Chess and other things

A few weeks ago we went to Nairobi to get Patience's Dependant's Pass/Visa. We never quite got the pass, but the nice immigration supervisor gave Patience another three months in the country while they finish processing it. But while we were holding out hope for the pass, we spent a glorious two weeks at a friends apartment with running water, fresh sheets, furniture (not just a bed!), and a nearby Java House (we don't drink the coffee, but we love the burritos, hamburgers, and shakes).

Anyway, we also had a goal to get a beautiful chess set while we were in Nairobi, and for once we succeeded. Voila!

Its just soapstone, but its such pretty soapstone and the big pieces feel nice in the hand. We've missed playing and its great to know that we can both beat each other soundly on occasion.

The vendor threw in this little rhino for fun. Patience has named him...

Arnold

In related news, we're going to be packing and shipping a big box of stuff at the end of September. So now is the time to place your 'orders' if you want any special souvenirs. Here are some of the things we've found...

Fish soapstone bowls

Comfy leather sandals (beaded, plain or furry)

Woven bowls in many sizes designs and colors

Wooden carved statues ranging from 3 inches to 7 feet if you'd like (the price for shipping is per ton)

Necklaces, earings, bracelets (stone, bronze, gold, silver, you name it)

Baobab fiber bag (or cheaper if made with sisal fiber); "The Best Bag EVER!!" - Patience

Bark cloth (they usually come in long strips like this, imported from the Congo and Uganda)

And of course everyone's favorite carved animals. They come painted or not.

Today as we passed a curio shop I also saw some Vigango (anthropomorphic carved posts that Giriama use as grave markers) that have been traded on the art black market for several years - think of it like selling your ancestors grave stone. And there're the shells and starfish you can buy off the beach in contravention of conservation efforts; but I think we'll avoid 'importing' anything like that. But anything else, let us know and we'll see what we can do. Most of its much cheaper than you would guess.