Once again, I have nothing specific to report, and actually need to get going in like 5 minutes, but I just wanted to let all my loyal readers (I know there are so many of you out there) know that I may not be posting for a week or two.
We are traveling to Mombasa today (it's about a 14 hour train ride, right on the coast) and going to spend about a week in a rural village, Bodo. I am very excited, and a little nervous - there is no running water or electricty. And definitely no internet. So if you don't hear from me for a little while, this is why. I'm sure I will be posting an uber-long entry about my adventures when I get back, so save your energy for that. Don't worry, I have my malaria medicine, bug spray, head lamp and my journal all ready to go!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
A lesson in Kenyan culture
So in the past few days, I have been getting settled in a little more. The family and I are warming up to each other, and while it might not be the best home stay situation, it's not a bad one. The past few days have been pretty standard - get up at 6:30-7 (yes, I am out of bed by about 7 every day), leave for school at 7:45-ish, then have class all day. It can be Swahili, lectures on a variety of topics, or as we did today, Swahili love songs. Yes, we had a class where we sang Swahili songs. All of you who wondered why I decided on SIT, that's why. Cause singing is a legitimate form of education. Then I spend some time after school with friends, go home about 6:30, eat around 8:30, and am in bed by about 9:30 either writing or sleeping.
So, since there has been no big news to report in the last few days, I thought I'd take this opportunity to fill you in on some interesting details of Kenyan culture. So here they are:
-Kenyans love chai (tea) and drink it at least twice a day. But, they boil the milk in with the water which is a little weird. Good for killing bacteria in unpasteurized milk, bad for those of us who use milk to cool their tea down.
- Obama is HUGE here. There are always news reports and articles about him. They love calling him "Kenyan-American" as opposed to "African-American"
- Tribal heritage is also hugely important. People stereotype every one based on their tribe. I even heard someone say that since Obama is a Lou, he could never be a good leader.
- Times are more guidelines then anything else. Even if you have a set time for something, the person will show up late, if at all. Oh, and there's technically no Swahili word for "busy"
- People here never really get awkward. If they have nothing to say, they just kind of sit there. Anyone who has spent more then 10 minutes with me knows who bizarre of a concept this is.
- Nairobi is home to Kibera, the largest slum in Africa. People here are almost proud of that fact in a really weird way.
- The school kids here know one English phrase - "How are you?" and they all yell it to us in a chorus from the edge of their schoolyards as we pass on the way to school. Answering them in Swahili really throws them and is pretty fun.
- Almost half the population here is Muslim and I can even hear the call to prayer from my house. And no one here is gay. It's just not talked about. Being in a such a heavily Muslim and homophobic area is something that I find very foreign coming from the states and GW in particular.
- They all speak at least 3 languages - their tribal language, Swahili and English. Many of them even know more then that.
- There are no real sidewalks here - only a dirt path if you're lucky. My feet are going to be dirty for the next 3 months, and I'm actually pretty ok with it.
Alright, that's all I have for now, but I'm sure there'll be more to come in the near future. Hope you enjoyed it!
So, since there has been no big news to report in the last few days, I thought I'd take this opportunity to fill you in on some interesting details of Kenyan culture. So here they are:
-Kenyans love chai (tea) and drink it at least twice a day. But, they boil the milk in with the water which is a little weird. Good for killing bacteria in unpasteurized milk, bad for those of us who use milk to cool their tea down.
- Obama is HUGE here. There are always news reports and articles about him. They love calling him "Kenyan-American" as opposed to "African-American"
- Tribal heritage is also hugely important. People stereotype every one based on their tribe. I even heard someone say that since Obama is a Lou, he could never be a good leader.
- Times are more guidelines then anything else. Even if you have a set time for something, the person will show up late, if at all. Oh, and there's technically no Swahili word for "busy"
- People here never really get awkward. If they have nothing to say, they just kind of sit there. Anyone who has spent more then 10 minutes with me knows who bizarre of a concept this is.
- Nairobi is home to Kibera, the largest slum in Africa. People here are almost proud of that fact in a really weird way.
- The school kids here know one English phrase - "How are you?" and they all yell it to us in a chorus from the edge of their schoolyards as we pass on the way to school. Answering them in Swahili really throws them and is pretty fun.
