15 July 2010
Well…my sore throat is gone finally. It’s been replaced with a runny nose and a constant foggy feeling, but that I can handle. I mean it could be worse. My bug bites are definitely healing and I have no new ones as far as I can tell. And the sunburn…well the sunburn has basically kept me in my room all yesterday. I mean, vacation is all about relaxing right? So that’s what I’ve been doing, “relaxing”. Don’t get me wrong, I’m super happy to be here, and quite frankly the snorkeling was amazing so it’s gotta be worth it right? And if I’m going to have a really bad sunburn and a cold it’s better that I have the ability to sleep all day rather than have to go to work. It just kind of stinks that I’m missing the latter part of my vacation due to a really dumb oversight.
I’m really nervous about my long flights. As of right now I can’t really lay or lean back on my back so long flights could be really really uncomfortable. And we’re only going to be in London for little over a day and I don’t want to miss that because I am sick and can’t move. Oh and today I was supposed to get my complimentary massage…that’s so not going to happen now. So yeah, it’s a big bummer that I got sunburnt. But I’m really trying my best to keep my chin up and still enjoy my time in Kenya.
I can’t believe I leave Kenya tomorrow.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Snorkeling, Solicitation, and Sunburns.
13 July 2010
Today kind of marked the end of my vacation. This morning mom and I went out on the glass bottom boat and I had my first underwater safari. I saw starfish, sea anemone, sea cucumbers, sting ray, and so much beautiful coral. It was absolutely beautiful. Then we went over to the sand bar and walked around as our guide pointed things out like sea spiders and soft coarl. We saw a GIANT dead clam’s shell too. It was so big.
However, as we returned the usual men all over the beach trying to sell you anything from a boat ride to key rings harassed us. To be honest, Mombasa would be beautiful and perfect were it not for the men swarming the beach. So I got stopped by one of these men on my walk back up to the hotel and guess what he was selling? Himself. Yeah, that’s right, a male prostitute tried to sell himself to me. He wanted to “meet up later.” When I said no he said “Why not? You’re old enough.” Gross. It was so uncomfortable. What a vacation.
The rest of the day I spent peacefully by the pool with the breeze from the ocean rolling gently over me. I lathered myself up with sunscreen and read and slept and swam. Sipped a delicious pina colada and loved my life. Little did I know that my lack of sunscreen during snorkeling would ruin my day.
That’s right, it didn’t even occur to me that my back would be out of the water when I went snorkeling, therefore…I now have a killer sunburn on my back.Over 20 new bug bites on my legs. A sore throat/cold. A killer sunburn. This is the best vacation EVER!
Today kind of marked the end of my vacation. This morning mom and I went out on the glass bottom boat and I had my first underwater safari. I saw starfish, sea anemone, sea cucumbers, sting ray, and so much beautiful coral. It was absolutely beautiful. Then we went over to the sand bar and walked around as our guide pointed things out like sea spiders and soft coarl. We saw a GIANT dead clam’s shell too. It was so big.
However, as we returned the usual men all over the beach trying to sell you anything from a boat ride to key rings harassed us. To be honest, Mombasa would be beautiful and perfect were it not for the men swarming the beach. So I got stopped by one of these men on my walk back up to the hotel and guess what he was selling? Himself. Yeah, that’s right, a male prostitute tried to sell himself to me. He wanted to “meet up later.” When I said no he said “Why not? You’re old enough.” Gross. It was so uncomfortable. What a vacation.
The rest of the day I spent peacefully by the pool with the breeze from the ocean rolling gently over me. I lathered myself up with sunscreen and read and slept and swam. Sipped a delicious pina colada and loved my life. Little did I know that my lack of sunscreen during snorkeling would ruin my day.
That’s right, it didn’t even occur to me that my back would be out of the water when I went snorkeling, therefore…I now have a killer sunburn on my back.Over 20 new bug bites on my legs. A sore throat/cold. A killer sunburn. This is the best vacation EVER!
World Cup.
11 July 2010
Spain 1-0 Netherlands. Boo.
