Music in Mombasa!

Saturday 28th May 2011


Having Chris and Fiona to stay with me for two weeks was just wonderful. It was so, so good to have time with them both, and share in their excitement over their new house which they just got the keys for before coming out here. Thankfully all my furniture that was in storage is now safely installed in their place, and fits beautifully. All my ‘bits’ came over from the UK with them, and yes, it was definitely a mid-year Christmas day for me unpacking my supplies! And the joy of just being able to sit and watch a DVD again....... so far have watched all of my Harry Potters, started the Inspector Morse series all over again, and chick flicks such as Notting Hill and Mama Mia. We had the most amazing safari ever... within an hour of being in the Maasai we had seen a cheetah, and over the whole weekend saw countless elephants, giraffes, lions, more cheetahs, crocs, hippos, hyena, leopard... well everything really – a stunning few days. I hope you enjoy the photos!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.185587041491987.59077.100001220765427&l=d8f6d25631

Chris and Fiona came into Precious with me most days and helped in class, with one to one reading and swimming. They also got hauled out to the local police station with Madam Jane as tour guide... certainly an experience which highlights just how basic the structures are over here, and left Chris and Fiona reeling a bit with the stark contrast between here and their experiences in the UK.

My life over these last two weeks has been dominated by rehearsals for the concert which was held here in Mombasa on Thursday and Friday this week. I have to say what terrified me the most was being overcome by nerves, as in a previous life I was known to shake terribly with nerves when performing... which might be fine as a violinist if I wanted extra vibrato but not as a pianist! It didn’t help also that I don’t have my own piano here to practise on, and was reliant on monopolising Cherry’s piano. She did jest with me that I wasn’t much of a friend to her recently as I would only phone her to ask when she was out each day so I could practice whilst the house was empty! It also didn’t help that on Thursday morning I woke to find that the mosquitoes had attacked my face whilst asleep and had some corker bites on my face, one in particular under my right eye .... great, a lumpy face, swollen eye and a body with uncontrollable shakes..... mmmm... it was going to be a good night!

In total there were 17 out of the 19 ‘numbers’ that I was involved in, 9 on piano, 3 on keyboard and 5 singing (ranging from Bach, Haydn, 'She' from Notting Hill, West Side Story & Les Miserable medleys). In fact it was a bit of a comedy act on the first night, as I hadn’t quite worked out all the moving around I would be doing between instruments and stage (did I really use to run a school?!), and found myself sat at the piano when should have been on keyboard, or on keyboard when should have been on stage and not having the right music in front of me! I was also so engrossed at end of each piece to work out what I was doing next, that I always forgot to stand up and bow.... anyway, the audience thought it all funny which I think helped to diffuse my nerves. Bottom line was......... I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and though I say it myself, I played brilliantly!!! .... helped ably by Chris, fellow volunteer and great friend, who was my page turner... mind you not that he can read music, so he spent the whole time watching my eyes so that he knew where I was looking at on the page, only to get caught out with repeats and codas etc! Hilariously, everyone thought we were an ‘item’ as all they saw was him gazing intently at me all night!

Both nights we got a standing ovation, performed encores, beautiful bouquet of flowers presented to me at end........ and also, for me a right result, I have been approached by countless people who now want me to teach them or their kids piano (had I shared with you that I was thinking of trying to do a bit of piano teaching from September just to get a bit of extra dosh to make up for a very meagre salary). Also, I have been asked to travel to Nakuru at the end of July to the Kenyan National Music Festival to accompany some local groups who will be competing there, as well as doing some paid work accompanying children taking their graded exams on various instruments and singing. RESULT!!!

This year has been quite extraordinary in so many ways, but the one aspect that really astounds me is how so many great opportunities have arisen for me, and the experiences I continue to have here just get better and better. The lovely aspect for me is the contrast of all these experiences... the main one being my time at Precious (sadly coming to an end in its current form), my new hobbies and interests, the new circle of friends I have here, the ease of making the decision to stay here for a bit longer ....... I never would have been able to predict just how wonderful, rewarding and fun this new chapter of my life was going to be.

Wondering now whether I will carry on with my blog, as it was meant to be just for my ‘gap year’, but have to say, I do enjoy writing and trying to capture my life out here..... so for all of you that are still following what I am up to, I will probably carry on!!!