2008/02/28
Change of Pace
My past two entries have been long and somewhat loaded… so I think I’m going to cut this one down a little.
I really miss eating dinner with people, without a TV. It could be at home (any of them) making a dish with Miss Jane, out at Falinies with the caving crew, or at home with my parents who probably didn’t let me cook ☺. I just had pizza (poor excuse) with a group of friends after I left work and it was a start. I enjoy recounting the day, the trips and activates to come, and how much excitement is in life over good food. I find that television is a horrible distraction and has gotten in the way of a many good relationships that could have been formed.
Last night I joined the Mountain Club of Kenya, which has it’s dinner every last Tuesday of the month- there were about 50 people there- and many dishes which reminded me of home, Europe, mixed with a little of Africa. After dinner Alex (the first person I met in the club, and the chair member who signed my membership app.) presented his slid show of his Yosemite El Capitan Nose assent – big wall climbing looks insane (if Mr. McDowell actually did this he is more driven than I could have ever imagined, way to go Andrew.) It took him a total of four days to climb 3000 feet, and though I know it’s extremely rigorous, I think that might be one of my life goals. I also took notes on how to present a good slide show (they want me to present on my Cascade adventures with NOLS). There are so many Aid workers and Embassy peopleat the club, I met a lady who works with Great apes in Rwanda and a Japanese environmentalist who just got back from a conference in Monaco, it’s all very fascinating at MCK which doubles as a Bar and a club house.
I’m really excited about this upcoming weekend, which won’t involve hospitals, and I plan to be “touristy,” and see main attractions with my camera.
A Friend of a friend contacted me tonight too (Andre’s British pals Squeaks and Paul) so I might have some coffee with people I’ll be meeting for the first time
Condition: [I see the doctor tomorrow btw] Balance if for the most part back, and I don’t get vertigo. I still can’t hear very well out of my right ear, but I do hear ringing (which means my brain is receiving signals), and I can hear when I scratch my ear and “pop” my ears. There is no pain or swelling that I can feel, nor is there any discharge. I’ll tell you more tomorrow after Dr. Din inspects.
Reading:
>FINISHED
Robin Hobb: The Fools Errand - I’d say –B, nothing extremely novel, yet entertaining and could have a nice follow through with the sequels.
>STARTING
Stephen Hawking: A Brief History of Time - My 3rd book in a month that’s begun with the history of human understanding of the world, the only difference is I don’t think Mr. Hawking ever leaves the subject
African Food:
Chapatti: flat bread that does not work well as a taco, eaten plain (It’s Indian, but there’s no spice…)
Words I have learned:
(In order of usefulness)
Kiswahili
• Sasa: Hey or Hello
• Sawa: Fine, ok, ummhumm
• Assante’: Thank you
• Careeboo: welcome
• Hapana: no
• Neo: Yes
• Meemee: I
• See: (the negative, am not)
• Sana: a lot, much
Non-Kiswahili words
• High: drunk
• Chips: French fries
• Crisps: potato chips
• Flash: to call someone and hang up so that they call you back, and you don’t have to pay
Something different: Cell phones all run on prepaid cards, you can credit just about anywhere (literally, on every corner, in telephone booth sized cells the sales people sit in). I pay 100 Ksh for 100 credit, and it is spend however I use it on my phone (other Safaricom calls are 20 ksh a min, text are 5-10 ksh, calls other carriers are more). So people don’t talk on the phone very long which there’s no “bill me later.”
(Edit later)
I really miss eating dinner with people, without a TV. It could be at home (any of them) making a dish with Miss Jane, out at Falinies with the caving crew, or at home with my parents who probably didn’t let me cook ☺. I just had pizza (poor excuse) with a group of friends after I left work and it was a start. I enjoy recounting the day, the trips and activates to come, and how much excitement is in life over good food. I find that television is a horrible distraction and has gotten in the way of a many good relationships that could have been formed.
Last night I joined the Mountain Club of Kenya, which has it’s dinner every last Tuesday of the month- there were about 50 people there- and many dishes which reminded me of home, Europe, mixed with a little of Africa. After dinner Alex (the first person I met in the club, and the chair member who signed my membership app.) presented his slid show of his Yosemite El Capitan Nose assent – big wall climbing looks insane (if Mr. McDowell actually did this he is more driven than I could have ever imagined, way to go Andrew.) It took him a total of four days to climb 3000 feet, and though I know it’s extremely rigorous, I think that might be one of my life goals. I also took notes on how to present a good slide show (they want me to present on my Cascade adventures with NOLS). There are so many Aid workers and Embassy peopleat the club, I met a lady who works with Great apes in Rwanda and a Japanese environmentalist who just got back from a conference in Monaco, it’s all very fascinating at MCK which doubles as a Bar and a club house.
I’m really excited about this upcoming weekend, which won’t involve hospitals, and I plan to be “touristy,” and see main attractions with my camera.
A Friend of a friend contacted me tonight too (Andre’s British pals Squeaks and Paul) so I might have some coffee with people I’ll be meeting for the first time
Condition: [I see the doctor tomorrow btw] Balance if for the most part back, and I don’t get vertigo. I still can’t hear very well out of my right ear, but I do hear ringing (which means my brain is receiving signals), and I can hear when I scratch my ear and “pop” my ears. There is no pain or swelling that I can feel, nor is there any discharge. I’ll tell you more tomorrow after Dr. Din inspects.
Reading:
>FINISHED
Robin Hobb: The Fools Errand - I’d say –B, nothing extremely novel, yet entertaining and could have a nice follow through with the sequels.
>STARTING
Stephen Hawking: A Brief History of Time - My 3rd book in a month that’s begun with the history of human understanding of the world, the only difference is I don’t think Mr. Hawking ever leaves the subject
African Food:
Chapatti: flat bread that does not work well as a taco, eaten plain (It’s Indian, but there’s no spice…)
Words I have learned:
(In order of usefulness)
Kiswahili
• Sasa: Hey or Hello
• Sawa: Fine, ok, ummhumm
• Assante’: Thank you
• Careeboo: welcome
• Hapana: no
• Neo: Yes
• Meemee: I
• See: (the negative, am not)
• Sana: a lot, much
Non-Kiswahili words
• High: drunk
• Chips: French fries
• Crisps: potato chips
• Flash: to call someone and hang up so that they call you back, and you don’t have to pay
Something different: Cell phones all run on prepaid cards, you can credit just about anywhere (literally, on every corner, in telephone booth sized cells the sales people sit in). I pay 100 Ksh for 100 credit, and it is spend however I use it on my phone (other Safaricom calls are 20 ksh a min, text are 5-10 ksh, calls other carriers are more). So people don’t talk on the phone very long which there’s no “bill me later.”
(Edit later)
Labels: everything else, Kenya, life, Nairboi, the universe
2008/02/24
Changes in Perspective
The power of the network, Things you shouldn’t do in Nairobi, How to convince your mother to not send you abroad
I came here to have my mind blow out of my head, dragged around on a 9 iron by a forty year old homeless woman in the trash ridden – burnt rubber encrusted streets of Nairobi, then flung black into my skull with the hopes that I still want to continue life as an American college student, fulfilling all my hopes and dreams which I had envisioned before arriving in the cradle of humanity.
Except for the last part that might have happened.
I’m sitting in front of my computer for the first time in 5 days, listening with one ear to Appuntamento by Ornella Vanoni, the other ear rings with the susufuss of my failing auditory system. I try to keep one eye close so I can focus.
Saturday I went with Patty all over Ngong road – and Kibera, which is safer than you might think – only to go back into Nairobi that night to meet with some friends at their hotel about a five minuets walk from campus. Busses stop running around nine, so the only reasonable way into town is a Matatu. I was planning on climbing in the morning, so I brought my backpack with a few layers, and my passport (we were foreigners going into a national park) that I carry around my neck under my shirt. I had my signed orange hat along with my camera, and a few other odds and ends.
It was dark when I left the house, walked a few deserted streets to the matatu stop, which was occupied by a man and his wife. The matatus were all going the opposite direction, but shouted that they were coming back (in Kiswahili), and the man politely translated for me. With reserved laughs (which I instigated) I admitted that I was a mzungu (white person), and introduced myself. I learned that He was Huntington and his wife’s name was Mary. He was a Lou who had been working under a Kikuyu, and had like many of his countrymen been fired due to his tribal affiliation. He was staying at a local church, but would be force to leave by the 1st. There are currently over 250,000 internally displaced persons in Kenya not including refugees from nearby Sudan, Chad, Somalia, and Uganda.
We exchanged numbers, and I agreed to visit him within the next few days. He kept asking if I knew of any work, or a place that he could stay. I kept asking what I could do to help him, short of giving money. The program I was involved in was focused on enabling young people to start their own businesses. What was the country, I, or anybody doing to help what I saw as a skill-less worker in his middle ages with a family? If I was in his position, I would have run- or traveled – to … somewhere. To something exciting- the sea, mountains, some passion I had. But Huntington has a family, he has a nine-month-old baby, I don’t think you can live as haphazardly as I do when you’re responsible for someone else.
How can I help him…?
As the night went on, there was alcohol, drama, and clubbing, non of which I enjoyed very thoroughly, so I made one the biggest mistakes in my life: I walked home alone.
Aga Kahn hospital is in Westlands, it had a wonderfully clean ICU, full of clean beds, florescent lights, worried faces, and IV bags hanging over the begs. I got down and personal with their “dustbins” which I found out weren’t filled with dust after all, and slowly came to realize that I had no clue how I arrived at my present location.
One CT scan, a few X-rays, an audio graph, plenty of amoxicillin, an ambulance ride, and every nurse I had getting angry at my for not eating- I left the hospital with 70% hearing loss in my right ear, a sense of balance equivalent to a drunkard, a skull fracture, a few lost pounds, a yearning for American food, and five days of looking at a pink panther painted on the wall. I also got to watch the highlights of Aljazeera (which is enlightening) the OC [wait, he’s who’s father?], Scrubs, and lots of business news.
