kenya

Cataloguing the Heart

There is nothing more magical than the dappled sunlight of a 50+ year old garden. When I visited Kenya in January, I catalogued the plants, flowers, trees and birds in the garden of my mother’s childhood home, and identified over 40 unique species and varieties. There is so much biodiversity in our little corner ofContinue reading “Cataloguing the Heart”

Laying the Groundwork

Sometimes it’s necessary to step away. Far away. Away from the eyes of social media and the need to engage with people on a constant, consistent basis. Away from the need to be validated for every post, every photo, every moment of a life. For the last two months, I have chosen to be inconsistent.Continue reading “Laying the Groundwork”

The Year of the Toothache

2013 began with a toothache. A terrible, pounding toothache. A toothache that kept me awake all night. I was travelling to India in a few weeks and had to find a quick solution to the pain. I gargled with whisky and ate cloves. But the pain wouldn’t go away. My wisdom tooth wanted out. Thankfully,Continue reading “The Year of the Toothache”

Westgate

It has taken me this long to respond to something so close to me. It has taken me this long because I don’t know how to respond. I don’t know how to respond to the fact that a place I once drank coffee in, discussing politics, poetry and funding with friends has caved into aContinue reading “Westgate”

Uncertainty

Uncertainty: The lesson of fire We all have expectations and things we believe to be are certain. When we have a scheduled flight, we assume the airport will not be burnt to a crisp before we board the plane. But, like all things, impermanence is the only reality of our lives. The flight I wasContinue reading “Uncertainty”

Kenya Diaries: Kerio View

The ravens with giant wing spans, the scent of pink honeysuckle (or what looks like honeysuckle), the line of ants curving up the pathway, the moss-speckled stones, a leaf with the word ‘sufi’ scratched into it. Sometimes signs are not glaringly obvious, but incredibly simple. The higher the altitude, the more precious the air is.Continue reading “Kenya Diaries: Kerio View”

Kenya Diaries: Impermanence

Yesterday we went to visit my grandfather’s grave. We had to convince fruit & veggie sellers to move their carts aside so we could gain access to the cemetery’s gate. Once inside, we couldn’t locate our grandfather’s grave- large dead leaves and weeds covered most of the graves, including his. His tombstone was caked inContinue reading “Kenya Diaries: Impermanence”