Everything in its right place

So we got to Nairobi yesterday. It was a better journey. But leaving the village was hard. Guys, i think i was sweating as i walked through from the house to the school for the last time. I really don't know when id ever come back. This journey had so many trials and tribulations. All of them seemed so avoidable. But really I'm glad i had so much trouble. I said this many times before i left and when i had to step up to the plate, i cowered. But "the harder something is, the more you get out of it". This journey has no regrets whatsoever. We looked into so many windows of life and i've come to realize who i am and what i want. Much more than ever. Although ill have ALOT of trouble from my friends id like to be vegetarian and to stop drinking altogether. Lets hope i can fight the forces of bbq! But its been good. I could not have made it through this journey without the love of my family and friends. I know what matters too. Its you. You help put everything in its right place.

I wanna live in a wooden house

So this is our last weekend at the village. The students have been out on summer holidays but the school is running tuition for those who can afford it. There really isnt much to do but we kinda float around helping students in areas that they are weak and giving counselling. Theyve been asking alot of questions about Canada and "america". i dont really see the boys anymore. robert has gone to visit his mother and edwin is helping his uncle with herding cattle. only one more week left. i go crazy at times just wanting to go home, especially after i got a taste of the city life in nairobi last week. That one week at the gym felt ggrreeaattttt. But im doing what i can now to keep my hopes up. Maggie really acts as a crutch when i trip out. she tells me to put things into perspective and it makes it alot lighter. I think about how i was tripping out when i first arived, during my first week. We have accomplished so much so far. three months, flown by. and now we only have one week left and we come home. Theres been some concern with my appearance though. I heard that some canadians were given a hard time by kenyans at the airport so it looks like i may have to shave my beard off. But im gonna try to bypass it. I never had a chance to check out the manufacturing zone and with only 1 day in Nairobi next weekend we will be packing and doing some last minute errands (gifts etc.) Each day goes by and more of my clothes are gone. Right now im living off one pair of jeans, shorts, 3 tshirts and a hoody. its hard, but easy. I dont smell which is good. I keep thinking about my arrival home. I cant wait.

Strawberry Swing

So im in Nairobi now. ALOT has happened. After our trip on the safari we heded back to Mombasa. The town is an arab-flavored port along the coast. its like we were in a whole new world. The macadamia nuts here are cheaper than water(not really) and the size of gum balls(true story). we stayed at the bamburi beach hotel where we spent most of the day dozing on the beach and eating. and then jammed out at night. we met some americans who are doing digging up north and so we hung out with them a bit. btw mombasa has the most hookers ive seen in my life. thank god maggie is around, she works as my stand in girlfriend. but at times it works against me. its like shes the best wingman/cockblock. two sides of every coin. But it was a relaxing visit. i got even more bloated. but its all part of the fun.

i arrived at the village last monday. we had closing which was a nice. I planned to leave to go back to Nairobi on the thursday, which gave me 3 days in the village. i know its kind of rushed but i had my ideas. if it was fast id still have attachements with Wikondiek. rather than dragging it out and letting go, i wanted a part of me to stay behind. On wednesday when the schools had closed some of the boys from my form 2 art class/football team came to the house. we went on a long walk where we talked about girls, sex, the spread of HIV/AIDS, theire future. Words cannot describe the friendship i made with these boys on my last day in the village. Robert, Edwin, Kennedy, & Duncan. They will be somebody. I found out that Duncan was a full orphan, living by himself in a hut. i had to give him something. so my shoes and two shirts left my luggage. My departure was perfect. short and sweet with a memory that is long lasting.

Onto Nairobi. Took the Nyamira Express. This is the craziest journey of my life. but i lived it. by myself. Bus left an hour late, stopped every ten minutes for the first two hours, some lady sat very closely beside me (while the bus was empty), we over packed the bus, some drunk guy threw up beside me on the floor (at 9 am???), had to fight people off for my luggage at Machaka station (notrious), had my luggage searched by a cop while people huddled around me and watched what i had, couldnt get in touch with my pick up person while my phone was almost dead, had some shady guys trying to get me ito an illegal taxi, men just saying hello and asking for me, took a LEGAL taxi to mom;s house in hurlingham. ALL of this was done by MYSELF. I AM AFICA! oh and i signed up at a gym the same day, back at it and jeans fit again. eating is good, likfe is good. im looking into climbing mount kenya next week, 5 day journey (mom and dad please help fund this once-in-a lifetime chance) and im going to check out the export manufacturing zone soon. big things? lets only hope.

