Twitter Tweet Morning: At Home in Nairobi

Waking up this morning reminded me, once again how small I am, how I am just one among many.

Waking up this morning reminded me, once again that there is something bigger than me.

Waking up this morning reminded me, once AGAIN, how beautiful the world is around me, next to me, above me, beside me.

What an amazing summer back in the States - just blessed and full. Full of love and family and friends and new experiences and old experiences made new again. And yet arriving home to Nairobi seemed so natural, so comforting, so warm despite the chill in the air, so satisfying, so loving. Yes it is good to be home to see my partner, to see my friends, to see home.

The welcome home weekend was full of course, catching up, staying up, drinking up!

It all has to end though, yes? He has to travel for work, friends must return to their responsibilities, and I must prepare for my week. And yet Sunday night as full and sated as I was - I could not sleep...I was full of energy - wide awake. I questioned myself: anxiety? no; hungry? no; cold? no; time change? maybe, no. Sigh. All night positing why am I awake...of course only to fall asleep at some hour unknown...

The blessing arrived though...through all the questions, all the wondering...I have been taught again and again, AND again. LISTEN. Stop filling the quiet with questions and LISTEN.

Waking up early, waking up before the sun seems sometimes, presumptuous and rude. The sun is not up and here I am wide awake - eyes open under my eye mask, trying to fool myself maybe that I am still asleep...but no I am awake. I feel my heartbeat, I feel the warmth of my bed, I feel alive.

Still it seems rude, I know it is early, it is dark the sun has yet to rise and I think...is God awake? Is it not rude to be up so early....and then I hear the waterfall of sounds, knowing I am truly awake...and then I DO feel rude presumptuous, an interloper of the morning - of Gods' time.

The sounds of birds. The irony that I live in an urban city, filled with all things urban, high-rises and highways, trucks and workers, airports and cars and all things that make a city thrive and survive.
But I only hear birds.

long tweet tweet
quick twitter twitter
hoot
wha wha
tweet
whoooo who whoo
CAW CAW
twitter twitter
warble
hoot

I lay real still. I giggle and wonder why? The birds can't see me in my home. The birds don't even know I exist - I wouldn't know they were even in the trees if it weren't for their morning symphony.

Maybe it is I CAN'T move - I am overwhelmed that I am allowed to hear this concert = this performance. Announcing the coming of the Sun! I try to focus on a single tweet or warble - I try to find a rhythm, it so thick it is hard to know who could conduct such a beautiful morning. I know Who.

And then I hear a neighbor stir, maybe they are just getting out of bed to make their coffee, maybe they are late for work, maybe they too have been up before the sun listening in to the same concert as I.

My neighbor though, does not add to musicology and I focus back on the sounds

twit
tweet tweeter
hoohoo WHO
warble warble

I keep reminding myself I live in a city - a true urban jungle, eh? In Chicago - I wake in the morning and wait for the sun to rise over the lake - but all I receive is silence...silence. No birds, an occasional EL passing by, surely no birds. I watch for the sun and I hear the sounds of the morning through color, yes?

Here in Nairobi, I smile and lay still, I give thanks, I pray for a good day, for health, and Peace.

I begin to wonder how do the birds know when to start their morning symphony. Where does this waterfall of sound begin.

Cock-A-DOODLE-DOO!

And then the sun. I giggle. I laugh. There is a happy, proud announcement!

COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!

The SUN!

The day has begun.


 

Humming Bird Tour: Kansas City

Yea, certainly this sculpture outside the Kemper Contemporary Art Museum, Tom Otterness' Crying Giant, portrays my feelings about Kansas City.

Seriously, not sure what is up with this town - but I overstayed my welcome for sure! Of course, when I saw this sculpture - I knew I was not alone: how appropriate a MUSEUM would place this image on their front lawn: FORESHADOWING of what was inside!

Poor curating from the get-go. But who am I to judge. Oh wait.

