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I don't know why it has suddenly come over me to write this list because I'm not feeling home sick (no offence!); but after a few conversations with people recently it got me thinking about a few things I actually miss about living in the UK (excluding missing people). Perhaps after reading this list you won't be so envious of what I'm doing, if you were without your creature comforts!
So, here's my list of things I'm missing, in no particular order:
1. A washing machine.
2. Not having to boil water first before drinking it.
3. Robinsons Orange Squash.
4. Not having to sleep under a mosquito net or having to take anti-malarial pills (with their weird side effects- indigestion, heartburn, and very vivid & hallucinogenic dreams!).
5. Driving (well, owning a car). Public transport is a pain at the best of times, but the matatus (local buses) here are mad!
6. A power shower.
7. Skimmed or semi-skimmed milk (as opposed to always having whole milk).
8. My wardrobe - I'm fed up with the limited clothes I have in my back pack!
9. Shoes - I've been wearing trainers since January.
10. A bath.
11. Hair straighteners (no teasing!).
12. Health food shops - I miss my pumpkin & sunflower seeds, pine nuts, dried fruits and all those unusual things all of you find gross! (Bonus is I found a Health Food Shop yesterday, & so I have now stocked up on all these things - though it cost me a small fortune!).
13. Hugs!! (I'm such a softy really!).
14. EXERCISE!!!! Particularly playing football - & I particularly miss exercising since I have gained weight, which I am constantly (almost daily) reminded about how I've "gotten fat" or how I now have an "African ass"! On the "plus side, I guess I will have "extra cushioning" for all the bumpy roads I'm sure we'll encounter whilst on my safari!
15. It'd be nice to have something to eat other than a jam sandwich for lunch every day!
16. My stereo and music collection.
17. Strong tea - i.e. not made with half water, half whole milk!
18. A kettle to make the tea!
19. Not having to encounter the frequent (almost daily) power cuts.
20. My bed. Well, sleep in general! The train line runs just behind the house, and my room is on that side... and there are trains throughout the night... 4am, 6am etc... so they wake me up, and then Edith's dogs, who fight constantly throughout the night anyway, get scared of the train and howl at it! I don't think I've had a decent night's sleep in 3 months!!
21. My independence! I think this has been the hardest thing to give up because I am very independent. To be honest, I've felt like I've been living at home again which has proved difficult (no offence Mum and Dad!), only that I've had to bite my tongue a LOT! (Surprised I've not done myself an injury... Dad, don't expect the same treatment when I get home!)
22. The occasional alcoholic beverage and game of pool.
23. Big shopping malls (shopping with my Mum).
24. Earning money- it's expensive being a volunteer!
25. Nice toiletries from The Body Shop or Boots.
26. Regular hair cuts. I've not had a hair cut since I left in January - I hate tying my hair up now!
27. My juicer.
28. An oven (we only have a gas stove in the house).
29. People who understand my sense of humour!
30. My cats (of course!).
Having said all this, there are also several things that I DON'T miss about the UK to be honest! If I was earning money in Kenya instead of volunteering then I could be living much more comfortably... it's not that these things aren't available, I just haven't got access to or can't afford them! You never know, if I was earning money here, I might just be staying put!!
I hope you are all having a nice weekend? Mine has been really nice. On Friday night, Ahsan took me out for dinner which was lovely, and I had a really lovely evening. It felt like a proper Friday night! Yesterday (Saturday) I went shopping, though I didn't buy anything apart from the seeds and dried fruits from the health food shop! I went to the cinema to watch Oceans 13 though, which was ace by the way, and I then wasted a fiver in the amusement arcade (I still love going to arcades; Neil - lucky we can't go together, else I'd have spent a fortune!)
I'm taking the 2 classes I'm close to & have taught since the beginning, out for lunch tomorrow. They are so excited; I am really looking forward to it! I'm not looking forward to saying goodbye to all my students and new friends on Tuesday though. I then have 3 days off; I plan to visit Boston School in Matopeni to deliver some presents, and then I should get organised and pack before I leave on Saturday!! Hey, this time next week I will be in the Masai Mara....!!
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