In case you’re wondering, “karibu” means “welcome” in Swahili. I was going to write this yesterday, but it was a bright and sunny morning and I thought I’d better get to the beach instead. I gathered my things, slathered the baby with sunblock and bug spray, and rushed to find the nearest bajaji on the national holiday. Just as we walked down the hill towards the beach, we could hear the sky growling in the distance. Billowing thunderheads were creeping towards us, threatening our beach day. “We have about ten minutes,” I thought, as I counted the seconds between the lightning and thunder. We explored the tidepools for a few, snapping pictures and collecting shells. When we felt the first drops of rain fall on our skin, we raced back up the hill into the shelter of the yacht club’s cliff lounge. I ordered a glass of wine (or two) as we waited for the clouds to pass. They never did.  Rainy season had won again.

 

Hello, April. I’m so glad you’re here.