Smile you're in Kenya

After 8 hours of the most restful airline flight that I've ever taken in my 35 years, we arrived in Kenya. After realizng that we were in the wrong line we get into the appropriate line for those "who were smart enough to get their visa ahea of time" and decended the escalator only to be greeted with a very large and colorful sign, which read "Smile, you're in Kenya". So I did. And I had every reason to do so as just as we were approaching the luggage belt, here comes my bag as if on cue.

We were greeted at the airport by Amos, Mr. Smiley's brother who was supposed to pick us up. I was so hoping to be pichked up by Smiley, but it was not to be. We however had a chance to see Smiley in a drive by hello, and he looked like Alphapha, with a very bright smile.

Amos took us directly to Milele, in Karen, an upscale suburb,where Julie Church lived, and where we were to stay before leaving for the northern islands near Somalia. Milele is her parents home that she now lives in with her husband Edward. Julie is of course the inspiration and the founder of Uniqueco and a little bird of a woman with a tiger's spirit and energy. I was so looking forward to meeting this woman who I had spent hours and days emailing and speaking to on the phone.

She arrived and she was everything I expected and then some. So warm and so kind. I found out that she is a fourth generation Kenyan and her family coincidentally lives all very near to her, aka next door and across the street. For your information she had trained as a marine biologist, and is passionate about marine life and the role that humans can play in saving further destruction to oceans and coastlines, before landing rather unexpectantly in her role at Uniqueco.

Julie informed us that we would actually be staying at their house which was located across the street. A beautiful A framed cottage, with a large sitting room, and a beautiful four poster bed. We had our very own Kenyan man to attend to us and our needs. His name Moses, his skin black as the night and with a beaming smile and a muical ear. He and I recorder a little ditty for you that will be attached shortly. Note to all of you: This was totally spontaneous and unrehearsed and yes I do make a complete fool of myself, but hey Smile, I'm in Kenya. We laso had Simon and Stephan as night gaurds which was a pleasure but certainly lent a 'oh my lord I'm so out of my element' feel to the whole experience.

We put down our belongings, and didn't waste a moment before heading to Marulo Studios where Julie runs Uniqueco and where we were to have lunch at Bliss Cafe. Whe you arrive, it looks like a small white house surrounded by bougainvillea and there is a small gift shop with hand made items including a large collection of the items made by the artists of Uniqueco. We sat down to lunch on this lovely terrace, where we nibbled on bruscetta and a lovely pear and ginger drink. It seems that fruit juices were a popular beverage on most every menu we found. Needless to say we took in our fare share of vitamins. Towards the end of our lunch we were greeted by Nadeen who recently joined Julie as head of Production and he was to assist us in understanding the lay of the land. We spent a few hours taking photos of the artisans working on various pieces that were bound for orders that had come in from around the world. We had teh chance to actually meet and speak with many of those who were working there and learn a little about each and how they ended up working at Uniqeco. Most all came to be here through connections whether through friends or family having been recommended. However, each and every one of these artists are indeed skilled and thus add tremendous value to the creation and beauty of the Uniqueco collection, whethere a flower mobile or a sculpted giraffe, this is not an amateur operation, these pieces are museum worthy. I do hope that you'll ask me to show you the pieces that we're bringing back - I am so very proud to have had the opportunity to meet these artists, and I hope that you will consider ordering from their website, www.uniqueco.com.

After a very busy afternoon, we were invited to join Julie and her husband for dinner at their house where we would continue to dine during our stay, and for which we were extremely grateful as they are truly a magical couple.