This story is about when my friend Mattchew visited my site.
First we met in machakos, then I took him on the bus ride to my site. Once off the bus we had a 45 minute walk to my house.
On the way to my house we ran into my friend Jahap. Jahap is probably twenty years old, male, who lives in my village. We have new spoke together, but he is one of my best friends here. Jahap is deaf and is home from school. I usually see him riding his bike through town, sometimes with 3 jugs of water on it, and anytime he sees me, he gives me the biggest greeting I’ve had. He is always smiling and happy and excited to see me. Our conversation consists of hand signals, what we are currently doing, if we are staying here or if we are on our way someone else.
Back to the story. Jahap finds us, and gives us his typical greeting and conversation. Then he writes the word love on his arm and points to his arm and points to me and repeats this, to tell Mattchew that he loves me. Another moment that make my experience.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Day in the Life
This post will be about a day in the life of me, cause its incredibly exciting (I do wake up happy everyday).
6:30am –the time I usually wake up, from here I cant make any guarantees on how quickly I get out of bed, mom can attest to me calling still in bed and still sleepy.
7:00am –if I running this morning I’ve ate and gotten ready by 7. I’ve been running on a dried out river bed, I cant get myself ever do a “traditional” workout.(this includes inverted push-up, 1-legged squats or step-ups along the way when I get tired).
8:00am- I’m showered feed, and mostly clothed. I’ll usually clean my house or read until I leave for the day.
9:00-10:00am I start my way into town, if im walking this is 45 minutes and a dozen hand slaps, I can’t call the kamba high five a high five, because its so much more.
10am-3:00pm I could be doing anything, but its usually three things; I’m sitting through a CBO meeting, entirely in kamba, waiting for when they ask me questions, conversing with the town and snagging a few Swahili or kamba lessons, or I’m at my supervisors’ house watching his baby chase the chickens naked.
4:00-5:00pm – I might be taking chai at the obama ’coffee’ shop, then heading over to the water kiosk. Our community center has a large water reservoir that collects water from a near town and sells it, very cheap, to the community. I spend a lot of time sitting and watching the community collect their water.
7:00pm- By 7, I’ve finished everything, talked with the men who live on the compound with me and probably about to start dinner. –dinner has been bean/lentils/rice and soy nuggets with vegetables.
The night- ill finished my night reading and then talking a cold shower before bed.
6:30am –the time I usually wake up, from here I cant make any guarantees on how quickly I get out of bed, mom can attest to me calling still in bed and still sleepy.
7:00am –if I running this morning I’ve ate and gotten ready by 7. I’ve been running on a dried out river bed, I cant get myself ever do a “traditional” workout.(this includes inverted push-up, 1-legged squats or step-ups along the way when I get tired).
8:00am- I’m showered feed, and mostly clothed. I’ll usually clean my house or read until I leave for the day.
9:00-10:00am I start my way into town, if im walking this is 45 minutes and a dozen hand slaps, I can’t call the kamba high five a high five, because its so much more.
10am-3:00pm I could be doing anything, but its usually three things; I’m sitting through a CBO meeting, entirely in kamba, waiting for when they ask me questions, conversing with the town and snagging a few Swahili or kamba lessons, or I’m at my supervisors’ house watching his baby chase the chickens naked.
4:00-5:00pm – I might be taking chai at the obama ’coffee’ shop, then heading over to the water kiosk. Our community center has a large water reservoir that collects water from a near town and sells it, very cheap, to the community. I spend a lot of time sitting and watching the community collect their water.
7:00pm- By 7, I’ve finished everything, talked with the men who live on the compound with me and probably about to start dinner. –dinner has been bean/lentils/rice and soy nuggets with vegetables.
The night- ill finished my night reading and then talking a cold shower before bed.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Weather
Just like America, Kenya has weather. But unlike Oregon, when its Cloudy it isn't about to pour. I still am getting used to this. And after living in Kenya for close to three months, I've had one real rain.
Our training took place in Loitoktok, a quickly developing town at the base of Mt Kilo near amboseli nation park. During our stay there, it was cold every other day. In the town, most mornings where chilling, but around 1 or 2 it would usually be sunny and 85 degrees. If you go 20 minutes north, away from the mountain, it was usually much warmer. Also Walking ten minutes south, toward the mountain, was yet colder.
Waking out to Mt Kilo was cool. It really disappears into the sky. Most mornings it was very clear and we had a great few of it; a sky without clouds. Everyday around noon, clouds would appear and the mountain would hide in the sky.
