Hallelujah

Praise The Lord! Today, I went to a Christian church! With the hostess Trizer. (She works at the hotel I stay at). A couple days ago we were just chatting (like I said before, I've gotten pretty familiar with everyone at the hotel) and she asked me what I was doing on Sunday. And being the lone wolf that I am, I said nothing. (This was before Victoria asked me to lunch). And so she invited me to go to church with her and spend the day with her. And happily I said yes! I am always up for something new and going to a Christian church in Africa is definitely something new for me. So this morning, she greeted me at breakfast (she was working) and then after her shift ended at 10:30 we headed out to the church. We took another matatu. This one was number 44, and yesterday's was number 9 (my lucky number hehe). We sat at the very front with the driver which was interesting. You can see how crazy they drive first hand...because you're right there. And then...we had arrived! 

We were a little late, being the Africans we are! We snuck into the back of the church in the middle of one of the gospel songs. Now I've gotta say, I've been to church before. It was an all black church and the gospel choir was amazing. But this church was even better! It was small but the gospel music was just amazing. These people put their heart and soul into this music and sing like nobody's business. Even though I couldn't understand anything they were saying, I could feel the conviction in their voices. Then after a couple of gospel songs, the preacher came up and said that anyone who was new to the church to stand up and take a "leap of faith" to the front. It was only me and this other lady. So I followed her up to the front where the preacher asked us to state our name, where we were from and where we stay. The other lady talked for maybe 3 minutes in Swahili about I don't know what. Then it was my turn. And being the awkward lone wolf that I am I just said my name and that I was from Austin, Texas. He wanted me to keep talking but I was like noooo. So I went back to Trizer and just sat down. She was laughing at me but I was freaking out still. And then is got worse...the preacher (in Swahili) said because of me the "mzungu" he would do the service in English and then have a Swahili translator. Because the service we were at was the Swahili service. The English service was at 9 am. The service was very interesting. It was about "being far off" meaning when you stray or when friends stray. He used the example of when you and someone you know are best friends but slowly over time you drift. Or when two people get married. And they promise their lives to each other but after a couple years, they change and they drift. He gave reasons why people go "far off". 1) You're in your own place. Meaning you are in your own world. 2) You're in the wrong company. 3) You have the wrong composition. He said that you are who you follow. And he even said that just because someone is in power, that doesn't mean you should follow them. He even told us not to follow him because he was a preacher. After the service Trizer and I had to leave because she was called back into work. So we thanked the preacher and left with Trizer's cousin. We took a tuktuk back and when we got back to the hotel we took pictures together! 

The guy taking our picture works at the hotel and he was telling Trizer that she was ruining the picture because she wasn't giving a good smile. Haha so that's why she made that face. And Trizer's cousin also invited me to her house for lunch on Sunday...all of a sudden I have plans! Haha no more boring weekends! And I went to khane today with Massi, Shams and Gulshan. My friend Asma was there and I met some guys who go to khane who are my age. Call me the female version of Life of Pi. All I have to do now is go to a Hindu Temple! Haha, but that's what happened today! 

Oh and I almost forgot...I had an encounter with the most obnoxious American I've ever met. And she made me feel so embarrassed to call myself an American. She was just so loud and rude. And she seemed to think that she knew everything. I was just sitting at my table having a wonderful lunch. 

And this woman came up to me and asked what country I was from. I told her America and she said "oh me too." So I asked where from? She said Pennsylvania and then proceeded to ask me if I saw any Dutch people because she thought they were from the ICC and they were at her church because she is a preacher and blah blah blah. If anything, she was an idiot. She had no respect for anyone or anything. And all she did was complain. She made me so mad. And I felt bad for the waitress she had. At first I was excited when she told me she was from America but then she kept talking. And I left right away. She was so loud and this poor man sitting there reading his newspaper was stuck listening to her. It was sad to see an actual person fill the stereotype of "American tourist". I hope I don't come off as that at all!! 

