Tuesday 11 September 2007

Safe as houses

We're here! And its been quite a ride. In the past month I have walked the ancient ruins of Scara Brae in Orkney, shopped in the souks of Abu Dhabi and Dubai and hand fed a Rothschilds Giraffe. As has Bambi. If she ever tells me her life is dull, I'll just remind her of August 2007.

Now begins the next stage - finding a home and getting settled. Fortunately, we've landed on our feet and found a lovely two bedroomed cottage on a lake as an interim let. It means that we're not in a big hurry to find something right away and can wait to find something right for us. So far, most houses I've looked at have been monumental - full of glass, marble and fake gold or really quite frightening with bathrooms that would leave me uncertain as to my ability to actually get clean in them.

In general, my first impressions of Nairobi are really good - it is beautiful, lush and the locals seem very friendly and helpful. Driving is, um, creative - especially on the routes through the city so we are scouring maps to find backroad routes. But Nairobi seems to have an oversupply of rivers and an undersupply of bridges - nowhere is to be reached as the crow flies.

Shopping here is a doddle compared to Lusaka - everything is available and very reasonable too. I'm hoping to slip in a trip to the Indian market later this week - I hear the fruit and veg are amazing.

We've found a lovely Montessori school for Bambi, which we're trying for a week to see how she goes. Judging by this morning, she'll have no trouble - anything to get out of traipsing around more houses with me!

And I've found an internet cafe - which should allow for the odd, irregular posting until our freight arrives...

28 comments:

Misssy M said...

You know I was just wondering how you were getting on the other day. Glad you've arrived safely and hugely looking forward to posts about your new life.

Annie said...

Congrats on a safe arrival. Have fun looking for houses - and yes Bambi is spared. We are also looking (just looking at this stage) but it drives Miss E crazy - she'll scream from the backseat 'I don't want to buy houses anymore!'

Looking forward to hearing more.

Sparx said...

Welcome back!! Or should I say... Welcome to your new internet cafe and complicated travelling arrangments! Great to see you've settled, can't wait to hear more about everything.

The Woman who Can said...

I had only just found you & then you travelled. I'm so glad you're back & I look forward to hearing more of your adventures. I feel pedestrian just reading about you...

Kim said...

Have missed you loads. Glad to hear you are safe and sound and enjoying your new surroundings.

My little girl went to Montessorri and it was quite wonderful. I hope Bambi loves it.

Can't wait to hear more.

Anonymous said...

I can see you've got your priorities right - food! Hopefully you'll be able to pick up all those lovely spices that you couldn't take with you :)

Hope the house hunting goes well - there's bound to be something that will hit the mark, but we know that its like finding the right man, you have to kiss one or two frogs along the way.

laurie said...

glad you arrived. looking forward to more exotic postings! though hand-feeding a giraffe is an excellent start.

Anonymous said...

So glad you are safe and sound and seem to be settling in. Looking forward to catching up on your blog.

Crystal xx

Mzungu Chick said...

Glad to hear you've made it and got yourself half settled in a little place by a lake! Must say - didn't know we had any lakes in Nairobi but it sounds awesome. Think i might start consulting some maps too and come join you at the lakeside!
Must take Bambi to the baby ele's out at Daphne Sheldrick's out on Magadi Road when you get a free moment too - she'll love it!
Good luck with the house hunting. If you persevere you should find something without too much bling and goping bathrooms - I promise they are out there!

Stay at home dad said...

Good to hear from you. Glad everything is ok. And all too soon Bambi will be finding everything "boring"...

jenny said...

Yay!!! I am SO glad you are all safe and sound and have a place to stay until something more permanent comes along. A little post now and then is certainly better than nothing!! Missed you and your stories and looking forward to more, soon! Good luck with settling in and finding your way.

Anonymous said...

Hey there, glad to hear you arrived safe and well in your new destination. Here in Tunis we are back in the hotel, waiting for 'our' house which should be available Oct 15 (in sha allah). Ramadan started today, which should be interesting. looking forward to reading about your adventures. Big hugs to all three, Anja & Carlos

Daniele said...

Welcome back! I was checking back often to see if you'd arrived and how you are doing.
Looking at houses is quite fun (me thinks).. but the one you've rented sounds lovely!
Congratulations on the great start of the next chapter of your life.

Life As I Know It said...

YAY...glad to hear you arrived safely. What an adventure.
Have missed your blog posts!

Squirmy Popple said...

Congratulations on your arrival - I look forward to hearing about your adventures in your new home.

Mom de Plume said...

I am so pleased you have arrived on this fabulous continent safe and sound and I look forward to hearing about your new life adventure!

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