alright, last night was, in a word...AWESOME!!!
so on tuesday night i had made plans with Jackson and Richard to meet on Thursday so that I could make plans to go to Massai Mara this weekend. After the Orphanage I was supposed to meet Richard at the Chapel and we would proceed to meet Jackson in town (Richard was Necessary to guide me through the craziness of the city, to make sure i was safe, and obviously get closer to me so that he can get to the U.S.). Upon getting a phone call, plans changed so that I was to meet Richard in the City itself, i was a bit nervous to navigate myself around, but i could do with a small adventure :)
I arrived in the City at 4pm, approximately the same time it started raining. Now, when i say raining what i really mean is it started down pouring so hard that you couldn't really see anything in front of you...i had no jacket, and honestly it was the beginning of the best night ever. the rain was nice, and the weather was warm. I was having a blast. However, Richard is a wimp and when i met up with him he complained almost nonstop about the rain (maybe it only felt like nonstop because i was enjoying it so much) anyway, we met and almost immediately found the closest restaurant to take shelter and wait for Jackson. Almost 45 minutes later we were given directions to meet the guy who was going to help plan my safari. an hour later the plans were made, the money had exchanged hands and we were ready to head home by 5:30. then the real adventure began.
We walked from the office to the other end of the City to catch a Matatu that would bring both Richard and I to our respective homes. upon arriving at the stop we found that the Matatu's that head to Zambezi (my home) only picked people up on the other side of town. So we walked back to where we had started and beyond to wait. By this time it was rush hour and that paired with the fact that it was still raining meant that all of the Matatu's heading to Zambezi were full. We knew we would have better luck to just catch a Matatu to Kawangware (his home) and then getting one to Zambezi from there. Which meant we had to walk the length of the city again. Upon reaching the stop, traffic was at a standstill and seeing as it was still raining, all of the Matatu's were full.
We seriously must have walked at least a mile, in the middle of the street, looking for a matatu to take us home...they were ALL full. by 6:45 i had decided to just spend the money and we would get a taxi. So, Richard called his friend who had a taxi and was a member of the church (which he mentioned at least ten times). His friend was on the outskirts of town but said he would come as soon as possible.
It would be good to mention here that i HAVE to be in the house by 9pm but try to get there before dark to avoid anything that happens after dark(around 7).
Richard and I went back to the restaurant to sit and wait. By this time the restaurant was busy and the music was LOUD! usually i would love this atmosphere but for some unknown reason i was quite uncomfortable. I asked if we could leave but R. informed me that it was either sit here or stand outside (which i would have been fine with, but I'm pretty sure that is the last thing R. wanted to do and seeing as he was there as a favor to me, i was going to be as kind a possible). We were there for about 15 minutes before he was okay to leave and we went to stand outside the Hilton where his friend was going to meet us. Thankfully conversation went smoothly and after a long bit R.'s friend showed up...with no car. Another driver had borrowed it and was well across town and wouldn't be here for at least a half hour (it was approx. 8 by this time). So R.'s friend went on a search for a taxi.
Less then 15 minutes later i was shoved between one man i barely knew, and another I had JUST met, with two starngers in front. I laughed as the warnings of my family and friends not to talk to stranger and especially not to share a cab ran through my mind...I am sorry, but i broke every promise i made and it was probably a good thing i have not seen 'Taken'. however i felt perfectly safe. In fact, throughout the night R. had constantly told me not to worry, that i would get home by nine and i would get there safely. In the taxi he told me no less than three times that i was sitting between two priesthood holders and i would get home safely. I was not frightened, or worried, actually, i was quite the opposite. it was 8:30, past dark and i was not in bed, reading or sleeping. I was having a blast! There is a rush and excitement that can only come from being completely lost in a big city. I with with people i barely knew, alright, people i didn't know at all. I couldn't understand a word most of them were saying (I still am not fluent in Swahili, which i was informed was ridiculous cause i've been here two weeks and it is a really easy language to learn), and i had no idea what was going to happen to me next. I cannot explain how excited and free I felt. It was definitely a rush!
To finish the Adventure, i arrived home about 2 minutes before nine and I was safe. Through the night Joe and Alan called me several times to check my status and see if i was okay, which i was...more than okay :D
30 May 2009
29 May 2009
on a little lighter note...
some of you may want to skip this post and go straight to D's better and more exciting information...as most people would think that it is a bit too much information, but seeing as it is a major part of my life here in Kenya I thought that it was my duty to let you be part of my experience completely...
...among learning more about the world around me and in fact myself, learning about who I am and my place in the world, i have also learned a little bit about my limits, for example...I cannot, CANNOT, bring myself to pee in a hole in the ground
There, i said it. I have been here for two weeks, and in those two weeks i have held it up to five, maybe six, hours. I have paid an unnecessary total of at least 100 shillings to be able to pee on a porcelain toilet. The last few days i know I have been silly, (seeing as I didn't even know what the toilet on the orphanage looked like). So today, i swallowed my pride and asked where the toilet was located. As i stood in front of, literally, a hole in the ground all of my fears were confirmed. I know i'm ridiculous, and pampered,i would go so far as to even say i am spoiled. I recognize that and I have never been more thankful to live in a place of porcelain toilets, even in the most grotesque bathrooms. I will never complain again.
Pictured: the blessed gift bestowed to me in Kenya, and the sum of all my fears of Kenya.
28 May 2009
You want my autograph?? Well... if you insist!
HELLO!!! I know that most of us want more and more from C and her amazing trip, and if you haven't read the post before mine -- DO IT! I HAD to post something today. On Tuesday after classes a friend and I went to Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland because we heard they were filming a movie. There are some people in this movie that you may have heard of, if you haven't been living under a rock your whole lives.
Let's see... HARRISON FORD!!!!! BRENDAN FRASER!!!!! KERI RUSSELL!!!!! They've been in town for a while now and this was the first day of confirmed filming that I was able to go to, so I was soooooooo excited. Originally my friend Casi had invited me to come with her {she is on the extras database (cause she wanted to be available for Twilight when they came back-only they didn't come back. sad.) she was told she could bring a friend - ME! but she ended up needing to go out of town... anyway, tmi?} So a girl I know from school heard about it too and knew that I would want to go, so we walked down there after classes.
We showed up and there were 400 other people there, sitting on the stairs and walking around the square.
Many of the people had been there all day. We found out that there was a check-in and you could sign up on their list and be an "official promo extra". Those that registered got a raffle ticket. Promo extras aren't paid, but they were passing out food and water and raffle drawings for things such as $100 gift certificates to Best Buy and $20 gift certificates to local restaurants. And as is the nature with movie sets (cause I'm an old pro at this now!), there was a whole lot of waiting. As I munched on my Oatmeal Raisin Grandma's cookie, I scoped everything out and who do I see to my left, getting his makeup put on? See if you recognize him...
Have you seen Ferris Bueller's Day Off?? IT'S CAMERON!!!! Alan Ruck was also in Spin City with my love Michael J. Fox!
So, we knew that things were getting close...
As we were standing around, reveling in the sunshine and excitement, I looked over by Starbucks and who did I see???
Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen... It is Mr. Brendan Fraser himself!!!!!!! I saw him with my own two eyes (and even better after I put on my glasses) Although he doesn't look as toned and delicious as he did in Encino Man or George of the Jungle, he is still loved by one known as ME! We watched them film a scene of him walking with Cameron. They had sandwiches and sodas so I think they were on lunch. So while we were watching, my friend got a text from Alex, who was in the background of the scene. Disappointed that we hadn't gone to Starbucks with him, we meandered our way over there so we could be in the movie too. Well, they changed camera angles and we all had to move. The cutie security guy said that he ahd to tell everyone to move, "Not that you shouldn't be in the movie..." Seriously, how charming is that? We found our way back to the stairs and sat down. A bit later, they changed the shot again, and we had to move. They made everyone move to the floor of the square and then brought small groups of people up after that to be in the background. And who, you may ask, got to be in Mr. Brendan Fraser's movie?? ME, THAT'S WHO!!!! My friend and I were paired with a couple of other people to sit and talk to. They were totally cool. The guy we sat by has been in a commercial! And while we were sitting there, I looked over and who did I see??? A guy that had been in Twilight!! I didn't take a pic of him, but if you remember the restaurant scene when Edward tells Bella what the people are thinking. The interesting looking guy when he says "cat". He was TOTALLY there too! So we sat there for a while and then they told everyone they were doing a wide shot of the square and then they were done. We heard "That's a wrap!!" Then Mr. Brendan Fraser himself got on the mic and thanked everyone for coming and said how Portland was so awesome (BECAUSE IT IS!).
So now I can say that Brendan Fraser has thanked me for being in a movie with him! Sometimes I LOVE my life!
PS-Next week, I may have another opportunity to see him and I will try to actually shake his hand.
Watched
Honestly i have never given much thought to skin color, besides being a tiny bit jealous of those blessed with a perma-tan... i have never thought less of anybody with a different skin color, nor have I thought any more of anybody with a particular skin color, perhaps it's because i was born and raised in the U.S. which has many mixed races, or perhaps it is because of the way i was raised, maybe it's just the way I am. I mean, i know that some people are racist, and I know that some people have never seen a black person, or a white person, or a red person, or a pink person, or a green person for that matter before. But seriously, we all know that skin color differences exist, why do people make a big deal out of it. We are still all human, we still all have individual ideas, nobody is smarter, and for that matter more dumb depending on the color of their skin.
I bring this issue of skin color up because frankly, it's really bothering me right now. As most of you have probably gathered from the fact that I am in Africa, people with white skin are few and far between, most days i don't see any white people at all, it doesn't bother me of course, as i stated before I hardly even notice skin color, what bothers me is the way most people here react to me, the Mzungu.
Children are adorable, cute, and ignorant. When i pass children are subject to doing many things, most often they yell the statement 'how are you!' to my back, too shy to actually talk to me. Some with wave and speak the statement, in hopes i will wave back, some just yell 'Mzungu,' or 'white person,' I have even had groups of children follow me as far as the end of the street, and a few even come just to hold my hand. I don't mind, like I said it is all in innocence and rather cute.
Women, for the most part, ignore me, if they are with children they will whisper 'how are you' in their little ears, and if they are alone the most they will ever do is stare from a distance. but like i said, they are quite good at ignoring me...they aren't rude and if i talk to them they will talk to me, Sister Caroline just watches out for me...in a sentence they treat me just like anyone else...which suits me just fine.
now Men, men are what bother me most here. not ALL of them, but most of them...as i pass they act just as children, they yell out 'how are you' and 'mzungu' some just want to see how i react, some really do want to talk to me...the difference between the Men and the Children is this...
To the children i am the exotic reptile on display, they want to look at me, and watch me, some are even brave enough to pet me...which is fine with me, they are adorable and what do I expect, i am the first 'one of my kind' that they have ever seen...it's a different story with the men, to them i am the game animal that they are just dying to catch, kill, and reap the reward. As they yell to me, i try not to take notice, look straight ahead and walk quickly. But if i do happen to be caught off guard and take a glance, the look in their eyes is enough for me to grimace, snap my head back to the road, and walk a little faster.
...as a side note, don't worry about me, i'm safe and i am well, nobody will do anything to me, i am protected and the spirit is always with me...
also here, in general, white skin means lots of money. i know that yes, i probably have more money than the average joe here, but seriously? i wish white skin meant money! Last week a woman asked the person accompanying me if he could ask me for 50 shillings so that she could get home. now, 50 shillings is not much at all, but it's not like i have a never-ending supply of money. the U.S. may be richer, but comparatively it is also more expensive to live there and you have to work just as hard to survive.
I don't want to sound like I am complaining, because I'm not, yes I do look forward to the day two weeks from now which I can walk around a city and not be looked at, yelled at, or watched because of the way I was born. I can tell you it has opened my eyes a lot to the prejudice's that exist in the world and i can tell you now that I don't think i have ever made any conclusions based on the way people naturally look, but even so i will be more careful never to ever make these conclusions...if you ever EVER catch me doing it i give you permission, no, a command, to shortly slap me and give me a reproach ( I will do the same for/to you)...please and thank you
I bring this issue of skin color up because frankly, it's really bothering me right now. As most of you have probably gathered from the fact that I am in Africa, people with white skin are few and far between, most days i don't see any white people at all, it doesn't bother me of course, as i stated before I hardly even notice skin color, what bothers me is the way most people here react to me, the Mzungu.
Children are adorable, cute, and ignorant. When i pass children are subject to doing many things, most often they yell the statement 'how are you!' to my back, too shy to actually talk to me. Some with wave and speak the statement, in hopes i will wave back, some just yell 'Mzungu,' or 'white person,' I have even had groups of children follow me as far as the end of the street, and a few even come just to hold my hand. I don't mind, like I said it is all in innocence and rather cute.
Women, for the most part, ignore me, if they are with children they will whisper 'how are you' in their little ears, and if they are alone the most they will ever do is stare from a distance. but like i said, they are quite good at ignoring me...they aren't rude and if i talk to them they will talk to me, Sister Caroline just watches out for me...in a sentence they treat me just like anyone else...which suits me just fine.
now Men, men are what bother me most here. not ALL of them, but most of them...as i pass they act just as children, they yell out 'how are you' and 'mzungu' some just want to see how i react, some really do want to talk to me...the difference between the Men and the Children is this...
To the children i am the exotic reptile on display, they want to look at me, and watch me, some are even brave enough to pet me...which is fine with me, they are adorable and what do I expect, i am the first 'one of my kind' that they have ever seen...it's a different story with the men, to them i am the game animal that they are just dying to catch, kill, and reap the reward. As they yell to me, i try not to take notice, look straight ahead and walk quickly. But if i do happen to be caught off guard and take a glance, the look in their eyes is enough for me to grimace, snap my head back to the road, and walk a little faster.
...as a side note, don't worry about me, i'm safe and i am well, nobody will do anything to me, i am protected and the spirit is always with me...
also here, in general, white skin means lots of money. i know that yes, i probably have more money than the average joe here, but seriously? i wish white skin meant money! Last week a woman asked the person accompanying me if he could ask me for 50 shillings so that she could get home. now, 50 shillings is not much at all, but it's not like i have a never-ending supply of money. the U.S. may be richer, but comparatively it is also more expensive to live there and you have to work just as hard to survive.
I don't want to sound like I am complaining, because I'm not, yes I do look forward to the day two weeks from now which I can walk around a city and not be looked at, yelled at, or watched because of the way I was born. I can tell you it has opened my eyes a lot to the prejudice's that exist in the world and i can tell you now that I don't think i have ever made any conclusions based on the way people naturally look, but even so i will be more careful never to ever make these conclusions...if you ever EVER catch me doing it i give you permission, no, a command, to shortly slap me and give me a reproach ( I will do the same for/to you)...please and thank you
25 May 2009
life the last few days
ha...hahaha...sorry...
