I always seem to think I can do it myself. Even something so simple as the daily grind, I've come to realize isn't solely my battle. So when it's something huge, like say, a move to Africa, and I'm worried, and debating about things alone, I'm just fooling myself. Because I'm never alone. And He is right there beside me helping me, though I sometimes don't care to admit it.
There are so many things to consider when moving to Africa. However I only had one. My dog. Sounds absolutely ridiculous, but I love my puppy/ grief counsellor/ teddy bear/ pillow/ foot warmer/ friend etc. I absolutely adore him. And this was the one thing holding me back from moving.
I worried, I debated, I cried a little. And then one of my best friends, someone I hadn't seen since before Africa, and I hadn't told about my concerns, randomly told me she knew I wanted to go back to Africa, and she wanted to take Toby for that time. Long, or short. *Insert huge sigh of relief here*. There is nobody I'd rather leave my baby with more. She was there when we got him, and through his training, it's so perfect.
So now Africa is waiting, I'm just organizing everything, and then I will be able to be off. All my concerns have been put to rest. And once again, I've been taught that I need to let go. Put my faith in Him, and remember that He's got it. And no matter how much I try to do it alone, He keeps showing me that He never has, and never will, leave my side, and allow me to walk alone.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
I've done it again...
I just realized that once again, I've been judging myself on what I think other people think of me. Confused? Yah.. me too. For some reason, I've always thought that people must have this really negative opinion of me. One that I can't seem to get out of my head. It's not even from what people say or do, or act. It's just a me-thing. I decide that this is how they feel about me, and I'm stubborn enough to not be able to talk myself out of it. It's not rational, it's actually pretty ridiculous, but it's not something I can turn off.
But then, when I'm really starting to feel this way, I usually get a sudden influx of emails, msgs, fb posts etc from people reminding me of how amazing they think I am. I wave it off as 'that's just because they don't really know me'. I don't know whether I think I'm a horrible person, or what. I do know that I figure, considering all the craziness flying around in my own head, that people can somehow see how flustered I am 96% of the time, and that somehow every single one of my faults is transparent to the world. Apparently, it's not true.
This last week I've really been feeling that way. That everyone had negative feelings about me. And then I got a message from a friend of mine from Africa, she grew up in Kitale, and is an absolute sweetheart. This is what she sent me.
I miss you guys a lot..honestly everyone who met you thinks you are the best girls ever with big heart and I agree..What you did for those kids was unheard of! It was big. I think u guys are very special because most people don't think these kids need fun so long as they are given education and food and shelter, the rest is extra expense but you guys gave them fun and honestly we have never seen that here so its something to me. Thanks for that. Its sad because most African kids, I would say me too when I was a kid, there was nothing like fun and being kids...no swimming, dolls and all that kids stuff that's why I think those kids will remember you guys for a long time... swimming is a big deal here only the rich can do that so you can imagine how it made them feel. Also don't be surprised by this but to most kids here eating chips is a special treat, kids don't get to eat chips all time because its kinda luxury and expensive! So thank you.
Bah. She nearly made me cry! I hadn't thought about it like that. We went over with the pure intention of having fun with the kids. Here I was thinking we were horrible people because we didn't get to do as much with the kids as I would have liked. Yet something so simple as an afternoon at the pool made such a huge difference. Apparently it's not a big priority with a lot of organizations. Probably because we weren't really with an organization, and were blowing our own money, we were just good with having fun, as well as caring for their basic needs.
But I thought everyone thought that way. Maybe, just maybe, I'm not disliked as much as I'd have myself believe.
Or, the more likely option is that maybe I'm just a loon and need to be locked up.
But then, when I'm really starting to feel this way, I usually get a sudden influx of emails, msgs, fb posts etc from people reminding me of how amazing they think I am. I wave it off as 'that's just because they don't really know me'. I don't know whether I think I'm a horrible person, or what. I do know that I figure, considering all the craziness flying around in my own head, that people can somehow see how flustered I am 96% of the time, and that somehow every single one of my faults is transparent to the world. Apparently, it's not true.
This last week I've really been feeling that way. That everyone had negative feelings about me. And then I got a message from a friend of mine from Africa, she grew up in Kitale, and is an absolute sweetheart. This is what she sent me.
I miss you guys a lot..honestly everyone who met you thinks you are the best girls ever with big heart and I agree..What you did for those kids was unheard of! It was big. I think u guys are very special because most people don't think these kids need fun so long as they are given education and food and shelter, the rest is extra expense but you guys gave them fun and honestly we have never seen that here so its something to me. Thanks for that. Its sad because most African kids, I would say me too when I was a kid, there was nothing like fun and being kids...no swimming, dolls and all that kids stuff that's why I think those kids will remember you guys for a long time... swimming is a big deal here only the rich can do that so you can imagine how it made them feel. Also don't be surprised by this but to most kids here eating chips is a special treat, kids don't get to eat chips all time because its kinda luxury and expensive! So thank you.
Bah. She nearly made me cry! I hadn't thought about it like that. We went over with the pure intention of having fun with the kids. Here I was thinking we were horrible people because we didn't get to do as much with the kids as I would have liked. Yet something so simple as an afternoon at the pool made such a huge difference. Apparently it's not a big priority with a lot of organizations. Probably because we weren't really with an organization, and were blowing our own money, we were just good with having fun, as well as caring for their basic needs.
But I thought everyone thought that way. Maybe, just maybe, I'm not disliked as much as I'd have myself believe.
Or, the more likely option is that maybe I'm just a loon and need to be locked up.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
We are our own downfall..
The biggest turn off to Christianity is Christians themselves.
How true is that?! Personally, I find that the people I like hanging out with least tend to be my Christian friends, or Christians in general. I feel I am constantly being judged, not a feeling I really enjoy. Church is my least favourite place to be, not because I don't love the worship and such, but because it's a popularity contest. Cliques among young people in churches are worse than high schools! In the one place you are supposed to be accepted, and loved, your whole character gets ripped to shreds.
When I first started looking after BabyBoy, we were in church and a couple older ladies behind me were discussing 'what a shame it was' that I had a child when I was 'clearly so young' and how 'that would never have happened in their day!'. Finally, I had enough. I turned around, and I said 'You know, I have a story for you. It's about a mother who has five kids, and took in over 150 foster kids over the last 20 years. Then one day, she gets killed in a car accident. The oldest daughter came home from across the country to help take care of the family. I'm the oldest, he's the youngest. So I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't judge me.' Their mouths dropped.
I guess I'm just wondering why?
How true is that?! Personally, I find that the people I like hanging out with least tend to be my Christian friends, or Christians in general. I feel I am constantly being judged, not a feeling I really enjoy. Church is my least favourite place to be, not because I don't love the worship and such, but because it's a popularity contest. Cliques among young people in churches are worse than high schools! In the one place you are supposed to be accepted, and loved, your whole character gets ripped to shreds.
When I first started looking after BabyBoy, we were in church and a couple older ladies behind me were discussing 'what a shame it was' that I had a child when I was 'clearly so young' and how 'that would never have happened in their day!'. Finally, I had enough. I turned around, and I said 'You know, I have a story for you. It's about a mother who has five kids, and took in over 150 foster kids over the last 20 years. Then one day, she gets killed in a car accident. The oldest daughter came home from across the country to help take care of the family. I'm the oldest, he's the youngest. So I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't judge me.' Their mouths dropped.
I guess I'm just wondering why?
Why is it, when Christians are supposed to be a people based on love, unconditional, agape love, to turn away and disapprove of homosexuals? I know that it is morally wrong, but what right do we have to tell them who they are allowed to love? And are they still not people, the artwork of God? Does He not love them the same?
Why is it that we condemn those who do wrong, however we do the same things everyday? The Bible says that all sins are equal. So we, who tell lies, or do not love, are in the same amount of trouble as those who murder, or commit adultery.
Why is it that we, although a people of great love, can be so darned cold and calculating to not only people of other faiths, but one another? Why do we insist on having this outward appearance of love, and acceptance, yet be so cruel and corrupt?
Why do I need to constantly be fighting to be someone ‘good enough’ to be considered ‘one of them’?
We were told to love. The greatest commandment of them all, maybe because it's the hardest. It's so easy to judge, or gossip, or be straight-up brutal to one another. It seems to take a lot more effort to just love. I'm the first to admit I'm guilty of this. I love being up to date on the latest news, maybe because it just makes me feel more involved. When someone ticks me off, as a friend once told me, 'they could die of frostbite' because I tend to get a bit cold towards them.
My favourite verse, since I was 13 has been:
You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. ~ Matthew 5:43-48
Maybe the real reason behind this post is to remind myself of everything I've been trying to learn over the last 9 years, and once again was taught in Africa.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Getting ahead of themselves?!
So, a year or so ago I wrote a few posts on my dad's dating life. Well, guess what. He's dating again! The same woman he started dating six weeks after my mother's car accident. He made me aware of this when I was in Africa, but didn't tell me to what extent they were taking their relationship. Apparently they are planning on being married by next summer. And are selling our house and trailer for 'bigger and better' things. And putting everything that has to do with mom into storage.
Now, I have no issue with this. I'm moving out, moving on, and will probably end up in Kenya full time. However I have an issue with how they are dealing with BabyBoy. They call her 'mom' and 'mommy' to him. 'Give it to mommy!' 'Say goodbye to mommy!' It's too soon. I'm annoyed and frustrated. My mom's life is gone, for this baby, and they are ripping what she's done away. They cuddle under the picture of my mom and dad. My mom's pictures are slowly being replaced with pictures of the 'new future wife'.
When my boss in Edmonton started dating his wife, he did the same thing. And I thought he was insane, and I said if anything ever happened to my mom, my dad would never do something like that because he had his head screwed on right. But I guess I was wrong. He's moving too fast, and not thinking through things. And ripping our family apart in the process.
I don't know who will still be talking in a year, where my monkey will be, or who he'll grow up to be now. I'm wondering what Dad'll tell the baby if they break up. I wonder what will happen to the baby if anything happens to Dad after his new wife adopts him next year. Most likely I'll never see him again. Most excellent.
I suppose it won't matter. I suppose I'll just move to Kenya, focus on everyone I can help there, and trust Him. Because that's all I can do.
Now, I have no issue with this. I'm moving out, moving on, and will probably end up in Kenya full time. However I have an issue with how they are dealing with BabyBoy. They call her 'mom' and 'mommy' to him. 'Give it to mommy!' 'Say goodbye to mommy!' It's too soon. I'm annoyed and frustrated. My mom's life is gone, for this baby, and they are ripping what she's done away. They cuddle under the picture of my mom and dad. My mom's pictures are slowly being replaced with pictures of the 'new future wife'.
When my boss in Edmonton started dating his wife, he did the same thing. And I thought he was insane, and I said if anything ever happened to my mom, my dad would never do something like that because he had his head screwed on right. But I guess I was wrong. He's moving too fast, and not thinking through things. And ripping our family apart in the process.
I don't know who will still be talking in a year, where my monkey will be, or who he'll grow up to be now. I'm wondering what Dad'll tell the baby if they break up. I wonder what will happen to the baby if anything happens to Dad after his new wife adopts him next year. Most likely I'll never see him again. Most excellent.
I suppose it won't matter. I suppose I'll just move to Kenya, focus on everyone I can help there, and trust Him. Because that's all I can do.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Will we ever learn?
One thing I miss about Africa is how easy going everyone is with one another. Here in North America, we judge. We judge people based on their hairstyles, clothes, tattoos, boyfriends, girlfriends, speech, accents, warts, colour, car, house, pet, make-up, zits, etc. We always find something to put someone down about. We aren't content with ourselves so instead we find any little fault in everyone else to make ourselves feel better. I'm the first to admit that I am guilty of this. I wish I could say it wasn't so, but I have a tendency to judge people based on the stupidest things as well.
