being in africa

I must say I am still experiencing culture shock and it's been almost 7 weeks passing. Being elected to join the peace corps is a challenge in itself, but doing it in africa seems even more unreal. The books about kenya do not compare at all to the real thing...it is absolutely beautiful here! Every morning as I walk my hour UP HILL through shambas (farms), pass noisy bugs, I look around and think, "this could never happen in california. I could never look up and see mount kilimanjaro in san deigo!" Being surrounded by maize (corn), ngombes (cows), and rain every other day fills me with a sense of contentment (most times). there is a lot I have to learn from these people here...more than they can learn from me. Most "black americans" say traveling to africa is like going home, finding their roots, returning to the motherland. But now that I'm here I realize that it's more than just holding up your fist and being proud of your brown skin. These kenyans here look like me, but are different from me in every way. Their likes, hobbies, foods, clothes, jokes, languages, loves, even handshakes are so unique from mine. So being here has already proven to be my biggest challenge yet but I know I will eventually be able to look past the superficial notion of "connecting to my roots" and just learn to live, love, and laugh at myself, especially when I'm trying to cook on fire & wood!...hatua kwa hatua (one step at a time) to be continued...

transportation!

Ok, so let me fill you in about transportation here in Kenya...it's a little scary the first couple times you try it. I am on my way to Nairobi (again) & the main means of transportation are either a bus or a matatu (small van). I opted to take the matatu because there are no stops between my home & my destination (bus terminal). Its also a little more comfortable in sitting, more elbow space (kind of). For those who know me, know I love to drive, be in travel by car, love teaching driving to people...so what is the problem? Roads...most of them, accept in Nairobi are not paved so its literally a rollercoaster ride lasting 1 hour! Because the roads are so bad, drivers try to find the smoothest path possible, so if that means driving on the opposite side of the road, so be it. Its actually funny to see all these cars, vans, buses, & semi-trucks weeving in & out on the roads; some on the road, some on the sides, some down a ditch because its smoother there. Complete chaos! But maybe its only chaos to me, the foreigner. There are some parts that are really fun though :). Going 60 mph over a bunch of rocks is like an adrenaline rush, until the BIG ROCK comes (hit my head 4 times this morning). Like I mentioned before, not all roads are rough. Once we arrive in Nairobi city limits, the roads smooth out & the ride is calmer...I unclinch my grasp on the chair in front, fix my clothes, rub my soar head, & thank the Lord I'm breathing! Though this all may seem really awful, I still enjoy it. I may not be sitting in leather seats, feeling air-condition, or listening to Sade, but the more I use Kenyan transportation, the more I'm getting used to it all (the bumps don't seem as high as they did the first week I was here). Now I think I better end this now so I can concentrate on the road. :) Until next time...

nairobi...my new capital

What can I say about Nairobi...IT'S BEAUTIFUL! And of course it looks just like America (some parts). The buildings are tall and many like New York nd the women dress cute and stylish like L.A. Buses, cars, motorcycles crowd the streets and if you're not careful you WILL get hit! One of the first thing that caught my attention was the fact that there are no traffic lights, well, there are a few from what I've been told but I've never spotted one and I don't think they even work. Because this was a British colony way back when, there are mad roundabouts! I mean every 30 steps there's another circle in the middle of the road. I couldn't imagine teaching driving school in this place!Now to the good stuff...the have PIZZA! and BURGERS! and ICE CREAM! Granted, there's no pizza hut, or burger king, or even baskin robbins, but it's good enough! I bit into that chicken pizza so hard I almost broke a tooth. Just typing about it is making me hungry so let me move on. Walking around Nairobi can be quite dangerous though. If you happen to meet a Kenyan in the States, ask her..him about Nairobi and they'll tell you, "Oh you NaROBBERY, yeah I've been there." If I'm walking on the streets I keep my purse in front of me and my money spread out amongst my clothing, like socks (which I never wear), bra, front pocket, underwear...NO JOKE! People are known to not just grab your purse and run, but slice the side of it as you're walking and grab the things that fall out. All the while, the person never suspects anything, but feels his..her bag has gotten lighter! HA! Or if you're talking on a cell phone (blackberrys like mine are high in demand, hence I never take it out my bag) a person will come up to you, hit your elbow up from below so your phone goes flying in the air to the partner in crime and...away my blackberry goes...so sad, but I refuse to be the victim!I'm still learning my way around the city of course and living the closest I will probably be the one volunteer to frequent the capital. Surprisingly, there are many Indians, Europeans, Arabs, and White Americans who live in the city. They have blended in rather well, and first time I saw a white person I almost cried! Growing up in a diversity country like America is so unappreciated until one goes to a country with only one "look" But they can't go into all areas of Nairobi, which is why I have the darker skin. There's a place called Masai Market that isn't in the best part of town but I'm told they have the cutest clothes...I'll be there, BLENDING IN There is so much to say about Nairobi...did I already say they have pizza. oops, i did! Well, I hope you guys get a chance to experience it for yourself; the capital of east Africa and mine for the next 2 years.kwaheri!

war of the rats (so i think)

Ok, I had to blog about this, while its actually happening because it takes my mind off the clink/clank of my dishes & silverware being filtered thru by these intruding rodents; utensil scrubbing will be on the to-do list for tomorrow. So I just got off the phone with another volunteer, who lives about 6 hour bus ride from me. Decided to write letters & listen to music (Beatles "yellow submarine" playing now). First I see a mosquito INSIDE my mosquito PROTECTOR net! Then I snap a few pictures of a giant almost see-thru lizard in the bathroom, successfully convincing myself it's harmless. Now, lights off, music still on, here comes the rats! The layout of my place is very unamerican, as it should be. I have some holes in my tin roof & my door is about 3 inches off the ground so ANYTHING can come in here! I normally put my shoes up against the door to block the rodent path, but tonight I decided to be lazy and just "see what happens". Now I know. The first time I it happened last week I could almost taste the blood from my right ventricle tube in my throat! I was soo scared! The next morning I found poop everywhere. What would I do if I actually came face to face with one or two? A fight to the death I suppose. Their life with my shoe & bug spray, or my life with a rabies-infested rat bite! Either way, someones going down & I paid too much for this new bed & shelves so it better not be me! I keep thinking, this would never happen in America, at least not in my San Diego home, but that's the point...I'm not in America nor San Diego. So these experiences, though scary & rather unhealthy, is what I came here for...so deal with it girl! All is quiet now so maybe they couldn't get in my new food cabinet, or they just don't like Beatles music. If luck rolls my way, our watch dogs outside will eat them! to be continued...

ps. it has taken 2 months to realize that it's not rats, but lizards. Pretty big lizards with pretty big poop droppings! Let's all sigh with relief together...AAHHHH! I feel better, do you?