Mombasa is immense. There's no other word for it. I've been here for over a week now and I'm only now getting used to the noise! The city is so busy all the time - there is no rush hour because there are always people on the roads. And the roads are chaotic. Matatus and tuk-tuks are the transport here - I get a matatu to my project every day, which costs 20 kenyan shillings (about 15p) either way. And the driving is crazy. Just today I fell off my seat when we hit a bump in the road - they don't slow down! Speed bumps are exactly that - speedy. Which of course makes crossing roads amazingly fun. The rule is, cross when the Kenyans cross, and you won't get hit. (So far it seems to be holding true - although there have been a few near misses!) The people have literally no regard for their safety. It's quite an experience!

Everyone is very friendly here; you can't go down the street without being greeted by half the local populace! Very different to the streets in England where you can't even smile at someone without being considered extremely strange! They all want to shake your hand and say hello, although now the people on my route to work are getting used to me and Jane coming past in the morning so it's a bit more relaxed!

You can buy literally anything off the streets in Kenya, and when you're in the matatus you will get people coming up to the windows to sell you fruit or handkerchiefs. One thing that seems to be really popular is sugar cane, which they chop up on the side of the street and put in bags for you. I've decided that I''m going to try some this week, and take some into Grandsons for the boys there.

I ventured into Old Town this week, which is where you can find the touristy shops, and had an impromptu tour off one of the locals. We went to see the Leven House where the former British colonial adminstration centre was, and the Governor's square which has the most beautiful view across the harbour. It's well worth visiting and has the most interesting shops - sometime soon I'm going to go have some Kenyan spiced tea at one of the cafes overlooking the harbour, something I'm really looking forward to!

Me and Jane, the other volunteer at Grandsons have been experimenting with the local food. Our project is in Mikindani, and there are loads of local cafes and restaurants where we can eat at lunchtime. It's pretty much a little village! So far we've had beef stew and ugali, which we had to eat with our hands, beans and chapatis, and chicken curry. It's extremely cheap - the beans and the chapatis cost 50 shillings which is about 40p for our whole meal! Returning to England prices is going to be a bit of a shock I think!

I've probably written enough right now, so I give you all my love! I'll write again soon xx