In Kenya, women would walk down the street, or go to the pool decked out in a prom dress. And everyone would tell her how beautiful she looked, instead of giving her strange looks of disapproval. Women could wear crazy hats and interesting dresses and people would just accept it. Maybe because people in Africa had bigger things to worry about than what the person standing across the street is wearing. Or maybe because they simply do not care! Or, maybe because people have decided to take the high road and love one another.
Such a simple thing to do really. Love one another. However it seems to be the hardest thing for us to do. Maybe one day we'll learn to accept one another for who we are. Warts and all.
Be Blessed
<3 Mhea
In Kenya, women would walk down the street, or go to the pool decked out in a prom dress. And everyone would tell her how beautiful she looked, instead of giving her strange looks of disapproval. Women could wear crazy hats and interesting dresses and people would just accept it. Maybe because people in Africa had bigger things to worry about than what the person standing across the street is wearing. Or maybe because they simply do not care! Or, maybe because people have decided to take the high road and love one another.
Such a simple thing to do really. Love one another. However it seems to be the hardest thing for us to do. Maybe one day we'll learn to accept one another for who we are. Warts and all.
Be Blessed
<3 Mhea
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Looking ahead..
I'm a nostalgic person. I enjoy remembering the past, so much so I sometimes forget to live in the moment. I remember when we used to ride in the old station wagons, and everyone would fight over the very back seats that faced out the back windows. There was something so appealing to watching the world as we passed it. But I find that that is what I do with my life. I keep looking backwards, remembering the past, living in it, so much so that I don't realize what's going on in the present, until it is also the past, and I'm grasping at the few memories I do have.
So this summer, I decided to live in the moment. I traded in the station wagon, and I took life head on. And I had a fabulous summer with so many wonderful people! I think that it's easier to remember the good times, than live in the unknown. I'm always waiting for the other shoe to drop. So no more. I need to surrender it and move on!! I'm living in the moment, and giving each moment to Him. His plans are bigger than our own, a lesson I was taught in a huge way this summer. I can't wait to see what happens next. And that is the first time I've been able to say that in over two years. I'm looking towards the future, excited for what's going to happen next. Maybe I'll end up in Kitale. Maybe in Edmonton. Maybe in Mexico. But wherever it is, I know I'll be where He wants me to be, and where He can use me best.
Be Blessed
<3 Mhea
So this summer, I decided to live in the moment. I traded in the station wagon, and I took life head on. And I had a fabulous summer with so many wonderful people! I think that it's easier to remember the good times, than live in the unknown. I'm always waiting for the other shoe to drop. So no more. I need to surrender it and move on!! I'm living in the moment, and giving each moment to Him. His plans are bigger than our own, a lesson I was taught in a huge way this summer. I can't wait to see what happens next. And that is the first time I've been able to say that in over two years. I'm looking towards the future, excited for what's going to happen next. Maybe I'll end up in Kitale. Maybe in Edmonton. Maybe in Mexico. But wherever it is, I know I'll be where He wants me to be, and where He can use me best.
Be Blessed
<3 Mhea
Monday, August 23, 2010
My Home
Kitale, Kenya. Africa.
It's stolen my heart. I've found my home. So much has happened here in the last two months. Lola and I have been through the wringer time and time again, yet I never want to leave. So many amazing memories that we are bringing home with us.
I haven't really known what I'm going to do with my life, but at this point I'm thinking it has something to do with this town. It's not just the amazing people who actually need me here, but it's also how close I feel to my mom here. It's like she's here. I haven't truly allowed myself to grieve for my mother yet, but here, it's part of the journey. It's a daily struggle/ joy, celebrating her life. The whole reason I'm here is because of her. Leaving this week feels like I'm losing her all over again.
Here I'm needed. I've never felt so loved, or special as when I walk into a room here, and the whole room lights up. It's a huge ego-booster, let me tell you! There's so much I've learned. So much I've seen.
I may be leaving for a short while, but I shall be back. I'm home.
It's stolen my heart. I've found my home. So much has happened here in the last two months. Lola and I have been through the wringer time and time again, yet I never want to leave. So many amazing memories that we are bringing home with us.
I haven't really known what I'm going to do with my life, but at this point I'm thinking it has something to do with this town. It's not just the amazing people who actually need me here, but it's also how close I feel to my mom here. It's like she's here. I haven't truly allowed myself to grieve for my mother yet, but here, it's part of the journey. It's a daily struggle/ joy, celebrating her life. The whole reason I'm here is because of her. Leaving this week feels like I'm losing her all over again.
Here I'm needed. I've never felt so loved, or special as when I walk into a room here, and the whole room lights up. It's a huge ego-booster, let me tell you! There's so much I've learned. So much I've seen.
I may be leaving for a short while, but I shall be back. I'm home.
Thunder Thighs
Last night, after our amazing week in Mombassa, we took the train back to Nairobi.
It's an overnight train, that is supposed to take 14 hours, however on
our way to Mombassa it took 15.5, and on the way back it took about
14.5, which is actually pretty good timing. The train is ancient,
charming, and a good time all around. Save the bathrooms. But I'll come
back to that. Our 'first class' 2 person sleeper cabin was actually the
best sleep I've had all summer. The rocking of the train put Jenn and I
both to sleep like babies, and people came banging on our door at least
four times this morning, and I didn't wake up. Twas wonderful. The food
was even pretty decent.
You know what wasn't so wonderful? The bathrooms. Apparently what passes for a 'choo' (bathroom) on this epic train is a hole in the floor that leads straight down to the track. So anything you .. output.. goes straight down onto the track. Yummy. That should discourage people from walking along the railroad track hmm? Jenn is very impressed with herself, nicknaming herself 'Thunder Thighs' after her many runins with such bathrooms.
You know what wasn't so wonderful? The bathrooms. Apparently what passes for a 'choo' (bathroom) on this epic train is a hole in the floor that leads straight down to the track. So anything you .. output.. goes straight down onto the track. Yummy. That should discourage people from walking along the railroad track hmm? Jenn is very impressed with herself, nicknaming herself 'Thunder Thighs' after her many runins with such bathrooms.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Everything You Want to Know About Kitale
Flight to Kitale
We took fly540 from Nairobi to Kitale, it costs about $100USD for the flight, one way. It takes 1 hour. Your other option is a matatu (bus) that takes about 8 hours. And I wouldn't advise it due to the state of Kenyan roads.
Where to stay?
Well, you have a few options, but the best of them all would be Karibuni Lodge. With extremely reasonable prices, an amazing, helpful staff, and a wonderful couple that owns the place, there is no better place to stay. The food is amazing, a three course dinner is 650 ksh. Should you need anything at all, the smiling staff is always there to lend a hand. The whole place has such a homey feeling to it, we never wanted to leave!
Travelling..
We only used two types of transportation, although there are three to choose from. Taxi, Piki piki (motorbike taxi) and a boda boda (bycicle taxi). We never got up the courage to take a boda boda, but we did find ourselves a few amazing drivers who will keep you safe at all times. For taxi, our favourite driver was Isaac, his number is 0721447321, and our favourite piki drivers are Elisha (0726212645) and Phillip (0721430861). They are all very safe, very kind, and fair.
Eating..
The best place to eat would probably be Karibuni Lodge, but should you want something a little different, Pinewood offers both Chinese and Indian menus, although the cost is a bit steep compared to other places here. Still dirt cheap compared to North America, but in terms of Kitale, you can get a decent meal at some places for about 200KSH. Any of the hotels offer samosas, chips (fries), chips masala, eggs, chicken etc. at a decent price. Coffee shop has some really good food, and a handy little internet café right there should you need it. Here soda (pop) costs about a third of the price of bottled water, and the tap water is not safe to drink. Karibuni supplies purified water.
Shopping
If you want some North American food, the big supermarkets like Khetia’s, Transmat and Suam are the best places to check out first, but if you can’t find what you are looking for, you can try Soy. It’s the most expensive of the lot, but the most likely to have what you are looking for. If you aren’t in one of those four stores, usually you can bargain the price down on anything and everything. If you are a muzungu (white skin), you get a special price of your very own! About three times the price of what everyone else pays! So don’t fall for it, and just walk away. Nine out of ten times, they’ll chase you down and give you a better price.
Customs
In some of the outlying villages they have some customs that must be recognized before certain things can occur. One such custom is accepting tea from the lady of the house and drinking it together before you can have a conversation. The tea here is made with milk, which isn’t pasteurized and makes us sick everytime we drink it. So we pop a gravol beforehand, and it seems to help.
Sickness
Malaria. You hear horror stories about it at home, but here it’s simply a common flu. You find out you have it, get some shots and you are good to go. If you start feeling the symptoms, get tested! You might think you don’t have it due to a lack of itchy bug bites however it’s spread through female mossies who do not give you visible bites. Something else you are probably going to want to do is get a worm preventative that you can pick up at the local chemist here upon arrival for about 145KSH.
A little Swahili that will come in useful…
Hapana – no
Hakuna pesa – no money
Habari – how are you
Mzuri – good
Asante – thank you
Kidogo – little
Baridi – cold
Maji – water
Ndiyo – yes
We took fly540 from Nairobi to Kitale, it costs about $100USD for the flight, one way. It takes 1 hour. Your other option is a matatu (bus) that takes about 8 hours. And I wouldn't advise it due to the state of Kenyan roads.
Where to stay?
Well, you have a few options, but the best of them all would be Karibuni Lodge. With extremely reasonable prices, an amazing, helpful staff, and a wonderful couple that owns the place, there is no better place to stay. The food is amazing, a three course dinner is 650 ksh. Should you need anything at all, the smiling staff is always there to lend a hand. The whole place has such a homey feeling to it, we never wanted to leave!
Travelling..
We only used two types of transportation, although there are three to choose from. Taxi, Piki piki (motorbike taxi) and a boda boda (bycicle taxi). We never got up the courage to take a boda boda, but we did find ourselves a few amazing drivers who will keep you safe at all times. For taxi, our favourite driver was Isaac, his number is 0721447321, and our favourite piki drivers are Elisha (0726212645) and Phillip (0721430861). They are all very safe, very kind, and fair.
Eating..
The best place to eat would probably be Karibuni Lodge, but should you want something a little different, Pinewood offers both Chinese and Indian menus, although the cost is a bit steep compared to other places here. Still dirt cheap compared to North America, but in terms of Kitale, you can get a decent meal at some places for about 200KSH. Any of the hotels offer samosas, chips (fries), chips masala, eggs, chicken etc. at a decent price. Coffee shop has some really good food, and a handy little internet café right there should you need it. Here soda (pop) costs about a third of the price of bottled water, and the tap water is not safe to drink. Karibuni supplies purified water.
Shopping
If you want some North American food, the big supermarkets like Khetia’s, Transmat and Suam are the best places to check out first, but if you can’t find what you are looking for, you can try Soy. It’s the most expensive of the lot, but the most likely to have what you are looking for. If you aren’t in one of those four stores, usually you can bargain the price down on anything and everything. If you are a muzungu (white skin), you get a special price of your very own! About three times the price of what everyone else pays! So don’t fall for it, and just walk away. Nine out of ten times, they’ll chase you down and give you a better price.
Customs
In some of the outlying villages they have some customs that must be recognized before certain things can occur. One such custom is accepting tea from the lady of the house and drinking it together before you can have a conversation. The tea here is made with milk, which isn’t pasteurized and makes us sick everytime we drink it. So we pop a gravol beforehand, and it seems to help.
Sickness
Malaria. You hear horror stories about it at home, but here it’s simply a common flu. You find out you have it, get some shots and you are good to go. If you start feeling the symptoms, get tested! You might think you don’t have it due to a lack of itchy bug bites however it’s spread through female mossies who do not give you visible bites. Something else you are probably going to want to do is get a worm preventative that you can pick up at the local chemist here upon arrival for about 145KSH.
