Finding "Memo"

Nemo...don't worry, I found him.

The Kenyan coast has always been one of my favourate places to visit – the one drawback being the beach bums who come around offering all sorts of deals. However, when an old fisherman walked up and offered to show me “Memo”, how could I help but be interested – I figured poor Nemo must be really, really lost this time to end up in the dying coral of East Africa.
A week and a half ago I left hot, dry Sudan for two weeks of relaxation and freedom from the work that, of late, has seemed to increase incrementally. There have been many projects at the hospital and we have amped up our various activities to ensure that we get as much done as possible before the rains begin again in May or June. My plan was to join several co-workers on an adventure to Egypt during our two weeks but in the end the war being waged in my gut won out and I decided that a trip to a doctor would be more prudent. The doctor confirmed that I was losing the battle to a very well-organized stomach mafia group called Giardia and put me on some meds to knock the little buggers out. All that to say, I am now feeling much better – I had been looking for my energy and it has finally decided to return from a long hiatus.
With my stomach figured out, I decided I should at least venture out of Nairobi and enjoy a few days on the coast. I have always enjoyed going to the Kenyan coast and it was always a special treat when we were able to go there as a family growing up. This time I went alone and discovered that a hotel full of old, overweight Europeans can be both very relaxing(everyone just lies around) and somewhat odd(old, fat, sunburned men should never wear a Speedo) at the same time. The Indian Ocean is beautiful and I had forgotten how warm it is. My friends in college enjoyed giving me a hard time for complaining about the cold Atlantic water and I have rediscovered my complaint….I doubt if they will ever get me back into the frigid North Atlantic now that I have returned to my senses.
Which brings me back to Simon and his offer to show me “Memo”. The little old man assured me he was no beach bum and told me I had been thoroughly ripped off on my two hour snorkeling trip the day before - if I wanted to see “Memo” and other amazing fishes I should follow him and he would make sure I was very happy with Simon.
I was very happy with Simon because, in the end, we did find poor little Memo and all his little buddies swimming on a tiny little green coral. We also found large, black Sea Urchins, Sea Slugs, Sea Cucumbers and a number of other small, obscure sea creatures. I followed the little man around sharp corrals, through tide pools, and gently stepped over protruding mussels and when it was all over I had decided that I will never wander out onto the reef on my own lest I wind up with a sliced foot or dead from some strange poisonous sea bite.
In a few days I’ll be headed back to work but for now I’m hanging out in Nairobi with my cousin and her family. It is a nice break from the stress that awaits me upon my return to the hot and dry of Sudan. More from there later.


Simon the "Memo" finder...


From my hotel room.



Part of the pool. And you thought I was slaving away...