Murafa, Malindi, Mombasa, and the Birth of a New Kenya

After writing on here last week, the plans went almost according to plan. We left at 6AM instead of 3AM, and as a result of this and other delays missed the main part of the traditional wedding in the town of Murafa. But we still danced the night away with a crowd of what seemed like everyone in the village.

Thee following day was the church wedding, which was beautiful, and really interesting to me in comparison with American weddings. For example, first the couple cuts the cake and feeds it to one another, then they actually walk around and feed a piece of cake to all of their parents and siblings - a little different.

The ceremony was in the town of Malindi, which is the Little Italy of Africa. The tourism in Malindi is dominated by Italians to the extent that signs at attractions are posted in Italian, and when the Kenyan kids there see a white person they yell, "Ciao!" This is very odd on many levels, but I kind of enjoyed it.

Before we left Murafa, we visited Hell's Kitchen, a collection of really cool rock formations that made me wish I had paid more attention in Geology 108.

Upon stopping in Mombasa, it became very clear we couldn't just go back without staying for a couple of days. Mombasa has the beaches and nightlife that make it awesome to visit, but I think my favorite thing was getting lost on the windy narrow streets, snacking my way through the day on cassava and fruits bought from vendors for a couple of cents each. And the day we spent on the beach was pretty magical too.

Now I'm back in Nairobi, on a day that has been declared the "party of a century" for Kenya - the new constitution was signed and officially put into action today. And yes, I was there watching in Uhuru Park, because I couldn't resist the excitement. Check for me on the news footage! Current and former leaders from Kenya and other African countries graced the stage, and thousands of people gathered on a huge muddy hill decked out in these funny paper hats with the colors of the Kenyan flag and the words "Second Republic" - the First Republic being the one that just ended. There was so much joy in the air, and everyone kept reminding us how this was the kind of historical event that happens once in a lifetime. I feel really blessed to be here right now to witness this.

I'm off to hit the town tonight for the continuation of the Party of a Century - more soon :)