A little Swahili that will come in useful…
Hapana – no
Hakuna pesa – no money
Habari – how are you
Mzuri – good
Asante – thank you
Kidogo – little
Baridi – cold
Maji – water
Ndiyo – yes
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Day #26
Jenn and I have been together a lot the last month, and now we are
feeling more comfortable striking out on our own. So this morning, I
took a piki out to the home around 9:30, while Jenn went into town to
meet Dalton. After greeting the kids, talking to the cook and Lily,
walking around the grounds, I then served tea to the 12 women we'd hired
to work in the garden today. Then I went to help. Goodness! Have you
ever tried to take a medieval hoe to a cornstalk?! It's blinkin
impossible!! And then a grandmother who's probably about 70 comes over,
sticks her hoe in and yanks the thing out. I was done with that! So I
went to learn slashing.
Slashing is essentially pruning with this machete type thing. We were pruning death bushes, which is Jenn and my name for these evil bushes with one inch thorns that some people use instead of barbed wire. Twas a good way of letting out all of your pent- up aggression.
Jenn, meanwhile was off doing heaven knows what.. probably ordering cakes and just chilling around town whilst I broke my back doing manuel labour.
When they were trying to shove tea down my throat, I decided it was time to go. I had Jenn call Elisha for me, and I headed back into town. We grabbed some lunch, hit up the white butcher, and off we went. Jenn and Dalton back to Kiungani for Ladies' Fellowship, and I stuck around town, hoping to be able to go home and take a shower. However, I ran into the lovely Mama Tina and one thing led to another, and 2 hours later I hadn't accomplished much. But I'm okay with it. Twas worth the time spent!! Poor Ashley was getting her hair done too. They take no mercy when they are pulling your head in every which way!
Ah well, I headed back to the lodge, got changed quickly and grabbed Jenn a change of clothes and headed to Pinewood Hotel for dinner with Elvis, Stella, Momma Catherine, Pastor Festis, his wife Susan, and Jenn. We had a lovely time, probably about four hours of talking, laughing, etc. A wonderful time to relax. Jimmy and Newton stopped by to find out why we were ignoring their million calls during dinner. Apparently they just missed us that much. Whackos.
After we said goodbye to the troupe, Jimmy returned to pick us up and we went back to his place to watch a movie with the German musicians that are staying at his guesthouse.
After a not-so-quick check- in call from Newton and Jimmy when we got home at 11:30 tonight, we are finally ready for lala. Sweet dreams!
Slashing is essentially pruning with this machete type thing. We were pruning death bushes, which is Jenn and my name for these evil bushes with one inch thorns that some people use instead of barbed wire. Twas a good way of letting out all of your pent- up aggression.
Jenn, meanwhile was off doing heaven knows what.. probably ordering cakes and just chilling around town whilst I broke my back doing manuel labour.
When they were trying to shove tea down my throat, I decided it was time to go. I had Jenn call Elisha for me, and I headed back into town. We grabbed some lunch, hit up the white butcher, and off we went. Jenn and Dalton back to Kiungani for Ladies' Fellowship, and I stuck around town, hoping to be able to go home and take a shower. However, I ran into the lovely Mama Tina and one thing led to another, and 2 hours later I hadn't accomplished much. But I'm okay with it. Twas worth the time spent!! Poor Ashley was getting her hair done too. They take no mercy when they are pulling your head in every which way!
Ah well, I headed back to the lodge, got changed quickly and grabbed Jenn a change of clothes and headed to Pinewood Hotel for dinner with Elvis, Stella, Momma Catherine, Pastor Festis, his wife Susan, and Jenn. We had a lovely time, probably about four hours of talking, laughing, etc. A wonderful time to relax. Jimmy and Newton stopped by to find out why we were ignoring their million calls during dinner. Apparently they just missed us that much. Whackos.
After we said goodbye to the troupe, Jimmy returned to pick us up and we went back to his place to watch a movie with the German musicians that are staying at his guesthouse.
After a not-so-quick check- in call from Newton and Jimmy when we got home at 11:30 tonight, we are finally ready for lala. Sweet dreams!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Day #25
This morning, when we finally got ourselves out of bed, and made
ourselves look presentable-ish, being that we had no clean laundry and
had to improvise in a big way, I dropped Jenn off at Jimmy's (Mama Tina
was staying there) and then continued on to town to meet Dalton. After
spending an hour at the photocopy place getting copies of all the
receipts, bookwork, info on the children etc, we went to see the nurse
to get copies of all of the medical records she had (which isn't much)
and stop in at the fundi. Then I took a piki home to get ready for a
meeting with Daniel from TI and pretty Bob.
So, Bob and I apparently share my piki driver Elisha. A few days ago, when we bought Stella's sewing machine, there was no room in the car for me, so I called Elisha but he was with Bob. I went into the store to buy a drink, came out, and there he was. I had just press send on a text to Bob saying he was allllways stealing my piki driver, but then Elisha told me that when Bob heard it was me on the phone, he'd switched pikis so Elisha could come get me. Today, similar story, except apparently when Elisha hears it's me, he ditches Bob and comes to get me. Kind of a fun game. I feel so loved.
Anywhoozles, after dropping all my stuff off at home, I met up with Bob to walk over to TI. After a not-so-fun meeting with Daniel and Bob, then a meeting just with Bob, I finally was free to join Mama Tina, Jenn, Faith, Walter and Caleb at Deep Sea for some much needed pampering.
Pretty much it for today, we got our toenails painted all pretty, and then we stopped at Agi's for a drink and fellowship. When we made it back to the lodge for dinner, Ibrahiem had made us an amazing dinner (as usual), and now it's time to hit the hay.
So, Bob and I apparently share my piki driver Elisha. A few days ago, when we bought Stella's sewing machine, there was no room in the car for me, so I called Elisha but he was with Bob. I went into the store to buy a drink, came out, and there he was. I had just press send on a text to Bob saying he was allllways stealing my piki driver, but then Elisha told me that when Bob heard it was me on the phone, he'd switched pikis so Elisha could come get me. Today, similar story, except apparently when Elisha hears it's me, he ditches Bob and comes to get me. Kind of a fun game. I feel so loved.
Anywhoozles, after dropping all my stuff off at home, I met up with Bob to walk over to TI. After a not-so-fun meeting with Daniel and Bob, then a meeting just with Bob, I finally was free to join Mama Tina, Jenn, Faith, Walter and Caleb at Deep Sea for some much needed pampering.
Pretty much it for today, we got our toenails painted all pretty, and then we stopped at Agi's for a drink and fellowship. When we made it back to the lodge for dinner, Ibrahiem had made us an amazing dinner (as usual), and now it's time to hit the hay.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Day #9
8:24 AM
One thing I'm starting to learn and love about Africa is you can get away without learning everyone’s names very easily. You call ladies 'momma or mummy’, men ‘pastor’, and children either ‘brother’, ‘sister’, ‘my daughter’ or ‘my son’. Culturally, this is all acceptable. We have learned you go to the fundi for fixing of anything, our fundi is a seamstress. Tina pointed out a street boy who will carry our bags for a few shillings, and we’ve learned how to trade street kids a piece of pineapple for their glue bottle.
On Wednesday, after ladies group we are bringing Lily back here to stay with us for a few days. Give her some time off, and we are getting our hair done which will apparently take over a day, but will be worth it since we’ll be Kenyan apparently. Our newest challenge at the moment is trying to figure out which fundi Tina uses, so we can get the Katanga we bought made into clothes.
I don’t ever want to leave here! It’s amazing! Last night we didn’t think we’d be back in time for dinner, but we were, and kind of put Ibrahiem in a position, asking him for something so late, just a bowl of soup would do. Shoulda known he’d do better than that! Spinach stuffed steak in a delicious sauce with fried potatoes and onions and zucchini? Wowzers. We might bring him home!
7:38 PM
This morning we called Jimmy for our ride, but had issues with the car so after he finally let us skuma (push) a bit, we just took pikis to the home. Oy. There’s nothing like being on a motorcycle, on the highway, going 85 without a helmet, for 20 min. I can hear my dad and grama yelling at me from here. All I can say is numb butt. In a skirt no less! Although, Jenn did talk on the phone during that ride, so she deserves more yelling than I do!
Then we got another surprise. We got to the church late, so the worship was done. Dalton gets up and says ‘Before Sister Breezeyallie and Sister Jenn come up to speak,’ and that’s all we heard. We kinda looked at each other and went uhhhh… ok! Guess we are talking.. hmmm.. So we opened the Bible, pointed, and went from there. Seemed to go alright.
After the service we had lunch, and actually ate it all, which made Lily very happy, which made us feel awful since it was the first meal we were actually able to finish. Then we found out they wanted us to dedicate the twins, so we agreed to do it in church next week, and arranged t5o take the twins tot the doctor, gotta take care of our namesakes/ Africa daughters! Oh! And we got measures for some skirts, which should be interesting to say the least.
Then we did a toothbrushing demonstration, which went alright, Jenn and the kids had a toothbrushing party right there at the pump, twas adorable. Then we had the kids pick up the garbage from around the home, and played duck duck goose.
Jimmy finally picked us up, and we headed into town. It's fun trying to explain Canadian customs/new words to him. We were trying to explain to Jimmy that you have to woo a girl, (because he's such a lady's man) so when we got to the store, we were parked too close to the curb and I couldn’t get out. Jenn was already out and Jimmy started fixing his parking job. Jenn w as confused so Jimmy yelled ‘I’m going to woo her and we are going to elope!’ I think I scared a glue boy with how fast I jumped out of that car.. whoops.. my bad..
One thing I'm starting to learn and love about Africa is you can get away without learning everyone’s names very easily. You call ladies 'momma or mummy’, men ‘pastor’, and children either ‘brother’, ‘sister’, ‘my daughter’ or ‘my son’. Culturally, this is all acceptable. We have learned you go to the fundi for fixing of anything, our fundi is a seamstress. Tina pointed out a street boy who will carry our bags for a few shillings, and we’ve learned how to trade street kids a piece of pineapple for their glue bottle.
On Wednesday, after ladies group we are bringing Lily back here to stay with us for a few days. Give her some time off, and we are getting our hair done which will apparently take over a day, but will be worth it since we’ll be Kenyan apparently. Our newest challenge at the moment is trying to figure out which fundi Tina uses, so we can get the Katanga we bought made into clothes.
I don’t ever want to leave here! It’s amazing! Last night we didn’t think we’d be back in time for dinner, but we were, and kind of put Ibrahiem in a position, asking him for something so late, just a bowl of soup would do. Shoulda known he’d do better than that! Spinach stuffed steak in a delicious sauce with fried potatoes and onions and zucchini? Wowzers. We might bring him home!
7:38 PM
This morning we called Jimmy for our ride, but had issues with the car so after he finally let us skuma (push) a bit, we just took pikis to the home. Oy. There’s nothing like being on a motorcycle, on the highway, going 85 without a helmet, for 20 min. I can hear my dad and grama yelling at me from here. All I can say is numb butt. In a skirt no less! Although, Jenn did talk on the phone during that ride, so she deserves more yelling than I do!
Then we got another surprise. We got to the church late, so the worship was done. Dalton gets up and says ‘Before Sister Breezeyallie and Sister Jenn come up to speak,’ and that’s all we heard. We kinda looked at each other and went uhhhh… ok! Guess we are talking.. hmmm.. So we opened the Bible, pointed, and went from there. Seemed to go alright.
After the service we had lunch, and actually ate it all, which made Lily very happy, which made us feel awful since it was the first meal we were actually able to finish. Then we found out they wanted us to dedicate the twins, so we agreed to do it in church next week, and arranged t5o take the twins tot the doctor, gotta take care of our namesakes/ Africa daughters! Oh! And we got measures for some skirts, which should be interesting to say the least.