- Almost half the population here is Muslim and I can even hear the call to prayer from my house. And no one here is gay. It's just not talked about. Being in a such a heavily Muslim and homophobic area is something that I find very foreign coming from the states and GW in particular.
- They all speak at least 3 languages - their tribal language, Swahili and English. Many of them even know more then that.
- There are no real sidewalks here - only a dirt path if you're lucky. My feet are going to be dirty for the next 3 months, and I'm actually pretty ok with it.
Alright, that's all I have for now, but I'm sure there'll be more to come in the near future. Hope you enjoyed it!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
A Kenyan 21st and a new family
Ok, first off, a disclaimer. This keyboard (like most over here) are really hard to type on, so please don't judge my grammar. Oh, and this is going to be a very long post. I may not post again for a few days, so feel free to read a little and come back. I won't be offended. Ok, on to the post!
Thanks to everyone for the comments and the bday wishes - it means a lot to me! I may not have time to get back to all of you personally, but know that I appreciate it and miss and love you all.
So, to catch you up on my life since the last post, we have officially moved into Nairobi. We spent the last few days of orientation at another convent/hostel that was very nice. The next few days were nothing too special, although very busy. A lot of group time, talks about safety, what diseases we're going to get, homestay families, etc. We did get to take some tours of Nairobi and see the SIT office, so that was awesome. The office is a house that they converted - our main classroom is the entry hall/living room, with the upstairs rooms being offices or smaller classrooms.
On our first afternoon off, a small group of us went to Toi (pronounced toy) market, where they sell everything imaginable (this is the one you were talking about Christina!). It was overwhelming and kind of smelly but so stereotypically African. Unfortunately, we didn't take any pictures for fear that they would be taken - sadly, that seems to be a theme here. But it was everything you would think a market should be - smelly, crowded, full of stuff and a maze. It was kind of overwhelming, but I'm really glad I went.
The next day - the 9th, after a very interesting lecture about the tribes and their initiation rituals (I won't go into detail here, but let me know if you are interested - they are fascinating). And then a small group of us got to go to an orphanage for mostly HIV orphans - to say they were cute is a little bit of an understatement. I got to feed one of them, Liz, and she (ok, I'll be honest, we) made a bit of a mess. But she seemed happy. Then we got to play with them and they all seemed so happy. In a way, I was also happy for them. I know that they have a really hard life ahead of them, but right now they just seem so happy and content. They are fed, clothed, played with, and taken care of. Part of me couldn't help but thinking that they are the lucky ones. We left after they went down for a nap and went back to our hostel for lunch.
After a short health lecture, a group who had already gone to the orphanage went to a local pub - The Three Wheels. It is a very "authentic" pub, and we were the only wzungus (white people) there. Pretty cool. After a few Tuskers (which only cost about $1.50 and are twice the size of a normal beer), we went back for dinner, and the guard let us out for a night out on the town! Most of the group went, and it was an awesome bday eve celebration. I didn't do the whole 21 shots, or even close, but I did have several Tuskers and a huge shot of gin. Yes, shot. Straight. It was pretty gross. But then again, it was my birthday. We heard that there was a live band next door, so we went to check it out. There was indeed a live band and a dance floor! We all started dancing and it was so much fun. The guys in my group are awesome and were definitely looking out for us- it made me feel really safe, and it that way - and only that way - it reminded me of Apex (I miss you guys!).
They closed at about 11, so we went home after that. I did stay up until midnight, but not much later- I had been up since 6:30! But it was a great bday eve and I went to bed excited to meet my homestay family.
The next morning, we ate, packed and headed over to SIT for some more Swahili. The language is pretty simple and I think I am starting to catch on. They ordered pizza for lunch and we had a cake for my bday! It was very yummy and American. After lunch, we started leaving for our homestays in shifts. I was with the last group, and we all sat around, nerves flying trying to prepare ourselves.
