Diamonds and Destruction

It was my Grandparents 60th wedding anniversary last week so we had a huge party for them at their home. It was a wonderful occasion with over a hundred people from different stages of their lives. I was the only grandchild so had a lot of greeting, talking and listening to do which I loved - it really was a special affair with the British High Commissioner among others coming along to congratulate them. The only thing that took the edge off the event was discovering that they weren't eligible to receive a card from the Queen which apparently happens when you reach the 60th anniversary. Even though my Grandfather was in the British Army he is also a Kenyan citizen and therefore not eligible. I think my Grandfather felt a bit let down. Perhaps ER just didn't want to pay the extra postage costs?
Friday was a day off for most of the schools in Nairobi so that they could attend the Nairobi Show. This has happened every year since my aunt can remember and apparently my father and his sisters used to love going when they were at school here. Things must have changed somewhat since then as out of the tens of thousands of people there I only spotted 4 other white people the whole day...I think it's just too hot, dusty and crowded for many people to leave their air-conditioned homes but it was fun and interesting I'm I glad I went even though it took a long time to cool down and get the dust off. There were many different exhibitions which you can stroll around, food stalls, a fairground and various forms of entertainments and shows to keep you busy. I went with Christine who lives in a room at the back of my house. She took her 5 year old nephew John who was adorable and I managed to pick up a street boy at the gates who couldn't afford to get in. I thought that once I'd given him a ticket he'd disappear but he stayed with us all day and was absolutely delightful - he looked after John in the crowds and was fun to spend time with. I didn't really piece together his story but his mother had left him to go and live in South Africa so he spent a lot of time on his own but went to school when he could / wanted. I was sad to see him go at the end of the day but he's bright and resourceful so I'm sure he'll be fine.
The rest of the weekend I spent with family and friends. It is seriously hot now so the luxury of being able to escape to a swimming pool or a cool veranda is seriously appealing and going back to South B at the end of the weekend not always that easy. But I'm back and have just had a very hot and dusty day at school. Nothing particularly note worth happened today but this little scenario should give you an idea of just how different life is like here. The Headmistress came into the staffroom at 11 to make a few announcements and then left. She came back in 5 minutes later to inform us that apparently the staffroom, library and her office were all being pulled down and demolished later in the day so could we please all help move books, tables, years worth of files etc into the school hall. No one grumbled or seemed surprised. I really hope their laid back nature and ability to roll with the punches rubs off on me by the time I get back!