Greetings from Mr. Gutters and Willy Welder

I supposedly slept in today, except for the fact that I woke up around 8. I guess that's ok for a Saturday. Mom served a wonderful breakfast, then it was off to the hairdressers... not me, but my folks both needed a haircut. Here's me waiting, enjoying a ginger ale:

Yesterday I met up with former high school friends, Kim and Jacob Mills, now working at Pamoja Ministries in Tengeru, a good 30 minute drive from here. It was great to see them again and talk like it was just yesterday we said goodbye. In fact, it is almost 19 years to the day that I saw them last. Strange, how time flies and changes you and yet, somehow, you're still the same.

Yesterday morning I also joined the Bible school students in morning devotions, and was asked to share just briefly with them. My father, as usual, introduced me as his African baby, born in Makiyungu (unsure of the spelling, but it both sounds and looks right). Afterwards, I was hugged by fellow tribes(wo)men from the Wanyatulu tribe, whose land I was born in:

Our drive out to the hairdressers today took us through kahawa country - the coffee estates that I feel I grew up living in as a child here in Arusha. The road we drove down was in such terrible shape, having been smooth and fine and black with good asphalt in my childhood years. Now, it's just a dirty, bumpy, terrible road full of pot holes, but there's a lingering grandeur reminiscent of colonial days.  

Oh, I almost forgot... Mr.Gutters and Willy Welder - I have no idea who they are. I got the names from reading shop signs. I think Willy Welder pretty neatly gives away why you would go to him, but I am slightly unsure what Mr. Gutters has to offer.... I am also unsure what to expect at Flamingo Exclusive Hall, but feel somewhat secure going into the Galatians Barbershop.