At about 6, I arrived. My family is Mama Steph, her daughter Steph (people are called the name of their first child here- her name is actually Ann), Mama Steph's sister whose name I can't remember. Steph and Mama Steph are quite, but we spent a little while talking. It had been raining, and so the power went out. We spent a lot of time just sitting quietly by the kerosene lamp. I started feeling very homesick and wondered if I could actually live with this family. The power came back on eventually and that helped so much. We turned the TV on and ate a very yummy dinner of chicken stew and coconut rice. At about 10:00, I started falling asleep and headed to bed. I didn't let myself think too much, knowing I would just start crying. I actually slept pretty well.
I woke up at about 6:30 this morning, and since I knew the family didn't get up til about 8 or 9, tried to go back to sleep. But unfortunately, I could not. That's when I got really homesick and had my worst moment so far. I tried listening to music, going back to sleep, but nothing worked. Then I started writing in my journal, and that did help. It was a distraction at least. Mama Steph had said that Sunday was a "slow day", and knowing that the group had nothing planned, I was not looking forward to it. But at about 9, after catching up on my journal and collecting myself, I faced my fear.
I am happy to say that it was so much better then I expected. Mama Steph and Steph are still pretty quite, but they are getting more talkative. I ate some breakfast, relaxed and little bit as my fears subsided. I spent some time working on Swahili, and reorganizing my backpack and other stuff, which was very necessary. My spirits soared when I heard Mama Steph's sister turn on the shower - I have running water! While this is not abnormal, it's not exactly guaranteed either. Needless to say, I was relieved. Then I watched a little more TV with the family, did a little more Swahili and decided to try my hand at my laundry. I washed my clothes by hand (yes mom, by hand!) and hung them out to dry. Steph and her friends were definitely laughing at me a little bit, but in a good natured kind of way. I would have laughed at me too. I'm a pretty awkward person when it comes to these things. Or most things in general.
Then we ate lunch and watched some more TV. They have a really interesting mix of programs here - Scrubs, ER, a Spanish soap opera dubbed in English, Kenyan news. Its really interesting. It was raining again, but thankfully, the power held up. I worked on a little more Swahili until Libby, another girl in my program who is only 2 houses down came over and we walked to an internet cafe.
I am getting more comfortable in my home and think that I will be ok there. It might not be the best home, but they are nice and there is running water, so I can't really complain either. I am going through an adjustment time and it is hard, but have no fear. It'll pass and I'll be ok.
If you have read this far, thank you- I appreciate it!
Thanks to everyone for the comments and the bday wishes - it means a lot to me! I may not have time to get back to all of you personally, but know that I appreciate it and miss and love you all.
So, to catch you up on my life since the last post, we have officially moved into Nairobi. We spent the last few days of orientation at another convent/hostel that was very nice. The next few days were nothing too special, although very busy. A lot of group time, talks about safety, what diseases we're going to get, homestay families, etc. We did get to take some tours of Nairobi and see the SIT office, so that was awesome. The office is a house that they converted - our main classroom is the entry hall/living room, with the upstairs rooms being offices or smaller classrooms.
On our first afternoon off, a small group of us went to Toi (pronounced toy) market, where they sell everything imaginable (this is the one you were talking about Christina!). It was overwhelming and kind of smelly but so stereotypically African. Unfortunately, we didn't take any pictures for fear that they would be taken - sadly, that seems to be a theme here. But it was everything you would think a market should be - smelly, crowded, full of stuff and a maze. It was kind of overwhelming, but I'm really glad I went.
The next day - the 9th, after a very interesting lecture about the tribes and their initiation rituals (I won't go into detail here, but let me know if you are interested - they are fascinating). And then a small group of us got to go to an orphanage for mostly HIV orphans - to say they were cute is a little bit of an understatement. I got to feed one of them, Liz, and she (ok, I'll be honest, we) made a bit of a mess. But she seemed happy. Then we got to play with them and they all seemed so happy. In a way, I was also happy for them. I know that they have a really hard life ahead of them, but right now they just seem so happy and content. They are fed, clothed, played with, and taken care of. Part of me couldn't help but thinking that they are the lucky ones. We left after they went down for a nap and went back to our hostel for lunch.
