Lamu and the life of Pole Pole

finally, I find the time and the internet connection to give you an update on our work here in Kenya. Since last Saturday we are on Lamu an island of the coast of Kenya. Interestingly on this island the only transportation is with boat or donkey. There are only two cars on this island and one is the ambulance. I have not yet figured out who the other one belongs to.

Life in Lamu follows the word "Pole Pole" which is Swahili and means Slowly Slowly. When I already thought that the clocks in Mombasa are ticking slower (That is literally translated from German ;) then there are no clocks on Lamu. Walking in a normal pace in the street attracts the locals attention and they tell you to slow down and not hurry. Although people at home would think you have too much time on your hand walking that slow. I do enjoy the timelessness. I guess the Ramadan also slows the people down as they cannot eat nor drink from 4.51am until 6.27pm.

My class here in Lamu is much more open to discussions than the group from Mombasa. Although none of them is a teacher and the concept will not help them in organising lessons in school the group enjoys the introduction to ICT in Education. One of my students works in the museum and thus, showed me around Lamu Town yesterday and told me and Dom (fellow volunteer) about the Lamu and existence of the German Post Office Museum. Yes, I could not believe that this small island has a German Post Office Museum :D Although the Germans were only here for a short period of time in the 1800s they managed to established a post office. Don't you just love efficiency?

We will be here until Saturday and then leave back to the mainland to Malindi. There I hope the internet connection is faster so I can upload pictures. The internet here also follows the motto: Super Pole Super Pole ;)


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Wencke