Parting is such sweet sorrow....

Sadly, our huge team lasted less than 3 weeks. Sam and Vance had to return to school and Megan completed her stint as a Babette. To send them off right we had a large celebratory party at baboon camp with all the UNBP observers and our closest friends in Il Polei. It was so great to see all these friends again after being gone so long, and to send off our folks right! 

The party kicked off with a little football with little Edwin.

Wambui (Edwin's mom) and Megan watching the football game that erupted.

Mutuku and Patrick (with the help of Patrick's youngest) served an amazing meal including roast goat, ugali, sukuma, beans, and chapati.

Most of the babboys :)

Babboy Vance waiting for delicious dinner (sorry, no doughnuts!).

James even provided some musical entertainment!

Francis with the newlyweds: Jacklyn and John

John Ngumba (the Il Polei Secondary School Principal) and Shirley discussing something serious...

Almost the entire UNBP/CABS crew.

The summer Babettes: Megan, Leah, Kate, Sam and Corinna. Love them!

"Piki" Peter and his son Edwin.

As Megan, Sam, and Vance all left at the same time I drove them down to Nairobi together (also for another visit to our Nairobi mechanic for our recurring of truck issues). In the morning before their flights we did a little shopping and stopped by the Giraffe Center. There were tons of school kids, but the animals eventually let Megan get in for a little giraffe time. We followed up giraffe time with a delicious Indian meal at a local restaurant. 

 

Being silly at our last meal out together in Nairobi.

These 3 headed off together in the first week of August. We will miss them all dearly, but as with all crew changes out here, it is bittersweet. It’s the exciting beginning for Leah and a new group for Kate, Corinna, and I. This is always fun and, from what I’ve seen so far, it’s going to be a fantastic fall in Anubisland!