After a short health lecture, a group who had already gone to the orphanage went to a local pub - The Three Wheels. It is a very "authentic" pub, and we were the only wzungus (white people) there. Pretty cool. After a few Tuskers (which only cost about $1.50 and are twice the size of a normal beer), we went back for dinner, and the guard let us out for a night out on the town! Most of the group went, and it was an awesome bday eve celebration. I didn't do the whole 21 shots, or even close, but I did have several Tuskers and a huge shot of gin. Yes, shot. Straight. It was pretty gross. But then again, it was my birthday. We heard that there was a live band next door, so we went to check it out. There was indeed a live band and a dance floor! We all started dancing and it was so much fun. The guys in my group are awesome and were definitely looking out for us- it made me feel really safe, and it that way - and only that way - it reminded me of Apex (I miss you guys!).
They closed at about 11, so we went home after that. I did stay up until midnight, but not much later- I had been up since 6:30! But it was a great bday eve and I went to bed excited to meet my homestay family.
The next morning, we ate, packed and headed over to SIT for some more Swahili. The language is pretty simple and I think I am starting to catch on. They ordered pizza for lunch and we had a cake for my bday! It was very yummy and American. After lunch, we started leaving for our homestays in shifts. I was with the last group, and we all sat around, nerves flying trying to prepare ourselves.
At about 6, I arrived. My family is Mama Steph, her daughter Steph (people are called the name of their first child here- her name is actually Ann), Mama Steph's sister whose name I can't remember. Steph and Mama Steph are quite, but we spent a little while talking. It had been raining, and so the power went out. We spent a lot of time just sitting quietly by the kerosene lamp. I started feeling very homesick and wondered if I could actually live with this family. The power came back on eventually and that helped so much. We turned the TV on and ate a very yummy dinner of chicken stew and coconut rice. At about 10:00, I started falling asleep and headed to bed. I didn't let myself think too much, knowing I would just start crying. I actually slept pretty well.
I woke up at about 6:30 this morning, and since I knew the family didn't get up til about 8 or 9, tried to go back to sleep. But unfortunately, I could not. That's when I got really homesick and had my worst moment so far. I tried listening to music, going back to sleep, but nothing worked. Then I started writing in my journal, and that did help. It was a distraction at least. Mama Steph had said that Sunday was a "slow day", and knowing that the group had nothing planned, I was not looking forward to it. But at about 9, after catching up on my journal and collecting myself, I faced my fear.
I am happy to say that it was so much better then I expected. Mama Steph and Steph are still pretty quite, but they are getting more talkative. I ate some breakfast, relaxed and little bit as my fears subsided. I spent some time working on Swahili, and reorganizing my backpack and other stuff, which was very necessary. My spirits soared when I heard Mama Steph's sister turn on the shower - I have running water! While this is not abnormal, it's not exactly guaranteed either. Needless to say, I was relieved. Then I watched a little more TV with the family, did a little more Swahili and decided to try my hand at my laundry. I washed my clothes by hand (yes mom, by hand!) and hung them out to dry. Steph and her friends were definitely laughing at me a little bit, but in a good natured kind of way. I would have laughed at me too. I'm a pretty awkward person when it comes to these things. Or most things in general.
Then we ate lunch and watched some more TV. They have a really interesting mix of programs here - Scrubs, ER, a Spanish soap opera dubbed in English, Kenyan news. Its really interesting. It was raining again, but thankfully, the power held up. I worked on a little more Swahili until Libby, another girl in my program who is only 2 houses down came over and we walked to an internet cafe.
I am getting more comfortable in my home and think that I will be ok there. It might not be the best home, but they are nice and there is running water, so I can't really complain either. I am going through an adjustment time and it is hard, but have no fear. It'll pass and I'll be ok.
If you have read this far, thank you- I appreciate it!
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Mimi ni mwanafunzi. Sina pesa.
That's one of about 4 phrases I have learned in Swahilli so far. It means "I'm a student, I have no money." I think it will be the phrase I come to use the most...comes in very handy when bargining at markets and with beggars and other such things. We have our first official class tomorrow nad I'm very excited, and just a little (ok, maybe a lot) nervous.
It's hard to believe I've only been here about 3 days and I have done so much. They are definetly keeping us busy. So I'll give you just a short overview here.
