How can I write about my last 2 eventful weeks in a page and a half? I struggle every time I write: I have so much I want to share in a way you can experience it as well. I guess I can start off by wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and your 2007 is off to a good start.
I decided to get my hair done like an African. They style is called
"rastas." So as my friend Nicole mentioned, I am a true "rastafarian."
My braids have been in about 3 weeks now and Yoland and others are astonished my hair has stayed so long. They keep asking my heritage which I (of course) respond, "IRISH!" So I guess now I am part Kenyan and Irish.
Christmas was one of the most memorable - one I won't forget and don't want to. Of course it was emotional too; I missed my friends and fam. We kind of celebrated on Christmas Eve. Before we ate we sang Christmas carols and Pastor Bob read a few words from the Bible and prayed. Then we ate African pancakes, fruit salad, sausages and a few other things (sorry, no nyama choma - roasted goad - that was for the next day). After that we just hung out and played this awesome game that basically had to do with encouraging
one another. Then us girls watched a movie and the boys watched
football (soccer). I had been feeling quite strange up to that night. What was missing? I realized that gifts was missing and it was nice they were -no "pressure" of buying. Then once we started hanging out as a family that "strange" feeling started to disappear as I was quickly reminded and comforted through being together the meaning of Christmas.
Although there wasn't the pressure of buying gifts like I said before,
I went ahead and "got" some for a few people. Rose, one of my dearest friends here (Yoland's cousin) went "up country" a few days before Christmas so I took her out for dinner as a gift. We went to a place called Carnivore. It's real nice and real fun. I really got to spoil her (and me too I guess). It was such a fun evening; we at lots of good food, there was a DJ and a dance floor. We got our groove on and everyone stared at the mzungu girl 'till they saw I had moves. Rose was so thankful and kept telling me she felt so honored and told me none of her friends has ever done that for her. For my Kenyan family I had a little picture project I was working on for a few weeks and made a big picture frame with 5 of their pictures in it.
I have to say I'm very proud of my work and they already have it
hanging and like it a lot. Lastly, some of my family sent some money to buy a TV for Charles which I delivered to him on Christmas day. His smile was priceless, from ear to ear. All he could say was, "I don't know what to say, I am just so happy."
The short version of my holiday from the 26th - 1st...Safari in Maasai
Mara and then in Mombasa, was that it was the holiday from heaven...and hell.
I'll start with hell. Flooding on the safari - we made national news.
People were not allowed in and a tractor had to pull us out of a river
of mud. We got stuck countless times. Camping in mud - I have no further comments on that. The tent behind us got torn in to and their things stolen included $3000 worth of camera things. There was a reward offered, and with in 1/2 an hour it was returned. It's sad, even remote areas are corrupt, as it was obvious they have a system that they all work together there. The heaven of safari - God's creation. It was so open and green.
We saw lots and lots of elephants and giraffes, and some lions (our first animal we saw a lioness with her cubs enjoying dinner...zebra). We also saw live zebras, gazelles and lots others I can't even remember their names. We also saw a cheetah, just one and just for a moment...I was so thankful to God!
The hell of Mombasa - it was so hot and humid with out any a.c. Five men tried to pick pocket my backpack. They were unsuccessful (praise God) after I pushed one and gave them a piece of my mind. Heaven: sailing on the clear blue Indian ocean, walking on white sandy beaches and celebrating the New Year at the nicest resort I've seen or been to. And the other heaven was returning back to my home in Nairobi and being with my Kenyan family.
And now it's the end of the holiday and back to work and the reason I
came. Only 2 1/2 more months...I can't believe it. My hope is to make the most of my remaining time and just take it all in. I hope your new year is off to a great start and you can make the most of where you are at as well. God bless and happy 2007.
Tuanane, Megan
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Happy New Year Everyone! 