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Here is what I have written over the past couple of days starting with the last day of orientation through the beginning of my home stay:
February 1, 2008
I made out with a giraffe today. No joke. We went to a giraffe sanctuary today. We could feed the giraffes treats and pet them. At one point they told me to stick some animal treat in my mouth and the next thing I know…a giraffes tongue is all over my face trying to get this tasty little pellet. I'm not going to lie….I got around with the giraffes today. 3 of them had their way with my mouth/face before I was fully satisfied. It's the only kissing I'm going to get all semester so I took full advantage .haha
Yesterday we went to the school/orphanage down the road from us and played with all of the children at recess. It was amazing. At first when we entered the compound all of the children just stared and ran back to their classrooms like we were aliens. Then a bunch of people pulled out cameras and it was all over. The kids posed and posed then wanted to instantly check themselves out in the camera afterwards. The children are all beautiful. I probably played Frisbee for over an hour with a billion different kids. All of them just wanted to throw to the mzungu (white person) I would be thrown 3 different Frisbees from different directions at the same time…I gotta say….I think I was pretty impressive. I guess its true…the small things in life are always the best. A little bit of Frisbee with some really cute kids just made this whole trip worth it.
I think more than ever…I feel my purpose coming out. Just from being here I am seeing what my true passions are and what I want to do later in life. I thought that this was going to be my final trip to Africa for a while…but after being back for only a few short days…I know that this is where I am supposed to be working (at least part time) Africa is so much a part of my life and I will never be able to stay away for very long. I talked to our advisors about internships today...and as of right now…I have no idea what I am going to be doing. I keep crossing my fingers that Kibera is going to chill out and I am going to be able to work at my dream organization…Carolina for Kibera. It is exactly the kind of organization I hope to one day run. I'm sure it will all work out the way it is supposed to. It is out of my hands…and I have faith that whatever higher power I believe in will somehow hook me up with the internship of my dreams where I will remain out of harms way and will be able to work for a great organization.
February 4, 2008
So I have a new family of sorts. Saturday morning we all waiting anxiously for our families to come and pick us up. All of a sudden I hear my name called and I see this beautiful woman coming towards me. She introduced me as Michelle, my older sister. We took a taxi back to my new home. As we drove back to the apartment she explained that I would not be meeting my mother since she is stuck in the western part of Kenya. She cannot leave because there are too many roadblocks and she would be in a good deal of danger. When we got to the apartment I met my other sister Lucie. Both of them are in their thirties so it was really fun to hang out with them. I got settled in and I was sort of shown around the place. I am sharing a room with Michelle which hasn't been a problem so far. In typical Maggie fashion something has really been messing with my stomach. Michelle made us rice and some sort of meat sauce for lunch. It tasted great…but the portion was huge and I was struggling to force it all down. I was not victorious and I felt like a huge jerk, but I think they understood. Then we went out for drinks with some of Michelle's friends. I wasn't feeling that great by this point so I wasn't going to drink. Then they just started buying them for me….so I had to drink. We had a great night but by midnight I was exhausted and pretty hungry. When we got home around 1 Michelle reheated some of lunch and after 3 bites I instantly lost it and went and puked in the bathroom. Yesterday I was still feeling really sick. I couldn't keep any of the food down that they were making. On the upside…while everyone else is worried about gaining weigh…I have been losing! We are still trying to figure out what has me feeling sick…and it doesn't help that the toilet doesn't really flush and we only have running water from one faucet in the kitchen. Needless to say, I have been popping pepto bismol like candy. I wouldn't say I am homesick…but it would be nice to have a flushing toilet! I guess it is something I am going to adjust to. It has really been a trying few days. I was really hoping to have that mother influence available. I know that when I am sick all I want is my mommy.
The first day of class was today…and since I hadn't been able to keep food down for almost two days I was mentally and physically exhausted. The moment I got to school and saw some familiar faces I broke down and had a good cry. It really has been hard to adjust such a different culture and lifestyle. I know that I am going to look back on this experience and be glad for doing it…but it is pretty hard right now. I talked to one of the advisors about my interesting living situation and we have decided that if in a week my mother still isn't back I may be moving houses where I will have a mom and dad, hopefully that won't have to happen.
Ok that kind of turned into a b****fest…now here are the amazing things that I have experience since arriving at my apartment….
With the current political situation…living with people who are directly affected is so interesting. It's something you just can't really understand until you come here and talk to people. Regardless of whom they voted for…no one feels like they have any control. They were told to vote if they wanted change…people showed up in droves…and change did not occur. I wouldn't say I am scared to be here right now…but it is pretty daunting. I am so excited to come home to the states and share all that I have learned here when the program ends.
Kenyans are so friendly. Going out last night was a blast. Just hearing what they had to say about everything going on was so interesting. I can't wait to get to know some other Kenyans my age better.
I am so grateful for all of the people I have become friends with from MSID. Everyone is so cool and I have met some really great friends. It seems that we already understand each other so much. They know just when I need a hug or an encouraging word. We all are constantly laughing about something. I know that some of these people will end up being lifelong friends.
We are thinking about going to Mombassa next weekend. I think by that point all of us will need a little vacation. Hopefully since there are virtually no mzungus (white people) left in Kenya, hotels will be really cheap and we can splurge on a little luxury (hot showers, flushing toilets, etc) I didn't think I would miss a lot of the amenities of the US…but I gotta say….when I get back to the states I am going to be very grateful for safe running water. I never realized how much I took it for granted until I no longer had the options.
Feb 5, 2008
HOly s*** I live in Kenya. I have an alien card. I have sisters. somewhere in kenya i have a mom. oh my god i live in kenya. i think it is all starting to hit that this isn't just a vacation...this is life...
every morning i fill my bucket with water from out one tap in the kitchen....plug in a contraption into the wall and stick it in the water to warm it. honestly i am shocked i haven't been electricuted yet. then i fill two jerry cans with water ...go to the choo (toilet)...then fill the tank with the jerry cans so the toilet will flush. this is becoming normal. .once the bucket of water has warmed to almost a boil i carry it from the kitchen to the bathtub. i fill a huge plastic tub with water. i mix another jerry can of water in to cool the water off. i've got to say....i have perfected the bucket shower...it's amazing.
It is a 45 minute walk to calss. every morning i walk through my gate...say "jambo" to the gaurd on duty and walk down the dusty neighborhood with no street names. I walk past the tiny salon and roadside hawkers. I walk past the cyber cafe (where I am right now). it's amazing that we barley have running water but the internet is only a 5 minute walk away (although it is super slow!). I walk past the children playing in the road and the large market where i bartered for a pair of choco sandals (normally $100 in the states) from 1100 shillings....about $15 dollars. my sisters told me i got ripped off...i probably did.
honestly...I don't remember my life before i lived it like this. i love the feeling of the unknown. each day is a new adventure down a new street. the excitement of being lost. being out of place. it's intoxicating. by the time i reach home at 6pm (it's dangerous once its dark) I am exausted. There is constant stimulation from the time I wake at 6:30 until 9:30 when I got to bed. I can barely keep my eyes open through dinner. There is no time to think about being homesick here. THere is no time to miss my old life. THere is only time to soak up everything this chaotic yet beautiful country has to teach me. oh my god. I live in kenya.
Today:
Welp. I found out I will be moved into a new home because the lack of wazazi (parents). I'm pretty exited about this. I am sad to leave my sisters..but I am ready for a family atmostphere.
it rained a ton today. We all were walking around and I got completely soaked by a matatu (small mini bus that is public transport) driving by. it was pretty comical to say the least.
classes have been a little boring but I'm learning a ton. Ok...not much else to say.
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