The Art of Making Friends

I don't know if I have mentioned this before but there are pluses and minuses when traveling alone. On one hand, you have the freedom to do whatever whenever. There is no one who will say "well, that's not what I want to do." You don't have to worry about time, and the schedule is controlled and changed by you and only you! But...it can also get very lonely. Sometimes you feel as though you have nothing to do and you have no one to talk to.

But that's not the point. What I am trying to get at is that when you travel alone you're more open to meeting new people and that's what I did today. 

I had just woken up and went to the salon to get my first pedicure ever! The ladies were so nice! Faith and (this is what I heard her tell me and I repeated it back to her so I think this is name) Candy. They were aunt and niece. And very sweet! We talked about where they were originally from (northern Kenya) and just about life. 

Then after that, I went to the bar to get coffee. As I was sitting there minding my own business this guy comes and sits beside me. I had seen him before and he was in a group. I could tell from how they were speaking that they were Russian. He brings his friend with him to sit by me to tell me that he will be the translator because the guy sitting beside me is not very good with English. But then the "translator" leaves and I guess the other guy got frustrated with not being able to communicate that he leaves too. 

So there I am sitting minding my own business again, and an old man comes to sit with me. He tells me that he over heard my English and he could tell that I wasn't like the rest of the tourists there who were all European. He starts to tell me that he is Welsh (he had a thick accent) and he seemed nice enough so we start chatting. 

He tells me that his wife passed 5 years ago and that he has no family of his own. He really loved her and it's obvious by the way he talked about her. He tells me just about himself and talks about how he has decided that because he has money left over and no one to give it to he is going to spend the rest of his days traveling to all the places he has always dreamed of. 

Then he and I just discuss politics. Don't worry, there was no cursing or hatred. He was simply curious about my point of view and so I told him what I thought. We spent maybe an hour talking and as we were talking I noticed the Russian back with his friends. But this man, Gary, was so sweet and kind that I just stayed talking to him. 

After a while he told me he was going for lunch. He grasped both my hands and told me he wished me all the best and a safe journey around the world. It touched me that someone I had just met was so kind. I hope to see him again before I leave this place just to say thank you for his company and his stories. 

After he left the Russians approached me again. This time there were three. And two of them could manage English. We started talking and they were very nice. They told me their names; Dmitry, Sergey and Sergey. The one who was interested in me was one of the Sergey's. We just were chatting and then they invited me to lunch with them. 

Eventually, we just spend the whole day together. I learn that there is a big group of them here for business (I jokingly told them I was a spy) and this was just a vacation-y business trip. They told me that they had seen me around the resort and Sergey was to shy to approach me because he isn't good with English and they also thought I was Spanish! Haha! But they have been very nice and very welcoming. We even took pictures together! 

Okay so I don't know the first guy or the girls name...they told me but I can't remember. Then beside me is the Sergey who can't speak English and then beside him is the other Sergey. (Pronounced Ser-gay). 

Then I took a picture of them being super "Russian". 

The guy in between the two Sergey's is Dmitry. He is the one who can speak the most English. 

They have already invited me to Moscow (I don't know if I'll go...but it could be a possiblity!) and they are very funny. Constantly making jokes about every thing! 

I think they might have felt bad that I was alone also, but who cares! They are super cool and now I can say I have friends from Russia! It's amazing the people you meet when you're traveling alone. 

Also, there are a bunch of monkeys running around. They try to steal food and the bar has to hide sugar because they know what the sugar packets look like. There are guards here specifically for getting rid of the monkeys! 

And here is a view of the sea. 

Just another day in paradise! 

I Am So Lucky

I don't consider myself the "volunteer type". I knew people who would spend their weekends devoted to the animal shelter or hospitals, simply to give their time to a good cause. Sure, I spent a couple weekends every now and then during the summer to volunteer or during school for various clubs. But I never volunteered on a daily or weekly basis. It wasn't something that I was setting aside time for each week to go do. I always found excuses or reasons why I didn't need to volunteer. 

It wasn't until coming to Kenya that I truly understood the reason why people love volunteering. I've learned so much from both places that I've volunteered at. And not just that, I felt good helping other people. I felt there was some meaning to my life. That I wasn't just wasting my time doing nothing. I had a purpose for why I was here and within that purpose I was helping others the best I could. 

Volunteering has been an addiction for me. Every day I woke up ready to go to the school or the library as soon as possible. I would literally be sitting in the lobby every morning for 20 minutes just waiting to be picked up so that I could go.

Yesterday, I had to say my final good byes to the school and the library. I went to the National Library as per usual and just cataloged as many books as I could on my last day. I thanked Moses and Nancy, the two people who were like my bosses in a way. Assigning me work and showing me how to be a real librarian haha. They had been so kind to me and even though I was only at the library for 2 weeks, I learned so much about the system and the struggles. I'll never forget my time there and I hope to return in years to come. Maybe, those little kids will become the grown ups studying for their medical exams in the reference section. 

After leaving the library, I went back to visit my favorite place. The Muslim Secondary School. It was nice to go back and see everyone for a final time. I brought some cakes for everyone (the teachers and staff) and we had a mini party for the rest of the time I was there. 

They were so sweet! They presented me with a gift and gave a speech about how much I've changed the school by just being there. I was blown away by how much of a difference I made. I had no idea my presence made such a big impact. 

They weren't the only ones who were impacted though. If I hadn't volunteered there I would have never know about the problems within the society in Kenya. They accepted me into their system and gave me such a different view of life in Africa. I was able to understand what life is like for regular Africans. How hard it is here for everyone and they really changed me as a person. 

After all the emotional speeches, we had a frenzy of picture taking...

Zeina and I! Best friends forever! Haha! 

There is me with Felix and "mama". I don't actually know her name but she is the cook and she is like a mom to everyone at the school. They all call her mama. 

There's my age mate, Saumu and I. She is the head girl at the school and such a sweet person. Most of the form 4's had left after there exams so I wasn't able to see them. But she was still there! 

And there are some form 3s. Lavender and Sheila. 

Madam Sophie and I's "swag" as she liked to say. 

Madam Principal and I. And the only picture I got on my camera of Dorcas and I, just us together. 

She has been the older sister I never had. She was always watching over me and making sure no one tried to mess with me. I would be lucky to meet anyone like her ever again. She is just an amazing person. I look up to her completely and will always cherish every thing she has taught me. And same with Halima. The two of them have been so wonderful to me. I am lucky to call them my friends. 

We took some selfies together...

And then it was time for me to leave one last time. I waved good bye to everyone and slowly the school was faded to the background. 

This whole experience has been one of the best in my life. It's changed my views on volunteering and on how life is in Africa. And if anyone plans on volunteering in Kenya, go to Muslim Secondary. Or any school for that matter. They won't turn you down and it doesn't matter if you're with an organization or not. 

They have changed my life completely.  And I just feel lucky that I can say I was able to spend time there. Lucky, blessed...whatever you want to call it. I am just thankful for opportunity at both the school and the library.