I couldn’t help but wish I was with the SFS staff watching the finals instead of all the strange European tourists I was surrounded by. Daniel got me into the World Cup, it would have been fun to watch the final with him. But again, watching it made me feel a little connection to the staff. Like I knew we were both watching the same game at the same time. Sentimental, I know, but it was nice to have that small connection. I think the World Cup did its job though; it brought people from all across the world together for one common interest. It bonded people and I can’t begin to count all the people I’ve met or grown close to by sitting down together watching soccer. So way to go FIFA. :)
Spain 1-0 Netherlands. Boo.
I couldn’t help but wish I was with the SFS staff watching the finals instead of all the strange European tourists I was surrounded by. Daniel got me into the World Cup, it would have been fun to watch the final with him. But again, watching it made me feel a little connection to the staff. Like I knew we were both watching the same game at the same time. Sentimental, I know, but it was nice to have that small connection. I think the World Cup did its job though; it brought people from all across the world together for one common interest. It bonded people and I can’t begin to count all the people I’ve met or grown close to by sitting down together watching soccer. So way to go FIFA. :)
Welcome to Tanzania...oops.
10 July 2010
This morning was absolutely perfect. We woke up at 5am and got ready to go on a sunrise hot air balloon ride.
None of us had ever been on a hot air balloon before and what better way to do your first hot air balloon ride than over the beautiful landscapes of Masai Mara, Kenya? J.P., our pilot, was amazing. Very skilled and quite funny as well. The balloon ride was so peaceful and beautiful. The impala didn’t like the balloon much, the topi didn’t much mind, and we even saw a lion in the road. We started to cross over into Tanzania and we were about to land-just over the border, when J.P. noticed how rocky the field was and he decided not to land there. Then we hit what ballooners call a “wall of air” that slowed us down considerably so we had to give it more gas again, as a result we ended up further into Tanzania. We finally landed and the wildebeest were EVERYWHERE. There’s something about Tanzanian land that is sweeter to the wildebeest. While we waited, hoping to not be arrested, I spotted a hyaena with a kill in its mouth. It’s things like that that really make the moments here cool. Like when we saw the large adult male lion feeding on wildebeest. It’s really just cool to watch all of this happen.
Rafiki
8 July 2010
I really miss the staff from NPS but it is getting better. Perhaps because I texted Moses and Nickson today, and talked to Daniel on the phone.
However, at Amboseli , I made quite a few friends. Kennedy and John in particular became buddies of mine, so to speak. Small world- Kennedy knows Daniel, Kiringe, Okello, and Shem! It made me so happy to meet him because I felt a little closer to the staff I miss and love. John is a pastor who asked me, when he found out that I was from the states, if I would help him track down an American study Bible he’s been hoping to get. We became fast friends and watched World Cup together. I think the World Cup is an amazing thing, because all of the staff members I got to know were because I was the one guest who wanted to watch the Netherlands vs. Uruguay game. So all of them got to know me as the girl who watches the football. Especially the hotel manager. He even went looking for me last night to take me to the conference room to watch the game.
We’ve been blessed with really good game drivers too. I talked to our new driver, Oromat, today in Maasai Mara. He’s originally from the Nairobi area so he was familiar with Kitengela :)
The view from our room is stellar and I love this park quite a lot already. Looking forward to the next few days. Oh, and I met the wife of our hot air balloon pilot. She was on the plane sitting in front of me on the way from Nairobi to here. We chatted quite a lot since she’s from BC Canada. I’m making connections all over the place, it’s so much fun :)
I really miss the staff from NPS but it is getting better. Perhaps because I texted Moses and Nickson today, and talked to Daniel on the phone.
However, at Amboseli , I made quite a few friends. Kennedy and John in particular became buddies of mine, so to speak. Small world- Kennedy knows Daniel, Kiringe, Okello, and Shem! It made me so happy to meet him because I felt a little closer to the staff I miss and love. John is a pastor who asked me, when he found out that I was from the states, if I would help him track down an American study Bible he’s been hoping to get. We became fast friends and watched World Cup together. I think the World Cup is an amazing thing, because all of the staff members I got to know were because I was the one guest who wanted to watch the Netherlands vs. Uruguay game. So all of them got to know me as the girl who watches the football. Especially the hotel manager. He even went looking for me last night to take me to the conference room to watch the game.
