Kenya
Tiwi
Semester Break at the Beach
We were allowed to have a much-needed week-long break about 2 months into semester. During this, we were on our own. No babysitting, no hand-holding by the Jua Kali staff or faculty. The students split up into their preferred groups and went their way. Some decided to climb Mount Kenya. Some, including me, decided to go to the coast and see the beaches. We went to Tiwi, near Mombasa.
Matt, Terri, Jo, Carol, Brigitta, Sara, Craig and I took a loud, bumpy bus down to Mombasa and then managed to find a cab that would take us to Tiwi. The first thing I noticed was that it was humid. Very, very humid. No matter how many showers I took, I always felt sweaty and dirty.
We first stayed at a rather primitive hotel next to the beach. I can't remember the name. It wasn't as bad as it could be, but vervet monkeys on the rafters, mosquito hordes all around, and dark, dank rooms and showers were just a bit annoying. Terri and I decided to check out of that hotel and live it up in style at Tiwi Sea Castles. Wow, what a difference! What a taste, albeit a small one, of home and luxury. Flushing toilets. A clean, tiled bathroom and shower. Hardwood floors. A bed with real mattresses. In the US, such a room wouldn't be much, but after spending so much time in Kenya, it was delicious.