A picture speaks a thousand words

I know i haven t put any pics up but here they are. this is a mash up of everything that Ive blogged about. Try and put the pieces of the puzzle together yourself.

The Circle of Life

We finally did the safari thing. Took a Mutatu(mini bus) to Narok town where we would meet with our safari driver. I think we did the record, 22 people in a 14 person bus. The other people that were supposed to come on the safari with us cancelled. So it was just me Maggie and Peter in a 12 person safari van. Make it rain.

Peter looks like Stevie's dad from Malcolm in the middle. Seemed nice, but oh how the tides turned. Its high season in Kenya right now which means prices are almost 60 percent higher, on top of the non-resident fees. But our boy Leslie hooked it up...i think. We managed to score three nights at the Mara Simba Lodge for 550 bucks. That includes three BOMB meals two safaris a day, and 3 nights in a luxury tent. Ok when i say tent i dont mean what you take up to Algonquin. This thing is nicer than a hotel. Peep this. The thing has wood flooring, a three sectioned bathroom. Hardwood furniture and a balcony that overlooks the Talek River, which in turn houses crocs, hippos, and baboons. I feel asleep to the sound of hippos in the night. Our first game drive was the best. It was in the evening and we saw lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeast etc etc. We saw the beginning of the wildebeast migration. If youve seen Lion King, the time where the bad lion gets all of the wildebeast to run and kill simba's dad is sorta what we saw. The large heards hadnt arrived but we did manage to see about 300 of them crossing the Mara River. It was like a floodgate had opened when the first one deicded to cross. The food at the lodge was great..yumm paneer. As we were leaving our "homeboy" Peter tried to pull a fast one on us by telliong us that the office is charging us 10000 kshs to get a ride to Nairobi. First off he never spoke to the office and second thing the trip to Nairobi was part of our cost.This really pissed me off cause this elderly man KNEW that we were students travelling on a budget. Not cool. Even though people are trying to make a living does not mean honesty should go out the window. Stevie's dad...how you disapointed me.

Next stop Mombasa.

With a Little L

My body is messed. Ive been constipated about 7/4 of my trip, my nose bleeds from time to time. ive got a bad case of water retention. Children scream and run from my beard. Ive gained like 10 pounds, joints hurt. The list goes on. But her...THIS IS AFRICA!! You would not beleive what i have just seen. Let me start off with what has heppened at the school. The day is July 21.

I started wrapping up with the school since they are beginning exams. One of Mama Asiyo's daughters had come from Germany with her family and a a colleague from the SEQOUIA. They were visiting and doing some research work for their german patrons. I managed to speak to Mary and she brought over 40 jerseys and shorts for the students!! so on tuesday we had a game and presentation of the jerseys to all of the students. Some guests, students, teachers attended and it was great to see students become so excited about the jerseys. Especially after they found out that they were for them to keep, and not return to the school. There was a formal presentation ceremony at the field. I dressed like a coach. We took a team picture and halfway through the game i gave out an award for the player who i felt deserved the Captain position. A boy named Samuel who they all call Engineer. Hes got great ethic and determination, not to mention skill. These boys arent just my students anymore. They are my friends. AT night Mary broke out some Vodka and beer...it was a late painful night. I cant drink anymore. I actually dont like it especially since im not active. My jeans are tighter and my thighs rub together. The sadness.

The next day was another LONGGGG day. Mary had also come with her neice, Sheila to set up a medical clinic in the compound. Along with the nurses from the area, there were areas set up for vision, mens testing, womens testing, childrens testing and a pharmacy. It was so packed that people had arrived at 6 that morning, even though the clinic began at 8. This was the only real medical experience ive had thus far in Kenya. We saw people in real need. But thats how life is and people like Mary are a God send. By 11:30 i was at the school prepping for the art show that the students were to be having. We set up the tissue paper flowers in the shape of a flower on the floor, to emulate a garden. This in fact was their idea. All i did was fascilitate the questions for them to find it within themselves. The other two assignemtns, graffiti names and self portrait using words were then lined up along the walls. While we set up i taught my students a thing or two about art gallery prep. And then it began. Caesar, Mama's son, visited. All were very impressed with what the students had come up with. Then the students talked a little about how they felt about learning art for the first time. This really had me choked up as they thanked me for exposing them to this world. It was a very touching moment and well, you dont know what youve really accomplished until you hear it come from someone else. I have leanred and experienced more here than i had ever imagined. To top things off, i bought some biscuits and juice for the students. But the real icing on the cake was when Ceasar decided to donate 4000 shillings for more art supplies for my students!!! more pencil crayons coming right up.