We’ve been blessed with really good game drivers too. I talked to our new driver, Oromat, today in Maasai Mara. He’s originally from the Nairobi area so he was familiar with Kitengela :)
The view from our room is stellar and I love this park quite a lot already. Looking forward to the next few days. Oh, and I met the wife of our hot air balloon pilot. She was on the plane sitting in front of me on the way from Nairobi to here. We chatted quite a lot since she’s from BC Canada. I’m making connections all over the place, it’s so much fun :)
Holy Elephants!
6 July 2010
Amboseli is amazing. It kicks NNP’s butt!
After lunch we had some down time in the room before our first game drive as a family, and down time is no good for a girl like me. I was bored, restless, and above all…sad. I started to ache for NPS, the staff, and my classmates. Especially Brenna. I was nervous about going on a game drive without Brenna or Jay by my side. I’ve literally never been on a game drive without one or both of them. I shared with my mom about the amazing people I lived with for the last month and how much they changed my life and how much I miss them. It is weird to be in Kenya without them. Without Jay, Brenna, Erica, any of the staff. It is hard to be a tourist too. I’m not used to being waited on, and I have a sort of guilt or something. I’m trying to relax and be a tourist.
Then we left for our game drive. We saw the usual, zebra, tommies, etc. But then we saw our first herd of wild elephants. I had yet to see wild elephants, and it was amazing. Then, we saw 8 lions! Then hyaenas! Then more elephants! More lions! Lion cubs! Flamingoes! Crown Crane EVERYWHERE! I will never see elephants and not think of Brenna, nor ibis. I will never see crown crane without thinking of Jay. I’m so glad to have them with me in that way while I experience this with my family. It is also a blessing to see how the knowledge I’ve gained from my month-long course is useful. I’m able to spot, observe, and identify animals for my parents. I was able to explain some of the conflicts with the wildlife and also told them about Maasai culture. We really did learn so much in the last 30 days. I’m so lucky. So so lucky. But I still need more practice being a tourist.
Monday, August 9, 2010
A String of Kwaheris.
6 July 2010
Today I parted ways with NPS, the staff, and my friends. Saying goodbye to the camp wasn’t as hard this morning because I’d basically done that last night with Brenna. We went up the hill and watched the sun set and had an amazing conversation. That girl is really very special. And this morning when we left it was pitch black out, so it wasn’t as though I could really take in the goodbye. Then I said goodbye to Charles and Moses. It too wasn’t as hard mostly because there was so much commotion that my heart couldn’t dwell on that for too long. Though I can already feel myself missing Moses and Charles, but mostly Daniel. Then, the worst, I had to say goodbye to my classmates and Brenna. That was hard, I couldn’t even watch Brenna walk away. Kara, Victoria, Elise, and Evan made me cry too, dang them! I was really lucky with the friends I met. I already miss Jay and Brenna more than I can tell. Finally, after much waiting with Ian, Olivia and Erica, I spotted my dad walking toward me. I gave him a huge hug and started to tear. It was great to see him. And so one chapter of my life in Kenya ended, and my vacation with family began. Off to Amboseli!
Today I parted ways with NPS, the staff, and my friends. Saying goodbye to the camp wasn’t as hard this morning because I’d basically done that last night with Brenna. We went up the hill and watched the sun set and had an amazing conversation. That girl is really very special. And this morning when we left it was pitch black out, so it wasn’t as though I could really take in the goodbye. Then I said goodbye to Charles and Moses. It too wasn’t as hard mostly because there was so much commotion that my heart couldn’t dwell on that for too long. Though I can already feel myself missing Moses and Charles, but mostly Daniel. Then, the worst, I had to say goodbye to my classmates and Brenna. That was hard, I couldn’t even watch Brenna walk away. Kara, Victoria, Elise, and Evan made me cry too, dang them! I was really lucky with the friends I met. I already miss Jay and Brenna more than I can tell. Finally, after much waiting with Ian, Olivia and Erica, I spotted my dad walking toward me. I gave him a huge hug and started to tear. It was great to see him. And so one chapter of my life in Kenya ended, and my vacation with family began. Off to Amboseli!