Girlz N The Hood

Manyatta. That is where I spent my day today. A.K.A. The slums of Kisumu. A place "mzungu's" don't go. A place where you don't carry more than 200 bob (Kenyan shillings) or a purse. And a place where my friends Natasha and Molly, along with most of the teachers and students at the Muslim Secondary school live. 

I started my day having a delicious breakfast with Ida...whom I have mentioned before, but if y'all can't remember she is Aunty Munira's personal assistant...until Tuesday. She starts a new job at an academy and I hope she enjoys it! Anyway, I wasn't sure what time Natasha would come and pick me up (if she would come pick me up at all). So I spent the morning with Ida, walking around with her. It was nice to see what she does at the hotel and how close she is to everyone here. Finally, after wondering if Natasha was even going to show up, she texted me telling me she would be at the hotel at 11. Which really meant 11:30. But that's African time for you! Natasha and I greet each other and start walking downtown. I wore an "I <3 Dance" shirt which got a lot of comments from people. But Natasha kept hold of me and made sure I wasn't swept away in the crowded streets. We walked through these narrow shacks where people sell just about anything and finally made it to a matatu! Which is basically a hippie van converted to a bus. You pay 20 bob and bam. It will take you anywhere in town. And, the one we were in blasted Swahili music! There is this one guy who is basically the marketing man for the bus. He calls out to people and if people agree he knocks on the top of the door which lets the driver know that they have a customer. And same goes for when they need to stop for a drop off or a pick up. So the ride was about 30 minutes long (with all the starting and stopping). And finally we made it to Manyatta! And Natasha took me to visit her cousin Victoria who runs a little salon on the side of the street. Here is a picture of her and two of her three daughters. 

The younger one on the left is Anali, the middle girl is Stephanie and then Victoria. Victoria wanted me to go over for lunch tomorrow but I declined due to the fact that I had plans. But I do want to go next week! Here is a picture of me with her and her kids.

The tallest child is Valerie, but they all call her Mon as a nickname. Then we took the kids and headed over to Natasha's house! And when she said slums, she wasn't kidding. They have no running water and barely any electricity. But we had a great time! We talked about all kinds of typical girl stuff. People, family, life, boys...hehe apparently Natasha has a boyfriend in Nairobi who is "veryyy stressful" to her. And Molly knows a boy named Ben who is "just a friend." Psht. At one point I asked Molly if she ever wanted to get married and she said no! She said she would rather stay single because marriage is bad. Here, in Kenya, if you marry someone who turns out to be bad (beats you or cheats), you're screwed for life. We (Natasha, Molly and I) are all the same age so it was nice to just talk. Then they insisted that I have lunch with them. And Natasha made this potato curry that tasted just like the mix soup my dad makes! 

Here is part of their house. In all the house is about as big as my living room, maybe a tiny bit bigger.  

And the yard area. (At the entrance). 

And here are pictures of Molly, Natasha and I. 

That's Natasha and me! 

And there's Molly and I! Molly and Natasha live together with Natasha's mother. Molly and Natasha are cousins. After a great lunch and meeting Molly's "friend" Ben who doesn't speak any English but is still very funny (when Natasha translated for me) we went on our way home. Back to the matatu! And this time it was filled with little students. 

And all the kids in Manyatta stared at me. Because I am "mzungu". They all follow me like flies on honey! And many people while we were finding matatu's called out to me because here in Kenya if they see that you are light skinned or white they automatically think you have money. Even when you don't. But it was a great day! I had such an amazing time! And it was cool to get out of my little bubble at the hotel and see how most Kenyans live! 

Real Talk

*Disclaimer* This blog is long and doesn't have many pictures. But please read it thoroughly!! Especially the part about the the conversation with the form 4 boys. 😊

Right now I am sitting in the Florence Restaurant, on the first floor of the hotel I reside in.