Flashing Lights

Alot was accomplished in Kisumu. Heres a quick run through:

1) squeezed into a 14 seater van..with 20 ppl. Sat on a ladys lap while she breastfed.
2) Stood dead centre on the equator. To my left the toilet swirls one way, on my right it swirls the opposite. According to the Simpsons.
3) Saw the Bollywood movie NEW YORK. Only 6 ppl in the whole theatre. We brought meat pies, chips, drinks, and a mickey of Kenya Kane spirit. Got drunk in the theatre. I almost cried seeing Indian drama again. How i love it.
4) Climbed huge boulders, overlooked a valley. Great photo op.
5) Had amazing Indian biriani at the restaurant downstairs.
6) Realized Indian people run Kisumu...don.
7)Saw Maseno University and their monkeys.
8) Saw monkeys doing it.

Dr.Suess

I had an interesting chat with maggie about the way ive been socializing with the students and memebers of the community at Wikondiek. Its like im holding myself in rather than bringing myself out. Maggie has the tendency to be more social, friendly, and takes in the fact that shes a spectacle. She also read me a passage which made me think about the way i see things here in kenya. From our good childhood friend Doctor Suess, OH THE PLACES YOU'll GO:

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly their darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And if you go in, should you tunr left or right...or right-and-three-quarters?
Or maybe not quite?
Or go around the back and sneak in from behind?
Simple its not, I'm afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

But then i thought about it. None of this is new to me at all. Ive seen this. I have family that lives this in India. Im not being insensitive.Im being one of them. Im not giving anyone attention because im trying to blend in and be like them.We have our own issues back home. Problems exist everywhere. We as westerners just feel "bad" because we see it through a western context. We actually have no right to show pity by just viewing it. We need to live it.

This is their way of life and I'm just trying to be a part of it, but just as a prop in the background.

Flyer than the rest of em

So this post is coming from a much more developed and modern area of the west of Kenya. We just arrives in Kisumu this morning. Its like a smaller version of Nairobi but along the coast of Lake Victoria. Its nice to be in Civilization again...as well as an area with indian people. Juni, mums daughter and also the woman we plan our stay with, arrived this week and spent alot of time with us. It was good to have someone who understood how we feel being in the bush. She took us on a small errand trip to another town called Kisii. It really opened my eyes to see that where we were staying, was in the REAL bush. I had forgotten what kenya was like for the past 6 weeks we had been here. I didnt go as crazy in the supermarket as i had before. I bought some real, dark, whole grain bread, PB, and some Jam...my god, i love PB and J. i think ive had it like 6 times so far. i even brought it along for our kisumu trip. Love it.

Looking at what has happened within me while ive been here, i think ive been able to notice some changes. Maybe not changes, but alterations. I still greet people with handshakes, which is the norm here. I eat food with my hands when needed, otherwise i stick to utensils. The others in the house do the same.Ive stuck to almost the same outfit for almost everyday. My runners, my jeans (which ive only washed 1 time during my stay...ill explain why if you ask) and two button ups. That is my shcool attire. When it comes to buying articles like souvenirs and gifts, i barter. Ive lived in india and i know how to bargain. I maybe cheap, but im not stupid. I speak slower here and oddly enough i keep my words to a minimum. They like to repeat everything i say and being a spectacle has started to lose its appeal. I liked having my own space and not constantly having someone asking me or staring. Im sort of closing myself off. But i dont think its a bad thing at all. I kind of like it. It gives me times for myself. To reflect. To think. To see things.