Then we did a toothbrushing demonstration, which went alright, Jenn and the kids had a toothbrushing party right there at the pump, twas adorable. Then we had the kids pick up the garbage from around the home, and played duck duck goose.
Jimmy finally picked us up, and we headed into town. It's fun trying to explain Canadian customs/new words to him. We were trying to explain to Jimmy that you have to woo a girl, (because he's such a lady's man) so when we got to the store, we were parked too close to the curb and I couldn’t get out. Jenn was already out and Jimmy started fixing his parking job. Jenn w as confused so Jimmy yelled ‘I’m going to woo her and we are going to elope!’ I think I scared a glue boy with how fast I jumped out of that car.. whoops.. my bad..
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Day #8
7:56 PM
So today we were taking the kids to this park thing that seemed really awesome at first. But more on that later. We agreed to bring lunch for everyone so our morning was spent running around town trying to find stuff for meat and cheese sandwiches, and had the coffee shop make us a few containers of potato salad. They’d never had either of those things before, so it was a new experience for them. Thanks to Jimmy, who has named himself our counselor, driver, friend, photographer, bodyguard, and future Eddie Murphy, we have tons of pictures.
So back to the park. It had all these displays about global warming, showing what would happen if we didn’t straighten out. It seemed pretty strange seeing that in Africa, but hey! Every little bit helps. After we saw that we went to this huge field that had lots of animals in it. As we walked around, we saw different birth defects. It was awful. Cows with three eyes, lots of leg defects. It was horrible seeing these poor creatures hobbling around. Everyone else thought it was hilarious, we were pretty frustrated and just powered through it, and then the kids went on a little boat ride while students from a local school all asked to take pics with us.
One thing that takes some getting used to is how enamoured by our skin everyone is. They always want to stroke it, kiss it, smell it, it’s a little strange at first. And everyone apologizes for everything. We were getting burnt so we were putting on sunscreen, and Lillian kepy apologizing. I looked at her and said, ‘Did you make my skin white? Did you put the sun in the sky? Did you forget to put on sunscreen this morning?! You have nothing to be sorry about!’ bahh silliness.
After their boat ride, (Jenn went too), the kids went to play on the playground, and I had to bite my tongue and repress all my training not to have a heart attack when a bull with four foot horns started running through the middle of their soccer game. Danger!!!! Bah. After a bit of playing, all 31 of them piled back into the land cruiser. How, I shall never know.
So Jimmy is trying to set us up with his friend Paul, who seems okay with it since he kepy asking what we were doing tonight. I would just quickly reply ‘lala!’ (sleep). Oy. It's an ongoing thing here, everyone wants their best friend dating the new muzungus in town apparently.. lovely.
So today we were taking the kids to this park thing that seemed really awesome at first. But more on that later. We agreed to bring lunch for everyone so our morning was spent running around town trying to find stuff for meat and cheese sandwiches, and had the coffee shop make us a few containers of potato salad. They’d never had either of those things before, so it was a new experience for them. Thanks to Jimmy, who has named himself our counselor, driver, friend, photographer, bodyguard, and future Eddie Murphy, we have tons of pictures.
So back to the park. It had all these displays about global warming, showing what would happen if we didn’t straighten out. It seemed pretty strange seeing that in Africa, but hey! Every little bit helps. After we saw that we went to this huge field that had lots of animals in it. As we walked around, we saw different birth defects. It was awful. Cows with three eyes, lots of leg defects. It was horrible seeing these poor creatures hobbling around. Everyone else thought it was hilarious, we were pretty frustrated and just powered through it, and then the kids went on a little boat ride while students from a local school all asked to take pics with us.
One thing that takes some getting used to is how enamoured by our skin everyone is. They always want to stroke it, kiss it, smell it, it’s a little strange at first. And everyone apologizes for everything. We were getting burnt so we were putting on sunscreen, and Lillian kepy apologizing. I looked at her and said, ‘Did you make my skin white? Did you put the sun in the sky? Did you forget to put on sunscreen this morning?! You have nothing to be sorry about!’ bahh silliness.
After their boat ride, (Jenn went too), the kids went to play on the playground, and I had to bite my tongue and repress all my training not to have a heart attack when a bull with four foot horns started running through the middle of their soccer game. Danger!!!! Bah. After a bit of playing, all 31 of them piled back into the land cruiser. How, I shall never know.
So Jimmy is trying to set us up with his friend Paul, who seems okay with it since he kepy asking what we were doing tonight. I would just quickly reply ‘lala!’ (sleep). Oy. It's an ongoing thing here, everyone wants their best friend dating the new muzungus in town apparently.. lovely.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Day #7
Today can only be described as epic. We called a taxi to take us in to
town, where we had an amazingly delicious omelette at coffee shop while
we waited for Tina and Caleb. When they showed up, we called a few piki
pikis (motorcycle taxi) to take us to Seed of Hope, an orphanage right
beside where Elvis lives. Our first piki ride ever! Was alright, better
than I thought it was goinna be. Once at Seed of Hope, we got a tour of
the place while Tina had a meeting. Afterwards, we stopped over to meet
Elvis’ family.
Oh Elvis. Heart breaking. His mother is amazing, his wife beautiful. But they lost there six month old daughter in June. Was so sad. We saw pictures from the funeral, and the grave site. So heartbreaking. We talked to Elivis later about his home, and he told us a bit more about his daughter. I told him I’m sure my mom is taking care of her right now. Mom’s very own black baby. Elvis is amazing. His faith and insight into everything goes way beyond his 26 years.
We took the pikis back into town, in the rain, and I had to make a phone call as well, while riding, oooh I felt so Kenyan!! Tina showed us around town, we made appointments to get our hair done, and made deals for the blankets, shoes and backpacks.
Oh Elvis. Heart breaking. His mother is amazing, his wife beautiful. But they lost there six month old daughter in June. Was so sad. We saw pictures from the funeral, and the grave site. So heartbreaking. We talked to Elivis later about his home, and he told us a bit more about his daughter. I told him I’m sure my mom is taking care of her right now. Mom’s very own black baby. Elvis is amazing. His faith and insight into everything goes way beyond his 26 years.
We took the pikis back into town, in the rain, and I had to make a phone call as well, while riding, oooh I felt so Kenyan!! Tina showed us around town, we made appointments to get our hair done, and made deals for the blankets, shoes and backpacks.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Day #6
Well! Today was a pretty good day! Tina had to go to Eldoret
with a baby who had spilt a lit oil lamp on her head, and needed a skin
graft, so we offered to look after Caleb (her 6 year old adorable son)
for the day, since we told Dalton and Lillian we wouldn't be coming out
to the home for today or tomorrow. So Caleb came by this morning, and we
played checkers and tic-tac-toe for an hour or so before getting ready
to go to deep sea, a swimming pool nearby. We called Jimmy up, who
turned out to be quite the guy, and got a ride over.
Was a nice place with a good size pool with picnic tables around it and a very reasonably priced snack bar. So Caleb went swimming while we sat and talked to Jimmy. He’s such a sweetie, and was telling us about different ministries he is running around Kitale and his plans to move to Canada next year. We took turns playing with Caleb. Then I tried tanning for a bit but white skin plus sunbathing just attracts too much attention from the table of guys beside the pool so that didn’t last long! We had a bunch of samosas, fries, eggs, and sodas all for about 10 bucks… love these prices!!
Then Caleb wanted some cake so we headed to the coffee shop, then off to the chemist (pharmacy) to get some worm preventative that Tina recommended we get.. only cost 165 shillings (2 dollars) so hopefully it works! We came back home, and cooked for the first time tonight, a vegetarian spaghetti dish. Then we watched a freaky show on snakes with Caleb, and soon it shall be lala time!
-Jenn
Was a nice place with a good size pool with picnic tables around it and a very reasonably priced snack bar. So Caleb went swimming while we sat and talked to Jimmy. He’s such a sweetie, and was telling us about different ministries he is running around Kitale and his plans to move to Canada next year. We took turns playing with Caleb. Then I tried tanning for a bit but white skin plus sunbathing just attracts too much attention from the table of guys beside the pool so that didn’t last long! We had a bunch of samosas, fries, eggs, and sodas all for about 10 bucks… love these prices!!
Then Caleb wanted some cake so we headed to the coffee shop, then off to the chemist (pharmacy) to get some worm preventative that Tina recommended we get.. only cost 165 shillings (2 dollars) so hopefully it works! We came back home, and cooked for the first time tonight, a vegetarian spaghetti dish. Then we watched a freaky show on snakes with Caleb, and soon it shall be lala time!
-Jenn
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Day #5
Today. Not fun.
Started off going to hte dust bin. The dust bin is a heap of garbage and rotting food that people live in / on. Within 20 feet of it we were gagging again, but continued on. We went to give out sandwiches and soap, both to wash themselves, and their clothes with. It was fine at first, but as we were handing out the sandwiches, the complaining started. 'Mine is too small!' 'His is bigger than mine!' Ugh! Frustration! Especially since when you buy things here in Kenya it's not like back home. The peanut butter is oil on the top, rock at the bottom, and disgusting all the way through. Jam is like water, bread comes in pieces of slices, not actual slices. Making the sandwiches was a long, frustrating process. After we gave out all the sandwiche, there were a few loaves of bread left, so we were giving handfuls of bread crusts and pieces, and I gave a handful to a mother, and her baby was holding out his little hand, so I put some bread in his hand, and a little more in the mother's. Then some jerk grabbed the bread out of the mother's hand! I was livid. I smacked his hand (this is not advised) and grabbed the bread back, giving it to the mother, and had John run the jerk off.
After that little adventure, we headed back to the home where Lillian tried to teach us how to carry water on our heads, we quickly learned that we don't have African women's heads, so let's just say it didn't go well. We both went down to the well with Lily to collect the water then proceeded to try and put it on our heads. We got pretty wet pretty quickly! Lily said we'll have to keep trying over the next couple of weeks. We'll have to see how it goes! But we are pretty determined to become Kenyan women, and not mazungus anymore!
After failing miserably at carrying water on our heads, it was time to prepare lunch. And by prepare lunch I mean washing and chopping skuma wiki (kale) then cooking it in a pot over the open fire. That's right folks! After weeding / hoeing the skuma wiki the other day we are nowpreparing it outside over the open fire! We are so becoming Kenyan! Though we don't want to give Kenyan men the wrong idea of how domestic we can be! More on that later. So we had kale and ougali (corn meal bread stuff) and liver. yum.
Following lunch it was time for women's fellowship, which we had been asked to lead. I deja vu of preaching on Sunday for sure, so we were a little nervous. This turned out to be for a good reason! Apparently part of the deal with this inexplicable fascination with white skin is that they do not only expect you to have endless funds but they also expect you to know everything, and I mean EVERYTHING about the Bible. Well, being that we haven't memorized the lineages of obscure old testament characters, we burst their little bubble but good! They kept asking question after question that we promised we would send to our pastors. They have a child like wonder about all things Biblical. Point being, because we were not the Bible scholars that they expected us to be, the whole thing went horribly, and I am not looking forward to doing it again this next week.
By the time John picked us up, we were more than ready to come back to the lodge and sleep our cares away!