Inside was probably the worst space I have ever seen to install art - I have seen better studio/gallery spaces in the back alley's of the OKC stockyards. Not sure who what why - but my head was hurting - also the museum was extremely frigid - are you feeling my opinion about this museum, let alone Kansas City - unfortunately there was some good art crammed in awkward rooms - and yes I will mention the incorrect spelling of an artists name (prominent artist) on the tag next to his work. Yes I did call the Museum and they seem offended at my polite recommendation to correct the wall tag to not offend the artist let alone, guests of the museum.

Alas,  you can head over to the famous Nelson Atkins Museum, the building/s are much more inviting - sometimes, but really I won't go on too long. If you are stuck in Kansas City, MO for work (I'm sorry) but then you should run down if the weather is good, and check out the beautiful sculpture park - Not the most progressive collection of outdoor sculpture - but a good sampling of recent art history.


If you are so unfortunate as to be in KC this summer - THEN you will want to check out Brad Kahlhamer's Bowery Nation. Truly a wonderful installation. And how exciting to portray a First Nation artist who blends his culture with experience of living in downtown NYC. Kemper Link to Kahlhamer's Bowery Nation.

If you are hungry - I will admit the Museum's cafe, Rozzelle Court Cafe was actually pretty good food. Warm and contemporary with vegetarian options.

Now don't stay long check out Bowery Nation - take some snap shots and RUN to ...

                                                                 The Nerman Museum!

The Nerman Museum is located on Johnson Community College, Overland Park, KANSAS! Not Missouri, Not Kansas City - Kansas! On the Campus of a Community College. And this THIS is what contemporary art is all about - Overland Park - should be a very proud community for housing such a progressive institution of fresh, local, contemporary art. You will see this building, stone cold slab, and yet WANT to go inside, there is a dynamic lights sculpture on the exterior that beckons your entrance.

This small, succinct, and purposeful museum has it all! Truly a place to watch and monitor if you are a fan of contemporary art outside of the coastal realms of east and west. Yes art is happening in flyover states too!

There is even a swank shop a la the Phoenix Museum of Contemporary Art, where you can actually BUY art made by local contemporary artists. LOVE THAT. And if you were as lucky as I, there will be artists hanging out in the shop to chat you up. Bonus. One stop shopping: Curatorial Smarts/Purchasing/Discussion.

My Purchase from the Nerman Museum Gallery-Shop
ps, THEY SHIP! 

Really worth the drive.

Speaking of Kansas I have one word: TOPEKA. This is the place!

Did you know Topeka was the "home" of Brown vs. the Board of Education - no me neither.

Yea, who knew, a National Historic Site! If you want to know more about it here is a link to the National Park Service.
'

Really a bonus gift find - did I mention the people of Kansas are Super Friendly?

Maybe because Topeka has beautiful brick lined roads....? Everything is so picture perfect...

Yea - sorta fell in love with Topeka, maybe it was the friendly people, maybe it was the better roads, maybe the sun was out, maybe the people of KC, MO are so miserable it was like night and day = gosh have you ever been to the Kansas City Airport (MCI): avoid at all costs : OMG.

Seriously - I hope to never have to go back...But Kansas I love YOU!

I think I am now a Jayhawk fan for sure!

My first Contemporary Art find in Nairobi: Charles Ngatia

No, Charles Ngatia has no formal training, Yes, Charles Ngatia "gets it."

Ngatia hails from the "slum," his words. His imagery portrays his "hometown," the slum, shantytowns. The colors, the vibrancy, the people, the isolation, the insularity (yea, the insularity - of being isolated from culture, from worldliness, from interaction -like living on an island) of belonging to the slum.

Look above at this "snapshot" of the slum. It is isolated - cubes of color on a wash of sky, even the ground floats like an island. People that are faceless members of the community.  I LOVE THIS - the texture, the rawness, the INSULARITY.

Here again is another small 12" x 16" image of the slum - It COULD be an island! Are those doors? entrances? or walls....? Is this the back or front of a row? And we "know" what shanty town looks like, eh? Certainly this is a "take-away" a cut-out, and slice - providing insight that even on "slum island" there is further isolation and yes, INSULARITY.

