My Christmas and New Years were merry and happy, indeed! While it was tough being away from my family on Christmas, I couldn't have asked for a better day here on the Island! I invited a few friends over to watch The Nativity Story and enjoy some soda, cake, cookies, and candy. They knew it was Christmas, and knew I was celebrating the birth of Jesus. I did my best to explain more about why I celebrate his birth, and the movie was a big help because they could see some of what I was telling them. It was very interesting to watch that movie with them, because "way back in the day" where people travel by donkey or ox and cart, barter and trade for food and goods, make their own breads, fetch their own water and milk, where the women cover, and marriages are sometimes arranged- isn't so "way back in the day" for these friends. That's every day life. They were able to relate to the setting of the story, which they really liked. Throughout the movie, they would ask questions and I would do the best I could to explain things to them in Swahili. They were really engaged the whole time and at the end, I asked if they liked it and their response was "Napenda SANA SANA SANA!", which means "I loved/liked it A LOT, A LOT, A LOT!"
After the movie, the girls above left, and before I could close the gate completely, these sweet friends below came knocking! We, too, talked about why I was celebrating and enjoyed some sweet treats and fun together.
We even got an awesome FaceTime with my family!
THEN, the best Christmas present a girl could ask for showed up on my door step!!! My daddy came to visit me! I cannot tell you what a blessing it was to have my dad see my home, meet my friends, students, and neighbors, and see what my every day life is like here. Word got around pretty quick that my dad was here, and everyone wanted to meet him. We made our rounds and even had an entourage following us to the market to buy dinner one night. Even though he was only on my Island for a few days before we headed out on a much needed vacation (for me), we crammed in all the locations and people that I wanted him to see. It was a busy success. I didn't think to snap pics of him with all my friends, but we did manage to get a couple of good ones.
He also came bearing gifts from AWESOME friends and family from back home! Truly so blessed by you all who sent me gifts.
After showing him around the Island and giving him a glimpse into my life here, it was time for a little vacation. A time to play and relax. It was a nice break from being fully covered every day in 93 degree weather. It was a nice break from having to speak Swahili. It was a nice break from a constant flow of visitors and a phone ringing early and often (OK, the phone didn't stop ringing, but I did decide to turn it off for a few days!)
Growing up, my dad was always taking me camping, hunting, fishing, and scuba diving. My love for the outdoors came from him, so I couldn't have picked a better person to explore Africa with.
First we explored the waters of my Island.
Then we headed to the mainland and went on a safari. We saw a plethora of elephants, zebra, giraffes, buffalo, impalas, warthogs, and hippos. And after looking for a day and a half with no luck, the hour before we had to leave, we stumbled upon two lioness and three cubs!
After the safari, we headed to another Island nearby to swim with whale sharks. Check out the video at the bottom of the post. We got to see and swim with about 15 of them and it was great. Hard work to keep up with them, but very cool.
And then it was time to say goodbye. That part was not so merry or so happy, but I am grateful that he came to spend Christmas with me, and grateful that I have such loving and supportive parents who would do anything for me! I am blessed.
To say we had a great time would be an understatement.
Now, he's in the air somewhere between Amsterdam and NY, and I'm sitting in my room on my Island. Work starts again on Monday and new classes begin next week. It is a new year and I'm pumped to be here. I'm excited to see all God has in store for me, this place, and these people in 2014. I'm thinking BIG things!
Whale Sharks2 from Ginger on Vimeo.