If you’re just now catching up to what happened. He’s how I perceived it: I walked out of a club and ended up in a hospital – ergo a) I discovered how to teleport or b) lost account of many hours in a town with the nickname “Ni-robbery.”
Here’s where some amazing shit happens, don’t ask what happened in more detail, because I don’t know – I am very blurry on all this, and most is probably pieced together from what other people told me.
I walked through a roundabout into Nairobi central park (along the road still) which is known to be one of the most dangerous places to walk at night other than the slums (I did not know this at the time), I was probably strangled- they put a 2X4 to my neck and I probably struggled so, they hit me to get it over with quicker. When I went down they took my backpack-wallet-cell phone-orange hat-camera-passport (I have a scar around my neck from where I was carrying it). I still have my sun glasses (I don’t know why). I did not lose my laptop; it was not on me, or my Nikon camera. I also still had my shoes.
Somehow I was picked up by two AIESEC’ers who’s names I still don’t know (not from the LC I’m with), and I told them how to get back to my host family, who then took me [along with the @’ers] to Aga Kahn hospital in the Westlands of Nairobi (a suburb). Nerea was pregnant and went into labor the next day, and I think one of the other sisters was in a hospital too, so I probably added to the hecktickness of Pesika’s life. I told someone my fathers phone number and I remember talking to him while I was still in the ICU (I think it was the ICU), they had to admit me, but I don’t remember when or how that worked out. My room was in the children’s ward, and I was moved by wheelchair everywhere I went. I saw an ENT doctor at some earlier hour of the night, who put a tuning fork to my head. I was dripping clear fluid from my nose sometime Monday (I was admitted Sunday morning), and told to sit, eat, and sleep upright.
Several people from Nairobi LC came and visited me, even though school started this week, thank you all.
I was discharged Thursday at about 3pm, where Halima, Winnie, and Sylvia drove me home. I got to see Nerea’s baby Lando, a fourth sister; who just happens to be a nurse and has been posting on my blog ☺, and was able to sleep in my own bed.
I’m not going to do that again, it wasn’t fun, and I know I’m lucky I could have been; shot, stabbed, rapped, or any other number of happy things. I’m looking into seeing other specialist about my ear, as I can’t rightly walk as it is.
I’m on bed rest for at least another week, I’m not depressed, I don’t want to go home, and the thing I’m lest happiest about is that I lost a week of work and experiences to a bed. For those of you there were/are concerned I guess your feelings were better founded than my own, but I think/hope I learned my lesson.
Things I crave right now:
Taco Bell
Real cheese (laccatelli)
Carrot Cake
People I thought about:
KP: are you still coming to Africa?
Maddie: was India like this?
Ryan: I WANT TACO BELL-they’re not big on a variety of beers here
Cole: yeah… but I don’t want to admit it
Preston: this is one messed up dream, and I love it
Brian: so there I was, unconscious- without a passport, wallet, or cell phone on the side of a road in Nairobi
T: People here (everywhere) need you and your animal skills, take that year off
Erin: fuck’em
Joe: how do I make my blog more readable? (columns?) Oh and I need a web site asap
Bunny: The girls here think you’re cute
@’ers everywhere: fate be it, I’ll see you someday.
I came here to have my mind blow out of my head, dragged around on a 9 iron by a forty year old homeless woman in the trash ridden – burnt rubber encrusted streets of Nairobi, then flung black into my skull with the hopes that I still want to continue life as an American college student, fulfilling all my hopes and dreams which I had envisioned before arriving in the cradle of humanity.
Except for the last part that might have happened.
I’m sitting in front of my computer for the first time in 5 days, listening with one ear to Appuntamento by Ornella Vanoni, the other ear rings with the susufuss of my failing auditory system. I try to keep one eye close so I can focus.
Saturday I went with Patty all over Ngong road – and Kibera, which is safer than you might think – only to go back into Nairobi that night to meet with some friends at their hotel about a five minuets walk from campus. Busses stop running around nine, so the only reasonable way into town is a Matatu. I was planning on climbing in the morning, so I brought my backpack with a few layers, and my passport (we were foreigners going into a national park) that I carry around my neck under my shirt. I had my signed orange hat along with my camera, and a few other odds and ends.
It was dark when I left the house, walked a few deserted streets to the matatu stop, which was occupied by a man and his wife. The matatus were all going the opposite direction, but shouted that they were coming back (in Kiswahili), and the man politely translated for me. With reserved laughs (which I instigated) I admitted that I was a mzungu (white person), and introduced myself. I learned that He was Huntington and his wife’s name was Mary. He was a Lou who had been working under a Kikuyu, and had like many of his countrymen been fired due to his tribal affiliation. He was staying at a local church, but would be force to leave by the 1st. There are currently over 250,000 internally displaced persons in Kenya not including refugees from nearby Sudan, Chad, Somalia, and Uganda.
We exchanged numbers, and I agreed to visit him within the next few days. He kept asking if I knew of any work, or a place that he could stay. I kept asking what I could do to help him, short of giving money. The program I was involved in was focused on enabling young people to start their own businesses. What was the country, I, or anybody doing to help what I saw as a skill-less worker in his middle ages with a family? If I was in his position, I would have run- or traveled – to … somewhere. To something exciting- the sea, mountains, some passion I had. But Huntington has a family, he has a nine-month-old baby, I don’t think you can live as haphazardly as I do when you’re responsible for someone else.
How can I help him…?
As the night went on, there was alcohol, drama, and clubbing, non of which I enjoyed very thoroughly, so I made one the biggest mistakes in my life: I walked home alone.
Aga Kahn hospital is in Westlands, it had a wonderfully clean ICU, full of clean beds, florescent lights, worried faces, and IV bags hanging over the begs. I got down and personal with their “dustbins” which I found out weren’t filled with dust after all, and slowly came to realize that I had no clue how I arrived at my present location.
One CT scan, a few X-rays, an audio graph, plenty of amoxicillin, an ambulance ride, and every nurse I had getting angry at my for not eating- I left the hospital with 70% hearing loss in my right ear, a sense of balance equivalent to a drunkard, a skull fracture, a few lost pounds, a yearning for American food, and five days of looking at a pink panther painted on the wall. I also got to watch the highlights of Aljazeera (which is enlightening) the OC [wait, he’s who’s father?], Scrubs, and lots of business news.
If you’re just now catching up to what happened. He’s how I perceived it: I walked out of a club and ended up in a hospital – ergo a) I discovered how to teleport or b) lost account of many hours in a town with the nickname “Ni-robbery.”
Here’s where some amazing shit happens, don’t ask what happened in more detail, because I don’t know – I am very blurry on all this, and most is probably pieced together from what other people told me.
I walked through a roundabout into Nairobi central park (along the road still) which is known to be one of the most dangerous places to walk at night other than the slums (I did not know this at the time), I was probably strangled- they put a 2X4 to my neck and I probably struggled so, they hit me to get it over with quicker. When I went down they took my backpack-wallet-cell phone-orange hat-camera-passport (I have a scar around my neck from where I was carrying it). I still have my sun glasses (I don’t know why). I did not lose my laptop; it was not on me, or my Nikon camera. I also still had my shoes.
Somehow I was picked up by two AIESEC’ers who’s names I still don’t know (not from the LC I’m with), and I told them how to get back to my host family, who then took me [along with the @’ers] to Aga Kahn hospital in the Westlands of Nairobi (a suburb). Nerea was pregnant and went into labor the next day, and I think one of the other sisters was in a hospital too, so I probably added to the hecktickness of Pesika’s life. I told someone my fathers phone number and I remember talking to him while I was still in the ICU (I think it was the ICU), they had to admit me, but I don’t remember when or how that worked out. My room was in the children’s ward, and I was moved by wheelchair everywhere I went. I saw an ENT doctor at some earlier hour of the night, who put a tuning fork to my head. I was dripping clear fluid from my nose sometime Monday (I was admitted Sunday morning), and told to sit, eat, and sleep upright.
Several people from Nairobi LC came and visited me, even though school started this week, thank you all.
I was discharged Thursday at about 3pm, where Halima, Winnie, and Sylvia drove me home. I got to see Nerea’s baby Lando, a fourth sister; who just happens to be a nurse and has been posting on my blog ☺, and was able to sleep in my own bed.
I’m not going to do that again, it wasn’t fun, and I know I’m lucky I could have been; shot, stabbed, rapped, or any other number of happy things. I’m looking into seeing other specialist about my ear, as I can’t rightly walk as it is.
I’m on bed rest for at least another week, I’m not depressed, I don’t want to go home, and the thing I’m lest happiest about is that I lost a week of work and experiences to a bed. For those of you there were/are concerned I guess your feelings were better founded than my own, but I think/hope I learned my lesson.
Things I crave right now:
Taco Bell
Real cheese (laccatelli)
Carrot Cake
People I thought about:
KP: are you still coming to Africa?
Maddie: was India like this?
Ryan: I WANT TACO BELL-they’re not big on a variety of beers here
Cole: yeah… but I don’t want to admit it
Preston: this is one messed up dream, and I love it
Brian: so there I was, unconscious- without a passport, wallet, or cell phone on the side of a road in Nairobi
T: People here (everywhere) need you and your animal skills, take that year off
Erin: fuck’em
Joe: how do I make my blog more readable? (columns?) Oh and I need a web site asap
Bunny: The girls here think you’re cute
@’ers everywhere: fate be it, I’ll see you someday.
2008/02/15
Bike?
Lets see…
Work is fun, though from talking to some people I’ve figured out that the balls been rolling and I need to do a little catching up (which is weird since I though I was the one everyone was waiting on).
