September 11th
Well the braids are out. I am no longer rocking the corn rows. After lunch Nate and I watched Super Troopers and I started taking them out. I thought maybe it would take a few hours, not so much. It took about 5. My arms were sore after just 5 braids; guess it wasn’t the smarted idea to work out first. I did Pilates on a towel in my room and thought of Miss Jenny as I executed a perfect jack knife. I gave up doing it on my own and told James, a 13 year old stud who is full of wit and charm that I needed help. He gathered the troops and before I knew it, there were 10 little sets of hands pulling at my head. I could not have been happier. To top it off, it was hot water day which means I got a hot shower!!! I say hot shower but mean luke warm bucket shower, awesome.
After the best shower ever Nate and I headed off to The Travelers Rest, a local bar and restaurant that is quite huge in comparison to anything around here. We finally arrived 5 hours after everyone else, but not before some serious bargaining at the matato station. Most of the other volunteers went into Nairobi for the day and were back by 2pm and drinking at Travelers. So when we got there we thought they would be party poopers, not even. I was very impressed. We played a few rounds of a drinking game I have no idea what the name of it is, but it was fun. Had a dance with a man dressed like a gorilla, posed as Felix’s wife and met a professional soccer player who bought my husband and I drinks! All and all a good night.
Today is laundry day again; at least my blisters are finally healing up from the last batch. Tomorrow is Safari day so I wanted to make sure I had clean clothes, but it is cloudy and now I am just hoping that all the clothes I washed will be dry by then.
I went into to Kenol for a while today to do some research on my next move should be. Still feeling a little in limbo. It is going to be about an extra $600 to go to Mombasa for a month. That is about double what it is costing me to be here. I am finding myself becoming a cheapskate being here. I have to stop and remind myself sometimes the exchange rate and how much things are at home. For example: at lunch I wanted a cup of coffee with milk but it was 40 schilling and my lunch was only 60 schilling, so I had to sit and justify the cup of coffee until I realized that at 100 schilling total my whole lunch was only about $1.25. Needless to say I enjoyed myself a nice cup of coffee with my lunch.
On the matato ride back I had what I like to call “a moment”. Everything kind of sunk in, I am in Kenya. I am in Kenya where it isn’t unusual to see a group of 20 people gathered worshiping in the street next to a pig, cow, goat and some chickens, COCKADOOLEDOOOOO! It smells like diesel inside because I am sitting on the motor, so the window is open and the wind is blowing the red dusty clay in my face and getting stuck to the chap stick I just put on, but I love it.
I am thinking of going on a walk with my iPod and camera, lots of little paths in the village to explore. Most of the people you pass are always so friendly and want to shake your hand. I am teaching people how to “pound it”, much more sanitary and it is just fun. All the volunteers make fun of me because when we are passing people on the paths and they say hi to us I respond with “Hi, Jambo” so I am basically just saying hi twice. They all think it is hilarious, so I have started saying “Hi Jambo Hola”.
Oh, I had the best banana of my life today and then fed the peel to one of the cows.
Ok so the walk didn’t happen. Maddy left today and asked for some of my pictures. So I went through all of them and burned her a disc to take home with her. I also went through and picked out some good ones that they are going to put on the website, so that is exciting. I am working with Geoffery to help him create a better functioning website and facebook page. He has the right idea but I have some good ideas that could potentially increase the flow of volunteers coming or at least simplify things. I know I kind of came into this blind and think there are a lot of my questions that could be simply answered with a few tweaks on the web page. I am excited to help them with all of that, it’s kind of my thing.
Tonight was a mellow night, a lot of the volunteers left for Mombasa today so it is really quiet. After dinner I taped up the world map in the dining hall and showed some of the kids where I am from, Abdala was super impressed. I adore him and his coke bottle glasses held together with tape and string. Some of the volunteers before I got here donated money to get him new glasses, he is going into Nairobi next week to get them, I am sooooo excited.
After prayer one of the kids usually falls asleep in my arms, typically its Julius or Susan, tonight it was Susan. I told her yesterday I am going to sponsor her so she seemed especially lovey dovey tonight. All the kids scattered off to bed but Susan and I. I sang The House That Built Me by Miranda Lambert to her and walked her to bed. I poped one ear bud in her ear and one in mine and we laid in her bed and I sang to her and the other girls. When the Taylor Swift song came on I rocked it with the air microphone and all, they were all cracking up. Susan is quite the little singer herself, she lights up when I share my music with her.
It’s past my bed time but I’m too excited for Safari tomorrow. Not excited about the 2.5 hour matato ride into Nairobi, having a legit cup of coffee upon arrival will make it allllll worth it. I am just hoping I don’t throw up on Nate. Last matato ride from Nairobi I told him there was a good chance he was going to need to lean back because I was going to have to lean over him and throw up out the window. I think his reaction was funnier than the situation itself.
Good night kids.
