Welcome to my blog! I started this blog back in April, so my trip has changed a little bit. As I post new entries, you will see what I've changed. This is my first real entry since I left on my trip on Aug. 16. (It's taken me until now to figure out how to actually make my video, get my video into my blog, and post it.) I hope you enjoy it.
Last week, I went to Branson, MO and stayed with some good friends (Lintons) who used to live by me. We saw some really great shows: The Hughes Brothers, Six, George Dyer, Legends (impersonators), Shepherd of the Hills, and Yakov Smirnoff. We also went to an IMAX movie, "Born to Be Wild" which actually took place, in part, in Kenya. The next day we went to Silver Dollar City, but it was about 100 degrees and extremely humid... I was dying there! I ended up repacking all my bags because I had to pack so hastily.
I left on Aug. 22 for Columbus, OH to visit my step-daughter and her family. It's been fun seeing everyone, being a grandma, playing with the kids, and seeing Kenra off on her first day of school in fourth grade yesterday. We painted her fingernails and toenails with a special crackle polish the night before. She got lots of compliments on it at school. We're hoping to go do something fun on Saturday as a family.
My trip has already had its challenges... I didn't get to bed AT ALL the night before I left just trying to get all my packing finished and all the last minute things done (nothing like any packing I've ever had to do before). Luckily, I had three great friends who came over earlier in the morning (6:30 AM) and helped me so I was at least able to shower and have a quick breakfast before leaving around 7:15 AM. Traveling with 2 - 53# bags, a very heavy carry-on and a heavy personal bag will be a challenge wherever I go. So just checking in at the airport was an experience all by itself! Then, I broke my next to the front tooth while chewing on a sandwich with crunchy bacon in the Memphis Airport before I even arrived in Branson. I ended up getting a crown made in two day's time and put on. That was an amazing feat since it usually takes about 2 weeks! I was grateful for their expeditious help. I'm also grateful that, if this had to happen at all, I was at least still in the USA where I could get the help I needed.
In spite of the difficulties I had in leaving and traveling thus far, I feel very blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life (some I have only known a day or two) who have helped make this trip possible. I know I am being blessed every step of the way, watched over, and protected.
I leave for Kenya Sunday morning, so I may not have internet access for a little while until I can get my apartment found, set up, and figure out a way to get on the internet again. I will be traveling for two full days. I leave Columbus, then go to New York City, Rome, Nairobi, Mombasa, and finally drive about 1 1/2 to 3 hours (at midnight) to Diani Beach. From here, I will lose 7 hours, so I'm going to be rather tired, I think. I'll write again as soon as I can. I will no longer have phone service with my cell phone.
Until then, take care,
Kadi