-Breezey
Started off going to hte dust bin. The dust bin is a heap of garbage and rotting food that people live in / on. Within 20 feet of it we were gagging again, but continued on. We went to give out sandwiches and soap, both to wash themselves, and their clothes with. It was fine at first, but as we were handing out the sandwiches, the complaining started. 'Mine is too small!' 'His is bigger than mine!' Ugh! Frustration! Especially since when you buy things here in Kenya it's not like back home. The peanut butter is oil on the top, rock at the bottom, and disgusting all the way through. Jam is like water, bread comes in pieces of slices, not actual slices. Making the sandwiches was a long, frustrating process. After we gave out all the sandwiche, there were a few loaves of bread left, so we were giving handfuls of bread crusts and pieces, and I gave a handful to a mother, and her baby was holding out his little hand, so I put some bread in his hand, and a little more in the mother's. Then some jerk grabbed the bread out of the mother's hand! I was livid. I smacked his hand (this is not advised) and grabbed the bread back, giving it to the mother, and had John run the jerk off.
After that little adventure, we headed back to the home where Lillian tried to teach us how to carry water on our heads, we quickly learned that we don't have African women's heads, so let's just say it didn't go well. We both went down to the well with Lily to collect the water then proceeded to try and put it on our heads. We got pretty wet pretty quickly! Lily said we'll have to keep trying over the next couple of weeks. We'll have to see how it goes! But we are pretty determined to become Kenyan women, and not mazungus anymore!
After failing miserably at carrying water on our heads, it was time to prepare lunch. And by prepare lunch I mean washing and chopping skuma wiki (kale) then cooking it in a pot over the open fire. That's right folks! After weeding / hoeing the skuma wiki the other day we are nowpreparing it outside over the open fire! We are so becoming Kenyan! Though we don't want to give Kenyan men the wrong idea of how domestic we can be! More on that later. So we had kale and ougali (corn meal bread stuff) and liver. yum.
Following lunch it was time for women's fellowship, which we had been asked to lead. I deja vu of preaching on Sunday for sure, so we were a little nervous. This turned out to be for a good reason! Apparently part of the deal with this inexplicable fascination with white skin is that they do not only expect you to have endless funds but they also expect you to know everything, and I mean EVERYTHING about the Bible. Well, being that we haven't memorized the lineages of obscure old testament characters, we burst their little bubble but good! They kept asking question after question that we promised we would send to our pastors. They have a child like wonder about all things Biblical. Point being, because we were not the Bible scholars that they expected us to be, the whole thing went horribly, and I am not looking forward to doing it again this next week.
By the time John picked us up, we were more than ready to come back to the lodge and sleep our cares away!
-Breezey
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Day #4
10:40 AM
Well! Today was an interesting day! Jenn had been sick through the night, so I called Dalton and asked if he could come at 12 instead of 9. Funny thing about time here. You say 9, it means 9:30. You say 12, apparently it means 10:30. So, off we went. This morning we were going to Dalton's mother's house. We thought it was supposed to be a meet the family, and see where Dalton had come from but apparently everyone decided that this would be the perfect time to hit up the muzungus for money for their various needs/ desires/ ambitions. We gave 1000ksh to Dalton's sister to take her baby to the doctor. We later found out that it would only cost about 50 ksh for the tests the baby needed. Whlie there, the same symptoms Jenn had experienced the night before started hitting me, so we asked Dalton and John to just take us back to the lodge. We didn't recognize the way back, and when we pulled up to a little shanty, we realized we weren't heading back to the lodge anytime soon. John wanted to introduce us to his family, which actually turned into a subtle hint at the fact he needed money so his daughter could get a brain scan. He said it was cerebral palsy, I don't really believe that. By now I was really feeling like dirt, so we rushed the visit, and left. When we finally go back to the lodge, I passed out for a few hours, and woke up feeling much better. We decided to head into town to do some shopping for the dust bin, and to go to the internet cafe. Lucky for us, Elvis, one of the many amazing staff members here was going into town so we had an escort. We were able to pick up the stuff we needed in no time, and get home by dark. We came across our first street boys begging us for bread, or money, or whatever we had. We gave Elvis money for a sim card and a phone card so we can hopefully use my phone while we are here. We made PB & J sandwiches until about 10:30pm and when we tried to wash the dishes, Elvis wouldn't hear of it! I tried to be all intimidating but he actually chased me out of the kitchen! Persistant little pain in the butt!
As for swahili, so far we have learned the following words (forgive the bad spelling):
lala- sleep
wewe - you
wewe rafiki yangu - you are my friend
asanti - thank you
jambo - hello
karibuni - welcome
karibou - you're welcome
hakuna - no
pole - sorry
pole pole - slowely
baya - bad
sawa - ok
-Breezey
Well! Today was an interesting day! Jenn had been sick through the night, so I called Dalton and asked if he could come at 12 instead of 9. Funny thing about time here. You say 9, it means 9:30. You say 12, apparently it means 10:30. So, off we went. This morning we were going to Dalton's mother's house. We thought it was supposed to be a meet the family, and see where Dalton had come from but apparently everyone decided that this would be the perfect time to hit up the muzungus for money for their various needs/ desires/ ambitions. We gave 1000ksh to Dalton's sister to take her baby to the doctor. We later found out that it would only cost about 50 ksh for the tests the baby needed. Whlie there, the same symptoms Jenn had experienced the night before started hitting me, so we asked Dalton and John to just take us back to the lodge. We didn't recognize the way back, and when we pulled up to a little shanty, we realized we weren't heading back to the lodge anytime soon. John wanted to introduce us to his family, which actually turned into a subtle hint at the fact he needed money so his daughter could get a brain scan. He said it was cerebral palsy, I don't really believe that. By now I was really feeling like dirt, so we rushed the visit, and left. When we finally go back to the lodge, I passed out for a few hours, and woke up feeling much better. We decided to head into town to do some shopping for the dust bin, and to go to the internet cafe. Lucky for us, Elvis, one of the many amazing staff members here was going into town so we had an escort. We were able to pick up the stuff we needed in no time, and get home by dark. We came across our first street boys begging us for bread, or money, or whatever we had. We gave Elvis money for a sim card and a phone card so we can hopefully use my phone while we are here. We made PB & J sandwiches until about 10:30pm and when we tried to wash the dishes, Elvis wouldn't hear of it! I tried to be all intimidating but he actually chased me out of the kitchen! Persistant little pain in the butt!
As for swahili, so far we have learned the following words (forgive the bad spelling):
lala- sleep
wewe - you
wewe rafiki yangu - you are my friend
asanti - thank you
jambo - hello
karibuni - welcome
karibou - you're welcome
hakuna - no
pole - sorry
pole pole - slowely
baya - bad
sawa - ok
-Breezey
Monday, July 5, 2010
Day #3
5:32 PM
Africa Adventure day #3 began with a quick trip into town to the cybercafe to send out some quick emails to let people know we're alive, and at 1 shilling (approximately 1.5 cents Canadian) a minute, we can sure get used to these prices! Then John and Dalton drove us around the town and pointed out different areas and buildings explaining what they were. One area we stopped in is called the 'dirt bin' which is basically a garbage dump that is home to a group of street boys that rely on the food and clothing scraps in the garbage mounds to survive. The smell, even 20 feet away made Breezey and I almost sick to our stomachs, but with Dalton as our guide, we sucked it up and headed into the mounds where people where rushing over to meet the muzungus (white people); we plan on going back on Wednesday to bring them some food and soap, both of which are in very short supply for them.
Then onto the orphanage, Muzungus! Muzungus! It's all we hear! Yes, we are white, yes this facinates/ scares away many children and causes many long stares while driving down the road. The looks and such/ sending children running and screaming muzungus were starting to concern us, but we have the solution! Candy! From handing candy out the windows of the car to the local kids on the streets today, we made about 50 new best friends! Luckily the 'don't take candy from strangers' rule doesn't apply.. now we white people aren't so scary!!
- Jenn
*****************************
5:45 PM
Last night when we got home, we were too pooped and too tired/ lazy to go get food for dinner, so we went without, and I fell asleep about 7:30 pm. However, I was wide awake at 1 am and remained awake until 7:30 Aam, and then fell asleep, waking up at 8:30. We were to be picked up at 9 so we didn't have time for breakfast. Very very very unwise since what we ended up doing today required energy, of which we had none.
Today we got dirty.No, not just dirty.. Grubby.. The kind of dirty that takes a scalding shower and 25 min of scrubbing to feel human again. That's what happens after you spend the morning plowing the land/ weeding the garden. With this really rustic hoe kind of thing, while attempting to communicate with the women who only spoke swahili. They thought we were hilarious. I thought I was going to die. I wore jeans because it's been pretty chilly the last few days. And we didn't bring sunscreen with us to the home. Brilliant, I know!
After about an hour of that, we went in for tea and lunch. We gave them the photo album and we spent the next hour explaining everyone and everything, from proms to why makaylie was sprawled out on the hood of my car outside of Giant Tiger. After we went through it with Dalton and Lillian, the children came in to show us the new petticoats they were wearing that we had bought them. Then they gathered around me to and leaned in to look through the book a few times. When I explained to Valentine who grama was her face lit up! So beautiful!
After that we went out to play frisbee and throw balls with the kids. Of course they all had to throw it all at us, not to one another, so we narrowly missed frisbees to the head numerous times. This lasted about an hour, with some chasing, tickling, and such thrown in for good measure, until we had to leave. One of the women sent us home with a roasted corn on the cob that was chewy and tasted like popcorn.
Mmmm dinner. So at Karibuni Lodge, we have three course dinners for about 9CDN. Like 5 star, amazing, delicious, fabulous dinners. Yum.
-Breezey
Africa Adventure day #3 began with a quick trip into town to the cybercafe to send out some quick emails to let people know we're alive, and at 1 shilling (approximately 1.5 cents Canadian) a minute, we can sure get used to these prices! Then John and Dalton drove us around the town and pointed out different areas and buildings explaining what they were. One area we stopped in is called the 'dirt bin' which is basically a garbage dump that is home to a group of street boys that rely on the food and clothing scraps in the garbage mounds to survive. The smell, even 20 feet away made Breezey and I almost sick to our stomachs, but with Dalton as our guide, we sucked it up and headed into the mounds where people where rushing over to meet the muzungus (white people); we plan on going back on Wednesday to bring them some food and soap, both of which are in very short supply for them.
Then onto the orphanage, Muzungus! Muzungus! It's all we hear! Yes, we are white, yes this facinates/ scares away many children and causes many long stares while driving down the road. The looks and such/ sending children running and screaming muzungus were starting to concern us, but we have the solution! Candy! From handing candy out the windows of the car to the local kids on the streets today, we made about 50 new best friends! Luckily the 'don't take candy from strangers' rule doesn't apply.. now we white people aren't so scary!!
- Jenn
*****************************
5:45 PM
Last night when we got home, we were too pooped and too tired/ lazy to go get food for dinner, so we went without, and I fell asleep about 7:30 pm. However, I was wide awake at 1 am and remained awake until 7:30 Aam, and then fell asleep, waking up at 8:30. We were to be picked up at 9 so we didn't have time for breakfast. Very very very unwise since what we ended up doing today required energy, of which we had none.
Today we got dirty.No, not just dirty.. Grubby.. The kind of dirty that takes a scalding shower and 25 min of scrubbing to feel human again. That's what happens after you spend the morning plowing the land/ weeding the garden. With this really rustic hoe kind of thing, while attempting to communicate with the women who only spoke swahili. They thought we were hilarious. I thought I was going to die. I wore jeans because it's been pretty chilly the last few days. And we didn't bring sunscreen with us to the home. Brilliant, I know!
After about an hour of that, we went in for tea and lunch. We gave them the photo album and we spent the next hour explaining everyone and everything, from proms to why makaylie was sprawled out on the hood of my car outside of Giant Tiger. After we went through it with Dalton and Lillian, the children came in to show us the new petticoats they were wearing that we had bought them. Then they gathered around me to and leaned in to look through the book a few times. When I explained to Valentine who grama was her face lit up! So beautiful!
