who they were with. 

Then this morning, I woke up and finished some last minute packing before meeting Gulshan Aunty for breakfast. It was nice to be able to say bye. And finally, Munira and I headed to the airport. Checking in and getting to the departure gate was a breeze. It was the least stressful check in experience I've ever had. Munira and I took a photo together...but it's super blurry so just bare with me. 

And then Asma's aunt was also in the flight so we walked to the plane together.  

A last shot from the runway. And here is a view of Lake Victoria!

It makes you feel so small...

It turned out that I was in first class! I've never flown first class before so that was pretty fancy!!  They gave me juice in a fancy cup as we were waiting for take off and then a hot towel and a lovely snack. 

I was sitting by a student. I can't remember his name but he and I talked the whole flight (which was only 30 minutes but still!) He was my sister's age. He plays rugby and plans on becoming an ICT Technician. I know his whole life story now...haha. But he was sweet and we stuck together until we got outside of the airport.

 And I was met by Julie Aunty! She is so awesome! We got all my luggage and then went to have some Slush Budgiya (Ma and Bapa y'all know what I am talking about!). 

Yummy! A delicious snack/lunch. And then she took me home and so I've been packing and getting ready to leave for Kilifi. (By the time y'all are reading this I'll probably also have a post about Kilifi and maybe even Mombasa!). 

I just got back from khane. Oh man, that place is huge! And gorgeous! And there was an emergency helicopter landing. Apparently, it happens all the time because the hospital is right beside khane. So Nizar Uncle, Julie Aunty and I all watched along with all these little kids who were running around freaking out about the helicopter! 

We went for ice cream in Diamond Plaza. Dad! I saw the midget waiter that you always talk about!! He didn't serve us but I was able to picture Celine running away haha! 

And when we arrived back to Julie Aunty's house we saw and smelled the night queen in full bloom. It's this flower that only blooms at night and has the most amazing smell! 

This has already become a very long post so I'll talk about Thursday in a different one.