According to my schedule I have 2-3 marketing calls, 3 proposals due, a schedule to plan, a budget to revamp (having a budget makes things much easier), two banks to work with (use leverage or just consult with them as individuals in a business group / investors club), work on creating the Board of Advisors – find a chamber of commerce like group for Nairobi (their web site hasn’t been updated in 3 years so I doubt they’re still around), ohh and make posters.
---Skip this if you are not part of the international student group know as AIESEC---------
So yeah, enough about work. Well… not really, for those of you who don’t know, because I didn’t tell you, the University of Nairobi main campus (in Nairobi) is closed until further notice (rumors say April [upadte - it's monday]) so the whole Aiesec at Nairobi is basically full time, it’s kind of scary how much they get done. There are three major projects going on right now. A fourth is in the process.
Projects here isn’t really an option, everybody has to be part of a project, but that’s because there are projects, which are funded. The OC’s are like pimps, and it’s just awesome, there’s a policy that the LCP has to have been on a OC for some event or project to be elected, I don’t see this as a problem at GT (with conferences), but if we did projects, holy crap it would be sweet. - I feel that there are more orgs on campus at GT which hurts us a little ,were UoN has less, so they can get more attention - we just have to pull hard on the Exchange side of all this.
There’s so much collaboration, and people don’t sit around, they have to work, and if there isn’t anything going on at GPM’s they just go to their project – because there like “wtf is this shit, if you guys can’t make a presentation about the AIESEC acronyms interesting with this silly crossword, then I’m going to go work on my passion with ___ project” Just like that ( this is a little exageration).
Oh, and we had two people present today, the BOA of projects, and a project management professor/consultant/87 time project completor. All about time tables, and planning… and someone tell me how the new members are, and how projects is going… Kyle.
------------End AIESEC related words-----------------
I've been in Nairobi for about 2 weeks now, and it's an amazing town. It has lots of people who walk, ride the bus, ride Matatus(small vans that cram in about 14 people) and... some very courageous bikers (saw one rollerblader today too with his A|X glasses ones).
Biker here, are well first off old, mostly single speeds with a free wheel, and weigh about 50+ lbs.
Bikes take an active role on the sidewalk (which is usually unpaved compact dirt) and are often the subject of burnings (I think) for metal (I just saw it from the bus, I'm not sure how this would work or what they're after)
Cars here frequently use horns or "hoot" and drive very aggressively, always. There aren't any stop signs or lights, everything is done in roundabouts, which are crazy as hell, and Bikes always ride on the side - I've yet to see a bike in the middle of a turnabout
If you haven't pictured it yet, in-town Nairobi is hellish for bikes. :)
I'm looking for a two wheeled mode of transport that wasn't made in the 50's, or is a full suspension bike for 3,000 shillings (like $50), and maybe ride it to cyber cafes.
Either way, if you ever get a change to visit a country that doesn't take traffic lights seriously, I would advise it- and see how everybody else travels. (races here would be crazy and someone would die ...)
Hope everything is well in Atlanta
-Sean
Things I need more of
-Fash drive ( I think joe has it :p) - "who killed the floppy"
-Pens : oddly rare, and I don't want to pay
-short sleeved shirts - with collars
-ties ( I just need to buy one, they're really cheep)
-books
-pants
had to stay under 50 lbs on the way here, but I'll manage :)
Work is fun, though from talking to some people I’ve figured out that the balls been rolling and I need to do a little catching up (which is weird since I though I was the one everyone was waiting on).
According to my schedule I have 2-3 marketing calls, 3 proposals due, a schedule to plan, a budget to revamp (having a budget makes things much easier), two banks to work with (use leverage or just consult with them as individuals in a business group / investors club), work on creating the Board of Advisors – find a chamber of commerce like group for Nairobi (their web site hasn’t been updated in 3 years so I doubt they’re still around), ohh and make posters.
---Skip this if you are not part of the international student group know as AIESEC---------
So yeah, enough about work. Well… not really, for those of you who don’t know, because I didn’t tell you, the University of Nairobi main campus (in Nairobi) is closed until further notice (rumors say April [upadte - it's monday]) so the whole Aiesec at Nairobi is basically full time, it’s kind of scary how much they get done. There are three major projects going on right now. A fourth is in the process.
Projects here isn’t really an option, everybody has to be part of a project, but that’s because there are projects, which are funded. The OC’s are like pimps, and it’s just awesome, there’s a policy that the LCP has to have been on a OC for some event or project to be elected, I don’t see this as a problem at GT (with conferences), but if we did projects, holy crap it would be sweet. - I feel that there are more orgs on campus at GT which hurts us a little ,were UoN has less, so they can get more attention - we just have to pull hard on the Exchange side of all this.
There’s so much collaboration, and people don’t sit around, they have to work, and if there isn’t anything going on at GPM’s they just go to their project – because there like “wtf is this shit, if you guys can’t make a presentation about the AIESEC acronyms interesting with this silly crossword, then I’m going to go work on my passion with ___ project” Just like that ( this is a little exageration).
Oh, and we had two people present today, the BOA of projects, and a project management professor/consultant/87 time project completor. All about time tables, and planning… and someone tell me how the new members are, and how projects is going… Kyle.
------------End AIESEC related words-----------------
I've been in Nairobi for about 2 weeks now, and it's an amazing town. It has lots of people who walk, ride the bus, ride Matatus(small vans that cram in about 14 people) and... some very courageous bikers (saw one rollerblader today too with his A|X glasses ones).
Biker here, are well first off old, mostly single speeds with a free wheel, and weigh about 50+ lbs.
Bikes take an active role on the sidewalk (which is usually unpaved compact dirt) and are often the subject of burnings (I think) for metal (I just saw it from the bus, I'm not sure how this would work or what they're after)
Cars here frequently use horns or "hoot" and drive very aggressively, always. There aren't any stop signs or lights, everything is done in roundabouts, which are crazy as hell, and Bikes always ride on the side - I've yet to see a bike in the middle of a turnabout
If you haven't pictured it yet, in-town Nairobi is hellish for bikes. :)
I'm looking for a two wheeled mode of transport that wasn't made in the 50's, or is a full suspension bike for 3,000 shillings (like $50), and maybe ride it to cyber cafes.
Either way, if you ever get a change to visit a country that doesn't take traffic lights seriously, I would advise it- and see how everybody else travels. (races here would be crazy and someone would die ...)
Hope everything is well in Atlanta
-Sean
Things I need more of
-Fash drive ( I think joe has it :p) - "who killed the floppy"
-Pens : oddly rare, and I don't want to pay
-short sleeved shirts - with collars
-ties ( I just need to buy one, they're really cheep)
-books
-pants
had to stay under 50 lbs on the way here, but I'll manage :)
2008/02/12
Concerns
People are constantly worrying about my safety, the state of Kenya, and now "That the administration was largely unaware" of my presence here.
First off, thank you.
I understand your concern, I too read the news, have watched TV in both the states and here in Kenya, and have read the horrifying blogs of peace-core evacs.
Let me start off with my decision for coming to Kenya.
I had applied for an internship with AIESEC Nairobi before the election "skirmishes" had occurred, I had talked to a family friend, and he had already advised me to be weary of the elections, as the previous elections had also had a somewhat violent history.
December 27th I was in Manchester New Hampshire on winter break. I do not believe I learned of the troubles until the 2nd, as I was spending most of the time climbing and hiking in the White Mountains and Green Mountains. I actually heard from my mother, that 600 had been killed in election related violence, and that people were being evacuated.
When I got home, I called my people in Kenya, emailed, and texted them … pretty much at the same time. They told me Nairobi was fine, that the violence was in the west, and that westerners were not affected.
Next Kofi Annan arrived, diplomacy began to take place, and things started to settle down. This does not mean the violence completely stopped, there are still rumor here of gangs going around the slums (which I have not been to nor do I plan to go to in the present situation), there is violence still in the west and I’ve been told not to travel to far from the city (unless it to the south and east)
Before I came, I talked to western missionaries who were working in somewhat troubled areas, to UN friends who worked in Nairobi, and to friends who had lived there (along with the people who I would be staying with, and those I would work with)
ALL of them told me, as a westerner in Nairobi, that I would be safe, and should be more concerned with Nairobi’s crime in general than the elections.
I flew out on Jan 30th 2008 with assurances that I would be safe, living in a guarded complex in a nice part of town – Kilimani, which is between Lavington and Hurlingham, a “posh” area as I’ve been told. Even before I left I did the following:
Registered with the US State department – as a personal traveling to Kenya- I receive travel warnings, and have been given a warden to contact as a link to the US embassy.
Found local hospitals numbers, and emergency numbers, I pass two hospitals on the way to town, and I work right next to a police station – they have a bar in the back, it’s nice and the police are generally friendly despite the automatic guns they all carry. There are police everywhere, and most stores have their own security guards.
Took two cell-phones, and wrote all the numbers of all the contacts I had in my journal, had 4 passport photos, all my immunizations – and the documents to prove it.
All of my documents are copied, and given to the proper people back in the states and in Kenya.
When I arrived here, I visited the US embassy, which I wrote about earlier. The town hall meeting which was lead by the US ambassador to Kenya assessed the situation, and explained the evacuation procedures, who to call and what to do. There were almost 200 people in attendance, some peace core relocated persons, some CDC workers who were in the west.
The peace core had been pulled out because their transportation could not be assured if they had been injured. I have friends who are in similar situations, who are now in Nairobi until they feel it is safe to go back.
In my daily life I walk maybe 2 kilometers, am begged by many children, and pestered by some, but I feel safe, even alone when I know where I’m going and what I’m doing.
