WOW, I cannot believe it has been just about a month since I last updated! Everything has been keeping my schedule hectic and busy, it's no wonder time has flown. Lots of exciting events have been added to my "new experiences for Brittani in Kenya list". Let me break those down for you here, enjoy. :)
Eve and I got a little break away from Kisumu and got the chance to go on a real, live safari with real, live animals! We traveled to a National Reserve called Masaii Mara, where the Masaii tribe lives. Not only were the animals absolutely amazing, but it was interesting learning about the Masaii as well. I saw lions, zebras, hippos, vultures, cheetahs, warthogs, elephants, the whole shebang. I have heaps of pictures, I'll post a little gallery when I get back to WA so you can get some images. :) I also got the chance to travel to on of the last jungles in Africa, the Kakamega rainforest. This was totally right out of George of the Jungle, vines, monkeys, birds, rain, and green, green, green everywhere!
However, these trips were a bit bogged down when we had to take Maurice, our trusty roommate, to the hospital. He was pronounced dehydrated and malnourished, so my guess is he slacked on his diet while we were away animal-watching. He was in Kisumu District Hospital for 2 nights, which was horrific. There are about 20 beds, all crammed into one room, with diesases and germies floating all around. I'm thankful he escaped without catching anything else. He's doing much better now, and has returned to his fun, cheeky self again.
Let's talk about work (duh, I guess that's what I came here for)...the classes are still going, but stressfully. Eve and I are really struggling with the language barrier, and the fact that the kids and us have a hard time communicating. We have a helpful Kiwanis member, also called Maurice, who stays with us to work us through these communication problems, which is a huge help. We are trying to get a retired treacher to come in and fill our shoes once we take off, so hopefully that pans out. OH! We gave away the old Knights soccer jersies yesterday to the older boys, and I've never seen their eyes shine so bright. These gents adore soccer (football) and put them on straight away, right over their clothes. I got lots of pictures of this as well, don't you worry, Lance. :) We also gave out all the other clothing donations we hauled over here, complete with shoes and pants. It's so much fun giving these goodies away, it's amazing how easy it is to make these children satisfied.
Currnetly, I'm getting ready to say good-bye to wonderful Dunga and our little house with the red gate. I'll be departing here on the 10th of November for Nairobi, so I can make a visit to the Cura Orphanage before heading off to LAMU for a week. We are flying out there on the 14th of November (which is the coolest day when all the cool people are born) and staying until the 19th. Lamu is a quaint little Muslim island, with no cars and little electricity, and should be a nice little vacation before heading off to home.
All in all, life is gonig good over here and will probably only get busier these next couple of weeks! I hope this greets everyone well back home, I miss you all terribly! See you soon :)
Love,
Brittani
