Good morning to you

This morning I awoke with my heart beating faster.  Today, Monday, January 23rd, is the day that it will be announced whether 6 men will be tried at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands for crimes against humanity for inciting and organizing violence after the Kenyan Presidential elections.  The next elections are coming up and two of these men are vying for President.  No kidding.

It will be announced at 1:30 pm.  I'll be at the Community Based Health Care center in Mikindani, a few kilometers outside the island of Mombasa, with my Kenyan colleagues.

This month starts my 3rd year in Kenya.  Time does fly.  In midst of the challenges and details of life, I still am charmed by cultural differences and learning anew about life in a different country.  Last week I was greeted in English within a few minutes by two different people: "Good morning to you."  The addition of two more words of 'to you'  seemed so much more personal.  Is it from British influence or translation from a mother tongue or just evolution of language over time?   Swahili greetings here in Mombasa vary -

• Salama (peace), 
• Jambo! (hello, usually from strangers, perhaps envisioning me as a tourist), 
• Habari ya asubuhi? (how's the morning?),
• Umeamkaje? (How'd you wake up?), 
• Habari yako? (How are you?), and 
• Habari ya mwaka mpya? (How's the new year? ... used if you haven't yet met since 2011)

The crows are squawking, the chickens clucking, little birds tweeting & the street traffic humming away outside are reminders it's time to start the day.  Good morning to each of you.


May there be peace on earth.  And justice for the people of Kenya.  Please pray for an end to violence.