So my real life over the last week has been a bit more interesting than that :) I am still at the orphanage and love it...i have actually started teaching the kids, usually songs, but lately i have also taught them how to draw stick people and and Elephant, as well as helping them learn to count and simple math (I have been very tempted to start teaching statistics, but something inside of me says that would be a bad idea) I have been shown how to make Ugali and Chappati, so we'll see if i can re-create them at home...that should be interesting :)
However i have also done a lot besides the Orphanage.
Last Friday I was sick, i didn't tell anyone cause i didn't want anyone to worry, it was just a cold. I didn't go to the Orphanage but i did write a lot of blogposts, as you probably noticed. I spent this day doing what i have been putting off for a while...laundry, yes, i did my own laundry, by hand...i have never been more grateful for a washing machine, it wasn't bad and I know i could do it again and I am positive i will, but my laundry skills are lacking and nothing actually got really clean, well my shirts did, but my jeans just got a little less muddy...
Also friday the rest of the volunteers left, i have been on my own the better part of a week and I HATE IT! i can't say that i am never traveling by myself again, but i am never traveling alone again. Whenever I travel from now on it will be in or with a group. when i am alone i can't take pictures with me in them, and there is no one to talk to but myself, you'd think it'd be okay what with a host family and all...NO! they don't talk! Mercy and I have never actually had a conversation, and i do try, but the fellowship just isn't there. Joe...oh my gosh,...you know what...nevermind...this place is amazing and I love it, and i am not just saying that to remind myself...i know it sounds like I am, but i'm really not...okay nothing i can say or do right now will convince you i am really telling the truth (which i am) so i am going to stop...
Last Saturday i was feeling much better and was able to go into town with Frieda, i was going to finish my souvenir shopping at the Massai Market (there will soon be a different post for that) but we also found a shop that sold the exact same things...FOR CHEAPER!!! yay! but we were also able to go to the Market for a bit I found the friends who helped me last week (also in another post) and was cheated out of lots of money as is only expected when a Mzungu goes to the Market :), thankfully Frieda was with me and for reasons that will be explained, i wasn't cheated as much as I could have been. After the Market Frieda showed me a memorial park dedicated to the American Embassy that was bombed in Nairobi in August of 1997 (?) the Park was Amazing and quite peaceful, we stayed there awhile just to sit and enjoy the sunshine.
Sunday was quite a good day, i went to church! you should have seen the face of my host person lady when she asked where i was going dressed up, she couldn't believe it. Church here is just like church at home...surprise, surprise...children cry and fall asleep in Sacrament Meeting, Sunday school is just as boring and relief society (actually true confession: I went to young women's) is just the same. The only real difference was that there was no piano, there was a keyboard that nobody knew how to play, so before each song the chorister would sing the first line and then everybody would start. Everyone was so nice, most everyone came up to me and shook my hand and said hello...my favorite person on the planet is Sister Caroline, she is the Relief Society President and I love her. She made me feel so welcome and if i was ever standing alone she would come talk to me so i wouldn't feel awkward....church was a good experience. :)
Monday was boring, didn't do much...
Tuesday, now tuesday was AMAZING i went to the Orphanage but left early because i was going to see jackson's medical center...let me explain...If you remember, or just look, a few posts back i talked about Jackson and how he wants to start a volunteer program here in Africa. I volunteered to see what he was doing and maybe help out a bit, i was able to see the Library and on tuesday i went to see his medical Clinic, St. MAC's (Mother and Child, named for the target groups) is located in..KIBERA! you can't imagine how excited/nervous i was to go to Kibera and I wish that i were courageous enough to take out my camera, however in fear of losing my precious moments caught on film i kept it in my pocket...anyway, i was led to Kibera by Richard, i don't know if i have already talked about him, but i thought that he was engaged to Frida, but apparently that is a different Richard, because if it were up to him we would probably be married next week...and this for two reasons, 1. if he married me he would have instant respect from all Kenyans because i am white (oh it gets better), and 2. if we married he would become a U.S. citizen, which is his ultimate dream. of course when he was explaining this to me he didn't mention me personally, only 'white chicks'in general (it would've been rude) but the conversation was very pointed and followed rather immediately after the relationship status question...i told him I should slap him and the only reason i didn't was because he was my guide not only through the slums but through the whole of Nairobi in the following days. Anyway, back to the real story...after taking many matatu's and various busses across town we reached Kibera and Jackson came to Retrieve us and show us to the clinic. If you were to pass through the cramped streets and didn't know where you were going, you would have missed the clinic completely, it is set back behing the streets and you have to go througha narrow alley to enter. Upon entering you find yourself in a tiny reception room with various posters about malaria and HIV prevention, there is a small pharmacy and three small rooms in the back, one is the 'lab' which is called so because it houses the only telescope on the premisis and it doubles as the file room, there is also an examination room which doubles as the office and a third room, the third room holds the most expensive machine that probably costed more then the whole of Kibera itself and anything valuable held within...it's a...crap i forgot the word...hahhaha...that machine that shows the baby in the stomach...and it's called...________ (just fill it in already). Jackson's vision is to be able to help all women and children in Kenya, to provide affordable and quality Healthcare. With this machine he is able to help many women who would not beable to see the baby otherwise, he only charges 600 shillings to have a scan whereas it would cost over 2000 at a normal hospital. He soon wants to beable to get the internet in his clinic and be able to scan problem areas in a body and send then to an American doctor to get a second opinion while the patient is still there. He is such a great person and if i come back to Africa anytime soon it will be to help him.
Due to lack of Time and Patience with the computer I am not going to post pictures at the moment, i will soon though. I hope you have enjoyed this novel of my last week and i sincerly hope you did not find it wikipediaish...yes it's a word...
So my real life over the last week has been a bit more interesting than that :) I am still at the orphanage and love it...i have actually started teaching the kids, usually songs, but lately i have also taught them how to draw stick people and and Elephant, as well as helping them learn to count and simple math (I have been very tempted to start teaching statistics, but something inside of me says that would be a bad idea) I have been shown how to make Ugali and Chappati, so we'll see if i can re-create them at home...that should be interesting :)
However i have also done a lot besides the Orphanage.
Last Friday I was sick, i didn't tell anyone cause i didn't want anyone to worry, it was just a cold. I didn't go to the Orphanage but i did write a lot of blogposts, as you probably noticed. I spent this day doing what i have been putting off for a while...laundry, yes, i did my own laundry, by hand...i have never been more grateful for a washing machine, it wasn't bad and I know i could do it again and I am positive i will, but my laundry skills are lacking and nothing actually got really clean, well my shirts did, but my jeans just got a little less muddy...
Also friday the rest of the volunteers left, i have been on my own the better part of a week and I HATE IT! i can't say that i am never traveling by myself again, but i am never traveling alone again. Whenever I travel from now on it will be in or with a group. when i am alone i can't take pictures with me in them, and there is no one to talk to but myself, you'd think it'd be okay what with a host family and all...NO! they don't talk! Mercy and I have never actually had a conversation, and i do try, but the fellowship just isn't there. Joe...oh my gosh,...you know what...nevermind...this place is amazing and I love it, and i am not just saying that to remind myself...i know it sounds like I am, but i'm really not...okay nothing i can say or do right now will convince you i am really telling the truth (which i am) so i am going to stop...