After that we went out to play frisbee and throw balls with the kids. Of course they all had to throw it all at us, not to one another, so we narrowly missed frisbees to the head numerous times. This lasted about an hour, with some chasing, tickling, and such thrown in for good measure, until we had to leave. One of the women sent us home with a roasted corn on the cob that was chewy and tasted like popcorn.
Mmmm dinner. So at Karibuni Lodge, we have three course dinners for about 9CDN. Like 5 star, amazing, delicious, fabulous dinners. Yum.
-Breezey
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Arrival and such fun
4:26 AM
I hardly know where to begin! After arriving in Nariobi, we went through customs with no issues. Oddly, they take your finger prints and picture when you go to get your passport stamped, which is always a fun time. Apparently I don't look like a terrorist after all because when they asked how long I wanted to be in Kenya for, I said two months, and the guy says "I'll give you three." Hey! As long as you let me in pal!
We retrieved our luggage without an issue, and passed through the joke of a customs, since they just waved us through. We found, or rather, a man - for a tip of course - found us a little pub/ cafe thing where we parked it for a few hours as we waited through our 6 hour layover. However, Nairobi was freezing, so our outdoor table eventually lost it's appeal since I was also losing feeling in my toes. Ok, so it wasn't that bad, but it was cold!
We finally were able to check in for our third, and final (hallelujah!) flight. It was awesome because we were supposed to pay for ever extra kg over 20 each. Anyone who saw everthing we brought can tell you that we were way over that! Jenn and I were snipping (in jest) at each other as we do, and teh ladies at the counter were laughing at us. I apologized and explained we really haven't slept in three days, and get grumpy when we are tired. Jenn was over about to pay for our extra baggage while I got things squared away at the check in counter. They asked why we were going to Kitale,and I explained about the children's home. Suddenly they were hollering at the lady Jenn was dealing with 'No charge! No charge!' so we got it all on the flight for free! That was a pleasant surprise!
We went and chilled in the departure area, a room that looks out on the tarmac and had a pineapple pop. Then the plane pulls up in front of the doors, we load up, and off we go! I slept the entire hour long flight. It was wonderful!
We had been hoping to go straight to the lodge, get showered and such since I was in pj bottoms, and Jenn in sweats, and we both looked/ felt like dirt. However, Dalton was waiting at the airport! So off we went, to the children's home. On the way, driving down the.. interesting.. roads of Kenya, everyone stared at the cab of muzungus driving by. Everyone here drives on the left hand side of the road, and the driver sits on the right. Children would yell at us, 'how are you?!' all the time. I was in heaven. Then we hit the road that would take us back to the home. It's pretty much a roller coaster. Between the massive beach ball sized craters missing from the dirt road, and the fact it's rainy season, it was an interesting trip. Dalton and John were very interested to hear about Canada and how things work there.
Oh rainy season! So in everything we've read about Kenya, it's always said that the rainy season is over by now, but it apparently just started a few days ago! So thunderstorms and complete sogginess are what our lives are going to be all about for the next two months.
So when we finally arrived at the children's home, the children who saw us driving up came running, and by the time we parked and got out of the car we were swarmed by 25 beautiful boys and girls. Hugs, handshakes, leg clinging. Then Dalton took us on a walk around the orphanage. When we got to the church/ meeting room the children were all gathered, and we were asked to sit as the children sang for us and welcomed us to their home. It was all we could do not to bawl our eyes out. It was amazing.
Our tour was very revealing. We learned that $5000 is needed to finish the boys dorm, and another $5000 to finish the roof that is to span the two dorms, creating a meeting place. Also $750 to put electricity throughout the home, and probably another $250 for a shed to keep the animals at night.
After our tour, we went into Dalton and Lillian's little two room house, to talk with Lillian for a bit. Apparently the women aren't allowed to talk to you until they've served you tea, and you've accepted it. So she brought out some warm milk, and made us a chai tea, and brought out some banana and oranges. It was such a wonder at how they do everything here.
We chatted for about 45 minutes or so, and then we loaded up into the car to head to the lodge. Oh the lodge. A girl could get used to this. We were put in a room for now, which I'm sure we would have been fine with, however found out that on Tuesday we are moving to a little cottage type thing of our own, which has its own kitchen and such. It has such a family feel to it, we have been accepted right in, and it's nice to be in a place where we aren't being stared at all day.
After we dropped off the luggage, and got changed, we headed to the market to buy the food for the feast tomorrow. Food here is so cheap! We got an unreal amount of food for nothing! We were also able to pick up a couple pairs of rubber boots (which we will be living in) as well as a few buckets that we intend to use to take all the stuff for them in, and then they will be able to use the buckets for showering and washing their clothes. The butchershop was fun. Nothing like standing beside a hanging set of cow guts to get a girl's tummy turning. If that's how we are going to have to buy meat while here, we will probably become vegetarians.
After our shopping adventure, we headed back to the lodge for some much needed rest. Dinner was made for us at 6:30 and it was delicious! A three course dinner, consisting of raviolli and cheese, chicken and vegetables in a curry sauce, and an ice cream with berry sauce desset which was all amazing. Then we showered up, and hit the hay.
Overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe how we were feeling yesterday. Oh! and we were asked to preach in church today. So now I'm going to go and figure out exactly what we are going to talk about.
- Breezey
*****************************
6:05 PM
So today was interesting. We got ourselves dressede up for church, we kind of had to improvise since we didn't really bring too many nice clothes, but our outfits turned out alright. So we went to church, and were greeted and welcomed and thanked by the entire congregation. Speaking in church was so nerve-wracking. We just kind of winged it, and it seemed to go alright, we didn't want to let everyone down on our first day here!
So yesterday when we met the kids they were pretty wary of us after the initial introduction, and some of the little ones would cry when we came near. Today we came prepared. It takes a soft football, some candies, and a video camera where they can see themselves in the screen, but they now love us! And instead of running from us, they come willingly to shake our hand. It is going to be an amazing next five weeks. We taught the kids Jesus Loves the Little Children and they loved it! and everyone is trying to teach us swahili. Emphasis on trying.
It is amazing how greatful they are for something as simple as a toothbrush. Because we brought so many, we were able to give some to the church leaders, and other people that help out around the home. The lady that cooks for the home has baby twins and asked if she could name them after us! Jenn wants to bring them home. I'm not gonna tell her that Dalton told me I should bring the baby back to Canada, I think she'd actually do it!
Our big issue at the moment is transportation. The cost of the taxi to and from the home is too much, 1400 shillings per day. We are only paying 1050 shillings/ day for an apartment! So we need to find another way, and soon!
- Breezey
*****************************
9:01 PM
So today was our first full day in Kenya, and what a day it was! The morning began early by trying to figure out what on earth we would preach on at church that morning. The whole preparing a sermon to give to a Kenyan church, on our second day on the continent let alone country, certainly took us by surprise to say the least! Nonetheless, we pulled something together and it seemed to go well! But hopefully not too well and they ask us to do it again next Sunday! Haha.
After the service we helped to serve a large lunch to the children and other visitors. After people insisting on doing everything for us and serving US for the whole time thus far in Kenya it was sure nice to start serving others! We all ate the feast together of fresh veggies, rice and meat that we found at the market yesterday. After lunch everyone gathered in the large room fro some informal singing.. seems pretty common here, then we were able to hand out the presents we had brought for them today. Firstly we handed everyone a toothbrush and some candy (Good combination, no?) it was sure humbling to see how genuinely excited they were for something so seemingly insignificant as a toothbrush! We gave the rest of the presents (some medical supplies, Canadian souvenirs, Bibles and the pressure cooker) to Dalton to sort out later then had fun with the kids throwing around little footballs and a beach ball.
The afternoon continued with fun games and songs with the children. It was refreshing to see how enthusiastic and happy the children were to sing and play.. no matter song, game, or dance. A lot of North American children could sure take a lesson from these kids! Bz and I also found the cutest little pair of twin babies that we are currently trying to orchestrate a way to take them home with us, and apparently they want to name them after us, which is crazy and we hope it doesn't happen but we shall see what happens.
- Jenn
I hardly know where to begin! After arriving in Nariobi, we went through customs with no issues. Oddly, they take your finger prints and picture when you go to get your passport stamped, which is always a fun time. Apparently I don't look like a terrorist after all because when they asked how long I wanted to be in Kenya for, I said two months, and the guy says "I'll give you three." Hey! As long as you let me in pal!
We retrieved our luggage without an issue, and passed through the joke of a customs, since they just waved us through. We found, or rather, a man - for a tip of course - found us a little pub/ cafe thing where we parked it for a few hours as we waited through our 6 hour layover. However, Nairobi was freezing, so our outdoor table eventually lost it's appeal since I was also losing feeling in my toes. Ok, so it wasn't that bad, but it was cold!
We finally were able to check in for our third, and final (hallelujah!) flight. It was awesome because we were supposed to pay for ever extra kg over 20 each. Anyone who saw everthing we brought can tell you that we were way over that! Jenn and I were snipping (in jest) at each other as we do, and teh ladies at the counter were laughing at us. I apologized and explained we really haven't slept in three days, and get grumpy when we are tired. Jenn was over about to pay for our extra baggage while I got things squared away at the check in counter. They asked why we were going to Kitale,and I explained about the children's home. Suddenly they were hollering at the lady Jenn was dealing with 'No charge! No charge!' so we got it all on the flight for free! That was a pleasant surprise!
We went and chilled in the departure area, a room that looks out on the tarmac and had a pineapple pop. Then the plane pulls up in front of the doors, we load up, and off we go! I slept the entire hour long flight. It was wonderful!
We had been hoping to go straight to the lodge, get showered and such since I was in pj bottoms, and Jenn in sweats, and we both looked/ felt like dirt. However, Dalton was waiting at the airport! So off we went, to the children's home. On the way, driving down the.. interesting.. roads of Kenya, everyone stared at the cab of muzungus driving by. Everyone here drives on the left hand side of the road, and the driver sits on the right. Children would yell at us, 'how are you?!' all the time. I was in heaven. Then we hit the road that would take us back to the home. It's pretty much a roller coaster. Between the massive beach ball sized craters missing from the dirt road, and the fact it's rainy season, it was an interesting trip. Dalton and John were very interested to hear about Canada and how things work there.
Oh rainy season! So in everything we've read about Kenya, it's always said that the rainy season is over by now, but it apparently just started a few days ago! So thunderstorms and complete sogginess are what our lives are going to be all about for the next two months.
So when we finally arrived at the children's home, the children who saw us driving up came running, and by the time we parked and got out of the car we were swarmed by 25 beautiful boys and girls. Hugs, handshakes, leg clinging. Then Dalton took us on a walk around the orphanage. When we got to the church/ meeting room the children were all gathered, and we were asked to sit as the children sang for us and welcomed us to their home. It was all we could do not to bawl our eyes out. It was amazing.
Our tour was very revealing. We learned that $5000 is needed to finish the boys dorm, and another $5000 to finish the roof that is to span the two dorms, creating a meeting place. Also $750 to put electricity throughout the home, and probably another $250 for a shed to keep the animals at night.
After our tour, we went into Dalton and Lillian's little two room house, to talk with Lillian for a bit. Apparently the women aren't allowed to talk to you until they've served you tea, and you've accepted it. So she brought out some warm milk, and made us a chai tea, and brought out some banana and oranges. It was such a wonder at how they do everything here.
We chatted for about 45 minutes or so, and then we loaded up into the car to head to the lodge. Oh the lodge. A girl could get used to this. We were put in a room for now, which I'm sure we would have been fine with, however found out that on Tuesday we are moving to a little cottage type thing of our own, which has its own kitchen and such. It has such a family feel to it, we have been accepted right in, and it's nice to be in a place where we aren't being stared at all day.