The plane ride was good, just long. There was a 12 hour ride to Dubai and then a 5 hour trip to Kenyatta National Airport, where we got our visas and meet the SIT staff. After packing all our luggage into one small van and outrselves into another, we headed off towards our orientation site on the outskirts of Nairobi. Not 5 minutes out of the airport we saw giraffes grazing! It was such an awesome welcome. Some os us have a theory that they are planted there for tourists, but they were cool nonetheless. We got to our site at about 6 and spent the rest of the evening getting to know each other and eating dinner. The food here is good - pretty bland and very basic meat and potatoes. But it will get me by.
We spent the next two days at this site - it was some sort of combo of a hostel and convent that was very nice and even had hot showers! We took a bus tour of Nairobi, which, although it was kind of superficial. it was still good. On the second day we were split into groups and dropped off at different places around the city. I got to go to Kenyatta National Hospital, which was intense. there were so many people everywhere just waiting, and it was by no means sanitary. We got to see their HIV/AIDS center, which is doing some awesome work, as well as there Family Planning center. It was cool to be in smaller groups in the city and I really enjoyed it.
After that, we went to the Giraffe Center where I got to kiss a giraffe! They are HUGE! And so friendly. They even all knew their own names and would come when they were called. It was really cool. And defintely a good stress reliever after the hospital. Other then that. we have just been havng hte basic safety talks you would expect and a lot of group together time. It's a little intense...But we move into our homestay families on Saturday, so that should help in that area. I am very excited and nercous to meet my family...should be an intersting experience.
As for the adjustments, I think I am doing well so far. There have been a few "what the hell am I doing here?" moments, but I think that's to be expected. I am a little homesick, but they have been keeping us way too busy to really get into that. It has been hard adjusting to the lack of technology (especially when it comes to communication) and the cold showers. Also, the idea that I will be here for another 3 months seems a little overwhelming now that I am actually here. But as I said, I think that's all pretty normal.
Ok, I am going to cut myself off now before this gets too long. But I think I should be able to get online again soon so hopefully there will be another update! Thanks for reading!
It's hard to believe I've only been here about 3 days and I have done so much. They are definetly keeping us busy. So I'll give you just a short overview here.
The plane ride was good, just long. There was a 12 hour ride to Dubai and then a 5 hour trip to Kenyatta National Airport, where we got our visas and meet the SIT staff. After packing all our luggage into one small van and outrselves into another, we headed off towards our orientation site on the outskirts of Nairobi. Not 5 minutes out of the airport we saw giraffes grazing! It was such an awesome welcome. Some os us have a theory that they are planted there for tourists, but they were cool nonetheless. We got to our site at about 6 and spent the rest of the evening getting to know each other and eating dinner. The food here is good - pretty bland and very basic meat and potatoes. But it will get me by.
We spent the next two days at this site - it was some sort of combo of a hostel and convent that was very nice and even had hot showers! We took a bus tour of Nairobi, which, although it was kind of superficial. it was still good. On the second day we were split into groups and dropped off at different places around the city. I got to go to Kenyatta National Hospital, which was intense. there were so many people everywhere just waiting, and it was by no means sanitary. We got to see their HIV/AIDS center, which is doing some awesome work, as well as there Family Planning center. It was cool to be in smaller groups in the city and I really enjoyed it.
After that, we went to the Giraffe Center where I got to kiss a giraffe! They are HUGE! And so friendly. They even all knew their own names and would come when they were called. It was really cool. And defintely a good stress reliever after the hospital. Other then that. we have just been havng hte basic safety talks you would expect and a lot of group together time. It's a little intense...But we move into our homestay families on Saturday, so that should help in that area. I am very excited and nercous to meet my family...should be an intersting experience.
As for the adjustments, I think I am doing well so far. There have been a few "what the hell am I doing here?" moments, but I think that's to be expected. I am a little homesick, but they have been keeping us way too busy to really get into that. It has been hard adjusting to the lack of technology (especially when it comes to communication) and the cold showers. Also, the idea that I will be here for another 3 months seems a little overwhelming now that I am actually here. But as I said, I think that's all pretty normal.
Ok, I am going to cut myself off now before this gets too long. But I think I should be able to get online again soon so hopefully there will be another update! Thanks for reading!
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