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!

Leaving on a jet plane...

There are about 1,000 other things I should be doing at this moment - packing, laundry, running errands, cleaning, etc. In light of all those productive choices, I am here. writing the first entry to my blog. Anyone who knows me at all should not be surprised. I keep going back and forth thinking "I'm not leaving for another 2 days, I have plenty of time!" and "Oh no! How am I going to get everything done in the next few days?". I figure it'll all work out and I'll be ok in the end, so at this moment I'm not really too stressed. But talk to me in a few hours and see where I'm at then...


I never really thought of myself as a blogger, but this seemed like a good reason to start one. Throughout the next four months I'll post here when I can. I'll do my best to keep it iteresting, brief and entertaining. But for now, thanks for reading and hopefully the next time I post will be from Keyna!