In terms of culture roles, i can feel myself becoming more like the men here. Kinda lazy. Sometimes though. At times i expect the house help to do things but then at other times i remember what a slap from mom feels like when i dont do things myself and get back at it. I judge the men here by their first glance at Maggie. If i get the creeper vibe, i talk less and make sure she is safe. im kinda like a guard dog in a way. but cooler, and styll almost as hairy. Not on my body, just my face. MOSES! Again this experience isnt new to me. Africa is like India.Except here they blend into the night more.

Leaving on a jet plane

Ok, so im not leaving. But we finally had a chance to leave the homestead and see the area around us. One of the guys working for dad, Leslie, drove us in the little beat up pickup truck. Leslie is a really good guy and one of our best friends here. He doesnt act like a creep towards Maggie. He gets a green light. Joing us was the Primary school principal Mr. Ochuogo, his cousins Edwin ( a student from the secondary school), Madame Rose ( our favorite teacher from primary school). Me and Maggie kicked it Kenya-styles, drove in the back of the pickup. I swear my neck looks like a different race altogether, im getting black. But itll work in my favor. Like they say "Darker the berry sweeter the juice". I wonder how they judge that in afrca though.

Stocked up on bread, biscuits, and mangoes we left at 11, with our original leaving time was 9.lol. african standard time. Our first stop was at Simbi Lake, known for its flamingo population and legendary story. Its a sulfuric depression, with a stink. The flamingos were gone, migrated to Lake Nakuru till August. But legend states that after a king had not given a peasant water, the whole village was submerged under a body of water, within minutes.

We then visited some natural hot springs near Homa Hills. Managed to even boil some eggs in the water. It happens near an inactive volcano. Our final stop was at a Norweigan Camp, no longer under thier influence. We sat at a open hut, atop a cliff with a thatched roof. The view was breathtaking, overlooking lake victoria on one side, and the hills on the other. A view worth a thousand words, but absolutely free.

Sooner or Later

Ive had the chance to see that Drake is really ripping it up. Its pretty motivating to see someone, from the neighborhood taking his ambitions onto such a big level. Not gonna lie, im kinda jealous. Not to get it confused with the negative connotation it usually accompanies, im really glad im feeling this way. If he can do it, why not me. WHy cant i succeed with something im passionate with? Im not talking about music, im the worst rapper alive. But ive got my ambitions. i need to put fear aside and jump forward. This trip gave me a taste of what leaving home would be like, something that will have to happen come september 2010.

My success will be determined by my happiness. Lets hope it isnt easy. The harder it is, the more ill get out of it.

Dont know what you got till its gone

Been a new week, seems like every week brings something different. We had two days off at the beginning of the week. The secondary students had half-term, a short holiday to let their minds rest. But i had spoken to the teachers and the administration and set up futbol training after school. One of Mama Phoebe's daughters was going to have an ex-german futbol player come in and train the boys. Alot of the boys have dreams of getting scouted and moving away, to play futbol on a more serious level. I dont doubt their dreams, some of them are really really good. Practice begins at 4:30 and goes for about an hour and a half. Right now their doing alot of running, stretching, getting their endurance and fitness up. Im surprised that about 35 boys have come out. But its alot of fun, ive gotten to know them on a more personal level. And now rather than looking at them as students, they are beginning to become my friends. This is a feeling im both loving and becoming afraid of. I fear the day that i leave. honestly, what are the chances that i will ever know what happens to these boys. Im starting to become attached. But watching the dedication to the team and sport is really motivating. I want to reward them, so im looking into getting them jerseys. Papa Asiyo was telling us about how badly the corn crops havce been doing this year and how some of the students go days without eating. Thier pride keeps them with their head held high, while their stomach grumbles with hunger. Futbol is keeping them going, and i am truly blessed to be able to contirbute to thier happiness.

Maggie and I were talking about our parents and the way they interact with eachother. I never realized how much they love eachother. I never even realized what i have at home. Ive missed my grandma arrival, and family from dubai just landed two days ago. Not to mention ruban' s birthday. But its like realizing the type of bond thatmy parents have with one another is inspiring not just as a part of a relationship, but more so as a man. Ive definetely been able to get in touch with myself. Ive also finished reading my 6th book so far. The oppurtunities to do things i never had back home ae being presented, and im taking it.