The colors are just so brilliant used as texture to create composition, I think about Lyonel Feininger, not that Ngatia is as tender with his brush and construction - but the alignment and juxtaposition of color is so natural and intuitive  - Yes, I am addicted. Oh the dissonance of perspective - is REAL! Have you been to a shanty town? Walls, alleys, rows, roofs are all askew - there is no rules for construction - colors are not approved by a neighborhood committee.

Do you see here, the windows? Maybe interior lighting? Where are the people? Eh? INSULARITY.

Here is a larger stretched canvas. Again we see the neighborhood that is familiar to Ngatia. We know that slums are filled FILLED with people. BUSTLING with people - why then are there no people on this bright warm day? On this island - where are the people?

So here is a person - here is a member of the community. Nagtia has produced a small number of portraits like the one above. Of course, his eyes are closed. And I don't know, maybe those are onions, vibrations, the rays of the sun - or maybe waves, WAVES, as this young man is washed up on the shore on his island....

On visiting Ngatia's studio, we found him working on a larger canvas, in a more detailed, and structured manner with additional components of material to create people - he has scraps of cut out lapa cloth that he is crafting people - but let is again notice that they are faceless on the street....

So excited to have met Ngatia and to talk about his work. I look forward to returning to his studio and learning more about his art! I hope you will too.

Maybe you need a new pair of shoes....

So after visiting the Bizarre Bazaar this past weekend - the one "item" that keeps on resonating with me are these SHOES:

These shoes are produced locally here in Nairobi by a small company called Tropical Muse. Whilst the owner doesn't have a website - she does have plenty of smart and snappy designs!

I truly believe she will be picked up and be a bustling success soon.

Of course she had plenty of options for women:

These ankle boots are ROCKSTAR. As you can see she has designed are shoes using what I would call
lapa cloth: Images of lapa cloth .

The designer, Tina Masese, uses newly made soles, produced here in Nairobi. The construction is handmade, well made, and extremely durable. These shoes are even washable!

The shoes are competitively priced at almost $50 US. Not bad for a hand-made, original design shoe!
Ms. Masese's shop also does made to order shoes! So if you don't see what you like - you need to ask!

Dreams do come true and I look forward to wearing my new pair of Tropical Muse slippers!

Tree Tomato - Tamarillo

Tree Tomato / Tamarillo

All I can say is that Vamsi and I are obsessed with the Tamarillo! And surely, plenty of you have heard and eaten this fine FINE fruit - but for me (and he) this is a wonderful new taste - and not about to deny our obsession. 

I've tried to do my research and find out who, what, where, and why. There seems to be conflicting accounts of all sorts - but the Tamarillo tree seems to have originated either in South Africa or the Andean Mountains - in fact I also found a source that roots Tree Tomatoes from Jamaica! - yea that's what I said. 

Jamaican Ancestry

South African Ancestry

Either way it again seems that somehow Dutch settlers/Missionaries either brought Tamarillo to the new world or brought it back to Africa. Either way - I am finally, FINALLY benefiting from this amazing fruit.

It does seem that New Zealand and its' agricultural industry have taken steps to "own/breed/manage/produce" this wonderful fruit. And unbeknownst to me, ironically, US is the largest importer of Tamarillos! Who knew? Maybe you!

New Zealand Agriculture Profile: Tamarillo

So blah blah blah...let me tell you - these fruits are simply amazing - they are sweet and tart and have a "tomato" after taste that is sublime!  The fruits arrive in a variety of colors from yellow, browns, and reds. they are in fact egg shape, and BEAUTIFUL.

Once they are ripe you can tell by their firmness, cut them in half lengthwise like so...

Is your mouth watering yet? Because mine is!

Next, take a spoon and scoop out the "insides." Seeds/pulp/juice and all! Proceed to eat from spoon!

MMMMM....

It is that good - and if you have had a Tamarillo, you know! And if you have had one and never shared this magic with me; p'shaw!

