March 2, 1983 7 a.m.
I am sitting here in my little hotel room at The New People's (A very cheap hotel in Mombasa from which most of the matatus and buses depart. Also a great place for chai, or for simple but yummy meals.). I will be so glad when this day is over! Can not believe how tense I feel. I hope I have a house waiting for me as promised.
March 2 1983 5:45 p.m.
I am all moved into my house, and it is a big Swahili house! It has a courtyard with a wall around it, a shower out in a little bath house, a kitchen also out back with half walls, electricity, and running water safe to drink-no boiling. It is furnished, with chairs-15 to be exact, plus a small couch and stools. I have a table and two small coffee tables, which means most of my kitchen is set up on boxes. Of course I have the big Swahili bed and no sheets to fit it. I will have to ask where they get their sheets. I also have a big dresser. In the courtyard I have a coconuts and bananas.
Everyone here has been incredibly gracious. I was taken to visit several key people in the village. I have had more chai, sodas, and lemonade than any human could possibly be expected to consume in one day!
I met the headmaster today. He and I and one other teacher are it. I will teach Biology, Chemistry, Physics and English. We have 25 students, only 5 are girls. This is the first year for our little school so we only have Form I. We have a few books and a chalkboard.
M, the headmaster, is Giriama. His sister's family live in a traditional Giriama compound near the school. We visited them today. Lovely!
In this village are Muslim women wearing buibuis (black robes), people of "western" dress, and traditional bare-breasted Giriama women. The hospitality from all is wonderful!
Right now I think I could sleep for 2 days, but I am asked to dinner at Mr. T's. He is the primary school headmaster. A little boy came by to ask for some bananas, and he brought me a little glass pitcher.The woman who lives next to me just brought me 2 warm chapatis. I could not feel more welcomed! It is hard not to pick at these chapatis, but I know they will stuff me at dinner tonight. I think my whole system just went on overload. I hope I don't fall asleep at dinner.
I just realized my 4 boxes of mosquito coils contain 10 coils each. That will last me awhile. Do I ever have a lot to learn!
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