Normally, I don't really enjoy eating here because I hate eating alone. But today, I really don't want to leave. It's thunderstorming. And badly. I'm talking, power going out at least 7 times, wind howling, thunder crashing and lightning striking. And I am alone. Do y'all know how terrifying that is?! To be alone in a major thunderstorm?! As soon as I thought it was safe to go outside (and when I thought there would be enough time in between the blackouts for me to make it to the first floor in the elevator) I rushed out! At least here in the restaurant there are other people. Though I am eating alone, there are people to provide some comfort. (Though they probably don't know they are doing me such a service). Now, I am not writing this to get your sympathy. So don't start calling me (mom, grandma, bapa) and making sure I am okay. I'm fine. I just thought I would share what I am feeling and thinking right at this very moment. Also, I ordered some comfort food...

Apart from the major thunderstorm, I had a great day today. I went to school and the girls (students) actually talked to me! They stopped being scared and started asking me questions and joking with me. We are "age mates" as they like to say. Meaning, we are all the same age. And they've decided to teach me the local dialect along with Swahili. I don't know how to spell it or what it is actually called otherwise I'd tell y'all. But I will find out! And during lunch (as usual) the gang of form 4 boys came to discuss politics and whatever else they had opinions on. Vincent, Arnold and this other guy whose name I haven't learned yet. They talked about Westgate and how upset they were with how long it took to fix the situation. Then the conversation became one that I got very involved in. They started talking about the difference between people here and people in America. As in, why America seems to be a less divided nation than Kenya. The guys were explaining to me how Kenya has so many tribes and people have such different backgrounds that it's hard to be able to relate to each other. But I pointed out to them that America is the same as well. We are considered the mixing pot of the world. We just don't mind where you come from. We embrace it. (Or at least, most of us do). Then the issue became whether they would want to teach their kids their African traditions or go for a more modern approach (by not teaching anything). The overall agreement after 10 minutes of yelling was this: you can't ignore your culture or your heritage, but you shouldn't force your kids to follow such customs that are outdated (such as if a women is widowed she lives the rest of her life as a beggar).  Your kids should learn about them and be able to choose what they want to follow. They should be given the freedom to decide how they want to live their life...once they are adults. That was the big thing Dorcas kept emphasizing. Once the kids are 18, they can choose. But you can't not teach them about where they are from. They should still learn about their tribe or their families. And what they decide after that is up to them. It was a really enlightening conversation. A kind of conversation that I don't think I would have had at school back home. A kind of conversation that makes me appreciate America but at the same time makes me appreciate my opportunity to be in Africa. It was a conversation I might have never had if I hadn't chosen to travel.  

Then some form 1 girls had to clean the library. And they used rags to do it. No mops, they had to be on their hands and knees, like Cinderella! Apparently, all the students on Fridays stay after school to manually clean. The staff room, the classes, the library, and the dormitories. No such thing as janitors here! 

That was the bucket with the rags that they used to clean the library. Every day I get amazed by something new at the school. And I've only been there 2 weeks!! 

The Great Debate

Today was pretty hectic and awesome (in my humble opinion). This morning the driver wasn't around to take me to school so Ida was scrambling around trying to find me a ride. Thankfully, Damji (I think that's how you spell his name) was able to take me to school. He is one of the managers or something. He is very nice, but we didn't talk much during the ride. Just me being awkward and then saying thank you. Hehe. So blah blah blah, school happens. And then I decided to do something a little bit scary and pretty awesome in my opinion. I chopped wood, with an axe. Now, I didn't want any of the students to see me because I probably looked like an idiot. But Dorcas was out there with me. Holy crap! That axe is freaking heavy! And I kept having this image of me chopping my leg off. Don't worry, no more trips to the hospital for me! But ahhhh! It was so much fun! She and I were laughing and attempting to split this log. That didn't work out....as Dorcas said "this is a job for men." And sure enough during lunch and whenever they had a break all the boys from form 4 just went to split logs. I think it's a way for them to show off and compete with each other. But it lets Felix and the other guys take a break! 

Then, that girl Saumu, that I've mentioned earlier (I misspelled her name before) invited to me to watch the weekly debate that the school has every Thursday. The last couple of weeks I wasn't able to go because I left before they even started. But, I found out that there was going to be no one to pick me up after school so I thought I'd pass some time watching! And Dorcas gave me a tour of the dormitories that the girls stay at. This is what the main area looks like. 

