Majestic Mombasa

It was a short drive to the hotel, and the scenery was pretty cool, but I was really waiting for arrival time. I couldn't wait to see the hotel, and I had no clue what to expect. I eyes drifted out the window at all the tall trees on the hilly landscape. The trees filled the hill, and there was on sight of the forest floor. Birds of all sizes flew in and out of the forest, keeping a person looking at them and their home forever. But then the landscape began to change.

As soon as I walked through the doors of Ras Ka, I felt a sense of home. The aroma of berbere and niter kibbeh wafting through the room. The setting was quaint and inviting, only four tables to choose from. The kitchen was open to the sitting area, a see through curtain acting as the door. The owner, Hannah, welcomed us. Hannah was wearing a colorful netela, a traditional Ethiopian shawl.

Outside the kitchen door, blooming wildflowers circle a mini pond where several birds drink from the lap of a stone Buddha. In the rear of the yard, secluded by a lush willow tree, is the guest house. He opens the door and we walk inside. Where, right off, the sight of lavender flowers in a vase on the night table and their scent please me. As does the bright and spacious room with a skylight right above the wood framed bed.

"Ava... Ava." I hear my name being called and I groan at the intrusion of my sleep. I turn over to my side and bring the blankets up, covering my face completely from the morning sun.

Sitting in a cozy apartment at Waverley Gardens Apartments in White Bear Lake, Henrietta Nistler flips through a large photo book containing photographs of straw huts in a desert landscape with Kenyans dressed in vibrant cloths. She has silver glasses that match her white short hair, framing a weathered face full of wisdom and kindness. Beside her sits her husband, Jim, looking over her shoulder, commenting on the photos of the time they were missionaries in Kenya. During those nine years, through the blessings and hurdles came personal growth.

I woke up on the very edge of my bed my blankets tossed on the floor and my head buried into a pillow. I groaned as I pushed myself off the bed picking up the blankets and laying them on the mattress. I stretched my arms and yawned as I walked over to my bathroom and twisting the knobs trying to find a perfect temperature.

She silently ascends up the stairs to her bedroom – her safe-haven. She’s laying beneath the blankets, hoping sleep will soon be washing over her and take her far away from this place her parents force her to call home.

I spent the first 9 years of my life in the vibrant and colorful capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. The capital is a place of

Over the course of the trip, I will get to see so many amazing things including but not limited to Elmina and Cape Coast Casters, the Nkrumah Memorial, WEB Dubois Centre, Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Aburi Botanical Garden, and Kakum National Park. We will participate in a variety of service work with community organizations.

the bed that held me, and the window-shade at my head was flapping softly in a warm

You sighed and hugged your knees closer to your chest. Then you gently placed your tired head on top of your knees.

Excitement and adrenaline raced through me. A room that opened onto the stone terrace and became mine for our stay in Italy and allowed me to wander outside without disturbing anyone. I ran out deep blue wooden doors, stepped into the dawning light, and gasped. My eyes could not take in enough at once. The night before, my family and I had looked out upon the mountains but were only greeted by darkness. Now, I watched as mist sprawled lazily across the forested mountains. Purple and red hues oozed over the sky with the sun slowly beginning to warm the earth and the songs of birds rang in the morning light. Below, in the immense valley, several villages stirred as the day began. Each started to ring with voices which carried through the light air. Across the expanse, farmers began to burn excess hay adding smoke to the already dense filter of fog.

Slowly, I lower my hands, glancing around the room. Moonlight filters through a slice in the curtains, causing a stripe to glow against the wall. When my eyes land on the bedside table, I freeze. Staring at me through its petals is another pure white rose.

The most memorable place i’ve been to would have to be Addis Ababa ( the capital of Ethiopia). This trip was a life changer for me and my whole family.

Tourism in Kenya has expanded since 1963. People travel to Kenya because it is such a beautiful country and has the most spectacular wild life. I attended African