Tired Feet, Full Hearts: Good Friday in Kilifi, Card Games & Snake Stories

We ended the day quietly, playing cards and simply enjoying being together.

Card games are always a bit of a mixed experience: on one hand, they’re fun and the kids love them; on the other, there’s almost always someone who ends up a little disappointed. That said, I’ve noticed a change, there are fewer emotional outbursts when someone isn’t winning. Slowly, they’re beginning to understand that luck plays a big role in whether you make it to the next round or not.

By the evening, we were all quite tired.

Earlier in the day, we had gone to the Good Friday mass at the local Catholic church. What we hadn’t expected was the long procession, something our children didn’t know at all, as this tradition has faded in our region. We started full of energy, but after an hour and a half of walking through Kilifi, chanting, kneeling, and praying, we began to feel it.

Thankfully, the route took us through town, and we could stop at small shops along the way to buy water.

It was a beautiful procession. The children did incredibly well, and we were so proud of them. After about three and a half hours, we finally arrived back at the church, exhausted, but grateful to have experienced something so special.

Assunta met her friend Juliette again, whom she had met the previous Saturday, and they walked much of the procession together. Leo Ferdinand also made some new friends and was especially happy about one boy who shared lots of stories with him. He even told Leo-Ferdinand about an evening mass happening tomorrow, lit by many candles, we’ll have to find out exactly when it is.

It was also interesting to see how well everything was organised. Medical staff walked along the procession, offering glucose to anyone who felt weak, something the children particularly appreciated for the quick burst of energy. There was even an ambulance following behind, and people guiding us safely across the streets.

What I found especially fascinating was passing through the Muslim part of town. Everything felt peaceful and respectful, Christians chanting their songs, while elsewhere, the call to prayer could be heard. Everyone simply coexisted, side by side. It was a quiet but powerful moment.

Back home, we all looked like classic “sun-kissed tourists”, slightly red, slightly exhausted, and with feet that had definitely walked enough for one day.

So we did what needed to be done: pool, beach, watermelon… and yes, more card games.

The evening before had been just as memorable.

We spent it at a friend’s house, where their son, who works sometimes at the Snake House, showed us his tools and told us all about the different types of snakes.

He explained that in Kenya, about 30% of snakes can be deadly if not treated immediately. While he said that’s “not many,” we couldn’t help but feel that it’s actually quite a lot, certainly more than what we’re used to in Switzerland, where we don’t have any deadly snakes.

It was fascinating to listen to him, especially considering he’s only 15 years old. He spoke with such confidence and knowledge, even explaining how antivenom is produced, not in Kenya, but in South Africa and India.

On the bright side, he also gave us some solid advice: stay calm if bitten (easier said than done), get to a hospital quickly, and, very importantly, avoid walking through tall grass unless you’re feeling particularly adventurous.

To balance things out, he then amazed us with a series of card tricks that left all of us completely puzzled. The kids have since been on a mission to either learn the tricks… or expose the secrets behind them.

So yes, between a three-and-a-half-hour Good Friday procession, snake survival tips, and competitive card games, the last two days have been full of adventure.

We go to bed tired, slightly sunburned… but very happy.