After we dropped off the luggage, and got changed, we headed to the market to buy the food for the feast tomorrow. Food here is so cheap! We got an unreal amount of food for nothing! We were also able to pick up a couple pairs of rubber boots (which we will be living in) as well as a few buckets that we intend to use to take all the stuff for them in, and then they will be able to use the buckets for showering and washing their clothes. The butchershop was fun. Nothing like standing beside a hanging set of cow guts to get a girl's tummy turning. If that's how we are going to have to buy meat while here, we will probably become vegetarians.
After our shopping adventure, we headed back to the lodge for some much needed rest. Dinner was made for us at 6:30 and it was delicious! A three course dinner, consisting of raviolli and cheese, chicken and vegetables in a curry sauce, and an ice cream with berry sauce desset which was all amazing. Then we showered up, and hit the hay.
Overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe how we were feeling yesterday. Oh! and we were asked to preach in church today. So now I'm going to go and figure out exactly what we are going to talk about.
- Breezey
*****************************
6:05 PM
So today was interesting. We got ourselves dressede up for church, we kind of had to improvise since we didn't really bring too many nice clothes, but our outfits turned out alright. So we went to church, and were greeted and welcomed and thanked by the entire congregation. Speaking in church was so nerve-wracking. We just kind of winged it, and it seemed to go alright, we didn't want to let everyone down on our first day here!
So yesterday when we met the kids they were pretty wary of us after the initial introduction, and some of the little ones would cry when we came near. Today we came prepared. It takes a soft football, some candies, and a video camera where they can see themselves in the screen, but they now love us! And instead of running from us, they come willingly to shake our hand. It is going to be an amazing next five weeks. We taught the kids Jesus Loves the Little Children and they loved it! and everyone is trying to teach us swahili. Emphasis on trying.
It is amazing how greatful they are for something as simple as a toothbrush. Because we brought so many, we were able to give some to the church leaders, and other people that help out around the home. The lady that cooks for the home has baby twins and asked if she could name them after us! Jenn wants to bring them home. I'm not gonna tell her that Dalton told me I should bring the baby back to Canada, I think she'd actually do it!
Our big issue at the moment is transportation. The cost of the taxi to and from the home is too much, 1400 shillings per day. We are only paying 1050 shillings/ day for an apartment! So we need to find another way, and soon!
- Breezey
*****************************
9:01 PM
So today was our first full day in Kenya, and what a day it was! The morning began early by trying to figure out what on earth we would preach on at church that morning. The whole preparing a sermon to give to a Kenyan church, on our second day on the continent let alone country, certainly took us by surprise to say the least! Nonetheless, we pulled something together and it seemed to go well! But hopefully not too well and they ask us to do it again next Sunday! Haha.
After the service we helped to serve a large lunch to the children and other visitors. After people insisting on doing everything for us and serving US for the whole time thus far in Kenya it was sure nice to start serving others! We all ate the feast together of fresh veggies, rice and meat that we found at the market yesterday. After lunch everyone gathered in the large room fro some informal singing.. seems pretty common here, then we were able to hand out the presents we had brought for them today. Firstly we handed everyone a toothbrush and some candy (Good combination, no?) it was sure humbling to see how genuinely excited they were for something so seemingly insignificant as a toothbrush! We gave the rest of the presents (some medical supplies, Canadian souvenirs, Bibles and the pressure cooker) to Dalton to sort out later then had fun with the kids throwing around little footballs and a beach ball.
The afternoon continued with fun games and songs with the children. It was refreshing to see how enthusiastic and happy the children were to sing and play.. no matter song, game, or dance. A lot of North American children could sure take a lesson from these kids! Bz and I also found the cutest little pair of twin babies that we are currently trying to orchestrate a way to take them home with us, and apparently they want to name them after us, which is crazy and we hope it doesn't happen but we shall see what happens.
- Jenn
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Somewhere over Italy
12:45 AM
Flying can pretty much be summed up in one all encompassing word. Death. We are not even halfway through our second flight, and already we cannot wait to touch down. And then chill in Nairobi for 6 hours waiting for our third and final flight. Then, a shower. I'd trade Jenn's right arm for an hour of hot water! And a bathroom that isn't the size of our coat closet.
Our plan right now is to meet Dalton this afternoon, and head to the market to buy the food for the feast we are having tomorrow afternoon. Then potentially hit up the orphanage for a few hours depending on how deathly we feel. Both of us, aside from suffering from jet lag, and lack of sleep, also have feet that are blistered beyond recognition. It's lovely.
We have also met a few seriously.. uh.. unteresting.. people already! But I think I'll let Jenn explain them to you. Oh and coming back through security out of Paris, this time I got patted down! Bahhhh No luck!
If you haven't yet realized, I get grumpy and bitter when I'm tired. :P
- Breezey
*****************************
4:22 AM
When travelling it's interesting to discover people's ideas about Canada from abroad. Our first encounter with people's interesting ideas was on the Paris subway from the Eiffel tower enroute back to the airport when we began to talking to an American twenty- something young man who has been travelling Europe the past couple weeks and onward to Africa. We got to talking about his experiences overseas, claimed he was a big tough guy because he was from the Ukraine,so I asked where in the Ukraine he was from/ where he flew out from at which time he quickly changed his tune to the fact that he's actually from Oregon and moved there shortly after birth.. how quickly stories change. He asked where we were from so I said 'aren't that far from Oregon since we live in Ontario.' He looked confused then proceeded to ask, "in Texas?" No honey, not Texas. Canada, that big country north of Oregon. Upon informing him he was wrong he responded, 'oh, common mistake.' ... Well, no not really, check a map.
Encounter 2 on only the second day of the trip, was while sitting in the airport terminal waiting to board our plane to Nairobi. I was talking to a nice guy who randomly started talking and kindly welcoming us to 'his country' and listing off a bunch of places that we simply must visit. Later he asked what brough us to Kenya and where we were from. I told him we're from Canada and he quickly became very interested saying that he really wants to visit Canada, but hasn't had the chance yet. He asked some interesting questions that I wasn't expecting like what do Canadians eat? The question took me back at first, and I wasn't really sure how to answer, so I started listing basic staple foods like chicken, beef, potatoes, rice, pasta, and fish. Once I said fish he looked blindly at me for a minute then asked 'you have fish in Canada?!' I assured him we most certainly do since the country is flanked by two major oceans and contains a large percentage of the world's fresh water supply. He was shocked. It's conversations like this that we are eagerly anticipating over the next two months!
- Jenn
Flying can pretty much be summed up in one all encompassing word. Death. We are not even halfway through our second flight, and already we cannot wait to touch down. And then chill in Nairobi for 6 hours waiting for our third and final flight. Then, a shower. I'd trade Jenn's right arm for an hour of hot water! And a bathroom that isn't the size of our coat closet.
Our plan right now is to meet Dalton this afternoon, and head to the market to buy the food for the feast we are having tomorrow afternoon. Then potentially hit up the orphanage for a few hours depending on how deathly we feel. Both of us, aside from suffering from jet lag, and lack of sleep, also have feet that are blistered beyond recognition. It's lovely.
We have also met a few seriously.. uh.. unteresting.. people already! But I think I'll let Jenn explain them to you. Oh and coming back through security out of Paris, this time I got patted down! Bahhhh No luck!
If you haven't yet realized, I get grumpy and bitter when I'm tired. :P
- Breezey
*****************************
4:22 AM
When travelling it's interesting to discover people's ideas about Canada from abroad. Our first encounter with people's interesting ideas was on the Paris subway from the Eiffel tower enroute back to the airport when we began to talking to an American twenty- something young man who has been travelling Europe the past couple weeks and onward to Africa. We got to talking about his experiences overseas, claimed he was a big tough guy because he was from the Ukraine,so I asked where in the Ukraine he was from/ where he flew out from at which time he quickly changed his tune to the fact that he's actually from Oregon and moved there shortly after birth.. how quickly stories change. He asked where we were from so I said 'aren't that far from Oregon since we live in Ontario.' He looked confused then proceeded to ask, "in Texas?" No honey, not Texas. Canada, that big country north of Oregon. Upon informing him he was wrong he responded, 'oh, common mistake.' ... Well, no not really, check a map.
Encounter 2 on only the second day of the trip, was while sitting in the airport terminal waiting to board our plane to Nairobi. I was talking to a nice guy who randomly started talking and kindly welcoming us to 'his country' and listing off a bunch of places that we simply must visit. Later he asked what brough us to Kenya and where we were from. I told him we're from Canada and he quickly became very interested saying that he really wants to visit Canada, but hasn't had the chance yet. He asked some interesting questions that I wasn't expecting like what do Canadians eat? The question took me back at first, and I wasn't really sure how to answer, so I started listing basic staple foods like chicken, beef, potatoes, rice, pasta, and fish. Once I said fish he looked blindly at me for a minute then asked 'you have fish in Canada?!' I assured him we most certainly do since the country is flanked by two major oceans and contains a large percentage of the world's fresh water supply. He was shocked. It's conversations like this that we are eagerly anticipating over the next two months!
- Jenn
Friday, July 2, 2010
On Flight
So true what they say. Sleeping on a plane is pretty much the equivalent
of a night of drinking.. Minus the drinking.. I've slept probably three
quarters of the flight and feel even worse now than when we started!
Two hours left in our flight, and im just ready to be there. Ps food on
this plane? Not as bad as I expected, the wine was delic. Tonights dish?
Chicken and egg noodles in a red wine sauce, with tuna rice stuff. Twas
alright over all.
Outside our window, we've seen a sunset and sunrise both within a 4 hour time window.. We are getting close. Hopefully Jenn doesn't wanna bean me with a crusty baguette for how grumpy I'm probably going to be in Paris. However, she was warned well in advance.. So any baguette smacking will be returned.. In spades.
- Breezey
Outside our window, we've seen a sunset and sunrise both within a 4 hour time window.. We are getting close. Hopefully Jenn doesn't wanna bean me with a crusty baguette for how grumpy I'm probably going to be in Paris. However, she was warned well in advance.. So any baguette smacking will be returned.. In spades.
- Breezey
Paris
Lola calls it adventure, I call it hell. The unknown. Especially when tired.
So we arrived in Paris and were greeted with the longest line for customs that you could ever imagine. It took us at least an hour to get through that fun line, and as a reward I got a stamp in my passport. Didn't ask me any questions, didn't care why we were there, just stamped my passport and nodded me on. Then we were greeted by this wall of large tv screens that were blinking, in bright alternating yellow and red 'Air Pollution Warning Today'. Epic!
Then onto the subway! One way trip is over 8 euros each to the Eiffel tower. Plus you get to get lost. Fun! But, at last, we arrived at the tower.. Sweaty, tired, and worn out. So we found ourselves a patch of grass and we people watched.
You would not believe the military presence in this country! A little nerve-wracking when you bump into someone and turn to apologize and see they are holding a rifle.
So we arrived in Paris and were greeted with the longest line for customs that you could ever imagine. It took us at least an hour to get through that fun line, and as a reward I got a stamp in my passport. Didn't ask me any questions, didn't care why we were there, just stamped my passport and nodded me on. Then we were greeted by this wall of large tv screens that were blinking, in bright alternating yellow and red 'Air Pollution Warning Today'. Epic!
Then onto the subway! One way trip is over 8 euros each to the Eiffel tower. Plus you get to get lost. Fun! But, at last, we arrived at the tower.. Sweaty, tired, and worn out. So we found ourselves a patch of grass and we people watched.
You would not believe the military presence in this country! A little nerve-wracking when you bump into someone and turn to apologize and see they are holding a rifle.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Getting Through Toronto...
So today, I' had my backpack ripped apart at security. I mean ripped
apart. Every pocket opened, every article moved looking for something,
although, of course she couldn't tell me what was allegedly in my bag.
After the entire thing is scattered all over the table, she then
realizes she has the wrong bag, and quickly apologizes and continues on
to the next poor, unsuspecting soul. Not only that but we were the only
line who had the pleasure of finding out all about what a full body scan
was. Jenn and i were not impressed when we realized that this could
mean that someone in this airport could have naked photos of us. Not ok.