Everything is cool, when the love is all brand new

Well two weeks feel like an eternity. But suprisingly so much has happened. I received the warmest kenyan greetings, delivered by our good friends the mosquito. I ended up with a bad case of malaria about 2 weeks ago. the diarhea was indescribable. i think i dropped like 8 lbs in 2 days. im telling you this now, i never wish this upon anyone. it messed me up pretty bad. Maggie had it bad too. She started convulsing and shivering out of the blue. But we took care of her and shes back to normal again. I managed to avoid performing an exorcism.

Ive gotten to know my students much better and im reall having a blast teaching them art. Not gonna lie, when i first arrived, i came to the conclusion that teaching wasnt for me. The students werent responding to anything i said. And for some odd reason they find my way of speaking funny. I had students talking to me like this" raw-raw-raw-raw, trying to emulate the way that westerners were rolling their Rs. But things pick up and now im planning to have an art-night/ "gallery opening" with them at the end of July, before they break for the summer. Im teling you, watching them really develop an eagerness and interest in art was what brought me to get into education. I got blessed with this reaction again. And ive also got the high school boys futbol team to start practicing seriously. One of Phoebe Asiyo's daughters has set up a training week with an ex-german futbol player so the students are really pumped and determined to take this skill to another level. Food is the same, except ive developed some sort of weird reliance on chocolate. i gues this is a good reminder of home and when i get access to it, i tend to go overboard. and by overboard i mean like 4 chocolate bars, a box of cookies and ice cream in one sitting.yea kinda sad, but pleasantly surprising. but ive styll managed to loose 5 lbs and been staying healthy and fit. I run every other day at the futbol field and kids will join me halfway thtough. I hate that i dont have privacy, but by the end of the run i cant help but leave with my heart melting as they run and laugh around me.

I styll havent really felt an impact. Its like another trip to india, except the people are darker. But i think im learning more than i realize. Im just waiting to see what will come of this when i come home. My beard is long. like 1 inch long. i had to get a comb to keep this bad boy under control. I think i may look kinda crazy but i like it. The trip is already 1/3 done.

Ms. Asiyo had a big party at the house last night for women in kenyan politics. The guys had to crash in a ghetto hotel in another town. But the sleep was good. Bats tried to crawl under the door and some couple was having some mandingo sex next door.It was quite the affair.

Its nice to see how female empowerment has such support. I got to meet the wife of the prime minister and later on i beleive we will have a visit from obama's sister. OH! btw, Obamas family comes from the area! SO the area has a lot of history and pride. i even saw Obama brand denim. ballin. Dont underestimate the kenyans. Indians and chinese beware.

Im the biggest boss that you've seen thus far

So we finally landed at the house in the Nyanza province. its in northwestern kenya in the district of Rachuonyo. Obama is actualy from an area that about 20 min away. Im teaching about three classes a day and have been assigned to teach grade 4 math, grade 5 science, grade 9 business and grade 10 art. The food is amazing, its like i have to watch what i eat s that i dont get overweight. But the walking and weather helps keep things under control. Our living conditions are quite good. I have a room for myself and because the weather is cold in a kenyan context, flies and mosquitos are slowing down. Our vilage is really remote, and you need to drive half an hour away from home to get anywhere near a public transport area. The people are very friendly and the poverty, which had been so talked about, didnt really seem to be prevailant. Everyone seems to be very happ and content with life.In the two weeks that we have been here we have alredy fed girrafes, seen wild zebras and warthogs and some wild hippos along lake victoria. It doesnt feel like the circumstances in life has changed all that much, since our living conditions arent too bad and because ive already had to rough it our before during trips to India. The students are good, but the younger ones dont seem to be understanding my language and its slightly depressing. But with time things should change. Attention never seems to stop since my skin color and hair texture is different from that of the people around. Life is also slower here so i tend to do alot of reading, taking longer hikes and having time to think and reflect on life. I heard a great quote from a local here "The West has the watch, and Africa has the Time". Cant complain, things are just a little different, but not opposite.

On friday we had the chance to attend a large music festival that took place within the district and had students competing in poetry rectials, musical talent and traditional dancing. The pride is not lacking and ive come across many people who feel like leaving africa would be a mistake. They love thier home.