Here are some nutrition facts for my friends who need that kind of information:

Nutrition Info

Nutrition Facts

I have read here and there how Tamrillos are sliced and put a top cakes and pastries - and mostly utilized and appreciated as a dessert. All well and fine - but the tomato flavor really makes me want to use this fruit in a savory format.

Tonight for dinner - I scooped out and chopped 8 Tamarillos, scooped half a large Avocado (they grow them BIG here in Kenya), added a tablespoon of olive oil, half a key lime juice, and salt to taste.

Mixed, stirred and served in a small bowl, topped with toasted salted sunflower seeds! YUM!

But I found these simple recipes online! Hope you can find a Tamarillo tonight!

Recipe for relish on warmed Brie

Recipe for Tamarillo Salsa

Humming Bird Tour Comes to an end!

Mr. Pedersen on tour arriving in Waikiki last month.

Obviously a gap in my blogging:  I promise myself and you, dear follower, proper updates on all things Liberia-and-in-between to my arrival here in Nairobi.

Gosh I owe so many updates! Follow-ups! Mamie! Andrew! And gosh Alaska and Kansas City - ooh Sacramento and Salt Lake City! 

View to the south from Provo, just outside Salt Lake City.

But today: Nairobi indeed…Mr. Pedersen is in Nairobi – how blessed am I? What a wonderful and cosmopolitan city – I feel a little out of place and hope to gather my urban wits and catch up as fast as I can to this vibrant city!

Only three nights and already I have learned so much, too much – I am adjusting, acclimating, energizing, and looking forward to engaging all things Nairobi – which is A LOT, maybe TOO much!

Lucky for me, our Zanzibar-decor-inspired home is a refuge from the bustling city – a quiet and lovely spot in an idyllic neighborhood: the best of both worlds!

More to follow, as experiences are happening at a rapid pace  –  and yes I have already been to the local produce market – and since Kenya is the “bread-basket” to Europe, again: the BEST of Both Worlds!

Breakfast today: red papaya and mini bananas drizzled with local honey – YES! Oh, you KNOW that the watermelon here actually TASTES like watermelon, juicy, sweet, and fragrant: MY FAVORITE!

And yet, we will be enjoying asparagus with dinner this evening! And the list goes on I tell you – ooh tree tomatoes! TREE TOMATOES! 

Flowers welcoming me !

Humming Bird Tour: Sacramento

Tower Bridge


You know - I have been a lot of places - not enough but a lot....And wherever I go: I LOVE BRIDGES! Seriously, all kinds and every kind - you may have read a previous post about students in Liberia who put together their own foot bridge to get to school during the rainy season! I mean bridges come in all shapes sizes and COLORS!

 

 

Here is the Tower Bridge of Sacramento - seriously, IT is yellow!

 

 

 



 Tell me a yellow Bridge is not FABULOUS! And it is a vertical lift bridge built in 1933. If you want to know more check out this wiki link, Tower Bridge Wiki Link. Seriously, this bridge goes on my Favorite List!

Anyway, let me tell you: who knew Sacramento, California was so adorable! Seriously, Northern Cali is everything, everyone says it is....

Just walking around the Capital Building was so LOVELY!

It is idyllic - yea, truly - just a lovely place to wander about - there are rose gardens, cactus gardens (yes cactus gardens), and a Magnolia ORCHARD - a whole orchard of GIANT Magnolia trees - how often do you get  to wander around Magnolia Trees - stunning.

There are fountains, monuments, and memorials - I mean just so darling - and plenty of eateries and so easy to walk about.

You might even run into one of your Oklahoma Cousins ; )

So there are plenty of things to do of course - and certainly I did not get a chance to take enough photos - but this place is FAMILY Friendly!! There is OLD TOWN Sacramento! HOW MUCH FUN! There are Riverboats and Saloons and all sorts of FUN! This is def a cute weekend place to hang out! I hope to get back!

Old Town Sacramento

Another Fab Thing about Sacramento (and USA): There is a sweet Amtrak Station that takes you down the ocean side to: San Francisco! How cool is that? And yup that's what I did! gosh knows I need oysters!