I understand people concerns, I see the media in Kenya and we look at it in aw, as that’s not what’s happening in Nairobi. People don’t have time for this conflict; they have jobs and families that occupy their time. I have a project to work on that isn’t going to wait, one of the reasons there is killing is that people in the slums don’t have anything to do – or lose, which the project that I’m working on is combating (youth unemployment).
The fact that this happened, that is can happen is a symptom larger problems which need to be addressed in Kenya, not a reason to pull out and abandon a country which is readdressing a fifty year old problem- a problem that has a chance to be fixed. The talks are evident of that and the fact that the army hasn’t taken over is evident of it.
If you wish to give your concern, thank you, I appreciate being worried about, just like I worry about you – your safety, wellbeing, and prosperity – but also think about who I’m working with, the people I now know here, and what their going through. I have the option of leaving, of being removed from this conflict, being blissfully ignorant.
You care because you know me, because I’m somehow associated with you. I bet you looked into Kenya, or looked twice when a report about the violence came up. I know I learned more about the place I was going when I realized that there were five hundred people that no longer existed, and that I probably couldn’t travel to half the country. Think if I had gone to Sudan, or Nepal, or Chechnya. Would you be concerned about me, I hope so, but also realize that there are people there who you can be just as concerned about, people I might have been friends with, people who I could have cared about.
Open your eyes, there’s more going on than just where you are, more that affects you than you realize. Here in Kenya the prices of fruits has gone up because it’s hard to transport them, In America ethanol prices have risen, creating who know how much change that affects you in pennies at first, but dollars later.
Look back at those sources you looked to find about Kenya, look at what else is going on in the world, get a more global perspective, I have friends in Qatar, Thailand, Russia, Korea, Germany, France, Jordan, and when I see something happening there I’m concerned, not just for a mass of rioting people, but for those I know are sitting at home watching the new, asking themselves what the hell those idiots are killing each other over, and why it’s happening to their country.
It’s amazing what happens when you personify someone, and don’t think of them as “Kenyan,” but by their name.
First off, thank you.
I understand your concern, I too read the news, have watched TV in both the states and here in Kenya, and have read the horrifying blogs of peace-core evacs.
Let me start off with my decision for coming to Kenya.
I had applied for an internship with AIESEC Nairobi before the election "skirmishes" had occurred, I had talked to a family friend, and he had already advised me to be weary of the elections, as the previous elections had also had a somewhat violent history.
December 27th I was in Manchester New Hampshire on winter break. I do not believe I learned of the troubles until the 2nd, as I was spending most of the time climbing and hiking in the White Mountains and Green Mountains. I actually heard from my mother, that 600 had been killed in election related violence, and that people were being evacuated.
When I got home, I called my people in Kenya, emailed, and texted them … pretty much at the same time. They told me Nairobi was fine, that the violence was in the west, and that westerners were not affected.
Next Kofi Annan arrived, diplomacy began to take place, and things started to settle down. This does not mean the violence completely stopped, there are still rumor here of gangs going around the slums (which I have not been to nor do I plan to go to in the present situation), there is violence still in the west and I’ve been told not to travel to far from the city (unless it to the south and east)
Before I came, I talked to western missionaries who were working in somewhat troubled areas, to UN friends who worked in Nairobi, and to friends who had lived there (along with the people who I would be staying with, and those I would work with)
ALL of them told me, as a westerner in Nairobi, that I would be safe, and should be more concerned with Nairobi’s crime in general than the elections.
I flew out on Jan 30th 2008 with assurances that I would be safe, living in a guarded complex in a nice part of town – Kilimani, which is between Lavington and Hurlingham, a “posh” area as I’ve been told. Even before I left I did the following:
Registered with the US State department – as a personal traveling to Kenya- I receive travel warnings, and have been given a warden to contact as a link to the US embassy.
Found local hospitals numbers, and emergency numbers, I pass two hospitals on the way to town, and I work right next to a police station – they have a bar in the back, it’s nice and the police are generally friendly despite the automatic guns they all carry. There are police everywhere, and most stores have their own security guards.
Took two cell-phones, and wrote all the numbers of all the contacts I had in my journal, had 4 passport photos, all my immunizations – and the documents to prove it.
All of my documents are copied, and given to the proper people back in the states and in Kenya.
When I arrived here, I visited the US embassy, which I wrote about earlier. The town hall meeting which was lead by the US ambassador to Kenya assessed the situation, and explained the evacuation procedures, who to call and what to do. There were almost 200 people in attendance, some peace core relocated persons, some CDC workers who were in the west.
The peace core had been pulled out because their transportation could not be assured if they had been injured. I have friends who are in similar situations, who are now in Nairobi until they feel it is safe to go back.
In my daily life I walk maybe 2 kilometers, am begged by many children, and pestered by some, but I feel safe, even alone when I know where I’m going and what I’m doing.
I understand people concerns, I see the media in Kenya and we look at it in aw, as that’s not what’s happening in Nairobi. People don’t have time for this conflict; they have jobs and families that occupy their time. I have a project to work on that isn’t going to wait, one of the reasons there is killing is that people in the slums don’t have anything to do – or lose, which the project that I’m working on is combating (youth unemployment).
The fact that this happened, that is can happen is a symptom larger problems which need to be addressed in Kenya, not a reason to pull out and abandon a country which is readdressing a fifty year old problem- a problem that has a chance to be fixed. The talks are evident of that and the fact that the army hasn’t taken over is evident of it.
If you wish to give your concern, thank you, I appreciate being worried about, just like I worry about you – your safety, wellbeing, and prosperity – but also think about who I’m working with, the people I now know here, and what their going through. I have the option of leaving, of being removed from this conflict, being blissfully ignorant.
You care because you know me, because I’m somehow associated with you. I bet you looked into Kenya, or looked twice when a report about the violence came up. I know I learned more about the place I was going when I realized that there were five hundred people that no longer existed, and that I probably couldn’t travel to half the country. Think if I had gone to Sudan, or Nepal, or Chechnya. Would you be concerned about me, I hope so, but also realize that there are people there who you can be just as concerned about, people I might have been friends with, people who I could have cared about.
Open your eyes, there’s more going on than just where you are, more that affects you than you realize. Here in Kenya the prices of fruits has gone up because it’s hard to transport them, In America ethanol prices have risen, creating who know how much change that affects you in pennies at first, but dollars later.
Look back at those sources you looked to find about Kenya, look at what else is going on in the world, get a more global perspective, I have friends in Qatar, Thailand, Russia, Korea, Germany, France, Jordan, and when I see something happening there I’m concerned, not just for a mass of rioting people, but for those I know are sitting at home watching the new, asking themselves what the hell those idiots are killing each other over, and why it’s happening to their country.
It’s amazing what happens when you personify someone, and don’t think of them as “Kenyan,” but by their name.
2008/02/08
Jooboing or something of that nature
In Kiswahili (the language of the Swahili area) the word job has somehow been combined with slang (shang) and turned into the word joobo. I am now “jooboing”it’s the act of doing your job.
After a long night I went to the LC at the university, and attended the MSS… which is like our GPM’s (general participant meetings) in AIESEC but are Member seminar sessions, I was introduced to the LC, and was going to play “Black Betty,” and do the dance, but somehow I don’t have the song! Someone get those to me (a certain Russian). So I did “GT is OK,” and I don’t think they quite got it, but that’s ok. For the rest of MSS there were lots of quizzes, and general learning’s.
Afterwards we went back to the LC and talked about American politics, which Kenyan’s are very interested in. They love to talk about Obama, but also make general comments on our presidential race, they were all tuned into supper Tuesday to see who would win. I’m not sure if it’s a college campus thing, or an anti-bush things, but every Kenyan I’ve met doesn’t like republicans. We were watching CNN international, and a Chinese mystic analysed all the candidates, had positive things to say about democrats (strong features indicates caring), and had good things to say about republicans too…but they also added in “ his completion means he speaks from the hard but his eyes tell me that he is secretive.” [Guess who I’m referring to and you get … a comment of affirmation]. I went into the fact that there are more than just two parties, and what universal health care might actually mean, and how religion is tied in with being elected- it was neat to hear their questions from only watching the news .
After that I had interviews (the work part) for almost 3 hours for 6 candidates. Four people applied for our projects external relations, one for the exchange relations, and one for the content development team, so it’s a bit off when we wanted 3 in each team. Doing all these interviews makes me wish I did more in my LC, because I really enjoyed heading this up with my team to figure out our resources. In terms of man-power. I’ll get into the actual project later in this post (because I think many of you still aren’t quite sure why I’m here), but right now I want to talk just about the interviews.
I only interviewed six people today, and of those six only two really impressed me. I generally think people have a reason for what there are doing, even if it’s just “what I’ve always done,” or “it seemed like fun.” I met some people today who I’m not sure if that holds true. Don’t get me wrong, I believe they will be hard workers and a valuable asset to my team, but I don’t know if they were quite sure why they were there until we laid the question in front of them. Surprisingly enough, I found myself being interview by one of the interviewers and was very impressed when I found out what he was also interviewing me as a manager.
There were three people who interviewed every person; the VP projects director, the VP projects director elect who will take over in July I believe, and myself. A fourth person was present for the team the applicant had applied for -as that project team’s coordinator (there are three of them, so they rotated).
The first applicant had an idea of what he wanted to do, but when asked the simple question of “name any accomplishment you are proud to have successfully completed,” (in terms of projects not high school or college – something you designed) he could only think of a birthday he planned. This could have been a hell of a party, but he didn’t elaborate so I as the interview don’t know. That he could only come up with that as his proudest achievement, was… kinda disheartening as to his abilities, hopefully we can give him more opportunities to enrich his skill box, but it brings up some concern when that is a response.
The second was shy, but solid in his background. Being shy can be a huge disadvantage. I asked him to do a mock sales call for me (elevator speech) in less than a minuet and he didn’t do very well (mind you it could have been much worse), but here are some things to watch out for when you’re in an interview (bad habits you might have).