The First Kwaheri.
5 July 2010
Daniel left today. It was the first of many goodbyes, and guess what? I still don’t like goodbyes. Not that I expected to magically like them, especially to those whom I’ve come to care about quite a lot. We had our program debrief and it went pretty well I thought. Okello, of course, sort of made me cry with all of his talk about how much this program has meant to the staff and how much it will mean to us for the rest of our lives. Then Daniel left. That sparked a whole bunch of sadness about leaving. I escaped up the hill to sit by myself for awhile and start saying goodbye to this place that has felt more like a home to me than many of the places I’ve lived. I’ll miss the vervet monkeys who run around stealing our food all the time. I’ll miss the sound of the Ibis laughing at us all. I’ll miss the superb starlings hopping around all of the time. Heck, I’ll even miss the outdoor shower and maybe even the pulsating butt bugs…maybe not. This place has become a part of me, and I can’t believe a month went by so quickly, but felt like a whole different life. How does that happen? A part of my heart will always belong at NPS, even if it isn’t around anymore.
Daniel left today. It was the first of many goodbyes, and guess what? I still don’t like goodbyes. Not that I expected to magically like them, especially to those whom I’ve come to care about quite a lot. We had our program debrief and it went pretty well I thought. Okello, of course, sort of made me cry with all of his talk about how much this program has meant to the staff and how much it will mean to us for the rest of our lives. Then Daniel left. That sparked a whole bunch of sadness about leaving. I escaped up the hill to sit by myself for awhile and start saying goodbye to this place that has felt more like a home to me than many of the places I’ve lived. I’ll miss the vervet monkeys who run around stealing our food all the time. I’ll miss the sound of the Ibis laughing at us all. I’ll miss the superb starlings hopping around all of the time. Heck, I’ll even miss the outdoor shower and maybe even the pulsating butt bugs…maybe not. This place has become a part of me, and I can’t believe a month went by so quickly, but felt like a whole different life. How does that happen? A part of my heart will always belong at NPS, even if it isn’t around anymore.
A true Maasai.
4 July 2010
Happy Birthday, America! In the past week I’ve become a true Maasai. A mama and a warrior. I “know” how to make shoes out of tires and how to make a traditional Maasai bracelet. The Mamas came and taught us how to bead, and I love it. I made a bracelet and an anklet that I really love. Daniel even said they were amazing J Daniel brought us the spears and swords he promised us and we learned how to throw them. It was a lot like javelin, but harder to throw. My first throw wasn’t very good, but by the end Daniel said I had an A+. I actually really enjoyed the spear throwing and kept throwing, but my arm grew quite sore. And today, today I watched the dissection and cooking of a goat. We had most of the community around NPS over for a 4th of July goat roast, and it was SO much fun. The girls that did Brenna and my hair when we went to milk cows were here and they did our hair again. The older girl LOVED Brenna so much that she told her mom that Brenna was her best friend. Her mom gave Brenna a bracelet :) Brenna is very well liked here, and as she should be. She’s a really special girl. I really enjoyed hanging out with the staff today, especially Daniel and Francis. Okello came over to the fire as well, and he may be the funniest man I’ve ever met. He was really chatty tonight and he said it was cause he was hyper because they just shaved his head-making him like a new born baby. He also told us that eating goat testicles was the best medicine to give you twin. I about died. Man, we leave in like 36 hours, and it makes me terrib
ly sad. Terribly, terribly sad.
ly sad. Terribly, terribly sad. Yesterday was quite a lot of fun as well. We went to this place called Kitengela Glass. It was indescribable. The only way to describe is with pictures. It was a combination of a glass blowing place/alice and wonderland come to life/fair/craziest thing I’ve ever seen. I walked around with Daniel and Francis and took pictures with them. It was such a blast. After we went to the Ostrich Farm. Ostriches are ridiculous. Absolutely insane animals. And we had a chance to ride them, but Jay, Brenna, and I decided to just sit back, have a drink, eat some Ostrich burgers and relax. It was the best ever. We haven’t had a lot of time just the three of us like old times, and it was so much fun to just be with the two of them again. I can’t believe how much I’m going to miss this place. It makes me ache a little bit just to think of it. Everyone is so happy tonight, we’re all just like a huge family and it makes me so happy. I’m really excited to see my parents, but really sad to say goodbye. This place changed my life. I’m actually a little afraid of going back to America.
bro-nies.