Now i am living near Tawa (the closest posta). It is semi-arid, drought prone, hilly area. The hills cover the land, and most of them are filled with gardens, naturally irrigated for when the rain comes, I am told November at the latest. There is a good amount of green here, but I was also told that the entire area will be covered once it rains. When its cold here, its probably just below 70 and I get asked if I'm cold in just a sleeved shirt. I tell them there is not cold in Kenya.
The stars are different here. You can see them. I also knew that there was a milky way in the sky, the portrait you see in pictures, but i never though you could see it without a telescope. In kenya, you can see the sky at night and it is something else.
Our training took place in Loitoktok, a quickly developing town at the base of Mt Kilo near amboseli nation park. During our stay there, it was cold every other day. In the town, most mornings where chilling, but around 1 or 2 it would usually be sunny and 85 degrees. If you go 20 minutes north, away from the mountain, it was usually much warmer. Also Walking ten minutes south, toward the mountain, was yet colder.
Waking out to Mt Kilo was cool. It really disappears into the sky. Most mornings it was very clear and we had a great few of it; a sky without clouds. Everyday around noon, clouds would appear and the mountain would hide in the sky.
Now i am living near Tawa (the closest posta). It is semi-arid, drought prone, hilly area. The hills cover the land, and most of them are filled with gardens, naturally irrigated for when the rain comes, I am told November at the latest. There is a good amount of green here, but I was also told that the entire area will be covered once it rains. When its cold here, its probably just below 70 and I get asked if I'm cold in just a sleeved shirt. I tell them there is not cold in Kenya.
The stars are different here. You can see them. I also knew that there was a milky way in the sky, the portrait you see in pictures, but i never though you could see it without a telescope. In kenya, you can see the sky at night and it is something else.
Maisha
The Best thing I have every done.
In my opinion, you do not fully appreciate life, until you give two Africa children a soccer ball. Then imagine what it is like to teach them how to throw and catch a football, which I left with them along with matching soccer shorts. This made the pages of paperwork worth each hour. I would wake the next few mornings to the sound of a ball bouncing and Nuton counting, onetwothreefour……eightytwoeightrythree. I got woke with a smile.
To the Kenyans, its seems that I gave up so many things in order to life here with them. In church last Sunday, the pastor was talking about attachment to earthly positions and momentary satisfaction, a similar message I’ve heard in America. He said, “see our friend here (me), he gave up all that America has to live here and help people.” Thankfully this portion of the message was in English and not the local mother tongue, Kikamba, which I am learning, slowly).
The way Kenyans few America is, in their words, 'like heaven'. They see America as a land where life is easier and there are so many things we can buy and use to make ourselves happier. And really, this is the image we told them to think, because of our media leakage. I don’t disagree with capitalism or the media, but the message the rest of the world receives in incomplete. This topic reminds me of Thomas Friedman’s Hot Flat and Crowded, where American's consumption is dictating the rest of the world. (Again, I am not commenting on America's level of consumption, only their global influence).
In my opinion, you do not fully appreciate life, until you give two Africa children a soccer ball. Then imagine what it is like to teach them how to throw and catch a football, which I left with them along with matching soccer shorts. This made the pages of paperwork worth each hour. I would wake the next few mornings to the sound of a ball bouncing and Nuton counting, onetwothreefour……eightytwoeightrythree. I got woke with a smile.
To the Kenyans, its seems that I gave up so many things in order to life here with them. In church last Sunday, the pastor was talking about attachment to earthly positions and momentary satisfaction, a similar message I’ve heard in America. He said, “see our friend here (me), he gave up all that America has to live here and help people.” Thankfully this portion of the message was in English and not the local mother tongue, Kikamba, which I am learning, slowly).
The way Kenyans few America is, in their words, 'like heaven'. They see America as a land where life is easier and there are so many things we can buy and use to make ourselves happier. And really, this is the image we told them to think, because of our media leakage. I don’t disagree with capitalism or the media, but the message the rest of the world receives in incomplete. This topic reminds me of Thomas Friedman’s Hot Flat and Crowded, where American's consumption is dictating the rest of the world. (Again, I am not commenting on America's level of consumption, only their global influence).
Thats just life
Well first things first, I’ve been a little busy. I have just starting living at working at my site, I am located in a village called Kitile, near mbumbuni, south east of Nairobi and at 5500’. I have a very nice house, and as always much more than I need. I am enjoying myself. And that is what leads me to write my first real blog.
