Apologies for not updating in the last two weeks, folks. I know you've probably all been waiting for this post to come all week...and maybe the week before that. Well, here it is:
Two Sundays ago, I had a chance to meet Chief (my host uncle) for a lovely church service again before we went home with him to celebrate Katie's birthday. Although the service ran longer than usual, it was nice. I'm not so sure, however, what Rachel, Sophie, and Abby thought of their first Nairobi Baptist service, however, as the giant TV church and constant song and dance is quite a departure from most Catholic, Jewish, or otherwise religious services we're accustomed to. Anyways, following the service we piled into Chief's land rover and almost melted en route to the Mbage's gorgeous home in Runda, where we were greeted by Mommy Joyce and other new members of our growing extended homestay families. We all helped set up the patio and backyard for a bit before we went on a lovely garden tour of the property and waited for the other guests to arrive.
After a couple hours of delicious appetizers and nyama choma (I was told two goats and several chicken gave themselves up for the occasion) and great conversation it came time to toast the occasion and educate the dear wazungu (whites) family members on the importance of such occasions in their Kikuyu culture. For this, Chief took the stage and delivered a wonderful speech thanking everyone for coming for the occasion and explaining the tradition of such Kikuyu celebrations like birthdays and visits from relatives, all of which offered them an excellent excuse to throw a big party and butcher some prized goats and chicken. Mommy Joyce also made offered a wonderful toast in tribute to both Katie and her late father (who happen to share a birthday), to recognize this momentous Jubilee (true liberty) year, signifying Kenya's 50th year since independence, and also her 30th anniversary celebrating 30 fantastic years with Chief.
After the amazing meal, during which I'm pretty sure I replaced every pound I've lost during the semester so far, Mommy Joyce brought out Katie's spectacular chocolate espresso birthday cake (it would have given Lilli's or Auntie Pammy's cakes a run for their money). After three rounds of singing Happy Birthday (The boring American version, the soulful clap-filled Kenyan version, and finally the traditional Swahili/Kikuyu way) Katie had a chance to participate in a time-honored Kikuyu tradition of making the first cuts and delivering the first bites to her Kikuyu parents and elder family members. This was, perhaps, my favorite memory of the long day of barbecuing, appetizer scarfing, great conversation, and even greater company. That night I slept well and with a full stomach (it's fascinating to me that I didn't roll off my bunk to the floor with all that wonderful food in my stomach making me almost as round as Willy Wonka's young friend Violet).
After the amazing meal, during which I'm pretty sure I replaced every pound I've lost during the semester so far, Mommy Joyce brought out Katie's spectacular chocolate espresso birthday cake (it would have given Lilli's or Auntie Pammy's cakes a run for their money). After three rounds of singing Happy Birthday (The boring American version, the soulful clap-filled Kenyan version, and finally the traditional Swahili/Kikuyu way) Katie had a chance to participate in a time-honored Kikuyu tradition of making the first cuts and delivering the first bites to her Kikuyu parents and elder family members. This was, perhaps, my favorite memory of the long day of barbecuing, appetizer scarfing, great conversation, and even greater company. That night I slept well and with a full stomach (it's fascinating to me that I didn't roll off my bunk to the floor with all that wonderful food in my stomach making me almost as round as Willy Wonka's young friend Violet).
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| Katie make the ceremonial first cut |
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| Annnnddd...the first bite goes to Chief himself. |
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| Shiko and Katie smile as we sing happy birthday to her. |
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| Trevor and I (trying too hard to be serious). |
Last Week of Swahili
Last week marked the end of our Kiswahili classes at Hekima Language Center, an occasion that was bitter-sweet for most of us who were happy not to wake up this morning by seven to make the drive to class. In our final week we delivered ten-minute speeches to our walimu in Kiswahili, which is no easy feat (especially at 7:30 in the morning!) for those who have tried to speak to Elias or Ester for that long without a pause for breath or sip of chai.
Anyways, most of us were pleased with our performance, even if some of the clever mockery and humor we worked into our deliveries fell flat with the weight of a two-ton elephant. To celebrate, on Friday we held a little farewell fiesta and shared an amazing ice cream cake Addie prepared the night before. I sure am going to miss our teachers and sharing a classroom with Bibi Julia. Rest assured, friends, that I will keep my Kiswahili sharp upon my return to the states, especially with the help of our new professor.
Pictures to come. Thank you for your patience.
Last week marked the end of our Kiswahili classes at Hekima Language Center, an occasion that was bitter-sweet for most of us who were happy not to wake up this morning by seven to make the drive to class. In our final week we delivered ten-minute speeches to our walimu in Kiswahili, which is no easy feat (especially at 7:30 in the morning!) for those who have tried to speak to Elias or Ester for that long without a pause for breath or sip of chai.
Anyways, most of us were pleased with our performance, even if some of the clever mockery and humor we worked into our deliveries fell flat with the weight of a two-ton elephant. To celebrate, on Friday we held a little farewell fiesta and shared an amazing ice cream cake Addie prepared the night before. I sure am going to miss our teachers and sharing a classroom with Bibi Julia. Rest assured, friends, that I will keep my Kiswahili sharp upon my return to the states, especially with the help of our new professor.
Pictures to come. Thank you for your patience.
It was a wonderful and enjoyable party as can be seen in the pictures. Everyone looks very happy and seems to be having fun with the birthday celebrations. I’m also planning to host a party to celebrate my birthday this week. I’ve a lot of friends that I want to invite so I’ve booked a spacious hall for the event at one of the rental spaces for parties in my area.
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