28 June 2010
So today we made brownies. Finally. And brownies don’t exist in Kenya so in return for all the wonderful culture the Maasai have shown us…we introduced them to brownies (which Kiringe called “bro-nies”). Nickson and Moses loved them. When we asked Kiringe if he liked them he said “No way” but that’s nothing compared to Shem’s response. First it took us a lot A LOT of convincing to get him to even try it. He said “I’m going to need a lot of support.” So we cheered him on and he put the piece of brownie in his mouth and his eyes got huge and he tried to chew. He kept saying it was stuck. Then we asked him if he liked it and he said “It’s still not gone.” It was quite an experience. I am going to miss the staff…SO much. Especially Daniel. But he might drive mom, dad and I to Amboseli and back. That would be amazing. Gah, only 8 days left. Makes me want to cry.
So today we made brownies. Finally. And brownies don’t exist in Kenya so in return for all the wonderful culture the Maasai have shown us…we introduced them to brownies (which Kiringe called “bro-nies”). Nickson and Moses loved them. When we asked Kiringe if he liked them he said “No way” but that’s nothing compared to Shem’s response. First it took us a lot A LOT of convincing to get him to even try it. He said “I’m going to need a lot of support.” So we cheered him on and he put the piece of brownie in his mouth and his eyes got huge and he tried to chew. He kept saying it was stuck. Then we asked him if he liked it and he said “It’s still not gone.” It was quite an experience. I am going to miss the staff…SO much. Especially Daniel. But he might drive mom, dad and I to Amboseli and back. That would be amazing. Gah, only 8 days left. Makes me want to cry.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
“Amen” is the same in every language.
27 June 2010
Today was our one and only “rest day” so I slept in until 9am (THREE HOURS OF SLEEPING IN!) and went to a local Maasai Presbyterian Church with some of my classmates, Nickson and Charles. I didn’t understand 99% of what was said but I did understand the love for Jesus that was filling that room. “Welcome visitors, we want you to remember that you are in the house of your Father.” That nearly brought tears to my eyes. It was such a joy to see people who live all the way across the world as me worship the same God, be touched by the same Lord, to be saved by the same Jesus. Even though the whole service was in Swahili, I definitely felt the presence of God in that room.After church two Maasai men came to our camp and taught us how to make shoes out of tires. It was really amazing. I really appreciate our opportunity to interact with the Maasai and learn about how they relate to the earth. It has really opened my eyes to the value of different perspectives. Their culture is so very different, especially in regards to gender roles, and it has shown me that different doesn’t mean better or worse. I will always be so thankful to Daniel, Nickson, Moses, Charles, and the Iscari for showing me their world.
Driving Home
26 June 2010
We left Lake Nakuru at 8am this morning and said goodbye to the mosquitoes. I had every intention of sleeping or reading my book during the drive back but instead I stuck in my iPod and started playing my favorite playlist. As I was bobbing my head to some pretty sick jams (no, I don’t actually talk like that…often) this wave of joy and appreciation washed over me. I spent the whole drive back reflecting on what I’ve seen, done, heard, smelt, tasted, etc. I love everything about Kenya: the people, the animals, and the landscapes. Amazing. It breaks my heart a little bit to imagine that in less than two weeks our program is over. I can’t bear to think about saying good bye to the staff!
We left Lake Nakuru at 8am this morning and said goodbye to the mosquitoes. I had every intention of sleeping or reading my book during the drive back but instead I stuck in my iPod and started playing my favorite playlist. As I was bobbing my head to some pretty sick jams (no, I don’t actually talk like that…often) this wave of joy and appreciation washed over me. I spent the whole drive back reflecting on what I’ve seen, done, heard, smelt, tasted, etc. I love everything about Kenya: the people, the animals, and the landscapes. Amazing. It breaks my heart a little bit to imagine that in less than two weeks our program is over. I can’t bear to think about saying good bye to the staff!
Hiking to Hell.
