The electricity came on again this morning for a while, and then it went on and off for a while before finally deciding to stay off for several hours this afternoon. Apparently all the rain we’ve been having plays havoc with our power grid or perhaps just the wiring somewhere nearby. Anyway, I didn’t need electricity to have my usual wonderful breakfast of Wheetabix and banana slices, and the milk was still cold.
Unlike my normal morning pattern, I did not go out to the terrace after breakfast. It was just too cool to be there without a sweater, which I failed to bring with me this year. The sky was a sullen gray, and instead of waiting until afternoon, the rain fell on and off all day. Maybe the farmers are happy with this weather, but I’m getting a bit grumpy about it. I’d like some more sunny, almost hot days before we leave.
John is still off in Nairobi, so I decided to meet up with a friend and do some tanzanite shopping. I’m not much of a jewelry person, but I had heard of a gem/jewelry merchant who sells some very affordable tanzanite rings. Tanzanite is both beautiful and very expensive, but if one opts for the second tier in color and a sterling silver instead of gold setting, it is possible to buy very attractive rings for just about $100. Most people back home will not note the slightly lighter color of a stone, so I found a ring which I liked for its simplicity and made the decision to buy it. It needs some slight sizing, so I won’t actually get it until later this week. (Maybe next year I should take orders.)
My photo does not capture the true color and brilliance of these stones. |
Once the jewelry buying was complete, we went to a Chinese restaurant for lunch. It was pouring rain, and the road in front of the restaurant was piled high with dirt from a very deep trench. However, there was a board across the trench, so even though the roadside was a mini-river, we decided to enter the restaurant. A waiter came out with an umbrella and took my hand to help me across the moat. Still, I had to wade in water and nearly slipped in the mud. By the time I got inside, I was in a definite noodle mood and ordered a big plate of chicken fried noodles. My friend got a big bowl of chicken corn soup and egg rolls. The rain had stopped by the time we left, but the maneuvering back across the trench was almost as perilous. I am so glad John wasn’t present, as he would have had a fit about the possibility of me misstepping and falling into an 8-foot deep pit of mud.
I went back 3 days later when it wasn't pouring rain and took photos. |
This was a waterfall on Tuesday. |
Ray came to pick me up, and on the way back to Kundayo, I asked him about the proper colors to wear when mourning or attending a funeral. He said that the usual choices are white and purple. So, yesterday Mama was wearing white for mourning, and I must have misunderstood about white being bright and cheery. She wasn’t out at all this afternoon, so I didn’t have an opportunity to quiz her.
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