Last Saturday i was feeling much better and was able to go into town with Frieda, i was going to finish my souvenir shopping at the Massai Market (there will soon be a different post for that) but we also found a shop that sold the exact same things...FOR CHEAPER!!! yay! but we were also able to go to the Market for a bit I found the friends who helped me last week (also in another post) and was cheated out of lots of money as is only expected when a Mzungu goes to the Market :), thankfully Frieda was with me and for reasons that will be explained, i wasn't cheated as much as I could have been. After the Market Frieda showed me a memorial park dedicated to the American Embassy that was bombed in Nairobi in August of 1997 (?) the Park was Amazing and quite peaceful, we stayed there awhile just to sit and enjoy the sunshine.
Sunday was quite a good day, i went to church! you should have seen the face of my host person lady when she asked where i was going dressed up, she couldn't believe it. Church here is just like church at home...surprise, surprise...children cry and fall asleep in Sacrament Meeting, Sunday school is just as boring and relief society (actually true confession: I went to young women's) is just the same. The only real difference was that there was no piano, there was a keyboard that nobody knew how to play, so before each song the chorister would sing the first line and then everybody would start. Everyone was so nice, most everyone came up to me and shook my hand and said hello...my favorite person on the planet is Sister Caroline, she is the Relief Society President and I love her. She made me feel so welcome and if i was ever standing alone she would come talk to me so i wouldn't feel awkward....church was a good experience. :)
Monday was boring, didn't do much...
Tuesday, now tuesday was AMAZING i went to the Orphanage but left early because i was going to see jackson's medical center...let me explain...If you remember, or just look, a few posts back i talked about Jackson and how he wants to start a volunteer program here in Africa. I volunteered to see what he was doing and maybe help out a bit, i was able to see the Library and on tuesday i went to see his medical Clinic, St. MAC's (Mother and Child, named for the target groups) is located in..KIBERA! you can't imagine how excited/nervous i was to go to Kibera and I wish that i were courageous enough to take out my camera, however in fear of losing my precious moments caught on film i kept it in my pocket...anyway, i was led to Kibera by Richard, i don't know if i have already talked about him, but i thought that he was engaged to Frida, but apparently that is a different Richard, because if it were up to him we would probably be married next week...and this for two reasons, 1. if he married me he would have instant respect from all Kenyans because i am white (oh it gets better), and 2. if we married he would become a U.S. citizen, which is his ultimate dream. of course when he was explaining this to me he didn't mention me personally, only 'white chicks'in general (it would've been rude) but the conversation was very pointed and followed rather immediately after the relationship status question...i told him I should slap him and the only reason i didn't was because he was my guide not only through the slums but through the whole of Nairobi in the following days. Anyway, back to the real story...after taking many matatu's and various busses across town we reached Kibera and Jackson came to Retrieve us and show us to the clinic. If you were to pass through the cramped streets and didn't know where you were going, you would have missed the clinic completely, it is set back behing the streets and you have to go througha narrow alley to enter. Upon entering you find yourself in a tiny reception room with various posters about malaria and HIV prevention, there is a small pharmacy and three small rooms in the back, one is the 'lab' which is called so because it houses the only telescope on the premisis and it doubles as the file room, there is also an examination room which doubles as the office and a third room, the third room holds the most expensive machine that probably costed more then the whole of Kibera itself and anything valuable held within...it's a...crap i forgot the word...hahhaha...that machine that shows the baby in the stomach...and it's called...________ (just fill it in already). Jackson's vision is to be able to help all women and children in Kenya, to provide affordable and quality Healthcare. With this machine he is able to help many women who would not beable to see the baby otherwise, he only charges 600 shillings to have a scan whereas it would cost over 2000 at a normal hospital. He soon wants to beable to get the internet in his clinic and be able to scan problem areas in a body and send then to an American doctor to get a second opinion while the patient is still there. He is such a great person and if i come back to Africa anytime soon it will be to help him.
Due to lack of Time and Patience with the computer I am not going to post pictures at the moment, i will soon though. I hope you have enjoyed this novel of my last week and i sincerly hope you did not find it wikipediaish...yes it's a word...
The Children
I love love LOVE LOVE it here!!! and the best part about being here is spending time with the little orphans...although only half of the kids i spend time with are actually orphans, I want to introduce you to them all...I'll start with the youngest and work my way up every few posts.
Frederick
Fredrick is 3 years old he is very quiet and mostly just sits and observes, he doesn't always participate and hardly ever plays with the other children. But i guess he is only three, so you can't really expect a whole lot more...however he is smart, he seems like one of those kids who just knows things.
Brian
Brian is a little punk. he is sneaky and playful, quite adorable and very charming. Today he took two pencils, stuck them in his pocket and refused to give them back. When i took out the camera, if i wasn't taking pictures of him, he was trying to cover up the lens so i couldn't take pictures of anyone else...like i said, a punk.
Peter
Peter truly is one of my top favorites. I love to make funny faces at him because he tries to make them right back. He is full of life. and actually yesterday he left the orphanage. He and his two siblings (Anthony and Mary) were brought to the orphanage last July when their mother ran away from their abusive father and the father abandoned them. Just last week their mother found them at the orphanage and yesterday got the papers to have them returned to her...i will miss them, but i am happy their mother found them, i only pray she can provide for them.
Odiambo
Odiambo is playful and sweet, as we were walking back from lunch my first day here he held my hand and led me back :) at first i though he was a trouble maker but he really isn't, just playful. Odiambo is either 4 or 5 and he was brought to the orphanage a few years ago when both of his parents died of AIDS, he too is HIV positive.
Frederick
Fredrick is 3 years old he is very quiet and mostly just sits and observes, he doesn't always participate and hardly ever plays with the other children. But i guess he is only three, so you can't really expect a whole lot more...however he is smart, he seems like one of those kids who just knows things.
Brian
Brian is a little punk. he is sneaky and playful, quite adorable and very charming. Today he took two pencils, stuck them in his pocket and refused to give them back. When i took out the camera, if i wasn't taking pictures of him, he was trying to cover up the lens so i couldn't take pictures of anyone else...like i said, a punk.
Peter
Peter truly is one of my top favorites. I love to make funny faces at him because he tries to make them right back. He is full of life. and actually yesterday he left the orphanage. He and his two siblings (Anthony and Mary) were brought to the orphanage last July when their mother ran away from their abusive father and the father abandoned them. Just last week their mother found them at the orphanage and yesterday got the papers to have them returned to her...i will miss them, but i am happy their mother found them, i only pray she can provide for them.
Odiambo
Odiambo is playful and sweet, as we were walking back from lunch my first day here he held my hand and led me back :) at first i though he was a trouble maker but he really isn't, just playful. Odiambo is either 4 or 5 and he was brought to the orphanage a few years ago when both of his parents died of AIDS, he too is HIV positive.
24 May 2009
Kibera Slums
Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya is the largest slum in Africa, and has a population estimated at one million. The name "Kibera" is derived from kibera, a Nubian word meaning "forest" or "jungle."
The slum originated in 1918 as a Nubian soldiers' settlement in a forest outside Nairobi, with plots allotted to soldiers as a reward for service in the First World War and earlier wars.
After Kenyan independence in 1963, however, various forms of housing were made illegal by the government, rendering Kibera unauthorized on the basis of land tenure. Essentially, since the early 1970s landlords have rented out their property to a significantly greater number of tenants than legality permits. Since the tenants, who are extremely poor, are unable to obtain or rent land that is "legal" according to the Kenyan government, the slum-dwellers find the rates offered to be comparatively affordable. The number of residents in Kibera has increased accordingly despite its unauthorized nature.