24 June 2010
Today was a day we all needed badly. We got away from the mosquitoes of Lake Nakuru for the day and went to Lake Naivasha (briefly) and Hell’s Gate National Park. Hell’s Gate was gorgeous. It was bizarre because there’s a lot of geothermal activity there that has been tapped as an energy source, but that means there’s some construction and piping and a powerplant in the middle of the park. But despite that, the landscape was excellent. Especially the gorge. We had a chance to hike down into the gorge, and it was a pretty intense hike. I’ve been getting these headaches lately so I was a bit nervous about the hike, but it was so amazing and really lifted everyone’s spirits significant
ly. It was intense but beautiful. Is it even fair that I have gotten to see so much beauty here? It was really sweet to be surrounded by people that appreciated the hike too. I have been absolutely surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation-through landscapes, wildlife, and above all his people.
ly. It was intense but beautiful. Is it even fair that I have gotten to see so much beauty here? It was really sweet to be surrounded by people that appreciated the hike too. I have been absolutely surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation-through landscapes, wildlife, and above all his people.Sunday, August 1, 2010
Hunting Lions. World Cup.
22 June 2010...again.
Today literally the coolest thing I have ever seen (and probably will ever see) happened. I watched 9 lions hunt. There is no way to explain how amazing it was. My heart was racing, arms shaking. It was phenomenal. It started to rain and it was quite cold but that didn’t deter us from observing intently. They didn’t succeed in their first kill so they regrouped. It looked like they had a little meeting to discuss what went wrong. Then they started moving across this huge grass field to try again. We must have watched them for almost 2 hours in the on and off rain. But it was an experience I’ll never ever forget.
Ironically, again, I’m in a foreign country during the World Cup. It’s cool to experience it in different settings. It’s particularly awesome because this is the first time the World Cup has been on African soil and I’m in Africa. It’s really special and means so much to the people here, and I’m so happy I get to be a part of it. And I’ve actually been paying attention! Go Ghana!
Today literally the coolest thing I have ever seen (and probably will ever see) happened. I watched 9 lions hunt. There is no way to explain how amazing it was. My heart was racing, arms shaking. It was phenomenal. It started to rain and it was quite cold but that didn’t deter us from observing intently. They didn’t succeed in their first kill so they regrouped. It looked like they had a little meeting to discuss what went wrong. Then they started moving across this huge grass field to try again. We must have watched them for almost 2 hours in the on and off rain. But it was an experience I’ll never ever forget.
Ironically, again, I’m in a foreign country during the World Cup. It’s cool to experience it in different settings. It’s particularly awesome because this is the first time the World Cup has been on African soil and I’m in Africa. It’s really special and means so much to the people here, and I’m so happy I get to be a part of it. And I’ve actually been paying attention! Go Ghana!
Bathroom/Shower (slash gas chamber!)
22 June 2010
We have arrived at Nakuru National Park, and our welcome party? Mosquitoes. It’s ridiculous. There are so many that you can hear their collective high pitched buzz from their wings. It’s quite unsettling.
This camp, despite being located in the middle of one of the most beautiful places on earth, is the perfect setting for a horror movie. I can see it now…the killer being the wildlife and particularly the mosquitoes, one by one students are killed on their way to a bathroom that can only be described as resembling a Holocaust gas chamber. The whole setting is really quite terrifying. Fortunately, we won’t be actually in camp all that long-game drives are our salvation. Oh and did I mention the baboons? They fought Kaleigh to get into the girls dorm and stole Kimaya’s shoes. They are bold…and scary. Lord save me.
But, on a less terrifying note, Jay, Brenna, and I saw a black rhino today…close up! It was amazing. Picture black rhino on the shore of Lake Nakuru, gazillions of flamingoes in the background as the sun rises over the mountain. Gorgeous. The park really is beautiful. The campsite may kill us all.
We have arrived at Nakuru National Park, and our welcome party? Mosquitoes. It’s ridiculous. There are so many that you can hear their collective high pitched buzz from their wings. It’s quite unsettling.