The girls have to bring everything. Including the mattresses! And the girls were asking me "madam, can you buy us benches?" But they were joking! Some of those girls are sassy! Anyways, so I went and watched the debate. The topic was are short skirts better than mini skirts. It was more funny than anything. But they have really official rules. They first sing the national anthem, then everytime they address each other, they start off with thanking the "Madam" (Saumu) for the opportunity to speak. Most of the girls who were called up backed out though. They were way too shy. But the guys had no problem speaking out loud! It was very interesting to hear both sides. Especially in a school where the girls are required to wear long skirts and suggested to wear pants underneath the skirts. Eventually though, I figured it was time for me to start looking for a ride to get home. So, Dorcas and I headed to Halima's office. And then Halima pointed out something. That both Dorcas and I were matching...

With our maroon tops! Hehe, great minds think alike! So then I spent some time helping Zeina (Halima's daughter) write letters. Then Halima arranged a tuktuk for me. And I tried to get a good picture of this guys shirt and maybe y'all will be able to see it...

But his shirt said Seattle Marathon! Hahaha. So that was pretty funny. And now I am at the hotel, safe and sound. I say that because Ida was freaking out telling me that I shouldn't be staying to late at the school. But everything worked out, even though I didn't think I had enough money...but I did. Now, I am just enjoying some treats from the Victoria Terrace inside the hotel. 

Yum yum! Btw. Me and Leonard, the waiter, are bffs. Just kidding, but he is really cool! And all of the hotel staff know me now. The two hostesses come up and hug me. And everyone knows my name. Guess what movie I watched last night...Talledega Nights! Ricky Bobby!!! Best. Movie. Ever. And gave me a nice reminder of the South 😊 oh! And my new friend Asma, from khane, visited me yesterday during lunch which was great!! 

Westgate...and other news

I don't know if most of you have heard yet, but there has been a horrible terrorist attack since Saturday at Westgate mall in Nairobi. 62 have been counted dead as of today and it is believed that there are still hostages trapped inside the mall. Kenya hasn't had such a tragic event like this since 1998 and it's been effecting everyone. Just today at school, when I saw Dorcas and Halima, the first thing we talked about was the situation in Nairobi. It's upsetting to think about how many innocent lives have been lost. Among them, many children. And the fact that the terrorists haven't been stopped and that it has been 2 days is even worse. Hopefully, no more lives are lost. 

Apart from that, most of my week has been consumed by school. On Thursday when I went to school, Dorcas and I were misplaced thanks to meetings all day. So we just chilled in the staff room. I watched the students play volleyball for a while. 

And then, during lunch two boys were escorted into the staff room. Apparently they had been fighting. One of the boys stole the other kids glasses and so the kid decided to fight him. Now, there is zero tolerance for fighting at this school. And the way they deal with fighting here is very different from the way they deal with fighting in Texas. The two boys had to kneel in front of the teachers. They both plead their case. Then they got yelled at by all the teachers and then they got beat. On the butt, the back of the knees, the legs and the arms. Both boys looked like they were about to cry. It was very difficult to watch, but that's how it is here. Also while in the staff room, they had a TV set up and during lunch we watched a Nigerian movie. Those are...interesting...but here is a picture of the TV. 

Notice anything? It's a little hard to see, but the antenna is actually a spoon!! Hahaha! And the best part was it worked! But apart from that not much has really happened. I went to Massi's house Saturday. I walked by myself and she wasn't happy about that. But we had a good chat just about her life and our family. She is an amazing woman. She worked until she was 85! And the only reason she stopped was because she was getting slow. I really enjoyed that afternoon with her. And I plan on visiting her every Saturday! And I had lunch with Shams and Gulshan on Sunday, they are my great aunt and uncle and that was nice as well! 

Oh! Look what was in the newspapers on Friday...

This kind of stuff happens all the time here. And it really upsets me. And it wasn't even a major story. It's just considered a mini story. Ugh. Anyways, the library work has kept me very busy! I've been typing up catalogs and today we made makeshift card holders for the books. 