Do NOT
-put your hands close to your mouth (or in)
-pick your nose (you know what I mean)
-eat
-say “I don’t know” for a whole question without explaining your self
-talk to the point of your interviewer(s) getting board
DO
-LOOK PEOPLE IN THE EYES
-shake hands
-sit up straight
-explain yourself – multi slayable answers are good
-smile
-ASK QUESTIONS AT THE END, and relate back to the interviewers
The third person interviewed just wasn’t a good match, and didn’t feel believable, the fourth talked too long (it’s not funny five minuets later)[we all agreed, he was nice, just needed to cut down on verbiage-and repetition] and actually had a job which would take up most of his time.
The fifth was great. He was charismatic, friendly, and aggressive when it came to questions. There was one question we asked everybody. “Between people, structure, and completion which would you chose?” Everybody but him chose “people.” Which they then defined the most important because you create a structure around them, but it is them, and then the outcome is related to the people- deal with people and you solve the problems, and not ignore people for structures which might not apply or successes which is interdependent. I had heard it enough times to begin to think this was the right answer, not in a bad way, but it’s neat to see how different people answer the same questions. This individual said the structure was the important item, because if say one person left, and there was not structure or foundation to rely on then the asset that they were is no longer useful or obtainable for someone else. He then cited Kenya’s troubles with putting too much power in a person instead of the institution of government, which would allow for transfer of power to another and keep the system alive.
It made everyone in the room happy that he answered like that, not that he new he was different (as far as we know), but that it was outstanding. The following girl (6th) also had a great interview, answered the question the same as everyone else, but that didn’t hurt her it was still well founded, he just shown a little higher.
About the questions though, after #5’s (Johnny #5! – his name is not Johnny) questions were through we asked him if he had any questions for us. He then proceeded to ask how many projects we’d managed, our problems with past projects, and hearing that -what I, as the project manager, was going to focus on first. I had to think for a second, I didn’t expect to be put on spot in an interview I was doing. It was refreshing to say the least. Once I responded, he then told me he thought I was doing it wrong (very politely) and from his experience he would do it this way. This is exactly what I wanted (especially from a subordinate [as long as he follows when the times comes, but that’s a different story-as in not yet made]). He broke the barrier from question answering machine into real person, who made us look at ourselves and think.
It was a very good day, I then travelled home in the rain, Kenyan’s look at me funny I’m used to it, but it’s pretty obvious I stand out. On the other hand, I don’t dress like a lot of the tourist I see who wear what I wore when I got here – light clothing, shorts, hat, sandals. I go to work, and have to dress somewhat appropriately by Kenyan standards, which means always wearing pants, and something with a choler – also means I need to go shopping in the markets for used clothing.
Anyway I got home and had a long conversation with Pesika (or Priska as she sometimes goes by) about the Maasi and their cow, how to kill, gut, and cook a chicken (which she’s going to let me do), same with a fish. We talked about places I need to go in town, how I can take a hot … bath? It’s a bucket of water I splash myself with in the shower, so I don’t know what to call that, but I really don’t like cold showers- this cold, they’re my only weakness (I stayed in a glacier river longer than I was under that shower.. wtf). We also talked about hair, the difference between braids, weaves, and … wigs or something. I’m blissfully ignorant of the importance of all this to woman, but it does look cool (doubt they were going for that word).
After a long night I went to the LC at the university, and attended the MSS… which is like our GPM’s (general participant meetings) in AIESEC but are Member seminar sessions, I was introduced to the LC, and was going to play “Black Betty,” and do the dance, but somehow I don’t have the song! Someone get those to me (a certain Russian). So I did “GT is OK,” and I don’t think they quite got it, but that’s ok. For the rest of MSS there were lots of quizzes, and general learning’s.
Afterwards we went back to the LC and talked about American politics, which Kenyan’s are very interested in. They love to talk about Obama, but also make general comments on our presidential race, they were all tuned into supper Tuesday to see who would win. I’m not sure if it’s a college campus thing, or an anti-bush things, but every Kenyan I’ve met doesn’t like republicans. We were watching CNN international, and a Chinese mystic analysed all the candidates, had positive things to say about democrats (strong features indicates caring), and had good things to say about republicans too…but they also added in “ his completion means he speaks from the hard but his eyes tell me that he is secretive.” [Guess who I’m referring to and you get … a comment of affirmation]. I went into the fact that there are more than just two parties, and what universal health care might actually mean, and how religion is tied in with being elected- it was neat to hear their questions from only watching the news .
After that I had interviews (the work part) for almost 3 hours for 6 candidates. Four people applied for our projects external relations, one for the exchange relations, and one for the content development team, so it’s a bit off when we wanted 3 in each team. Doing all these interviews makes me wish I did more in my LC, because I really enjoyed heading this up with my team to figure out our resources. In terms of man-power. I’ll get into the actual project later in this post (because I think many of you still aren’t quite sure why I’m here), but right now I want to talk just about the interviews.
I only interviewed six people today, and of those six only two really impressed me. I generally think people have a reason for what there are doing, even if it’s just “what I’ve always done,” or “it seemed like fun.” I met some people today who I’m not sure if that holds true. Don’t get me wrong, I believe they will be hard workers and a valuable asset to my team, but I don’t know if they were quite sure why they were there until we laid the question in front of them. Surprisingly enough, I found myself being interview by one of the interviewers and was very impressed when I found out what he was also interviewing me as a manager.
There were three people who interviewed every person; the VP projects director, the VP projects director elect who will take over in July I believe, and myself. A fourth person was present for the team the applicant had applied for -as that project team’s coordinator (there are three of them, so they rotated).
The first applicant had an idea of what he wanted to do, but when asked the simple question of “name any accomplishment you are proud to have successfully completed,” (in terms of projects not high school or college – something you designed) he could only think of a birthday he planned. This could have been a hell of a party, but he didn’t elaborate so I as the interview don’t know. That he could only come up with that as his proudest achievement, was… kinda disheartening as to his abilities, hopefully we can give him more opportunities to enrich his skill box, but it brings up some concern when that is a response.
The second was shy, but solid in his background. Being shy can be a huge disadvantage. I asked him to do a mock sales call for me (elevator speech) in less than a minuet and he didn’t do very well (mind you it could have been much worse), but here are some things to watch out for when you’re in an interview (bad habits you might have).
Do NOT
-put your hands close to your mouth (or in)
-pick your nose (you know what I mean)
-eat
-say “I don’t know” for a whole question without explaining your self
-talk to the point of your interviewer(s) getting board
DO
-LOOK PEOPLE IN THE EYES
-shake hands
-sit up straight
-explain yourself – multi slayable answers are good
-smile
-ASK QUESTIONS AT THE END, and relate back to the interviewers
The third person interviewed just wasn’t a good match, and didn’t feel believable, the fourth talked too long (it’s not funny five minuets later)[we all agreed, he was nice, just needed to cut down on verbiage-and repetition] and actually had a job which would take up most of his time.
The fifth was great. He was charismatic, friendly, and aggressive when it came to questions. There was one question we asked everybody. “Between people, structure, and completion which would you chose?” Everybody but him chose “people.” Which they then defined the most important because you create a structure around them, but it is them, and then the outcome is related to the people- deal with people and you solve the problems, and not ignore people for structures which might not apply or successes which is interdependent. I had heard it enough times to begin to think this was the right answer, not in a bad way, but it’s neat to see how different people answer the same questions. This individual said the structure was the important item, because if say one person left, and there was not structure or foundation to rely on then the asset that they were is no longer useful or obtainable for someone else. He then cited Kenya’s troubles with putting too much power in a person instead of the institution of government, which would allow for transfer of power to another and keep the system alive.
It made everyone in the room happy that he answered like that, not that he new he was different (as far as we know), but that it was outstanding. The following girl (6th) also had a great interview, answered the question the same as everyone else, but that didn’t hurt her it was still well founded, he just shown a little higher.
About the questions though, after #5’s (Johnny #5! – his name is not Johnny) questions were through we asked him if he had any questions for us. He then proceeded to ask how many projects we’d managed, our problems with past projects, and hearing that -what I, as the project manager, was going to focus on first. I had to think for a second, I didn’t expect to be put on spot in an interview I was doing. It was refreshing to say the least. Once I responded, he then told me he thought I was doing it wrong (very politely) and from his experience he would do it this way. This is exactly what I wanted (especially from a subordinate [as long as he follows when the times comes, but that’s a different story-as in not yet made]). He broke the barrier from question answering machine into real person, who made us look at ourselves and think.
It was a very good day, I then travelled home in the rain, Kenyan’s look at me funny I’m used to it, but it’s pretty obvious I stand out. On the other hand, I don’t dress like a lot of the tourist I see who wear what I wore when I got here – light clothing, shorts, hat, sandals. I go to work, and have to dress somewhat appropriately by Kenyan standards, which means always wearing pants, and something with a choler – also means I need to go shopping in the markets for used clothing.
Anyway I got home and had a long conversation with Pesika (or Priska as she sometimes goes by) about the Maasi and their cow, how to kill, gut, and cook a chicken (which she’s going to let me do), same with a fish. We talked about places I need to go in town, how I can take a hot … bath? It’s a bucket of water I splash myself with in the shower, so I don’t know what to call that, but I really don’t like cold showers- this cold, they’re my only weakness (I stayed in a glacier river longer than I was under that shower.. wtf). We also talked about hair, the difference between braids, weaves, and … wigs or something. I’m blissfully ignorant of the importance of all this to woman, but it does look cool (doubt they were going for that word).
2/5/2008
Last night Pesika and Nerea argued about the state of the country, how bad it was, who was killing whom (like I would really use that word), how corrupt it was and generally made me concerned. They are Lou’s from western Kenya, the tribe that supports Rila Odinga in the Orange Democratic Movement (the ODM), or “the Opposition.”