This camp, despite being located in the middle of one of the most beautiful places on earth, is the perfect setting for a horror movie. I can see it now…the killer being the wildlife and particularly the mosquitoes, one by one students are killed on their way to a bathroom that can only be described as resembling a Holocaust gas chamber. The whole setting is really quite terrifying. Fortunately, we won’t be actually in camp all that long-game drives are our salvation. Oh and did I mention the baboons? They fought Kaleigh to get into the girls dorm and stole Kimaya’s shoes. They are bold…and scary. Lord save me.
But, on a less terrifying note, Jay, Brenna, and I saw a black rhino today…close up! It was amazing. Picture black rhino on the shore of Lake Nakuru, gazillions of flamingoes in the background as the sun rises over the mountain. Gorgeous. The park really is beautiful. The campsite may kill us all.
One of the Maasai.
19 June 2010
Today Elise and I were paired together to spend the morning as one of the maasai. I was really thankful to be paired with her knowing I wouldn’t be paired with Brenna and fearing the clash of some of my classmates’ personalities with my own. But Elise and I are solid.
Our objective was to spend the morning with a Mama and learn what they do every day and their culture. Our first task upon arrival was to drink chai…it was rough (not). Then we did the dishes. It was pretty much exactly like doing dishes at camp, but there was a bed in this “kitchen”. This room had a mini generator, a hot plate, a shelf, lots of dishes, and a bed. It wasn’t really what you would call a kitchen. Elise and I sat on the bed doing the dishes and sharing our lives with each other a little. Turns out there are some parallels in our romantic lives. Next we swept the main room. Their brooms are more bristle and less handle. Elise and I were not very good at it…and we were laughed at. I suppose that is part of the process though. Next onto cooking. That was done in a completely separate unit unattached to the main house. It was quite cool though. We cooked over firewood and sat on benches. That is, until I couldn’t handle the smoke anymore and had to excuse myself. My eyes were burning pretty badly (and still are a little to be honest). We cooked ungali (made of cornflower…delicious) and made more chai (also delicious). Then we went back into the house where we were informed that our chores were over. We still had over an hour to stay there…what on earth were we going to do? There was a pretty significant language barrier too, so talking wasn’t really an appealing option. So they turned on the tv (using what looked like a car battery on the shelf below the tv) and watched a very dramatic, very poorly acted Kenyan movie (or soap opera, hard to tell). Needless to say we were enthralled by this. I was a little sad when it was over actually, especially since I was confused (the “background music” was really foreground music meaning we could barely hear the dialogue). Then Francis (one of the local guys who works for SFS) dropped off some cabbage. Elise and I were relieved to have another task-cutting and cooking the cabbage. After that we ate what we made. I was not at all expecting to like the cabbage but I LOVED it. I hope I remember how to make it later. And then we left. Nothing particularly thrilling.
I did make some observations though. Dogs do not receive much affection from many of the maasai families that own them (if any), smoke does not bother the eyes of the women here (even the youngest ones), you can make the most modest of homes feel homey with the right wall decorations (and if you’re Kenyan then a calendar and a wall clock are staples of said wall decorations), Kenyan children are adorable-and very shy, I am spoiled. I really did enjoy my time there.
Getting back to camp I was in a bit of a funk. It’s hard to explain but instead of talking (which is often one of my favorite activities) all I wanted to do was listen. I sorta wanted to be invisible so I could just step away from being the “life of the party” and just observe people-without drawing attention for being quiet. That’s my curse (brought upon myself), because I’m so social the second I don’t want to be and I just want to fade into the background I remain in the forefront because people wonder why I’m not chatty. Sigh…
My funk, however, was lifted when we visited a local preschool. I am designed to be a mother I know it. One little girl and I clicked in a big way and spent the majority of the afternoon playing. She is quite ticklish and has a beautiful laugh. Every time she’d enter a giggle fit I too started giggling. It was the best therapy ever. I look at these children here and I am so happy. The kids here, by the way, are incredibly friendly once they aren’t so shy. They especially love to run out to the road to wave to us as we drive by. All over Nairobi this is true :)
Today was full of ups and downs, highs and lows, but yet again I am ridiculously happy to be here.
Today Elise and I were paired together to spend the morning as one of the maasai. I was really thankful to be paired with her knowing I wouldn’t be paired with Brenna and fearing the clash of some of my classmates’ personalities with my own. But Elise and I are solid.
