Kenya: Muhuru Bay

We finally got to Muhuru Bay, the final destination after hours and hours of travel. Henry and his team of engineers set right to work prepping and doing what they needed to do to get the micro grid installed. I eased into work, as we had to figure out what the team really wanted the interviews to look like as well as arrange for an interpreter. 

Mornings were the best. Henry, I and some other team members would take our fancy van out to the headmaster's house, where we were greeted with some amazing hot chai tea and breakfast. Breakfast was usually pancakes, french toast, potato omlets, or mandazi (kenyan donuts).

The installation was happening mostly outside, but a fair amount of problem solving, meetings, and relaxing happened in the living room of the head master's house.

Good morning!

Mandazi, eaten with jelly. Yum!

For lunch, we ate almost exclusively peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on white bread. I got so sick of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I'm going to need a long break before I can eat one again. Henry and I may host a party for the team back in Seattle, and we've already decided to serve PB&Js. I will not eat one, however.

On our first day there, we walked around the village to get acquainted with the place and to check out lake Victoria. We quickly learned that you cannot go anywhere without acquiring a large posse of children. There were always children hanging around the headmaster's house, so it was impossible to leave without being seen. Even if that had happened, children would flock to us from houses all along the road.

It's a parade!

Lake Victoria was beautiful, and oh so tempting. Given various parasites, snakes, and who knows what else, it was strongly encouraged that we not go in the water (never mind that we are showering in it). No matter how hot and sticky we felt, no cooling off was worth a parasite.

Lake Victoria: look, but don't touch.

This was right before a huge tentacle came out of the water and pulled Henry in...okay, not really.

One day we went to Kristy Cape Academy, were the students were giving an assembly for the school's namesake (Kristy). Kristy is the wife of one of the engineers on Henry's team. The students LOVE to have their picture taken, especially if you can then show it to them on a screen. It was the best entertainment ever. There are so few mirrors there, it makes it a bigger deal to see yourself.

Selfie!

Henry is burried among kids who want to see their picture. Henry is the red hat.

 With a little free time on my hands, I taught the headmaster's kids some card games.