Oh my god.

Right, yestarday (Sunday) we went for a walk to Fort Jesus. We got a tour guide and he showed us around and gave us the history. It's an old fort built by the portugese, and from the air is the shape of a human, so the portugese in the 1500s being Cathloic called it Fort Jesus.

Then he took us into the old town and we saw a real side of Mombasa.

The poverty is awful. Every so often (not hundreds, but ive seen a couple) you find a dead body lying at the side of the road. People see you are white and assume you have loads of money.

It's good and bad...if you need directions or a guide anyone will do it (as tipping is a massive part of life here) but you are always offered help and taxis etc... and you just have to keep saying no.

People keep begging for money, or trying to sell things, which I can live with but its the kids that are begging that really get to you. They are either begging for money or sweets and you just can't give them any because there are so many of them.

People are beggining to recognise we are volunteers and not tourists so its easier and we have settled well.

Went to the accomodation this morning. 4 bedrooms, each with 2 bunk beds. Loads of space its clean, tidy, its f***ing mint!! Really nice.

Start the project this morning...really looking forward to it.

I, very stupidly, was taking Emer and Krista's mosquito nets down for them and I didn't turn the ceiling fan off first...I have a lump on my head and a cut on my arm which I've had to spray antiseptic on and bandage up. What a total idiot, the things are made of metal and spainning like mad. Thought I'd been hit with a sledge hammer.

Finding it hard to get my travellers cheques changed but am sure I will manage. I'm trying to budget anyway because everyone is going to go on safari and I really wanna go but it costs like 100 quid and its a lot, but I'm sure it will be worth it.

Anyway I've got my first day at the project now so I better get off. Will try to get some pictures uploaded tonight of fort jesus and the new town.

:)