Well the braids are out. I am no longer rocking the corn rows. After lunch Nate and I watched Super Troopers and I started taking them out. I thought maybe it would take a few hours, not so much. It took about 5. My arms were sore after just 5 braids; guess it wasn’t the smarted idea to work out first. I did Pilates on a towel in my room and thought of Miss Jenny as I executed a perfect jack knife. I gave up doing it on my own and told James, a 13 year old stud who is full of wit and charm that I needed help. He gathered the troops and before I knew it, there were 10 little sets of hands pulling at my head. I could not have been happier. To top it off, it was hot water day which means I got a hot shower!!! I say hot shower but mean luke warm bucket shower, awesome.
After the best shower ever Nate and I headed off to The Travelers Rest, a local bar and restaurant that is quite huge in comparison to anything around here. We finally arrived 5 hours after everyone else, but not before some serious bargaining at the matato station. Most of the other volunteers went into Nairobi for the day and were back by 2pm and drinking at Travelers. So when we got there we thought they would be party poopers, not even. I was very impressed. We played a few rounds of a drinking game I have no idea what the name of it is, but it was fun. Had a dance with a man dressed like a gorilla, posed as Felix’s wife and met a professional soccer player who bought my husband and I drinks! All and all a good night.
September 12th
Super quite morning here at Watoto Wa Baraka. While I am enjoying my second cup of tea most of the other volunteers are enjoying the smell of stale beer and drool on their pillow. Today is laundry day again; at least my blisters are finally healing up from the last batch. Tomorrow is Safari day so I wanted to make sure I had clean clothes, but it is cloudy and now I am just hoping that all the clothes I washed will be dry by then.
On the matato ride back I had what I like to call “a moment”. Everything kind of sunk in, I am in Kenya. I am in Kenya where it isn’t unusual to see a group of 20 people gathered worshiping in the street next to a pig, cow, goat and some chickens, COCKADOOLEDOOOOO! It smells like diesel inside because I am sitting on the motor, so the window is open and the wind is blowing the red dusty clay in my face and getting stuck to the chap stick I just put on, but I love it.
I am thinking of going on a walk with my iPod and camera, lots of little paths in the village to explore. Most of the people you pass are always so friendly and want to shake your hand. I am teaching people how to “pound it”, much more sanitary and it is just fun. All the volunteers make fun of me because when we are passing people on the paths and they say hi to us I respond with “Hi, Jambo” so I am basically just saying hi twice. They all think it is hilarious, so I have started saying “Hi Jambo Hola”.
Oh, I had the best banana of my life today and then fed the peel to one of the cows.
Ok so the walk didn’t happen. Maddy left today and asked for some of my pictures. So I went through all of them and burned her a disc to take home with her. I also went through and picked out some good ones that they are going to put on the website, so that is exciting. I am working with Geoffery to help him create a better functioning website and facebook page. He has the right idea but I have some good ideas that could potentially increase the flow of volunteers coming or at least simplify things. I know I kind of came into this blind and think there are a lot of my questions that could be simply answered with a few tweaks on the web page. I am excited to help them with all of that, it’s kind of my thing.
Tonight was a mellow night, a lot of the volunteers left for Mombasa today so it is really quiet. After dinner I taped up the world map in the dining hall and showed some of the kids where I am from, Abdala was super impressed. I adore him and his coke bottle glasses held together with tape and string. Some of the volunteers before I got here donated money to get him new glasses, he is going into Nairobi next week to get them, I am sooooo excited.
After prayer one of the kids usually falls asleep in my arms, typically its Julius or Susan, tonight it was Susan. I told her yesterday I am going to sponsor her so she seemed especially lovey dovey tonight. All the kids scattered off to bed but Susan and I. I sang The House That Built Me by Miranda Lambert to her and walked her to bed. I poped one ear bud in her ear and one in mine and we laid in her bed and I sang to her and the other girls. When the Taylor Swift song came on I rocked it with the air microphone and all, they were all cracking up. Susan is quite the little singer herself, she lights up when I share my music with her.
It’s past my bed time but I’m too excited for Safari tomorrow. Not excited about the 2.5 hour matato ride into Nairobi, having a legit cup of coffee upon arrival will make it allllll worth it. I am just hoping I don’t throw up on Nate. Last matato ride from Nairobi I told him there was a good chance he was going to need to lean back because I was going to have to lean over him and throw up out the window. I think his reaction was funnier than the situation itself.
Good night kids.
I dont know what I like better. Your stories or your writing style.
ReplyDeleteGood for you helping Geoffrey with the media stuff. You are good at that.
Thanks for doing this Blog. I know it is additional work and time. I very much appreciate it.
Miss Kally! I love the blog! Wish I would have suggested that for you . . . . . umm actually I think I did and you said that is what Facebook is for then majically, someone created a Facebook page for me. :) What an amazing, life changing experience. You are doing a fantastic job with your writing. Thank you for keeping us up-to-date, I love reading your stories. We miss you!
ReplyDeleteKally,
ReplyDeleteThis is like my 10th attempt to post something on this page. So wish me luck. First sounds like your having a blast. I can only imagine how this is going to prepare you for us winning the amazing race!!! ;) Bryan and I look at your pictures and are both amazed at the experiance that you are getting. I'm sure this is an eye opener and a life changing experiance. I think you will change a piece of all of your friends life with your stories. Can't wait to see you or at least hear your voice. You are in our thoughts and prayers everyday. The kids are always asking for there Daddy Kally! I will try to figure out the skye thing soon!