After living in Kenya for almost 3 months, I have a number of stories and just as many moments where I am in awe of the people here. When I first arrived at my home stay, I had just realized the depth of my adventure hit me. I was about to be living in new place, with new people for two years. It was a big moment and soon after, Simon, my home stay brother asked me, “Trevor, can you help me with math and teach me to write compositions with good adverbs and similes.” Life is good.
Simon and Nuton (13 and 7), my brothers, are a lot of fun to live with. Nuton was a little shy and wouldn’t talk much to me, but we just be excited to be around me. We would go for walks and he would be skipping with the biggest smile his face could make. Another good moment was when I left Nuton wear my sunglasses, aviators what fit my big head. He walked around town with his face held high, to keep them from falling, and another large grin on his face. We would also watch cartoon together.
Simon is a matured little man. He is much more studious than Nuton, who hates school, and does his chores on time. He also started breeding rabbits, Sungura. When I arrived, he had one rabbit but about a month before I left, he asked me to go with him to pick up another rabbit. 3 hours later, after getting lost through some hills, we got him a second and he could start breeding. I did miss the rabbit giving birth birth, also the goat.
My Mama is a very social, happy woman. She is very motherly, and one day, when I looked red in the face (because I’m a white boy living in Kenya) she insisted that I couldn’t do my laundry that day and needed to rest and eat a lemon. In the end it was a good story and I got lots of help the next to day to finish my laundry in record time (usually takes an hour and half). Mama also speaks very very fast with a thick kikuyu accent. The result of which taught me a very good ear for Swahili, so after not understanding anything for the first 6 weeks, I could now hear the language and I am very thankful for it.
Baba spent a lot of time working. He would go to Nairbo and buy kids clothing he and mama would sell in markets. He would also do the transporting of the clothing and set up the market stands. On a normal day, he would leave at 8am and come home at 9pm. And he would reply to anything he I had to say with, “that is very good,” he is a very nice man and always had a smile.
When it was time to leave, it was harder than I expected. There are definitely times during the home stay that aren’t easy. You have restricted freedom, a 630pm curfew and do everything in a new language. It is hard not to become attached to a Kenya family that you live with for 10 weeks. They seemed to like me too and Simon and Nuton even cried when I left. I was a blessing to know that I have two Kenya children that miss me.
After living in Kenya for almost 3 months, I have a number of stories and just as many moments where I am in awe of the people here. When I first arrived at my home stay, I had just realized the depth of my adventure hit me. I was about to be living in new place, with new people for two years. It was a big moment and soon after, Simon, my home stay brother asked me, “Trevor, can you help me with math and teach me to write compositions with good adverbs and similes.” Life is good.
Simon and Nuton (13 and 7), my brothers, are a lot of fun to live with. Nuton was a little shy and wouldn’t talk much to me, but we just be excited to be around me. We would go for walks and he would be skipping with the biggest smile his face could make. Another good moment was when I left Nuton wear my sunglasses, aviators what fit my big head. He walked around town with his face held high, to keep them from falling, and another large grin on his face. We would also watch cartoon together.
Simon is a matured little man. He is much more studious than Nuton, who hates school, and does his chores on time. He also started breeding rabbits, Sungura. When I arrived, he had one rabbit but about a month before I left, he asked me to go with him to pick up another rabbit. 3 hours later, after getting lost through some hills, we got him a second and he could start breeding. I did miss the rabbit giving birth birth, also the goat.
My Mama is a very social, happy woman. She is very motherly, and one day, when I looked red in the face (because I’m a white boy living in Kenya) she insisted that I couldn’t do my laundry that day and needed to rest and eat a lemon. In the end it was a good story and I got lots of help the next to day to finish my laundry in record time (usually takes an hour and half). Mama also speaks very very fast with a thick kikuyu accent. The result of which taught me a very good ear for Swahili, so after not understanding anything for the first 6 weeks, I could now hear the language and I am very thankful for it.
Baba spent a lot of time working. He would go to Nairbo and buy kids clothing he and mama would sell in markets. He would also do the transporting of the clothing and set up the market stands. On a normal day, he would leave at 8am and come home at 9pm. And he would reply to anything he I had to say with, “that is very good,” he is a very nice man and always had a smile.
