Across the Equator! (6/20/09)

Mo and I got up at 4:30 on Saturday morning, expecting to meet Muthee, the Mituntu liaison and a SOTENI board member, at 5 to drive to Mituntu. Of course, since we are in Kenya, 5 am actually meant 5:45 am, and so we sat with the security guards for a while before being picked up. Edward joined us on the way, and we drove out of Nairobi at about 397 kilometers per hour, swerving around matatus and pikipikis that drove “too slowly.” It was on this drive that we passed two trucks on a curve, headed uphill, going very fast, over a bridge.

Part way through the trip we drove over the equator! We decided to be as touristy as possible and document the moment.

We are staying with Barnabus Mwiki, the Chairman of the Local Management Committee (LMC) of Mituntu, and his wife, Ann and five-year-old daughter, Linda. As soon as we walked in the door, they served us tea, something I am getting used to as it is served whenever someone visits. They are wonderful and incredibly welcoming and concerned about our well-being.

Barnabus even took us out to experience a traditional Kenyan beverage…

Unrelated but thrilling for me was the logo of Java, the restaurant just below the SOTENI office. Anyone who’s seen the Bowdoin sun can probably relate.

Baadaye!