Our last day in Spokane was full of all the last-minute errands and tasks we had left to, well the last minute. After our Last Breakfast of Weetabix with banana slices and toast with mango-passion fruit jam, I worked on packing the large box of items we leave behind at Kundayo for our next visit. Somehow it seemed fuller this year than it had been before. I’m not sure what we might have added—maybe more kitchen items.
Elizabeth called say she was coming all the way down from Nmanga to see me again before we left. I thought perhaps she’d be with us for lunch, but when she didn’t arrive by 2:00 p.m., we just ate all of our leftovers by ourselves. Coconut beef stew and 2 Russian sausages were a bit weird together, but that’s what there was. Eric and Bernice Rowberg were coming for dinner in the evening, so we knew we’d have a decent meal then.
Around 4:00 p.m. Elizabeth called again. She was on her way, but the heavy rain had caused flooding in her shop, and she had had to clean up a lot before she could leave. Then, there was water over the road and bridges in some places, so she was being very delayed. When the Rowbergs came at 6:00p.m., we sat out on the terrace with drinks—juice for John and Bernice and Mama’s bottle of wine for Eric and me. Everyone except me was bundled in sweaters and jackets because of the cool, wet weather. Elizabeth called again and said she was still on her way and would arrive soon. So, I ordered dinner for her, too. Just before we went into the dining area to eat, Elizabeth arrived. Introductions were made, and we went for dinner.
It turned out that because Elizabeth had worked with World Vision for a short time on the issue of FGM among the Masai, she and Bernice had met before and semi-knew each other. That made for a great time at dinner with conversation alternating between English and Swahili, with Bernice joining in more than I had ever seen before. She’s usually more quiet and observant, but I knew there was a very capable and interesting person inside. We had cream of vegetable soup to begin with and then whatever entree one wanted, plus Swahili salad. The table specially decorated with flowers and candles, making it feel like a very special occasion.
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| L - R: Eric, me, John, Bernice, Elizabeth |
The rain continued, so after dinner, the Rowbergs offered to give Elizabeth a ride to the bus park. She was set on returning to Nmanga yet that night. First, she gave me the “surprise” she had come so far to deliver: a dress made out of Masai shuka (the cloth they wrap in). She had chosen a very dark blue and black small plaid, which is more elegant than the red ones. And, there was a tiny little matching dress for Peri as well. It was very generous of her.
I was very worried about Elizabeth traveling so far so late in the evening, but she was sure she’d be fine and left with the Rowbergs. An hour or so later she called saying she could not find a bus back to Nmanga after all and would have to stay somewhere in Arusha overnight. It was still pouring rain. I was so glad I had given her my last schillings for transportation so she had that for lodging. Still I worried about her all night.
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