Kibera has residents coming from all the major ethnic backgrounds with some areas being specifically dominated by one tribe . Many are coming from rural areas due to the problems of rural underdevelopment. This multi-ethnic nature coupled with the tribalism of Kenyan politics has led Kibera to be the site of small ethnic conflicts throughout its near 100 year history (most recently in 2002 in which many resident's homes were attacked by arson).
On our way to Carnivore we passed Kibera and stopped to take pictures...however we couldn't drive through it sadly because it was getting late...and we all know what can happen when it gets dark :-S
The slum originated in 1918 as a Nubian soldiers' settlement in a forest outside Nairobi, with plots allotted to soldiers as a reward for service in the First World War and earlier wars.
After Kenyan independence in 1963, however, various forms of housing were made illegal by the government, rendering Kibera unauthorized on the basis of land tenure. Essentially, since the early 1970s landlords have rented out their property to a significantly greater number of tenants than legality permits. Since the tenants, who are extremely poor, are unable to obtain or rent land that is "legal" according to the Kenyan government, the slum-dwellers find the rates offered to be comparatively affordable. The number of residents in Kibera has increased accordingly despite its unauthorized nature.
Kibera has residents coming from all the major ethnic backgrounds with some areas being specifically dominated by one tribe . Many are coming from rural areas due to the problems of rural underdevelopment. This multi-ethnic nature coupled with the tribalism of Kenyan politics has led Kibera to be the site of small ethnic conflicts throughout its near 100 year history (most recently in 2002 in which many resident's homes were attacked by arson).
On our way to Carnivore we passed Kibera and stopped to take pictures...however we couldn't drive through it sadly because it was getting late...and we all know what can happen when it gets dark :-S
Amboceli
last weekend i had the chance to go to Amboceli National Park . Amboseli lies immediately North West of Mt. Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania. Amboseli was established as a reserve in 1968 and gazetted as a National Park in 1974. The Park covers 392 km2, and forms part of the much larger 3,000 Km2 Amboseli ecosystem. Large concentrations of wildlife occur here in the dry season, making Amboseli a popular tourist destination. It is surrounded by 6 communally owned group ranches.
The National Park embodies 5 main wildlife habitats (open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland) and covers part of a pleistocene lake basin, now dry. Within this basin is a temporary lake, Lake Amboseli, that floods during years of heavy rainfall. Amboseli is famous for its big game and its great scenic beauty - the landscape is dominated by Mt. Kilimanjaro.
This was truly an amazing experience, we drove all over the park and found giraffes, hyenas, ostriches and ELEPHANTS!!! the only downside was that the clouds covered the peak of Mt. Kilamanjaro ALL DAY!!!
Oh, and before we entered, we had to stop to pay at the gate and we were bombarded with the Massai people trying to sell us things...i bought a mask, well I traded for it...it's a really nice mask danita...and i'll buy you new sunglasses :) I promise! I LOVE YOU!!!
23 May 2009
The Matatu
I think i mentioned before about the Matatu being the most popular form of Public transportation, but in fact i have found that it is private, anyone can start a matatu, i thihnk its kind of lik a franchise??? anyway they all have numbers and depending on the number is where they go, like a public bus. but the thing is there is nothing to tell you their routes, you just have to know. so if i want to go anywhere i have to ask joe, or eunice which Matatu i need to take.
So here's how it works...
To get to the orphanage i have to walk down the street and catch the '135 Matatu,' seems simple right? WRONG! as soon as you go to the stop there are at least 3 matatus which means there a 3 guys crowding around you, trying to convince you to talke their Matatu, when you finally find the right now you have to ask how much it costs (usually it's between 40 and 70 shillings, but you don't really know if they are cheating you becuase you are white so that automatically means you have money so they can shortchange you and you would never know!) then when you know, you crowd into this 12 seater van...only you are on there with anywhere from 12-24 people (seriously, there were 24 people one time, 3 guys were hanging out the door) the entire ride you have to sit squished between at least four other people and try to protect your pockets and belongings at the same time as trying to breate the filthy air and know where you are and how long until you have to get off, because yes, these Matatus have routes, but they only ever stop if you tell the money collector guy...Oh yeah! any paying! somteime during the journey, the guy will ask for the money and you have to give as close to the amount as possible, because like i said before they WILL shortchange you. than as you get off you are trying to squeeze past 18 other people riding and trying not to touch any of them...by the time I get off the Matatu, i am ready for another shower!
I know it sounds really bad, but it is an experience that i don't think anyone should live without :)
20 May 2009
Carnivore
Carnivore is probably the Best Restaurant in Nairobi, or at least the most expensive. (approx. $30 a meal) It is a restaurant that serves mainly...meat!it serves anything from chicken to Pork to Crocodile! yes...usually it serves game meat at well: 
buffalo, Zebra, Lion, Gazelle, etc. However due to too much hunting they are not allowed to serve the game meat anymore, BUT, i was able to try Crocodile and Ostrich meat!\
Anyway last Friday the group of us volunteers went to experience Carnivore
Here's how it works: we go into the restaurant, which is very nice by the way, and there is a HUGE roasting BBQ pit where they cook the meat and when we were sat we ordered the drinks. When the drinks were brought out the meal officially starts. After the soup of the day the servers bring out a bunch of sauces for the different meats and the put a flag at the table.
For the rest of the meal different servers come to the tabel with HUGE swords with meat on it and depending on the meat they either slice it off with a huge knife or they slide the pieces off the sword onto your plate. Oh my gosh it was insane! when you have eaten as much as you can you surrender and take down the flag and then they bring you dessert! all of this for $30...it would have cost much more in the states, that's for sure!
buffalo, Zebra, Lion, Gazelle, etc. However due to too much hunting they are not allowed to serve the game meat anymore, BUT, i was able to try Crocodile and Ostrich meat!\
Anyway last Friday the group of us volunteers went to experience Carnivore
Here's how it works: we go into the restaurant, which is very nice by the way, and there is a HUGE roasting BBQ pit where they cook the meat and when we were sat we ordered the drinks. When the drinks were brought out the meal officially starts. After the soup of the day the servers bring out a bunch of sauces for the different meats and the put a flag at the table.
For the rest of the meal different servers come to the tabel with HUGE swords with meat on it and depending on the meat they either slice it off with a huge knife or they slide the pieces off the sword onto your plate. Oh my gosh it was insane! when you have eaten as much as you can you surrender and take down the flag and then they bring you dessert! all of this for $30...it would have cost much more in the states, that's for sure!
19 May 2009
The Orphanage
The Riruta Shade Acadamy is located in Kangware outside of Nairobi. To get there i have to take the 135 Matatu for about 30 minutes. Upon reaching Kangware i walk for about 10-15 minutes before reaching the orphanage. At the Orphanage i help in the Classroom for the younger children Ages 3-6. Well, if you could call it helping, i usually sit there while either Vidah or Evelyn teaches, then i might play with the children during playtime and at lunch i eat with the children and then i sit and talk to the women while the children sleep...i feel so bad because i want to do more, but it's like they don't want to give me responsibilities and i don't know how to make them make me do things. I think that as i am there everyday they will have me do more things, yesterday i taught the children a song (popcorn popping) and tommorow i am going to teach them a game...if you have any ideas of what i can do with them please let me know!
The children are so wonderful though, there are twelve in all there is Frederick, Brian, Peter, Odiambo, Amos, Alvin, Jimmy, Omondi, Patience, Virginia, Alex, Robin, Mary, Justin, Michelle, and Renate. the youngest and the oldest are my favorite (the first four and the last four) but they are all so amazing and full of life! I am getting to know them better every day.