So, now we wonder, do we look like terrorists? Is there a reason that
man specifically sent us to that line? Do we have a sketchy appearance
about us?
Either way, we are now waiting to board our huge double decker plane. Won't lie, ready to sleep the night away, and wake up in Paris! Don't worry, I'll get up and walk around every once in awhile.
Either way, we are now waiting to board our huge double decker plane. Won't lie, ready to sleep the night away, and wake up in Paris! Don't worry, I'll get up and walk around every once in awhile.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
One day until we are off!
So after months of planning and preparation, the day has finally come!
We are leaving on a jet plane tomorrow at 7pm, bound for Kenya. A 12
hour layover in Paris on Friday after our 7 hour flight should be..
interesting.. to say the least. Then onto Nairobi (another 8 hour
flight) where we catch our third, and final, flight to Kitale, where we
will be staying for the first 5 weeks of our stay in Africa.
I'm not too sure of what to expect when we get there, I know our first issue is going to be simply trying to get our luggage from the airport to the lodge. With most of my luggage being for the orphanage, and trying to stuff my stuff in around it all, simply lifting my bags could prove problematic. So here's hoping we can get there without any issues!
Since we don't arrive until Saturday around noon Kenya time ( about 5am our time) we will hopefully be meeting up with Dalton in the afternoon, to buy food for the feast we are having *fingers crossed* Sunday afternoon.
We should be able to hit up an internet cafe Saturday evening, and we can let you know exactly how tired we are from our 3 days of travel!
~Mhea
I'm not too sure of what to expect when we get there, I know our first issue is going to be simply trying to get our luggage from the airport to the lodge. With most of my luggage being for the orphanage, and trying to stuff my stuff in around it all, simply lifting my bags could prove problematic. So here's hoping we can get there without any issues!
Since we don't arrive until Saturday around noon Kenya time ( about 5am our time) we will hopefully be meeting up with Dalton in the afternoon, to buy food for the feast we are having *fingers crossed* Sunday afternoon.
We should be able to hit up an internet cafe Saturday evening, and we can let you know exactly how tired we are from our 3 days of travel!
~Mhea
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
My Safari- Part 1
Lions, tigers, giraffes, cheetahs, wildebeest, zebras, seaturtles, elephants, hippos and monkeys. What do all of these things have in common??
In five months, the answer will be me!!! That's right, I'm heading to Africa this summer! We are talking two months of epic fun. I'll be updating you more as time goes on, however our plan right now is to spend five weeks at the orphanage we've built in my mom's name, and then head out on an adventure for the final 3 weeks, spending some time in Tanzania, (hopefully Rwanda and Uganda) and exploring Kenya's wildlife.
I figured an explanation as to why I have been neglecting my blog once again was in order.
I am so excited!
<3 Mhea
In five months, the answer will be me!!! That's right, I'm heading to Africa this summer! We are talking two months of epic fun. I'll be updating you more as time goes on, however our plan right now is to spend five weeks at the orphanage we've built in my mom's name, and then head out on an adventure for the final 3 weeks, spending some time in Tanzania, (hopefully Rwanda and Uganda) and exploring Kenya's wildlife.
I figured an explanation as to why I have been neglecting my blog once again was in order.
I am so excited!
<3 Mhea
Friday, January 15, 2010
My Relief
Last week, millions of Americans and Canadians who share the love for the hit TV series 'Lost' held their breath as they waited for word from the White House on whether the premiere would be pushed back for the Obama's State of the Union speech.
I was admittedly one of those millions.
Luckily, the White House determined that Lost trumps the President so, we can all relax, sit back and wait to be completely, totally and udderly confused. Anyone who has seen Lost knows that the idea for the show was probably conceived after ingesting large quantities of LSDs and other hallucinogens. Anyone who can come up with such a strange, twisted, confusing, complicated storyline without the help of such drugs should probably be committed. I've often said that I believe that the writers of Lost probably sit around a storyboard getting high. Every once in awhile they move on to something stronger, and that's when the story gets really twisted. Who else could come up with polar bears on a tropical island, moving an island through time, a black cloud monster thing that eats people, etc? And the way everything fits together? Brilliant insanity.
And yet, I, along with millions of other viewers like myself put ourselves through the weekly torment of having no idea of what is going on, assuming that everything will be explained, and all the loose ends shall be tied in the final season. Alas, the producers have let everyone know that our curiosity shall not be satisfied. They will keep us guessing, and probably will have set the stage for fans to be arguing whether it was a good ending or not for decades to come.
I had promised myself I would not get swept up in the Lost phenomenon, much like I did with Twilight. However, once again, I gave in and joined the movement. As a person who hates philosophy, loves it when 2+2=4, and a+b=c, I have a feeling this ending is seriously going to frustrate me!
~Mhea
I was admittedly one of those millions.
Luckily, the White House determined that Lost trumps the President so, we can all relax, sit back and wait to be completely, totally and udderly confused. Anyone who has seen Lost knows that the idea for the show was probably conceived after ingesting large quantities of LSDs and other hallucinogens. Anyone who can come up with such a strange, twisted, confusing, complicated storyline without the help of such drugs should probably be committed. I've often said that I believe that the writers of Lost probably sit around a storyboard getting high. Every once in awhile they move on to something stronger, and that's when the story gets really twisted. Who else could come up with polar bears on a tropical island, moving an island through time, a black cloud monster thing that eats people, etc? And the way everything fits together? Brilliant insanity.
And yet, I, along with millions of other viewers like myself put ourselves through the weekly torment of having no idea of what is going on, assuming that everything will be explained, and all the loose ends shall be tied in the final season. Alas, the producers have let everyone know that our curiosity shall not be satisfied. They will keep us guessing, and probably will have set the stage for fans to be arguing whether it was a good ending or not for decades to come.
I had promised myself I would not get swept up in the Lost phenomenon, much like I did with Twilight. However, once again, I gave in and joined the movement. As a person who hates philosophy, loves it when 2+2=4, and a+b=c, I have a feeling this ending is seriously going to frustrate me!
~Mhea
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
My Puppy
Back when I used to be on here more regularly, David from The Rest is Still Unwritten tried to convince me more than once that trading in the baby for a puppy would be the best course of action. Over time, I came to agree that we did need a puppy, although there is no way in hell I'd give up my BabyBoy! :P On October 2, 2o09, we picked out my newest baby. This is Toby. He's a Golden Retriever, and the SWEETEST dog ever. He and BabyBoy get along alright, they have their attention issues, and sometimes enjoy harassing one another for the hell of it, however all in all, an amazing pair.
Both of my babies
He's gonna be a scholar. My smart puppy!
Halloween '09
The most recent pic I have.
Both of my babies
He's gonna be a scholar. My smart puppy!
Halloween '09
The most recent pic I have.He's got a claim on my passenger seat, however will give it up most graciously. He's in his second level of obedience school, and is doing very well! He can have a bit of a stubborn streak, he doesn't like what we are doing, he'll just sit down and refuse to move, looking at me like 'Oh sure! You first!'. He's terrified of blenders. He loves his treat ball and playing fetch. He's my baby!
~ Mhea
~ Mhea
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
My Obsession
The theater has always been a wonder to me. Growing up near Stratford, On, which is pretty well known for it's Shakespeare Festival Theater, I've always loved going to the fabulous plays they put on. My favourites thus far being The King and I and Oliver!. They do amazing musicals!
For the past few years, Christopher Plummer has been starring in a few of the plays, (for those of you who don't know, Christopher Plummer played Captain Von Trapp in the movie Sound of Music) and I cannot wait to see him onstage!
There's something about musicals that just make me so happy. I can't stop smiling, and the tunes are stuck in my head for weeks! Then I buy the soundtrack, movie, and whatever else I can get my hands on! I've always dreamed of getting up on stage and performing, however have never attempted it. I have the greatest respect for actors. I've heard that the reason the characters start singing is because they've reached such an emotional state of being that words just aren't enough, and clearly hearing the words in song is a bazillion times better!
Below I've posted two videos from youtube. Both are written and performed by the same group, StarKid, a bunch of graduated Michigan College kids. I've only put on Act One Scene One from each play, but I think you'll get the idea.
The first one is a musical they wrote called a Very Potter Musical. I was a bit skeptical at first, since I wasn't really a Harry Potter fan, however they changed it all up and made it absolutely hilarious!
The second video is from a play they wrote called 'Me and My Dick'. OMG. Hilarious! How people think this stuff up is beyond me! They wrote the entire musical themselves. Like I said, this is just A1S1, and it just gets more and more hilarious as it goes on!
Essentially, what it comes down to is my intense love and obsession with all things musical. The story, the emotion, the intensity. I heart it all!
For the past few years, Christopher Plummer has been starring in a few of the plays, (for those of you who don't know, Christopher Plummer played Captain Von Trapp in the movie Sound of Music) and I cannot wait to see him onstage!
There's something about musicals that just make me so happy. I can't stop smiling, and the tunes are stuck in my head for weeks! Then I buy the soundtrack, movie, and whatever else I can get my hands on! I've always dreamed of getting up on stage and performing, however have never attempted it. I have the greatest respect for actors. I've heard that the reason the characters start singing is because they've reached such an emotional state of being that words just aren't enough, and clearly hearing the words in song is a bazillion times better!
Below I've posted two videos from youtube. Both are written and performed by the same group, StarKid, a bunch of graduated Michigan College kids. I've only put on Act One Scene One from each play, but I think you'll get the idea.
The first one is a musical they wrote called a Very Potter Musical. I was a bit skeptical at first, since I wasn't really a Harry Potter fan, however they changed it all up and made it absolutely hilarious!
The second video is from a play they wrote called 'Me and My Dick'. OMG. Hilarious! How people think this stuff up is beyond me! They wrote the entire musical themselves. Like I said, this is just A1S1, and it just gets more and more hilarious as it goes on!
Essentially, what it comes down to is my intense love and obsession with all things musical. The story, the emotion, the intensity. I heart it all!
Monday, January 11, 2010
My Return
I'm back! :)
Ok so things that have happened since the last time I posted:
- Finished my summer of wedding after wedding. Thank God! However now a whole whack more people just got engaged, so next summer isn't looking much better!
- Finished up my summer job running the daycamp for underpriviledged kids. Twas a good summer! The kids were (for the most part) pretty good! Very little police involvement, and no SWAT team!
- I got a puppy! Toby is now five and a half months old, a Golden Retriever, and amazing!! Pics to follow.
- I'm still at home with BabyBoy, who is doing amazing!! He's a fabulous little boy!
- I'm starting courses, planning on starting back to college/ university in September 2011 for Social Work with a minor in Culinary Arts!
That's pretty much all the major stuff that has been going on! Still living in a little hole-in-the-wall town where nothing happens! Which is alright for the present.
Well, I think that's it! Talk soon!
- Mhea
Ok so things that have happened since the last time I posted:
- Finished my summer of wedding after wedding. Thank God! However now a whole whack more people just got engaged, so next summer isn't looking much better!
- Finished up my summer job running the daycamp for underpriviledged kids. Twas a good summer! The kids were (for the most part) pretty good! Very little police involvement, and no SWAT team!
- I got a puppy! Toby is now five and a half months old, a Golden Retriever, and amazing!! Pics to follow.
- I'm still at home with BabyBoy, who is doing amazing!! He's a fabulous little boy!
- I'm starting courses, planning on starting back to college/ university in September 2011 for Social Work with a minor in Culinary Arts!
That's pretty much all the major stuff that has been going on! Still living in a little hole-in-the-wall town where nothing happens! Which is alright for the present.
Well, I think that's it! Talk soon!
- Mhea
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)