When it was time to leave, it was harder than I expected. There are definitely times during the home stay that aren’t easy. You have restricted freedom, a 630pm curfew and do everything in a new language. It is hard not to become attached to a Kenya family that you live with for 10 weeks. They seemed to like me too and Simon and Nuton even cried when I left. I was a blessing to know that I have two Kenya children that miss me.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The start of Per-service training
Well I have officially started my peace corps training.
I will have no pictures until I can charge my camera batteries, as I need a voltage converter and a plug adaptor.
We arrived in Nairobi the night before last, late. It was a very long travel, with few short naps. I was quite tired to get to our first training location. Once I get outside the Nairobi airport thought, the air was a nice surprise; it was fresh and the night was cool.
I guess I should include a bit about my time in Philly. I got off the plane and got my baggage and by a small coincidence ran into a return Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV), Kenya ’68. She told me about the time of her life, about her motorcycle and a Volkswagen she shared with another volunteer. She recommended lots of books. It was a great first impression. It seems like RPCV are all over, as I ran into another at our hotel in Philly.
My great friend from college, Jacob F. Monroe sent me off, as he is living in D.C. It was great to see him again and we got to spend a little bit of time down town Philly. He also provides needed support during the mornings. My first few mornings, I was a mess. I would wake up in shock at the adventure I had in store and my nervousness keep me from eating. That left quite soon.
From the airport, we took a twenty minute bus ride to our enclosed hostel we where staying. We each got room and I was very surprised to find out that we had Wi-Fi. Guess the world is shrinking.
Our first day included more meetings and a few shots, followed by our first language training. Most of this was simple, but since only one of us got more than 5 hours of sleep, we all where a bit sluggish.
And finally my favorite Kenyan ritual is the regular chai breaks. I found a replacement for coffee. Their chai consists of Kenya tea bags with hot milk and maybe some water. I bet some put sugar in theirs.
I will have no pictures until I can charge my camera batteries, as I need a voltage converter and a plug adaptor.
We arrived in Nairobi the night before last, late. It was a very long travel, with few short naps. I was quite tired to get to our first training location. Once I get outside the Nairobi airport thought, the air was a nice surprise; it was fresh and the night was cool.
I guess I should include a bit about my time in Philly. I got off the plane and got my baggage and by a small coincidence ran into a return Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV), Kenya ’68. She told me about the time of her life, about her motorcycle and a Volkswagen she shared with another volunteer. She recommended lots of books. It was a great first impression. It seems like RPCV are all over, as I ran into another at our hotel in Philly.
My great friend from college, Jacob F. Monroe sent me off, as he is living in D.C. It was great to see him again and we got to spend a little bit of time down town Philly. He also provides needed support during the mornings. My first few mornings, I was a mess. I would wake up in shock at the adventure I had in store and my nervousness keep me from eating. That left quite soon.
From the airport, we took a twenty minute bus ride to our enclosed hostel we where staying. We each got room and I was very surprised to find out that we had Wi-Fi. Guess the world is shrinking.
Our first day included more meetings and a few shots, followed by our first language training. Most of this was simple, but since only one of us got more than 5 hours of sleep, we all where a bit sluggish.
And finally my favorite Kenyan ritual is the regular chai breaks. I found a replacement for coffee. Their chai consists of Kenya tea bags with hot milk and maybe some water. I bet some put sugar in theirs.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
My first post
Well I woke up today and thought, today is the day.... I will start my blog. I've been putting this off for a while, mostly because I have a long list of things to do.
My main goal with this blog is to produce something that my friends and family can live vicariously through me, and to give incite to the blog stumblers and the curious. I imagine I will have jokes and tell stories I think are funny, and with luck I will even have some humor (I laugh at all of my jokes so at least I'll know they are funny).
I'm just a few days away from starting this adventure in my life. Sunday I leave for Philly and then to Kenya. This is a very interested place to be. Interesting because I have a mix of fear and nervousness, but all of it is exciting! I feel blessed to know that for two years, my job will be to help the people I am living with. And that is awesome.
My main goal with this blog is to produce something that my friends and family can live vicariously through me, and to give incite to the blog stumblers and the curious. I imagine I will have jokes and tell stories I think are funny, and with luck I will even have some humor (I laugh at all of my jokes so at least I'll know they are funny).
I'm just a few days away from starting this adventure in my life. Sunday I leave for Philly and then to Kenya. This is a very interested place to be. Interesting because I have a mix of fear and nervousness, but all of it is exciting! I feel blessed to know that for two years, my job will be to help the people I am living with. And that is awesome.
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