This place truly is a place devoted to Christ, the motto is: "Backward: Never, Forward: Yes! to Meet Christ" they pray before classes and each meal. You can definatly feel the spirit, it feels like a safe place for the Children.
Pictures: The Orphanage, Some of the Children with the Color Blast Gum, Justin, the four Oldest Playing with Tops :)
Missionary Work and the Church :)
Although it has happened the most recently, i think that most of you would want to here this story the most :)
My first day at the Orphanage:
the Orphanage is very much at Christian Orphanage. The first day i was there Vidah asked me about my beliefs! Talk about missionary opportunity, she wanted to know all about what i believe! we talked about the Book of Mormon, the Plan of Salvation, the Church Program, Atonement, Jesus Christ, the Trinity and how we believe differently, EVERYTHING! Some of you know this, but Brother Farmer gave me an extra book of Mormon to give when i left, and guess what! first day there and she was so into it, not necessarily a 'baptize me next week' into it, but she really wanted to know what we believed, even now, we still talk about it almost every day and i was able to give the book of Mormon to her...anyway that isn't the story you really want to hear about...
While talking to her, she said that she believed that there was an LDS church building RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD!!! she said that a lot of people stay away from the building and the Missionaries (or rather she said the white men with white shirts, black pants and name tags) because they worship the devil and are believed to be a cult...that is when i knew we had the right people.
Today, i left the house early so that i could wander and find the church...i took the first road i saw and about two minutes walking i saw a white steeple...ten minutes later i found the church, and what do you know!? there were couple missionaries with some of the members that lived close by!!!
I met the bishop, the relief society President, and the young womens president! I also met Jackson, who used to be the bishop (He was bishop for six years and got released three months ago) I also met Frieda who is a 19 year old girl that lives right down the road from the church. Jackson and I started talking, and he is now called as a welfare specialist and he is starting a volunteering company through the church based here in Kenya where students from the U.S. can come and either stay with a member or in a hotel. Then they can travel all over Africa doing service. Right now he has three volunteers in Mombasa. there are over 100 areas in which you can volunteer and by next month they will be on the internet :)
I'll talk more about it later, but honestly i don't feel like i am doing much or helping much at the orphanage, I feel like i should be doing more while i am here. Now Jackson and Frieda are going to help me help. Tomorrow i am going to go with Frieda to a Library that they have set up to help African students get excited about learning, and then hopefully later this week I am going to go the the Hospital with Jackson and help out there! I really feel like this is why i came...I mean, i feel like i am being put in a position to help, and meeting people that will help me progress...
Anyway, the way i met them is because two months ago they took a piece of land right by the church and made it into a community Garden. Now, every morning families go to work in the Garden. It was so wonderful!!! they have only been planting for a month and this is what it looks like!
Pictured: The Garden, and Frieda with a Mushroom
My first day at the Orphanage:
the Orphanage is very much at Christian Orphanage. The first day i was there Vidah asked me about my beliefs! Talk about missionary opportunity, she wanted to know all about what i believe! we talked about the Book of Mormon, the Plan of Salvation, the Church Program, Atonement, Jesus Christ, the Trinity and how we believe differently, EVERYTHING! Some of you know this, but Brother Farmer gave me an extra book of Mormon to give when i left, and guess what! first day there and she was so into it, not necessarily a 'baptize me next week' into it, but she really wanted to know what we believed, even now, we still talk about it almost every day and i was able to give the book of Mormon to her...anyway that isn't the story you really want to hear about...
While talking to her, she said that she believed that there was an LDS church building RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD!!! she said that a lot of people stay away from the building and the Missionaries (or rather she said the white men with white shirts, black pants and name tags) because they worship the devil and are believed to be a cult...that is when i knew we had the right people.
Today, i left the house early so that i could wander and find the church...i took the first road i saw and about two minutes walking i saw a white steeple...ten minutes later i found the church, and what do you know!? there were couple missionaries with some of the members that lived close by!!!
I met the bishop, the relief society President, and the young womens president! I also met Jackson, who used to be the bishop (He was bishop for six years and got released three months ago) I also met Frieda who is a 19 year old girl that lives right down the road from the church. Jackson and I started talking, and he is now called as a welfare specialist and he is starting a volunteering company through the church based here in Kenya where students from the U.S. can come and either stay with a member or in a hotel. Then they can travel all over Africa doing service. Right now he has three volunteers in Mombasa. there are over 100 areas in which you can volunteer and by next month they will be on the internet :)
I'll talk more about it later, but honestly i don't feel like i am doing much or helping much at the orphanage, I feel like i should be doing more while i am here. Now Jackson and Frieda are going to help me help. Tomorrow i am going to go with Frieda to a Library that they have set up to help African students get excited about learning, and then hopefully later this week I am going to go the the Hospital with Jackson and help out there! I really feel like this is why i came...I mean, i feel like i am being put in a position to help, and meeting people that will help me progress...
Anyway, the way i met them is because two months ago they took a piece of land right by the church and made it into a community Garden. Now, every morning families go to work in the Garden. It was so wonderful!!! they have only been planting for a month and this is what it looks like!
Pictured: The Garden, and Frieda with a Mushroom
People
In past and future posts i have mentioned and will mention a few people, i am not going to tell you a bit about all the important people i have met, just so you know :)
Gloria and Allison
Gloia and Allison are the first couple of volunteers that i met and they are my roommates. Gloria is 25 years old and an architect from California. Allison is going into her senior year studying Accounting in Syracuse, NY. They met three years ago when they both traced their roots starting in San Fancisco all the way to China. Allison had a couple of weeks free and decided she wanted to teach English in Kenya and asked if anyone wanted to come...Gloria said yes! (I wish someone would have volunteered to come with me :)
Winnie and Jason
Winnie and Jason were the second set of volunteers that i met, They are both from Vancouver B.C. Jason just graduated with a degree in Computer Science and Winnie is currently studying Engineering. Winnie was the initiator in this couple, she wanted to come and jason thought she didn't know what she was getting herself into so he came too...okay, not really, but it was mentioned
Joe, Eunice, and Kevin
Joe is the Volunteering Solutions Coordinator here in Kenya, he is an okay guy, will tell me anything i need to know, and will answer questions if asked, but other than that if he needs something done, or we need help he will hand us over to his assitants Kevin or Eunice.
Eunice is 21 years old, studying education at the University, she is very nice, and very quiet, she has helped a lot in settling down here in Kenya
Kevin i don't know very well he just helped me get home the first day of volunteering at the Orphanage, but he seems like a cool guy, lacks patience with the Matatu's, but really, who doesn't?
Vidah and Evelyn
Vidah and Evelyn are the women who teach at the orphanage, these are the women that i spend the most time with and help to teach the children. They are wonderful hard working people who donate all of their time to the Children. I look up to them Very much
Vidah has two children (one of them goes to school at the orphanage) and lives close by with her husband. She has been teaching at the orphanage for two years
Evelyn also lives close by with her husband and spends ALL of her time at the orphanage helping, she has been there i think Six years! i believe she also has two children.