Define my culture

Aright so it seems as though this internship actually involves some soul searching...kidding. Hmm, defining my culture. Ive been around the world. Lived in Nigeria, India, The United Arab Emirates, and Canada. So I feel as though I've had a taste and perspective from different corners of the world. My culture is my own, it isnt Indian or Canadian but rather my own individual perspective. My mom is fairly religious, being Catholic, and my father is more moral-based, as a hindu. So i feel like im torn in between. My ideas and morals are based on right/wrong and rather than following a solid sect of religion I feel as though the world just plays in its own tune and its upto do to decide which way we dance. My culture is open. I relate to my indian routes while at the same time taking it all in through the eyes of a westerner. It is something I am very proud to have because the situations and ideas are sometimes quite funny. I am proud to say I am Rajendran.

Kenya in 1

So its the day before i leave. Im currently sitting in my basement, a few of the guys are over for the Champions league final between Man U and Barcelona. Bbq was on the menu, hotdogs and pepsi. Things I may miss during the summer. Last night was pretty rough. I got into a pretty large arguement with moms, she isnt happy with me.Must be cause im leaving, I have to make up with her when she gets home. I dont want to have her upset today and tomorrow. I should have bee packing today but it will all begin tonight and since i have all of tomorow, ill pick up the last items before heading to the airport. Beers and ice cream is up next. I will cherish every moment.

Kenya in 2

So im trying to get everything in order and it feels as though i am still forgetting so much. I had the chance to talk to a lot of people, many are a friend-of-a-friend, and its like my list is too short. Clothes dont even seem like a priority right now, I'd rather fill both suitcases up with supplies, sports equipment, bathroom supplies...pretty much everything I see on a day to day basis. I'm not scared really, its like a mixed feeling of anxiety, nervousness, and overeating. I feel bloated but I havent eaten much. Three months doesn't seem too long but theres no turning back. Alot has happened recently and this trip is something that is definetely needed. Lets hope that by going in eyes closed, I'll come out with my eyes wide open.

Apolis Activism Spring/Summer 2009

Apolis Activism is an independent contemporary brand that began with dreams and thread. Three brothers — Raan, Shea, and Stenn Parton — created a unique bridge between commerce and sustainable development. Through their travels they discovered stories of struggle and survival from visionaries and activists for change. These experiences shaped their perspective, resulting in a union of ideal and action. They anchored this vision in the word Apolis, which translates as «a citizen of no country» — where there are no flags and no borders, humanity is our common cause and greatest priority.
The brothers started making garments in 2004 and began embroidering a trademark red stitch on each piece. Reminiscent of the first–aid emblem and an icon for all global citizens committed to quality and change. Apolis Activism applies contemporary design, premium fabrics, and an opportunity to share the value of Trade.

Visvim Spring/Summer 2009

Visvim’s 2009 spring/summer preview show a new direction, due to some brightly chosen colors seen in other previews. In retrospect this move will effectively increase Visvim’s diversity and branch out to those seeking more liberally colored pieces yet still wish to own a well-designed and crafted garment. Some of Visvim’s traditional sneaker offerings such as the Logan enjoy a more diverse palette as do their casual outerwear pieces. On another note classier footwear offerings such as loafers and Wallabee-esque shoes as well as blazers are smartly immune from this infusion of color. Simple, clean, colorful; a great combo for this spring.

Reigning Champ. Top Dog Sweats

Strong, solid, timeless. Fine fleece articles, with engineered design. You can never go wrong with the basics.

Not just for women. This summer's Mens Moccasin boot

You can see these everywhere, but usually on women. Mens shoes are available, and the lower cut, and lack of decorative detail brings a masculine feel to these native classics.

TOM's Shoes. Great footwear, Amazing Cause

For every pair purchased one pair is donated to a child in a third world country.Great shoes, simple style and for a great cause. Located in Los Angeles, these shoes are easily buyable online and nice rendition of the classic slip on. http://www.tomsshoes.com/

GQ's Best New Desginer 2008, Benjamin Bixby by andre 3000

Andre Benjamin made good on his promise to deliver a unique and stylistic debut clothing line with the introduction of Benjamin Bixby. Bixby began February 2008, as a self-fundedventure. At the time, the line consisted of about 70 pieces inspiredequally by Hip-Hop’s love of prep styles in the 90s and college football circa 1935. Now exclusive to Barneys of New York