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.
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I love the quote. I will remember that one.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing that you are half way around the world, living next to the middle of nowhere, where people don't understand you and look at you as something different, where giraffes and zebras are status quo and yet you feel that your circumstances in life haven't changed all that much. I don't want to impose my opinion but are you sure? Maybe you are just really adaptable. Good on you.
wow you seem to be having pretty much the same experience as me...only on the other side of the world. I also have been worried about gaining weight because the food is so good and they give me big portions. I also find that the lifestyle is very slow and I get bored, I am definatly used to Toronto´s fast pace, i kind of miss it....The quote you put up described the contrast between where I am now (Nueva Guinea-Nicaragua) and home (Toronto).
ReplyDeleteThere are many strayt dogs here and i always see cows and hourses on the streets...but no Zebras or Giraffes lol...that experience must have been amazing for you!
I will be reading your blogs, i find interesting that our experiences are so similar since we are so far away from each other....