Gloria and Allison
Gloia and Allison are the first couple of volunteers that i met and they are my roommates. Gloria is 25 years old and an architect from California. Allison is going into her senior year studying Accounting in Syracuse, NY. They met three years ago when they both traced their roots starting in San Fancisco all the way to China. Allison had a couple of weeks free and decided she wanted to teach English in Kenya and asked if anyone wanted to come...Gloria said yes! (I wish someone would have volunteered to come with me :)
Winnie and JasonWinnie and Jason were the second set of volunteers that i met, They are both from Vancouver B.C. Jason just graduated with a degree in Computer Science and Winnie is currently studying Engineering. Winnie was the initiator in this couple, she wanted to come and jason thought she didn't know what she was getting herself into so he came too...okay, not really, but it was mentioned
Joe, Eunice, and Kevin
Joe is the Volunteering Solutions Coordinator here in Kenya, he is an okay guy, will tell me anything i need to know, and will answer questions if asked, but other than that if he needs something done, or we need help he will hand us over to his assitants Kevin or Eunice.
Eunice is 21 years old, studying education at the University, she is very nice, and very quiet, she has helped a lot in settling down here in KenyaKevin i don't know very well he just helped me get home the first day of volunteering at the Orphanage, but he seems like a cool guy, lacks patience with the Matatu's, but really, who doesn't?
Vidah and Evelyn
Vidah and Evelyn are the women who teach at the orphanage, these are the women that i spend the most time with and help to teach the children. They are wonderful hard working people who donate all of their time to the Children. I look up to them Very much
Vidah has two children (one of them goes to school at the orphanage) and lives close by with her husband. She has been teaching at the orphanage for two years
Evelyn also lives close by with her husband and spends ALL of her time at the orphanage helping, she has been there i think Six years! i believe she also has two children.
Sasa Kwa Kenya! (Hello from Kenya)
Friends and Family, just to let you know the last blog WAS courtesy of wikipedia, i can't spend much time on the internet and its REALLY SLOW...i am alive, and i am sorry i can't write everyday but that is life here...i have to take an hour Matatu ride in order to get here and i just can't make it everyday...sorry!
Anyway other that the lack of communication with the ones i love, everything here is AMAZING! i am learning so much everyday and I can't help but falling in love with this place and the people i know i have posted a couple things, but can you believe that was only the first day here!?! and it's been a week! I am going to write as much as i can about the last week and hope you can sort through it all, sorry about the mess...
So the day after my grand Safari I was briefly shown the Orphanage i would be working at and i was taken to be shown Nairobi. Nairobi is the Capital of Kenya and the biggest City. We were shown many Gov't buildings including the Parliment and the courts. however, we couldn't take any pictures because apparently you can get arrested if you take pictures of the gov't buildings. So, i could only take pictures of the Conference center and the statue of the First Kenyan president Jomo Kenyatta
To those of you who thought i was going to be staying in a hut in the middle of the Savanna, i am sorry to disappoint. I am actually staying in what Kenyans would call a Mansion, although it is no bigger than an average house in the U.S. it has a porcelain toilet (although it only works half the time) Two burners (that plug in), and a T.V. (that has about five channels)...I am doing laundry by hand and hanging it up to dry, eating mostly rice, beans, and maize with vegetables, i think it's pretty good, but other volunteers don't really like it, like i said internet is rare, and white people are even more so...I wouldn't have it any other way! it gets a bit lonely because I can't really talk to many people. If i could change one thing it would be that i would have brought someone with me. Next time i guess :)
Anyway other that the lack of communication with the ones i love, everything here is AMAZING! i am learning so much everyday and I can't help but falling in love with this place and the people i know i have posted a couple things, but can you believe that was only the first day here!?! and it's been a week! I am going to write as much as i can about the last week and hope you can sort through it all, sorry about the mess...
So the day after my grand Safari I was briefly shown the Orphanage i would be working at and i was taken to be shown Nairobi. Nairobi is the Capital of Kenya and the biggest City. We were shown many Gov't buildings including the Parliment and the courts. however, we couldn't take any pictures because apparently you can get arrested if you take pictures of the gov't buildings. So, i could only take pictures of the Conference center and the statue of the First Kenyan president Jomo Kenyatta
To those of you who thought i was going to be staying in a hut in the middle of the Savanna, i am sorry to disappoint. I am actually staying in what Kenyans would call a Mansion, although it is no bigger than an average house in the U.S. it has a porcelain toilet (although it only works half the time) Two burners (that plug in), and a T.V. (that has about five channels)...I am doing laundry by hand and hanging it up to dry, eating mostly rice, beans, and maize with vegetables, i think it's pretty good, but other volunteers don't really like it, like i said internet is rare, and white people are even more so...I wouldn't have it any other way! it gets a bit lonely because I can't really talk to many people. If i could change one thing it would be that i would have brought someone with me. Next time i guess :)
16 May 2009
SAFARI !!!
After my ride on the Matatu I was able to go on a 1 day Safari to Lake Nakuru, it is about a two hour ride away from Nairobi. Upon arriving i was greeted by the safari guide, Simon, and I met two other volunteers, Gloria and Allison.
Nakuru means "Dust or Dusty Place" in Maasai language. Lake Nakuru National Park, close to Nakuru town, was established in 1961. It started off small, only encompassing the famous lake and the surrounding mountainous vicinity. Now it has been extended to include a large part of the savannahs.The lake is world famous as the location of the greatest bird spectacle on earth - myriads of fuschia pink flamingoes whose numbers are legion, often more than a million maybe two.
They feed on the abundant algae, which thrives in the warm waters.The park now has more than 25 rhinos, one of the largest concentrations in the country, so the chances of spotting these survivors are good. There are also a number of Rothschild's giraffe
While there I saw only two of the 'African Big Five' (Elephant, Lion, Cheetah, Rhino,Buffalo) I only saw the Rhino and the Buffalo, but I am going on another Safari tommorrow and then hopefully another one in a couple weeks to Massai Mara...I guess we'll see!!! Also While i was at Lake Nakuru I saw Zebra's a plenty, Pumba, and Giraffe's!!! (which i have recently decided is my favorite Animal)
After Lake Nakuru, we went to Lake Naivasha, which has Hippos, i'm sorry to everyone who told me not to, i didn't heed your advice and I did go into the Lake (but don't worry, i was in a boat :) The Hippos were Hideous, but quite captivating...Their Mouths are HUGE!!!
Nakuru means "Dust or Dusty Place" in Maasai language. Lake Nakuru National Park, close to Nakuru town, was established in 1961. It started off small, only encompassing the famous lake and the surrounding mountainous vicinity. Now it has been extended to include a large part of the savannahs.The lake is world famous as the location of the greatest bird spectacle on earth - myriads of fuschia pink flamingoes whose numbers are legion, often more than a million maybe two.
They feed on the abundant algae, which thrives in the warm waters.The park now has more than 25 rhinos, one of the largest concentrations in the country, so the chances of spotting these survivors are good. There are also a number of Rothschild's giraffe
While there I saw only two of the 'African Big Five' (Elephant, Lion, Cheetah, Rhino,Buffalo) I only saw the Rhino and the Buffalo, but I am going on another Safari tommorrow and then hopefully another one in a couple weeks to Massai Mara...I guess we'll see!!! Also While i was at Lake Nakuru I saw Zebra's a plenty, Pumba, and Giraffe's!!! (which i have recently decided is my favorite Animal)
After Lake Nakuru, we went to Lake Naivasha, which has Hippos, i'm sorry to everyone who told me not to, i didn't heed your advice and I did go into the Lake (but don't worry, i was in a boat :) The Hippos were Hideous, but quite captivating...Their Mouths are HUGE!!!
13 May 2009
Picked Up
Hello friends and family, yes, i am in Kenya, and I am alive...for now :) There is so much that I have done/I am going to do, that i could fill numerous blog posts, unfortunately i don't have the time right now...so instead i am going to tell you a quick story about right when i arrived.
