This too shall pass...

Sometimes we have moments where we do things without thinking, my sisters and I were driving along, we stopped to pick up a friend and I jumped out because I wanted to check on the back wheel.  As I walked around my Blackberry fell into the street without thinking I followed my phone, I looked up into the face of a Citi Golf.   It’s so easy to get attached to things that we don’t even realise how attached we are. I almost had a brush with death because I didn’t think,  I always look left and right but I was so focused on my phone I followed it with my mind, body and almost my soul.  Yes I am glad that I am alive but it brought me to the realization that attachment is often the death of one’s soul for attachment focuses on you and not on the bigger picture of life. Life would not have stopped without my cellphone but my actions did not reflect that.  Let go and let flow.

“As spiritual searchers we need to become freer and freer of the attachment to our own smallness in which we get occupied with me-me-me. Pondering on large ideas or standing in front of things which remind us of a vast scale can free us from acquisitiveness and competitiveness and from our likes and dislikes. If we sit with an increasing stillness of the body, and attune our mind to the sky or to the ocean or to the myriad stars at night, or any other indicators of vastness, the mind gradually stills and the heart is filled with quiet joy. Also recalling our own experiences in which we acted generously or with compassion for the simple delight of it without expectation of any gain can give us more confidence in the existence of a deeper goodness from which we may deviate. (39)”

― Ravi Ravindra, The Wisdom of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras: A New Translation and Guide by Ravi Ravindra   

for we are like boats, bobbing on the sea that is life.

Tomato what!?! ….Cocktail silly

I have a long standing love-hate relationship with Tomatoes, now imagine my look of horror when I was offered a tomato cocktail.  I immediately imagined one of those Bloody Mary concoctions and I was totally put off by that idea, seeing my repulsed face the waiter and trusty friends explained that it was nothing like the tomato I was imagining.  This is a fruity tomato that is indigenous to Kenya, with a thick, purplish fleshy skin (it was neither purple nor red) they explained, It's delicious. 

 Since I am a firm believer that you have to try something once before you diss it.  I tried it, loved it and had another one.  I will not divulge anything further except to urge you to try it the next time you are in Kenya.

Note to the experimenters out there: I don't have the recipe,  so don't bother asking. 

served in a tall glass it really hits the spot.

Aerial View

Oh but I love breaking the Rules…Sometimes

I don’t know if it’s really breaking the rules or maybe it should be considered pushing the envelope rather.   After all I only took pictures of the Ferry because we were instructed not to by  the sign boards and I merely wanted to see how effective the guards were at finding these offenders.   Needless to say I was not caught and I have the pictures to prove it… Here’s to pushing boundaries.

taken whilst in the Ferry en route to the main land

just one of the signs

in the cue waiting, even more reason to take pictures

Black truffles, marriage proposals and parking disorders

Nothing beats a warm welcome into any country, the idea of having to face customs and explain your business in their country can be a daunting one but our arrival in Kenya was fantastic.   We were welcomed into the country without any ques, man-handling and the $25 visa fee.  Apparently the words “I’m a South African, do I really have to stand in that queue”   open many doors including those into the country.   

Naturally it would not have been Africa if we did not get at least one marriage proposal on our way out of customs, another sign that (Zulu's and Kenyan's are relatives).   Nairobi is the land of 4x4’s and outrageous driving, with only 2 traffic lights that I counted,  you in for a rude awakening if you are used to driving in places with 101 traffic signs and lights on any stretch of road.  Needless to say the Kenyan parking skills are more of a laughing matter than anything else, they seem to suffer from some sort of driving disorder that does not allow them to park in between the 2 white lines.   Overall if you love adventure and you are ready for whatever will head your way then Kenyan roads are for you… Just remember… We Don’t Beg, Pray or Ask on Kenyan roads we just Go!

Now onto the black truffles,   if you are into trying new food and the type of meals that will leave you begging for more then read on.  Mediterraneo at the Junction mall had me pleading for more and lost for words, I literally disappeared into my own world floating in a dream.  I had one of their specialties for the day a lamb shank with home- made tegatelle cooked in butter and black truffles… I can still taste all the different flavours.  Bless the chef and the hands that created him because that meal was pure genius.

all smiles after supper at Mediterraneo

advanced driving in Kenya...how a 2 way street can become a 5 way street in 2 seconds.

The power of a SMILE and some CLEAVAGE

Getting around in Mombasa city  is easy and convenient, the only challanges you will face is the fact that you aren't a local.  The tuk-tuk guys are looking to make a killing on 1 tuk-tuk ride,  when they see that you are a tourist  you will easily get charged 100-150 Shilling for a 50 Shilling ride.  After much negotiation from my 10 swahili words travelling partner,  I realized that I had to rely on my own skills to get us a ride.  I stood back took a second and scanned the tuk-tuks in front of us looking for the perfect target.   I locked eyes with Mohammed and his eager smile and welcoming eyes told me that this was my guy.  I flashed him a smile and the deal was sealed.  125 shillings later, we had received a wonderful trip through the city, he shared some history about the buildings  and architecture with us that only a local who has lived there his entire life would know, still enroute he found us a good salesman to buy material from and was back in time to pick us up for our trip back onto the Ferry.

Now that's what I call service and the power of a smile and the right shirt!

Left: Mohammed the greatest tuk-tuk driver and Tour Guide in Mombasa.  Right: Michelle sporting the smile and the cleavage. In the back our trusty tuk-tuk.