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222/365, originally uploaded by britrosewhite.

Today was the day of the wedding for which we are in Mombasa in the first place. Granted, I didn't know the bride or the groom or the majority of the people there and we were assumed to be crashing when they wouldn't let us in right away. But still, it's the reason we're here.

I wish I could explain to you all of the differences in the Kenyan ceremony. It was long, first of all. Longer than any Catholic ceremony (which I enjoy, just sayin'!). Probably because the Bridal party walked in to a total of four songs - some of them on repeat. And when I say walk, I mean danced. Slowly. People were cheering and jumping out of their seats at random moments, even to capture pictures with their phones. Up close and personal pictures. But it was a joy-filled occasion and the bride and groom looked so happy.

The most upsetting difference to me involved the cake. Actually, the only upsetting difference. Can you imagine? Me being upset about cake? Well. It's because those 4 tiers up there go one each to the wedding couple, the bride's parents, the groom's parents, and the best couple. The little baggies go to the guests. I just really wanted to stuff my face with wedding cake.

You can see that Amy and I are already back in our hotel by the time wedding cake (which turned out to be fruit cake) was served. We enjoyed most of the reception from the comfort of our perfect-for-people-watching balcony.

Tomorrow we head back to Nairobi and get ready for September. It should be a much more different story next month as we get ready to do what we feel we were called her to do. A calling that will probably continue to unveil itself.

Please pray for our journey back. It will be a long and cramped one.

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221/365, originally uploaded by britrosewhite.

This picture is blurry and orange but I think it's funny.

One of these couples is not like the other...

Today we went to the South Coast again and I got a straight up beating from the Indian Ocean. The waves were huge and I was slammed over and over again. It was so awesome. I also rode a camel. That was pretty cool but uncomfortable. I also accidentally made a move on our waiter. By the end of the day he told me he was going to give me a ring.

Important lessons: American sarcasm is not equal to Kenyan sarcasm. In fact, Kenyan sarcasm might not even exist.

A few other interesting things that happened today: a guy tried to sell us drugs, two Jamaican guys wouldn't leave us alone until we swam away at which point they noted "eehh, de water got cold, mahn," a Kenyan guy talked to us for an entire 15 minutes while doing something completely inappropriate that I had to pretend was not happening while Amy and I tried to explain to him what a promise ring means.

Oh...to be a white American girl on the coast.

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220/365, originally uploaded by britrosewhite.

This is our room. I hardly left it today. We were without transportation or friends, so after a morning swim we pretty much napped/read/watched movies all afternoon into evening.

it was the first time I really missed just jumping in my car and driving to Target when I had nothing else to do. Yes, I did walk down to the beach, but I was quickly surrounded by what I can only describe as Africa's version of the ladies who lunch, or whatever the Red Hatted American women are called.

We skipped out on Swahili food and went for burgers and fries for dinner. Now I'm stuffed and thinking I should have just gone for the Swahili food, but the American-ish food tasted soooo good. It wasn't quite Chili's, and it definitely wasn't my dad's elk burgers, but it was close enough.

Finally, I apologize if I sound at all ungrateful and I admit that I was sort of a baby today. Will now get my attitude in check.

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219/365, originally uploaded by britrosewhite.

We drove to South Beach today. It's a private beach and when I saw it, I almost cried. Then I did the above for a few hours. Pure jubilation and glee!

Can you believe places like this actually exist?

Can you believe boys and men actually wear such small trousers?

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218/365, originally uploaded by britrosewhite.

Before we came to Africa, Amy and I said we should either go to Mombasa or to London at some point if we had enough money. Last year I wanted to come to Mombasa so bad! We were so close to this beautiful place and I didn't even know it.

So when Pastor Chola told us, "I'm doing a wedding in Mombasa and you're coming with me for a week and we got you a free hotel and breakfast!" Well. I couldn't believe it! I know it was God's hand.

This day has been surreal. We had breakfast and then I was desperate to go for a walk on the beach. So Amy and I took off, only to be harassed by a beach boy who got angry with me for not shaking his hand. We turned around as he circled us and yelled things about it being his beach and we should just go sleep in our nice hotel beds. It was a little sad and disheartening but oh well. We carry on.

After the Cholas finished their breakfast we all walked out to the beach together. The tide doesn't come in until afternoon so we walked pretty far out to where the boats were all resting in the sand. And this camel was there taking a bath! Amy and I might ride one later.

We came back and I sat on the balcony to catch up on this blog here while I listened to the kids swim. I had another PBJ and an apple with crackers. That's such good stuff.

After lunch we were supposed to drive to another beach but plans changed and we ended up staying here. I'm so happy we did! Amy and I went out with Duncan and Shiro and swam in the ocean. So far they've only been in the pools. We went so crazy! We just let the waves push us and pull us wherever they wanted. I could not believe how warm the water was. The kids had a blast and people stopped to watch us and just laughed. I still feel strange wearing a swimsuit here, even on the beach. People swim in one pieces with bike shorts underneath. And they are quiet. It's kinda strange.

We dove directly into the pool after being on the beach. I'm still a little freaked out by how much sand was still in my suit when I finally came back for a loooong shower.

At about 8:30 Roy and his girlfriend, Steph, picked us up for dinner. They cooked spaghetti noodles with meat and a carrot and zucchini salad (I think?) and had ice cream and cake for dessert. We had a great time talking and laughing. Lots of laughing. We got dropped off a little after midnight and now here I am. Totally up to date with my blog.

It's a long day tomorrow. Off to another beach for a full day. This one is supposed to be top notch. Ahhh....this is my life! I know life has ups and downs but I'm totally siked to be on an up right now.

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217/365, originally uploaded by britrosewhite.

Hello, Mombasa.

You guys...it's in the 80s here. And the water is warm. And it's clear, and the sand is white. There are two pools at our hotel. The kids are in heaven.

We started the day with breakfast at the hotel and then...nothing. Amy and I came back to the room to decompress. She read and I went down to the pool to watch the kids swim. We left for lunch - fries at a joint on the side of the road. It was the third day we'd had fries for lunch so I politely declined. My body was aching. I never really eat fried food. My weakness is sugar. So I had a Fanta while everyone ate.

Then we went to Nakumatt to shop for groceries. I bought: apples! bananas! whole wheat crackers, jam, instant coffee (there is only tea at breakfast), whole wheat bread, granola bars, and chocolate wafers. I sat right there and ate crackers with a little piece of soft cheese I'd picked up. Then we went to visit the SWEET apartment that our friend, Roy, and his girlfriend are staying at. Faustin is staying there too, now. I don't blame him. It's the nicest place I've seen in Kenya. Vaulted ceilings, flat screen TV, large kitchen, pool - not bad. I glanced around and then beelined for the kitchen to make a PBJ. Ahhhh....home.

When we got back to the hotel I went down to the beach to write in my journal. And then...then...I went for a run. I ran for 25 minutes, then I ran steps, then I walked, then I ran some more. I kept going for an hour. My cold is almost completely gone so I can breathe again. People were looking at me like I was crazy, making laps around the hotel buildings, and some cheered me on. I ended by running out to the beach where the moon was starting to reflect off the water. So I turned right back around to get Amy because someone else needed to see how beautiful it was. We sat out there and talked for 30 minutes or so.

Then we checked out the Chola's. Miss Pauline was making dinner so I decided to shower and get out of my sweaty clothes. It felt so good to sweat, for real! By the time we got back she had hot rice, beans, and potatoes. I ate so well. I love to eat after swimming or working out. And with my cold gone, everything tastes good again.

I know you know this already....but I love food!!! And you can probably tell....but I love Mombasa!!!