Upon leaving you last i was about to get on the plane to finish my journey and arrive in Nairobi. On the plane i was able to sleep quite a bit, about six hours so i was fresh to begin my adventures here. When the plane landed I was led to the visa entry place and got to pay only half what i was expecting so that was good :)
As i picked up my baggage and walked outside i found about fifty people holding signs waiting to pick up others arriving in Kenya, after walking up and down the row of people frantically searching for my name a man started asking who I was looking for and if he could help...needless to say i was a big scared seeing as i was just arriving here a million miles away from home and there was not a familiar face to see...everyone i was talking to was a stranger!!!
Anyway, this man was actually really helpful and called Joe, the project manager person, who then talked to me and apparantly my plane arrived not only a half hour early, but it only took about a half hour to get through customs, which it usually takes about an hour, so he would be a few minutes...by this time i was calmed down and led to the cafeteria area, by the man with no name who helped me. (yes, the thought that i was going to disappear and not be found did run though my head, but it's not like i couldn't trust anybody...don't worry, i was wary and careful)...yes, i was!
So, after about five minutes of waiting i was found by Joe and Eunice, my things were collected and i was shown to the car (i accidentlly started to go the the drivers side because, of course, the sides are oppisite america). After driving a few minutes i was informed that i was going to take my 1 day safari that day. I wasn't able to go home or freshen up, which was okay, other than feeling a terrible mess and not having looked in a mirror for two days, but maybe that was for the best :) I was promptly taken to the Matatu (public transportation) Eunice got me a ticket and led me to the bus and then commenced the two hour journey to Lake Nakuru where i met up with Peter (tour guide), Victor (driver), Allison (volunteer from NY), and Gloria (volunteer from CA) but that is another story, i will tell you however that Jason (volunteer from Vancouver BC) deemed me the bravest person, not only because i came to Kenya alone, but i rode the Matatu alone...he got pickpocketed the day before as he was getting off...but again that is another story.
Next time i get on, i promise pictures and the safari story, I love most of you, and don't worry, i'll be safe!
Upon leaving you last i was about to get on the plane to finish my journey and arrive in Nairobi. On the plane i was able to sleep quite a bit, about six hours so i was fresh to begin my adventures here. When the plane landed I was led to the visa entry place and got to pay only half what i was expecting so that was good :)
As i picked up my baggage and walked outside i found about fifty people holding signs waiting to pick up others arriving in Kenya, after walking up and down the row of people frantically searching for my name a man started asking who I was looking for and if he could help...needless to say i was a big scared seeing as i was just arriving here a million miles away from home and there was not a familiar face to see...everyone i was talking to was a stranger!!!
Anyway, this man was actually really helpful and called Joe, the project manager person, who then talked to me and apparantly my plane arrived not only a half hour early, but it only took about a half hour to get through customs, which it usually takes about an hour, so he would be a few minutes...by this time i was calmed down and led to the cafeteria area, by the man with no name who helped me. (yes, the thought that i was going to disappear and not be found did run though my head, but it's not like i couldn't trust anybody...don't worry, i was wary and careful)...yes, i was!
So, after about five minutes of waiting i was found by Joe and Eunice, my things were collected and i was shown to the car (i accidentlly started to go the the drivers side because, of course, the sides are oppisite america). After driving a few minutes i was informed that i was going to take my 1 day safari that day. I wasn't able to go home or freshen up, which was okay, other than feeling a terrible mess and not having looked in a mirror for two days, but maybe that was for the best :) I was promptly taken to the Matatu (public transportation) Eunice got me a ticket and led me to the bus and then commenced the two hour journey to Lake Nakuru where i met up with Peter (tour guide), Victor (driver), Allison (volunteer from NY), and Gloria (volunteer from CA) but that is another story, i will tell you however that Jason (volunteer from Vancouver BC) deemed me the bravest person, not only because i came to Kenya alone, but i rode the Matatu alone...he got pickpocketed the day before as he was getting off...but again that is another story.
Next time i get on, i promise pictures and the safari story, I love most of you, and don't worry, i'll be safe!
11 May 2009
A Foggy Day in London Town
Hello to all my friends, family, and anyone else who might randomly read this blog. I only have about ten minutes to write because i only had one pound, so please forgive the mistakes. I just wanted to let you know about my little side trip into London today, i was here for approx. 10 hours before my flight to Kenya so i decided to get past customs and explore a bit :)
My first stop was the British Museum, here I found amazing artifacts and info about the ancient Greeks and Romans and then also Africa and a bit about money around the world and clocks. It was truly amazing. But about an hour and a half roaming the british museum my drive to see more took hold and I made my way to Parliment to see Big Ben! it truly was an amazing sight, unfortunately it doesn't take to long to see it. So i started wandering down the street looking for an adventure and lo and behold I found Trafalger Square.
By this point my time for exploring London was almost finished, but i still had not found a Pasty that i promised my sisters i would enjoy for both of them. Unfortunately none of the approx. Fifteen restaurants/cafes has any :( but i still had my adventure. I made my way back to the airport and now i have and hour and a half until i finish my long journey to Kenya...perhaps next time i can write more about my adventures in London, perhaps I'll have too much to say about Kenya...however, until then, i Love most of you reading this :)
i'll add in pictures later ;)
My first stop was the British Museum, here I found amazing artifacts and info about the ancient Greeks and Romans and then also Africa and a bit about money around the world and clocks. It was truly amazing. But about an hour and a half roaming the british museum my drive to see more took hold and I made my way to Parliment to see Big Ben! it truly was an amazing sight, unfortunately it doesn't take to long to see it. So i started wandering down the street looking for an adventure and lo and behold I found Trafalger Square.
By this point my time for exploring London was almost finished, but i still had not found a Pasty that i promised my sisters i would enjoy for both of them. Unfortunately none of the approx. Fifteen restaurants/cafes has any :( but i still had my adventure. I made my way back to the airport and now i have and hour and a half until i finish my long journey to Kenya...perhaps next time i can write more about my adventures in London, perhaps I'll have too much to say about Kenya...however, until then, i Love most of you reading this :)i'll add in pictures later ;)
04 May 2009
About to Go...Somewhere New
Alright Everyone, here it comes, C here, starting a new epic page in this blog we call life...or rather a travel blog :) Next sunday, May 10th 2009 I am going to travel halfway across this planet we call Earth to Kenya. Just me this time...
I am going to spent three weeks working at an Orphanage in Kenya near the big city, the largest city,and capital, Nairobi. I hope to spend the weekends traveling and the weekdays serving.
How I started
Last November a roommate and I started talking about traveling and she mentioned that she wanted to travel and serve people, i agreed and spent the next three days on the internet. after I had decided to go some friends supported me (Kandice and Trish :) and other friends discouraged me (Hernan) which only pushed me harder to actually go. Now here it is, six months later and I AM GOING!!! (ha ha to Hernan :P )
I don't know how much I will actually get near the internet but my hope is to blog every few days about the AMAZING experience I am about to have. I will be staying about a half hour bus ride away from the Orphanage with my Host family, a woman named Mercy and her 8 year old daughter. :)
Some stats about Kenya
Kenya is found in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
Population: approx. 39,002,772
Ethnic Groups: Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1%
Religion: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, Muslim 10%, indigenous beliefs 10%, other 2%
Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages
Gov't Type: Republic
Independence Day (From UK): Dec. 12th 1963
President: Mwai Kibaki
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