The minute we landed in Kenya I knew I needed a camera. Photography had been a passion of mine back in the olden days when we still used film. I was even fortunate enough to have my own little darkroom at the bottom of the garden which I'd spend entire weekends in! When technology advanced and photography generally went digital I had a bit of a sulk (well, rather a huge one actually) and hung up my camera. Bizarrely unbeknownst to me, at the same time my sister Eva took up photography. Her husband had bought her a digital Canon EOS body, and guess what, all my manual lenses fitted. Bingo! Now fifteen years later Eva is an amazing photographer and I'm struggling to remember how to choose the correct aperture!
Now is the time to put all that right though. The views and sights here are just so breathtaking that I need to be able to capture them to share with friends and family.
I cautiously broached the subject with Chris expecting to have to defend my case, but to my absolute sheer delight he thought it was an excellent idea, suggested that I go and do some research and promised me that he'd treat me the next time we were in Nairobi. How lucky am I?
The best and the worst thing happened only a few days later! Whilst we were up in Eldama Ravine one afternoon - approximately an hour and a half north of Kenana Cottage - we received news that Chris was expected at Nyayo House in Nairobi at 07.30am the following morning. The appointment was for the Immigration Office to take his fingerprints and start his Alien Card application. We were also informed that should we miss this appointment we'd have to wait until next year, possibly owing to the virus regulations that were imminent.
The Alien card is a necessity for any foreigners residing in Kenya for more than 90 days. Without one Chris can't open a bank account and would technically be an illegal resident. Me being his partner rather than spouse am only entitled to a tourist visa which means I'll have to leave the country every three months - how unfortunate - here I come Mozambique, Seychelles, Madagascar...!
Having packed an overnight bag we braced ourselves for a four hour journey in the dark. I must point out that despite the road being known as the Trans-African Highway it is by no means comparable to an Autobahn! It is in the main single carriageway and generally littered with; pedestrians flitting from one side to the other, potholes, wandering cows and many unlit broken down lorries. It was by far the most frightening journey I've ever experienced. We have since discovered that it is company policy not to drive in the dark.
We ended up spending three days at Arnie and Jacquis farmstay again and on our final day headed back into the city to collect my camera. Apparently I've not stopped smiling since, which I think says it all.
I've yet a lot to learn but am loving it. One of the most amazing features I've discovered is that I can use my mobile phone as a remote control. So quite unashamedly I have spent an entire afternoon with the camera focussed on our birdbath simply watching my mobile phone screen from afar and capturing them without having to disturb them!
Happy days! Thank you Chris x
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