-the day after
I was concerned enough to call my father and ask if he had read anything, as I don’t have the internet, and asked him to call a friend who knows more about the country than I do. He said the situation hasn’t changed much from a general media perspective ( which might not mean anything). I went to bed feeling slightly nervous.
Today I met up with Mikey, who showed me first to a sketchy part of town, then to the Matatu stop where I could get on and find my way to the US embassy. We rode for twenty minuets outside of Nairobi, where I saw much more green vegetation than I had seen anywhere else in the already green city. When we arrived, it was a long rode which lead down to both the US embassy and, across the road, the UN … center (It was big). I went in the US embassy, which was one of the nicest complexes I’ve ever been in. Security was tight, and I couldn’t bring in my camera, but there were probably 300 people in an inlayed stone theater with a tan skin style stretching awning. The US ambassador to Kenya was there, along with several other high ranking US officials. He brought us up to date on the talks, and US operations, safety plans, and had time for almost an hour of questions from a verity of interesting people.
I now have my warden’s name and number if I need to get evacuated, and know the emergency numbers for the embassy (I already had those, but redundancy doesn’t hurt). Annan has 5 more days , I think, and we’ll see what happens after that.
After the embassy I went back to the LC at the University, met up with Winnie, and headed out to meet a member of the board of directors for AIESEC Nairobi. lucy is an old LCP and director of projects at UoN AIESEC, and she met with Winnie, Sylvia, and myself at a restaurant in Hurlingham. She redirected my attention to a few key concerns she had about the YES program, what my role was and where the LC needs to work on. The meetings was for projects in general, not just the YES program, so I got to sit in on there discussion of how UoN operates.
Aside from some direction setting points, she brought up the interesting Idea of AIESECers becoming investing groups, 50 here, 100 there, with 20 people ends up being a decent some to a start up company for a college student. If it has a reasonable return and goes back into the LC, it brings lots of business skills into the process, and creates some interesting outcomes, I don’t know who’s ready for that but I thought was an interesting Idea.
I walked home after the meeting (maybe a mile) and was called by two other Trainees in Nairobi who were planning a trip to Luma this weekend off the Kenyan coast. I need to look at the costs and the time line, but I read about it in Lonely planet, and it looks pretty cool, I’m thinking about it.
I also helped a guy with his bike on my way home when he shifted out of gear- derailed, and didn’t know how to get it back on or what geat to be in.
It’s 7:58, and I’m almost ready for bed. I did more today than I did yesterday, but night comes here so quickly. Once the sun sets, it’s not really that safe to be outside (or it cost money), and because the University is close “indefinitely,” (for undergrads) there’s not much going on there that I’ve found, I might look into it more, but I feel obligated to come home around 7. I brought this up to a member of the LC (by the way, LC means local community) and he said there would be more going on if they were in class, but right now it was an issues of travel- having to get out of the city every night takes time. I’ll work something out.
Last night Pesika and Nerea argued about the state of the country, how bad it was, who was killing whom (like I would really use that word), how corrupt it was and generally made me concerned. They are Lou’s from western Kenya, the tribe that supports Rila Odinga in the Orange Democratic Movement (the ODM), or “the Opposition.”
-the day after
I was concerned enough to call my father and ask if he had read anything, as I don’t have the internet, and asked him to call a friend who knows more about the country than I do. He said the situation hasn’t changed much from a general media perspective ( which might not mean anything). I went to bed feeling slightly nervous.
Today I met up with Mikey, who showed me first to a sketchy part of town, then to the Matatu stop where I could get on and find my way to the US embassy. We rode for twenty minuets outside of Nairobi, where I saw much more green vegetation than I had seen anywhere else in the already green city. When we arrived, it was a long rode which lead down to both the US embassy and, across the road, the UN … center (It was big). I went in the US embassy, which was one of the nicest complexes I’ve ever been in. Security was tight, and I couldn’t bring in my camera, but there were probably 300 people in an inlayed stone theater with a tan skin style stretching awning. The US ambassador to Kenya was there, along with several other high ranking US officials. He brought us up to date on the talks, and US operations, safety plans, and had time for almost an hour of questions from a verity of interesting people.
I now have my warden’s name and number if I need to get evacuated, and know the emergency numbers for the embassy (I already had those, but redundancy doesn’t hurt). Annan has 5 more days , I think, and we’ll see what happens after that.
After the embassy I went back to the LC at the University, met up with Winnie, and headed out to meet a member of the board of directors for AIESEC Nairobi. lucy is an old LCP and director of projects at UoN AIESEC, and she met with Winnie, Sylvia, and myself at a restaurant in Hurlingham. She redirected my attention to a few key concerns she had about the YES program, what my role was and where the LC needs to work on. The meetings was for projects in general, not just the YES program, so I got to sit in on there discussion of how UoN operates.
Aside from some direction setting points, she brought up the interesting Idea of AIESECers becoming investing groups, 50 here, 100 there, with 20 people ends up being a decent some to a start up company for a college student. If it has a reasonable return and goes back into the LC, it brings lots of business skills into the process, and creates some interesting outcomes, I don’t know who’s ready for that but I thought was an interesting Idea.
I walked home after the meeting (maybe a mile) and was called by two other Trainees in Nairobi who were planning a trip to Luma this weekend off the Kenyan coast. I need to look at the costs and the time line, but I read about it in Lonely planet, and it looks pretty cool, I’m thinking about it.
I also helped a guy with his bike on my way home when he shifted out of gear- derailed, and didn’t know how to get it back on or what geat to be in.
It’s 7:58, and I’m almost ready for bed. I did more today than I did yesterday, but night comes here so quickly. Once the sun sets, it’s not really that safe to be outside (or it cost money), and because the University is close “indefinitely,” (for undergrads) there’s not much going on there that I’ve found, I might look into it more, but I feel obligated to come home around 7. I brought this up to a member of the LC (by the way, LC means local community) and he said there would be more going on if they were in class, but right now it was an issues of travel- having to get out of the city every night takes time. I’ll work something out.
2008/02/05
Let’s try this again- A more organized perspective
I arrived in Kenya on the first of February to a foreign country filled with lively people who unconcernedly forage the streets amidst a sea of insane drivers, who stare unconcerned and smile at the slightest hint of joy coming from you, who are open and friendly. I didn’t know what to expect, but whatever it was this was certainly not it.
Winnie, Mutheu, Chichi, Slyvia, and Helima greeted me at the airport. They immediately noted how tall I am, and throughout the day became more and more interested in my hair; it was amusing at the least. Driving in Halima’s car, I sat quietly in the left front seat as a passenger while the four girls asked questions of where I had come from, what I hoped to do, if I knew and Kiswahili, and I in turn answered what I could.
Coming out of the airport, the first thing that stuck me was the National park, which borders Jomo Kenyatta airport. Two Massai stood watching over a head of cattle behind a wire fence, a thing separation between the bustling pothole ridden road and the assortment of interesting vehicles that traveled on it. The word car might require liberal use, as many vehicles are half running, or a collaboration of pieces. There are Matutus which American style service vans which windows and hold what looks to be 15 people with a usher hanging off the side. These vehicles combined with other unpredictable traffic weave off and on the road, stopping and letting people of, then cutting aggressively back into traffic. We almost hit the car in front of us twice, and the round about do not make it any easier.
Probably the most awkward sight was the people in the streets. There are not cross walks or cross signs, just determined pedestrians who force there way across, in a very unhurried manner. There are also street merchants, who try to sell you items as you sit in your car in slow traffic, and it’s funny stuff. Magazines, posters, and pens were just a few of the items I saw as we drove through Nairobi. The side walks are open to any aggressive driver, as they have a three fold function of trash can, walkway, and unpaved road (bumpy road has a whole new meaning to me). In effort to slow some drivers down there are also speed bumps which seems to scratch any car that driver over them save an SUV, especially when loaded with 5 college students.
The girls first took me to the University of Nairobi, located in the central business district – which is a beautiful mass of people intertwined with cars, not the other way around as the way from the airport seemed. Everyone was dressed very nicely, no shorts (which I’ve found to be consistant everywhere except the campus), and like the road, everyone walked at there own pace. There’s a certain something I can’t describe right now about the location but pictures might help.
Once parked we searched for a way for me to exchange currency, which turned out to be behind a bulletproof mirror with armed guards, then proceeded to let my hostess’ barging for a cell phone which I could use in Kenya. It’s very easy to obtain a number and credit. I pay 100 ksh, and I have that much credit, how much I spend varies from call to call, but it they are so easy to obtain, and for any service that you can easily monitor your phone express.
The day continued with me dropping my items of at my new lodgings, which is located past hurling ham in a location I can’t pronounce or seem to remember, but the complex is Elite Park, and the bus round it #46.
We found our way to a local bar, where I found Tusker (think elephants) beer, and then end the night around 1am, meeting Pesika, one of the sisters from my host family.
The next morning I ran into some troubles with the waterworks of the house, a bloody nose, and all the while trying to keep my noise levels down to a minimum. Flushing the toilet, washing my hands, sneezing, taking apart a porcelain totem, all actions felt very loud at four am.
Later after I meet Peskia’s sister Nerea (who was having her baby shower that day) I meet with the girls at the office along with a few other members who showed up later, about eight in total, and we proceeded to walk around campus, and played basketball, watch a rugby match, eat Chicken, find shade, then walk to down town from campus (maybe a quarter mile) which in the process I was pestered by every child under tha age of five for anything I had. They weren’t dressed poorly, or hungry looking, they just begged, and you could see them go back to their parents after they figured out I wasn’t giving them anything.
The Night continued with a carpool to a party (in a really nice complex) where I met lots of new people, some in AIESEC and other just interesting people. There was lots of talk about American TV shows, Kenyan politics, truth or dare, and lots of use of the word “high” which is used in the place of “drunk,” or “wasted.”
