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.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monday, July 13, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
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.
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.
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.
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.
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