Monday, June 15: Bombolulu

This morning we woke up to a beautiful morning. There was a nice breeze, and the ocean view was very pretty. I made french toast for everyone except David (he had eggs). The coffee today was a little better and we had real cream to put in it. After breakfast we headed out to the street, caught a matatu to Bombolulu to visit the workshops and showroom.

Bombolulu is a community that was founded in 1969 to create employment for the many disabled living in that area. We toured several workshops which now employ people who are disabled. There is a jewelry area where metal and beaded jewelry is crafted. In another center, wheel chairs are constructed. We saw all sorts of chair designs. Most were very rugged to match the rugged terrain in Kenyan cities and countryside. They also manufacture three wheeled bicycles with the pedals on the handlebars for those whose legs do not work.
In another workshop people were doing leather work. One of the current projects was the design of menu covers for a restaurant. In another building, people were sewing and embroidering. Many of the products were available in the showroom. We shopped for some time, and found quite a few items we wanted and were happy to support what looks like a good organization.
We talked with one of the business managers for the showroom, and he agreed to work something out with Geofrey so he can sell his banana leaf collages in Nairobi and Mombasa. Hopefully we can get all of that in place in short order.

Timothy arranged for transportation back to the apartments in a Bombolulu van. That saved us a little bit of money and time. Christine also picked up some Chapatis from a friend, so that made for an easy lunch.

Most of us headed to the beach, while Christine, Timothy, and Gail went shopping for costumes. A costume is what one buys to wear to the beach. They visited the market where Timothy used to sell tomatoes, and were excited to be reunited with many old friends. They did find costumes, and came down to the beach about the time most of the rest of us were ready to go in. I stayed and visited with Timothy; Gail and Christine visited in the water.

While the shopping was going on, the rest of us swam, dug in the sand, walked, sun bathed, and swam some more. I met two guys who operate stands a few hundred yards down the beach. They were looking for business. One operates a boat charter, the other a gift shop. If we can negotiate a good price, we may be able to take a boat to the reef and go snorkeling.
We all had a relaxing time. Evey fixed supper: leftover rice made to look like something new with a few vegetables and eggs added in. It was good. Fresh mango was also on the table. After supper, Timothy and Christine went to their apartment. Gail and I went for a walk on the beach as it was heading toward dusk. It was pretty deserted. After walking for a while we noticed little things scooting along the sand in front of us. I thought it was seaweed blowing across the beach, but some pieces seemed to be going in opposite directions. Crabs. Little sand-colored crabs. Some the size of a little finger, others the size of a small foot. They blended in with the sand, so they were almost impossible to see. The beady black eyes were the most visible feature. Only when they moved could you easily distinguish them from the ground.

We turned around, and started back. They just got thicker. We were afraid we would step on them, but they seemed to avoid our feet. We passed two guards with machine guns. They told us we should not be walking up the beach where we had been, that it was not safe in that direction. I do not think he was referring to the crabs. We thanked them, and made note of the information for the future.

We got back safely, just as the darkness began to close in. Time for a shower, and then off to bed.