I was tired around three am and found a corner to fall asleep in, but someone shoved me into a car, and I found myself locked outside my apartment at four am. I didn’t want to wake them as I hadn’t really spend that much time with my host’s and I felt really guilty, so I waited for a while listening to the call to prayer, the barking dogs, and I think I used all my cell credit calling my parents before I decided I was being stupid and rang the door bell. Pesika let me and, and I went to be feeling abashed.
I have to think about the next few days a little more, but just some interesting things I’ve noticed while being here:
-My stomach does not stop grumbling :\ - probably the meat
-It is a good Idea to bring your own toilet paper wherever you go
-Coke comes in glass bottles, but is expected to be left at the restaurant
-Coke has very flourishing campaigns here (organic art work) – I have not seen any pepsi
-fries here ( or chips) are really cheep
-not many people wear sunglasses – mostly girls for fashion
-Town shuts down at dark, the crowds are gone, the cars are gone, being alone would be a bad idea, and it’s frightening how quickly it happens.
-everyone has a gate and a fence, and a guard for that matter, they let everyone in it seems, but they are still there. I guess it’s because I’m dressed decently, but I feel like I could walk up to any gate and look expectantly and get in. [hundreds of walled complex’s]
-The internet is dead slow, and all the computers are from the 90’s
-Plugs here don’t fit very tightly- everything “hangs out”
I arrived in Kenya on the first of February to a foreign country filled with lively people who unconcernedly forage the streets amidst a sea of insane drivers, who stare unconcerned and smile at the slightest hint of joy coming from you, who are open and friendly. I didn’t know what to expect, but whatever it was this was certainly not it.
Winnie, Mutheu, Chichi, Slyvia, and Helima greeted me at the airport. They immediately noted how tall I am, and throughout the day became more and more interested in my hair; it was amusing at the least. Driving in Halima’s car, I sat quietly in the left front seat as a passenger while the four girls asked questions of where I had come from, what I hoped to do, if I knew and Kiswahili, and I in turn answered what I could.
Coming out of the airport, the first thing that stuck me was the National park, which borders Jomo Kenyatta airport. Two Massai stood watching over a head of cattle behind a wire fence, a thing separation between the bustling pothole ridden road and the assortment of interesting vehicles that traveled on it. The word car might require liberal use, as many vehicles are half running, or a collaboration of pieces. There are Matutus which American style service vans which windows and hold what looks to be 15 people with a usher hanging off the side. These vehicles combined with other unpredictable traffic weave off and on the road, stopping and letting people of, then cutting aggressively back into traffic. We almost hit the car in front of us twice, and the round about do not make it any easier.
Probably the most awkward sight was the people in the streets. There are not cross walks or cross signs, just determined pedestrians who force there way across, in a very unhurried manner. There are also street merchants, who try to sell you items as you sit in your car in slow traffic, and it’s funny stuff. Magazines, posters, and pens were just a few of the items I saw as we drove through Nairobi. The side walks are open to any aggressive driver, as they have a three fold function of trash can, walkway, and unpaved road (bumpy road has a whole new meaning to me). In effort to slow some drivers down there are also speed bumps which seems to scratch any car that driver over them save an SUV, especially when loaded with 5 college students.
The girls first took me to the University of Nairobi, located in the central business district – which is a beautiful mass of people intertwined with cars, not the other way around as the way from the airport seemed. Everyone was dressed very nicely, no shorts (which I’ve found to be consistant everywhere except the campus), and like the road, everyone walked at there own pace. There’s a certain something I can’t describe right now about the location but pictures might help.
Once parked we searched for a way for me to exchange currency, which turned out to be behind a bulletproof mirror with armed guards, then proceeded to let my hostess’ barging for a cell phone which I could use in Kenya. It’s very easy to obtain a number and credit. I pay 100 ksh, and I have that much credit, how much I spend varies from call to call, but it they are so easy to obtain, and for any service that you can easily monitor your phone express.
The day continued with me dropping my items of at my new lodgings, which is located past hurling ham in a location I can’t pronounce or seem to remember, but the complex is Elite Park, and the bus round it #46.
We found our way to a local bar, where I found Tusker (think elephants) beer, and then end the night around 1am, meeting Pesika, one of the sisters from my host family.
The next morning I ran into some troubles with the waterworks of the house, a bloody nose, and all the while trying to keep my noise levels down to a minimum. Flushing the toilet, washing my hands, sneezing, taking apart a porcelain totem, all actions felt very loud at four am.
Later after I meet Peskia’s sister Nerea (who was having her baby shower that day) I meet with the girls at the office along with a few other members who showed up later, about eight in total, and we proceeded to walk around campus, and played basketball, watch a rugby match, eat Chicken, find shade, then walk to down town from campus (maybe a quarter mile) which in the process I was pestered by every child under tha age of five for anything I had. They weren’t dressed poorly, or hungry looking, they just begged, and you could see them go back to their parents after they figured out I wasn’t giving them anything.
The Night continued with a carpool to a party (in a really nice complex) where I met lots of new people, some in AIESEC and other just interesting people. There was lots of talk about American TV shows, Kenyan politics, truth or dare, and lots of use of the word “high” which is used in the place of “drunk,” or “wasted.”
I was tired around three am and found a corner to fall asleep in, but someone shoved me into a car, and I found myself locked outside my apartment at four am. I didn’t want to wake them as I hadn’t really spend that much time with my host’s and I felt really guilty, so I waited for a while listening to the call to prayer, the barking dogs, and I think I used all my cell credit calling my parents before I decided I was being stupid and rang the door bell. Pesika let me and, and I went to be feeling abashed.
I have to think about the next few days a little more, but just some interesting things I’ve noticed while being here:
-My stomach does not stop grumbling :\ - probably the meat
-It is a good Idea to bring your own toilet paper wherever you go
-Coke comes in glass bottles, but is expected to be left at the restaurant
-Coke has very flourishing campaigns here (organic art work) – I have not seen any pepsi
-fries here ( or chips) are really cheep
-not many people wear sunglasses – mostly girls for fashion
-Town shuts down at dark, the crowds are gone, the cars are gone, being alone would be a bad idea, and it’s frightening how quickly it happens.
-everyone has a gate and a fence, and a guard for that matter, they let everyone in it seems, but they are still there. I guess it’s because I’m dressed decently, but I feel like I could walk up to any gate and look expectantly and get in. [hundreds of walled complex’s]
-The internet is dead slow, and all the computers are from the 90’s
-Plugs here don’t fit very tightly- everything “hangs out”
2008/02/04
Kenya
Soo.. I totally forgot my Camera for the first day of the rest of my life in Kenya, or at least the first 9 months of it. I was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been before the flight, so nervous that the only thing I could think to do was laugh… so I did. I was weighting in the Air port in Doha, after Ariane dropper me off, I love you girl stay strong with those Gulf Nationals, the can be inspire and your advice helped – I just slept, horrible sentence structure- multiple compound complex sentence which relies on dependant clauses and there are probably some comma splices in there... So I met a guy in Doha who said he had seen me in Atlanta, and he was really nice about it, he had a top over in Munich, and I was really skeptical because it’s weird to meet a person in Qatar who said they were just in Marietta- but he didn’t as for money so w/e ☺
BTW: Korean tourists are hysterical, and I think they were climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, because the amount of Mammut and gore-tex they had was unreal, it all looked very new and very expensive.
When I first got out of the boarding area of the airport onto the bus- which takes us to the plane, I almost felt like I was on a train of no return, I was petrified, it was scary, but as I sat there, looking at Kenyans, Indians, Europeans, people with families, people with jobs, and lives outside the media, they were personified and they just wanted to go home- or Mt. Kili, crazy Koreans, I’ll join them someday, and Tiff- I’m so going to one up you, hell I’ll even do the technical part of Kenya which I know you didn’t do because you lacked certain metal tools to do so! (I’m hyper/… so forgive me ☺ ) –
I got off the plane, went to customs, and relied I didn’t have a pen... there were no pen’s to be found, and my backpack is pretty deep. I had traveled almost 8,000 miles and the fact that I didn’t have a writing utensil was not going to stop me from my destination. So I asked some people for pens before finally realizing I had to open my backpack. After about two minuets I found a non-huge-ass-sharpie pen, and filled out my visa info. I feel like such a dumbi, they guy didn’t ask for a return flight, or my acceptance papers, he just say “ where is you internship?” To which I responded “ The University of Nairobi”, and he wished me well… I was so amazed and that cost me … $180 for freaking out about it and having to reschedule my flight– mom my loan check is on the way I’ll frwd you the email when I can- so I went down stairs found my bag in less than a minuet and found a sign in the pickup area titled “AIESEC NAIROBI”- to which I finally met my contacts in Nairobi after some long months of emails, text messages, and (what I perceived as) horribly communicated phone calls (probably my fault).
They took me to the office at the UoN, where I met more people who’s names I don’t’ remember- but there was a guy there, there’s at least one male in the Nairobi LC other than me.
Traffic in Nairobi is like Italy on … Alcohol (for those of you who know) – Though they do stop for people! I saw some lights, but they all had cops by them to enforce/help the light; otherwise it’s all round about just like Qatar, and most of London. In Nairobi they honk and flash their lights all the time, it seems to be a given. So everywhere we went I was a little stressed. I exchanged money… which is weird, because the older the bill the less you’ll get for it. So my $100 USD is only worth 55/1usd instead of the 65/usd my $20’s get because it’s a 1996 $100, same thing with $1’s but that’s just because they’re $1’s – either way, I exchanged $20’s for 65ksh/$1usd. Then I bough a cell phone after I let the wonderful ladies of Kenya bargain against the cell phones dealers – both the cell phones I have (mine and Preston’s) don’t seem to work
Oh before all that money stuff, we went to my new house place, where the people were out, but a person (the house keeper) was in, and she let me in a put my stuff down/ change my cloths… this is getting really long
In short, the Nairobi LC is awesome, I start work on Monday, we went out and ate American like food. Tusker Beer is good and cheep- Nairobi is so different yet nothing like I thought it would be, I can’t wait to work all this out, I had a real bed tonight even though I woun’t be posting this till after tonight –MS word for mac is nice too- ….. I love life, and don’t feel threatened
They speak more Swahili here than thought they would, and I need to learn this shit fast or there are going to be lots of awkward moments – and that doesn’t even count the times where people use there tribal languages.
