Robert's family plot, on his late parents' land adjoining his, had fallen into disrepair and he decided to mark the graves and hold a small memorial and celebration. Among others his parents, and his and Phylis's daughter Carmi, are buried there.
Doris, left, and Abi eating sugar cane. This was actually Thursday night.
Friday morning earlyish, Robert is heading out to pump water in his t-shirt from his vote organizing days among the immigrant and refugee population on the west side of Chicago.
George heading off with two of the four roosters he's going to slaughter for the gathering.
Asking Esther to hold the roosters while he gets more. I don't have stills of the beheading because I filmed it, but I can't access it off my camera.
Inside the kitchen - you can see the smoke and the flash bouncing off of particulate matter. The big pot has flour for brown ugali.
I had to flee the smoky kitchen, so I came around the side.
This photo of Phylis (right) and Laura is actually taken through the window. Laura is stirring while Phylis adds flour to the water.
Look at the paddle! Laura actually never asked Phylis to spell her. This is a massive undertaking.
Basin of sukuma wiki (like collards or kale) ready for cooking.
Robert describing the events to some of the younger relatives. Each was to stand near a stone and then unveil them.
The family plot.
Carmi's grave, Phylis and Robert's third child, just older than Doris.
The remnants of the traditional three stone fire that the ugali was cooked on.
I see at least ten bowls of brown ugali.
Robert talking to the group gathered for the memorial.
Phylis.
Phylis getting ready to serve chapati.
Abi and a cousin eating.
He's very pleased with himself for having avoided the chop. This time.
The inside of the jackfruit. George showed me how to identify which of the layers can be eaten. Sweet and delicious, reminded me of a cross between a mango and a banana.
Doris and her jackfruit.
Can't remember what we were laughing about.
We headed to Busia to book tickets for me and Phylis for buses Saturday - me to Kisumu, Phylis to Nairobi. She starts teaching again Monday. During the school holidays of the pre-school where she is assistant director she teaches developmental psychology at the Nairobi branch of Moi University.This is a police roadblock. Nails through metal or wooden strips. Purpose - slow cars and trucks down conveniently so they can be asked for bribes.
As far as we could see in both directions trucks were lined up to clear customs at the border to Uganda. It was Friday late afternoon, and Robert said they would nearly all spend the weekend there in their trucks. Imagine the produce and animal trucks! And the commercial sex workers are everywhere.
On our way back from Busia we dropped Phylis at the market to buy fish for dinner. Then Abi and I walked into town to meet her and walk back with her. We saw this cloud formation - I say goofy squirrel-ish creature, Abi says crocodile rising out of a river.
Phylis and I carry the fish and vegetables, walking along with her late mother-in-law's best friend, who was telling Phylis how much she misses her.
Tomorrow Kisumu! My signal keeps being overpowered by Ugandan networks, so I'm hoping for a better internet connection.
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