My First Letter Home
I wasn't good about journaling and keeping a record of all that happened in Kenya and South Africa, but I did write letters home periodically and my mom kept most of them. Yeah! She gave them to me recently and I spent last night reading. Wow, what memories. I decided to share the first one I sent home, about a week after we had arrived.
9/21/89
Mom and Dad,
Hi! How are you? We've landed safely as you have assumed. It was a long flight to Nairobi 'cause we had to stop in Athens, Greece to refuel. There was bad weather in Kenya (only in the skies - it was nice on the ground.) We couldn't really tell, though. Both flights were very smooth. Lufthanza was great - the meals were real food - there were free movies. They gave us hot towels steeped in eucalyptus before we landed in Kenya - it was so refreshing.
Jim and Leslie met us at the airport and deposited us at the Hotel Boulevard where we will be until tomorrow. It's comfortable - like a Holiday Inn - except the rooms all have twin beds - weird! We're waiting for a new apartment to be finished in Leslie's complex next week. The apartments are very spacious. Hardwood floors. Two bedroom. Two bath. With balconies. We'll be on the 4th floor. I don't know the address yet - I'll send it soon.
Nairobi is great. Yesterday I walked all over. Since everyone considers me a tourist the shop keepers want to charge me more so I took a Kenyan along to help me bargain until I learn Swahili - then they'll be surprised. A little white girl speaks their tongue! We bought fruit - bananas, oranges, grapefruit, passion fruit and a different one - bananas crossed with mangos. They're good. The people are wonderful - friendly and very warm. Tom's going to look for a job next week or the week after - we're just settling in now to get familiar. We love you very much. I think of you every day. Say hi to the boys and Sandy and Lori. Give Kyle a kiss. We'll write soon.
Tom and Lori
Everything in me wanted to edit some of this out! A couple times I sound so naive and then other times I sound a bit arrogant. But it's good for me to let you see the real me at 27 years old and living outside the U.S. for the first time.
9/21/89
Mom and Dad,
Hi! How are you? We've landed safely as you have assumed. It was a long flight to Nairobi 'cause we had to stop in Athens, Greece to refuel. There was bad weather in Kenya (only in the skies - it was nice on the ground.) We couldn't really tell, though. Both flights were very smooth. Lufthanza was great - the meals were real food - there were free movies. They gave us hot towels steeped in eucalyptus before we landed in Kenya - it was so refreshing.
Jim and Leslie met us at the airport and deposited us at the Hotel Boulevard where we will be until tomorrow. It's comfortable - like a Holiday Inn - except the rooms all have twin beds - weird! We're waiting for a new apartment to be finished in Leslie's complex next week. The apartments are very spacious. Hardwood floors. Two bedroom. Two bath. With balconies. We'll be on the 4th floor. I don't know the address yet - I'll send it soon.
Nairobi is great. Yesterday I walked all over. Since everyone considers me a tourist the shop keepers want to charge me more so I took a Kenyan along to help me bargain until I learn Swahili - then they'll be surprised. A little white girl speaks their tongue! We bought fruit - bananas, oranges, grapefruit, passion fruit and a different one - bananas crossed with mangos. They're good. The people are wonderful - friendly and very warm. Tom's going to look for a job next week or the week after - we're just settling in now to get familiar. We love you very much. I think of you every day. Say hi to the boys and Sandy and Lori. Give Kyle a kiss. We'll write soon.
Tom and Lori
Everything in me wanted to edit some of this out! A couple times I sound so naive and then other times I sound a bit arrogant. But it's good for me to let you see the real me at 27 years old and living outside the U.S. for the first time.
Love you Lori!! Lanel
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