-End time for bed.
The morning after
I wake up at some unknown time to birds chirping and a horn honking. I think I hear someone get out of bed then go the to bath room, Do w/e- then flush…. And it’s fine, but I leave and 10 minuets later it’s sill filling the head of the toilet, and it’s loud, and I haven’t met the other two people who live here so I don’t want to wake them… and I don’t know how expensive water is, and it’s still going and I can’t get it to stop- It’s not an American system, I can’t see the drain- I can only stop the incoming water by lifting the ball thingy, and there’s no water shut off I can find, so it’s still filling, to no end I think – because I don’t see it going down, this is so dumb, and I feel really bad + I had a bloody nose and gahh, this isn’t going well. [after note- everything was fine, it just takes forever, and that was probably about 4 am]
2/2/2008
Dumb move #1 – leaving the house w/e a key to the front door (thought I thought I had one)
Dumb move #2 – Staying out till 4 am…. In Nairobi
I just felt really bad, nothing happened, Pesika still got up, and looked at me like I was retarded, which I deserved, and then I went to bed and woke up at about 1 pm to mango juice being brought to me, and me feeling guilty.
Had my first experience with little children flowing me for more than five minuets and begging for money in Swahili- and avoiding everybody else I was with and going straight for me. Also played Basketball at the UoN, which is an amazing campus, it’s pretty and has lost of trees.
Met more people from the Nairobi LC and went to a party…
Made a balance sheet. Need to take a shower, and I’m watching Dubai TV… which is like American TV, but with neat little commercials.
2/3/2008
Today I went to a barbeque with Helima, which turned out to be a going away party for one of her cousins, who was accepted by a university in South Africa for her masters program in computer sciences. All of her relatives were there, some from the states, most from around Nairobi. Her father preached about success in life, how we have been given great opportunities and sometimes we let out parents down. This girl by 23 had found a way to pay for her lifestyle and was on her way to gaining independence from her family. Other family member preached of responsibility, of success, of not partying to much, of making goals. All this made me reassess what I’m doing here, and what I hope to accomplish.
more on this later
Sounds I heard from 1:02am to 7:21am- Elite Park, Nairobi:
1:02 am: barking dog(s)
3:35 am: car alarm, then driving away car
4:23 am: flock of birds fly away
4:45 am: barking dog(s)
5:02 am: man washes cars outside my window
5:15 am: man who is washing cars outside my window is greeted by another many with “Salaam,” and conversation continues
5:30 am: lulu begins to clean the house
5:40 am: birds generally begin to wake up
6:04 am: Pesika takes a shower
~6:30 am: cars in the complex leave
6:17 am-7:21 am: dog barks/squeaks
7:16 am: Car alarm goes off
7:21 am: car alarm goes off
Thing I’m going to eat while in Nairobi:
-dog
I'm sorry this isn't formated very well- I do not have the internet at home right now, and I thing it's generally slow here, so no pics for a while. I'll be on more often though now that I have a work space, so I'll keep this updated and more concise ( meaning I'll edit)
BTW: Korean tourists are hysterical, and I think they were climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, because the amount of Mammut and gore-tex they had was unreal, it all looked very new and very expensive.
When I first got out of the boarding area of the airport onto the bus- which takes us to the plane, I almost felt like I was on a train of no return, I was petrified, it was scary, but as I sat there, looking at Kenyans, Indians, Europeans, people with families, people with jobs, and lives outside the media, they were personified and they just wanted to go home- or Mt. Kili, crazy Koreans, I’ll join them someday, and Tiff- I’m so going to one up you, hell I’ll even do the technical part of Kenya which I know you didn’t do because you lacked certain metal tools to do so! (I’m hyper/… so forgive me ☺ ) –
I got off the plane, went to customs, and relied I didn’t have a pen... there were no pen’s to be found, and my backpack is pretty deep. I had traveled almost 8,000 miles and the fact that I didn’t have a writing utensil was not going to stop me from my destination. So I asked some people for pens before finally realizing I had to open my backpack. After about two minuets I found a non-huge-ass-sharpie pen, and filled out my visa info. I feel like such a dumbi, they guy didn’t ask for a return flight, or my acceptance papers, he just say “ where is you internship?” To which I responded “ The University of Nairobi”, and he wished me well… I was so amazed and that cost me … $180 for freaking out about it and having to reschedule my flight– mom my loan check is on the way I’ll frwd you the email when I can- so I went down stairs found my bag in less than a minuet and found a sign in the pickup area titled “AIESEC NAIROBI”- to which I finally met my contacts in Nairobi after some long months of emails, text messages, and (what I perceived as) horribly communicated phone calls (probably my fault).
They took me to the office at the UoN, where I met more people who’s names I don’t’ remember- but there was a guy there, there’s at least one male in the Nairobi LC other than me.
Traffic in Nairobi is like Italy on … Alcohol (for those of you who know) – Though they do stop for people! I saw some lights, but they all had cops by them to enforce/help the light; otherwise it’s all round about just like Qatar, and most of London. In Nairobi they honk and flash their lights all the time, it seems to be a given. So everywhere we went I was a little stressed. I exchanged money… which is weird, because the older the bill the less you’ll get for it. So my $100 USD is only worth 55/1usd instead of the 65/usd my $20’s get because it’s a 1996 $100, same thing with $1’s but that’s just because they’re $1’s – either way, I exchanged $20’s for 65ksh/$1usd. Then I bough a cell phone after I let the wonderful ladies of Kenya bargain against the cell phones dealers – both the cell phones I have (mine and Preston’s) don’t seem to work
Oh before all that money stuff, we went to my new house place, where the people were out, but a person (the house keeper) was in, and she let me in a put my stuff down/ change my cloths… this is getting really long
In short, the Nairobi LC is awesome, I start work on Monday, we went out and ate American like food. Tusker Beer is good and cheep- Nairobi is so different yet nothing like I thought it would be, I can’t wait to work all this out, I had a real bed tonight even though I woun’t be posting this till after tonight –MS word for mac is nice too- ….. I love life, and don’t feel threatened
They speak more Swahili here than thought they would, and I need to learn this shit fast or there are going to be lots of awkward moments – and that doesn’t even count the times where people use there tribal languages.
-End time for bed.
The morning after
I wake up at some unknown time to birds chirping and a horn honking. I think I hear someone get out of bed then go the to bath room, Do w/e- then flush…. And it’s fine, but I leave and 10 minuets later it’s sill filling the head of the toilet, and it’s loud, and I haven’t met the other two people who live here so I don’t want to wake them… and I don’t know how expensive water is, and it’s still going and I can’t get it to stop- It’s not an American system, I can’t see the drain- I can only stop the incoming water by lifting the ball thingy, and there’s no water shut off I can find, so it’s still filling, to no end I think – because I don’t see it going down, this is so dumb, and I feel really bad + I had a bloody nose and gahh, this isn’t going well. [after note- everything was fine, it just takes forever, and that was probably about 4 am]
2/2/2008
Dumb move #1 – leaving the house w/e a key to the front door (thought I thought I had one)
Dumb move #2 – Staying out till 4 am…. In Nairobi
I just felt really bad, nothing happened, Pesika still got up, and looked at me like I was retarded, which I deserved, and then I went to bed and woke up at about 1 pm to mango juice being brought to me, and me feeling guilty.
Had my first experience with little children flowing me for more than five minuets and begging for money in Swahili- and avoiding everybody else I was with and going straight for me. Also played Basketball at the UoN, which is an amazing campus, it’s pretty and has lost of trees.
Met more people from the Nairobi LC and went to a party…
Made a balance sheet. Need to take a shower, and I’m watching Dubai TV… which is like American TV, but with neat little commercials.
2/3/2008
Today I went to a barbeque with Helima, which turned out to be a going away party for one of her cousins, who was accepted by a university in South Africa for her masters program in computer sciences. All of her relatives were there, some from the states, most from around Nairobi. Her father preached about success in life, how we have been given great opportunities and sometimes we let out parents down. This girl by 23 had found a way to pay for her lifestyle and was on her way to gaining independence from her family. Other family member preached of responsibility, of success, of not partying to much, of making goals. All this made me reassess what I’m doing here, and what I hope to accomplish.
Sounds I heard from 1:02am to 7:21am- Elite Park, Nairobi:
1:02 am: barking dog(s)
3:35 am: car alarm, then driving away car
4:23 am: flock of birds fly away
4:45 am: barking dog(s)
5:02 am: man washes cars outside my window
5:15 am: man who is washing cars outside my window is greeted by another many with “Salaam,” and conversation continues
5:30 am: lulu begins to clean the house
5:40 am: birds generally begin to wake up
6:04 am: Pesika takes a shower
~6:30 am: cars in the complex leave
6:17 am-7:21 am: dog barks/squeaks
7:16 am: Car alarm goes off
7:21 am: car alarm goes off
Thing I’m going to eat while in Nairobi:
-dog
I'm sorry this isn't formated very well- I do not have the internet at home right now, and I thing it's generally slow here, so no pics for a while. I'll be on more often though now that I have a work space, so I'll keep this updated and more concise ( meaning I'll edit)