All handmade! Hehe. And I had fun after school with some more form 4 students. All the students are so nice! And now that they know I'm not mean, they all want to talk to me during lunch or after school. On Friday, the lunch was running late so a group of guys came in to talk to me about everything, basically. They are all amazed at how "young" I am. I think they all thought I was in my 20s...haha. 

Hopefully I'll have some more happy and interesting news later on, but until then...every thing is well where I am at. P.S. Happy birthday, Saffluuuu! 

Lesson Number One

I taught a class today!!!! A real class! For a real subject! Form 1, English! Form 1 is the equivalent to 9th grade. Although some of the guys were 17...but who cares! I taught a class!! The English teacher, Madam Matta (I think that's how you spell it) came up to me during lunch and asked me if I would be able to teach her class for 40 minutes. Of course, I said yes! What I had to teach them was a little lesson on note taking. Super simple. But oh my god. I was so nervous! I kept glancing at the clock, counting down the minutes until I had to go and teach. I was having a mini panic attack. And then one of the girls came to take me to the class. And bam. There were 30 kids just staring at me. I didn't know what to say, so I just told them my name and then started with the lesson. It went real smooth. At the beginning they were loud and rowdy but then after I said "quiet down y'all, I'm serious." They shut up. I told them that if they needed any help, to come ask me. But of course, this pair of girls were trying to copy. And I caught them. So I just looked at them and said "if you need help, ask me." And then they walked up all shy to ask for help. The kids finished the lesson real quickly. So they were all talking and I sat up straight and said "is everyone done with the notes?" And they all said "yes" and I said "alright. Ask me whatever you want to know about Texas or America." And that's when they got all excited. The class was supposed to end at 2:40 but the other teacher never showed up so we stayed talking about America until the end of the day (4pm). I even got a picture of them all! My first class ever! 

That's the boy's side. 

And there are the girls. They were so sweet. And so interested in everything. I plan on learning all of their names soon!! It was just so cool. Now I know how all my teachers felt, hehe. And then today I met Dorcas son, Junior. 

They are so cute! He was such a momma's boy. Following her around like a lost puppy. I also had a lengthy conversation with a Form 4 student named Richard. (Form 4 is equal to 12th grade.) We talked about politics and what he wanted to do when he went off to college. Their final semester is this term. So he told me after November he plans on studying in Nairobi to become a doctor. He is always in the library studying! But that was my humble day. I opened up my milk bag and had to improvise with a container to hold the milk in...

Yep. It's in a water bottle. Call me an innovator! Problem solver! Genius! I'll respond to all them names! Hehe, the rest of my night will just involve a yummy dinner at the restaurant and cataloging for the library. Maybe watching a movie in between all that too! It's currently raining, so a movie sounds real good! With my Africafe! 

Call me "Miss Velji"

The past two days have been great! I've met so many new students and learned so much about their lives and their schooling system. First off, one crazy thing about this school is the punishment system. I've already talked about being hit by a cane but that's not the only way they punish the kids...yesterday I arrived to the school, late (more on that later), rushing and in a hurry to get the the library. As I am walking across the field area I see a young man (he was probably my age) using a hoe -the farming tool y'all, haha- and loosening the dirt around the flag pole. And he did that the whole day and today. So I asked Dorcas "why is he doing that?" And she said that he was getting punished because on Sunday someone saw him drunk and that's against the school rules. So as punishment they made him do manual labor Monday and today. At first I was shocked. But then I thought about it. If the kids back home had to do this every time they got caught doing anything, I doubt anyone would ever try to break rules ever again. But that wasn't the only crazy thing I saw yesterday! I was sitting in the library, cataloging, and I was hearing this loud crack. I look outside and there is Felix (the guy who sells snacks and soda) chopping wood...with an axe! 

At one point he swung so close to his leg I thought he was going to chop it off! It was just crazy to see someone chopping wood in the middle of the school. But that's normal for them! Oh! Here are the Texas textbooks I was talking about!

They also have Grammar books from Camino middle school in El Paso! And for lunch yesterday I had a traditional meal of maize and beans with cabbage. 