Our objective was to spend the morning with a Mama and learn what they do every day and their culture. Our first task upon arrival was to drink chai…it was rough (not). Then we did the dishes. It was pretty much exactly like doing dishes at camp, but there was a bed in this “kitchen”. This room had a mini generator, a hot plate, a shelf, lots of dishes, and a bed. It wasn’t really what you would call a kitchen. Elise and I sat on the bed doing the dishes and sharing our lives with each other a little. Turns out there are some parallels in our romantic lives. Next we swept the main room. Their brooms are more bristle and less handle. Elise and I were not very good at it…and we were laughed at. I suppose that is part of the process though. Next onto cooking. That was done in a completely separate unit unattached to the main house. It was quite cool though. We cooked over firewood and sat on benches. That is, until I couldn’t handle the smoke anymore and had to excuse myself. My eyes were burning pretty badly (and still are a little to be honest). We cooked ungali (made of cornflower…delicious) and made more chai (also delicious). Then we went back into the house where we were informed that our chores were over. We still had over an hour to stay there…what on earth were we going to do? There was a pretty significant language barrier too, so talking wasn’t really an appealing option. So they turned on the tv (using what looked like a car battery on the shelf below the tv) and watched a very dramatic, very poorly acted Kenyan movie (or soap opera, hard to tell). Needless to say we were enthralled by this. I was a little sad when it was over actually, especially since I was confused (the “background music” was really foreground music meaning we could barely hear the dialogue). Then Francis (one of the local guys who works for SFS) dropped off some cabbage. Elise and I were relieved to have another task-cutting and cooking the cabbage. After that we ate what we made. I was not at all expecting to like the cabbage but I LOVED it. I hope I remember how to make it later. And then we left. Nothing particularly thrilling.
I did make some observations though. Dogs do not receive much affection from many of the maasai families that own them (if any), smoke does not bother the eyes of the women here (even the youngest ones), you can make the most modest of homes feel homey with the right wall decorations (and if you’re Kenyan then a calendar and a wall clock are staples of said wall decorations), Kenyan children are adorable-and very shy, I am spoiled. I really did enjoy my time there.
Getting back to camp I was in a bit of a funk. It’s hard to explain but instead of talking (which is often one of my favorite activities) all I wanted to do was listen. I sorta wanted to be invisible so I could just step away from being the “life of the party” and just observe people-without drawing attention for being quiet. That’s my curse (brought upon myself), because I’m so social the second I don’t want to be and I just want to fade into the background I remain in the forefront because people wonder why I’m not chatty. Sigh…
My funk, however, was lifted when we visited a local preschool. I am designed to be a mother I know it. One little girl and I clicked in a big way and spent the majority of the afternoon playing. She is quite ticklish and has a beautiful laugh. Every time she’d enter a giggle fit I too started giggling. It was the best therapy ever. I look at these children here and I am so happy. The kids here, by the way, are incredibly friendly once they aren’t so shy. They especially love to run out to the road to wave to us as we drive by. All over Nairobi this is true :)
Today was full of ups and downs, highs and lows, but yet again I am ridiculously happy to be here.
Untitled.
18 June 2010
These days I spend the majority of my time (while at camp) in the library. Which is ironic considering how little time I ever spent in the library at WSU. I mean, I think I studied there once and that was only because Andy went to the library to write a paper and I tagged along. Oh and then the couple of times Kevin, Ashley, and I used the study rooms during our break between classes.
Today I did some hand washing. I am not a huge fan of handwashing ma undies, but you do what you gotta do.
Presentation happened today. Other than that, I’ve lived in the library…as previously mentioned.
These days I spend the majority of my time (while at camp) in the library. Which is ironic considering how little time I ever spent in the library at WSU. I mean, I think I studied there once and that was only because Andy went to the library to write a paper and I tagged along. Oh and then the couple of times Kevin, Ashley, and I used the study rooms during our break between classes.
Today I did some hand washing. I am not a huge fan of handwashing ma undies, but you do what you gotta do.
Presentation happened today. Other than that, I’ve lived in the library…as previously mentioned.
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