Wanna see what they use for brooms?

It doesn't even have a handle. And here is a shot of the library from where I sit!

I've met so many students, but they only have 200 in all. I don't know how any teacher can remember one class of names let alone everyone's! Hopefully I get better at it. One girl, Saomo, is so sweet. She and I get along really well. She said she would help me with Kiswahili if I help her with English! And then this kid yesterday, Douglas, basically interrogated me about why I was here. But all the kids are very respectful and nice. Eventually I'll get pictures with them! But in all, school is great! And it's been keeping me busy! Oh! Before I forget! I was late yesterday thanks to a tuktuk! We called a "reliable" one. And he said he would be at the hotel in 5 minutes. 20 minutes later, Ida and I are still waiting outside the hotel! Finally, he arrives...and the tuktuk doesn't start. After 5 minutes he finally gets it going and gets me to school. But from now on I am just going to use the driver...

Also! I went grocery shopping yesterday. My fridge is all stocked up! 

Hehe, they have milk bags like in Canada! And they had "Texas BBQ" Pringles so, of course, I had to get them! But I am all stocked up in snacks! I'm lucky enough that I don't have to worry about meals. The school provides lunch and I get breakfast and dinner from the hotel! My apartment is all organized and set! I even have a thing of fruit in my living room! 

On My Own

The past couple of days have been really busy for me. A lot of dinners and meeting people in Kisumu. Friday, I spent the day at the school in the library. We cataloged I don't know how many books! I forgot to bring my iPod so I didn't take pictures (I will Monday) but they have Texan textbooks!! So I'll have a little reminder of home everyday! Then after school, dad and I went to khane with Aunt Munira and Massi. I met a bunch of girls who are all around my age which was nice! The khane here is so beautiful. It wasn't full of people though. It was nice to go after not going for so long. Saturday was the first day that dad and I didn't have an agenda. So we went to Massi's house to visit with them. She was impressed that I watch Indian movies and so we watched a part of one. (Couldn't finish it because its about 4 hours long! Haha). Then dad and I took a tuktuk - I can't explain what that is but don't worry I have pictures! 

We went to Megacity which is a mall. 

I don't think I've said this before but every shopping center in Africa, at the entrance, you have to go through a metal detector and they look through your bag. It's standard. But we went to the big Nakumatt. 

I went to the music section first and look!

Hehe. All my favorites! Now I just need to find Drake and I am set!! Aye, if any of y'all still have a tape player, I've got you covered! 

Email me your order! We went and bought these super cheap African shoes that were only 3 USD. 

And they are super cool! Then we walked around and watched a bit of a local soccer game. They had a whole thing set up for people to watch. 

And that was about all that happened yesterday (Saturday). We went for one final dinner together at Uncle Amin and Auntie Munira's house. Aunt Munira was sick though, so she wasn't able to stay the whole time with us. We watched an Indian movie together while the men were cooking! It was the first meal that dad had cooked this entire trip! And of course, it was delicious. This morning I had breakfast with dad. He gave me advice that I will remember and Uncle Amin and I dropped him off. We went through some of the run down parts of town. 

That's a huge sinkhole that leads to the school I volunteer at. It's a back road and the sinkhole was even worse earlier in the week. But that's just standard for that area of town. 

Little shacks are all over the place with people selling random things. There is a cutie!! Y'all know me, always have to take a picture of a kid!! 

There's the dirt road that leads to the airport. And then we were finally at the airport. Dad wanted me to take a picture of Uncle Amin and him as proof that dad actually went and visited him haha. 

So there you are! My father and Uncle Amin! The two smartest men in Kisumu 😉

And I am now officially on my own! I'm just sitting in the coffee lounge having coffee and eating an eclair. Call me a lone wolf, one woman wolf pack! Ha, I need to buy the movie The Hangover! Anyways, today is just going to be a house cleaning day. Get all my stuff organized. Make a grocery list. And a list of anything else I need through out the week. FaceTime my mommy and sissy 😊 and just relax before school tomorrow!