I lay in bed at night, sweat running down my body. I can't move because it will cause me to sweat even more. Every once in a while, either myself, my brother or my daughter yells out - "It's hot!".
As I write this post, I feel as though I've been swimming. My hair, clothes and every part of my body is just wet! When a breeze goes by - ahhhh, so nice!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Just Back from Ndonyo Wasin
We drove to Ndonyo Wasin today. A large village approx. one hour away from Sereolipi. It is quite a bumpy ride. Especially now that Thomas is driving us! Thomas, our friend here in Sereolipi, wants to go to driving school so my brother thought it would be a good idea to teach him now and let him practice. Shouldn't have been a problem but Thomas had never even put a key in an ignition before! Now he's driving us over back country roads (what Americans would call 4 wheelin). The whole time I was worried that we would hit a huge hole and the rifle that the Chief of Ndonyo Wasin was holding would go off. (Always giving someone a ride when you have a vehicle).
Arrived safely and it is truly a beautiful place. It is surrounded by mountains. We met with Thomas's mother in her cow dung hut and she served us hot chai. She was busy scraping the hair off of the goat head roasting in the fire but took some time to accept my gift to her. We visited the school and the preschool where my teacher friend, Francis, works. He was SO surprised to see me! Francis has attended the last two workshops I've done in Samburu District. A very nice and kind person.
Stopped to bargain with the local woman selling jewlery and my brother bought several Samburu spears (about $8.00 each). Loaded up the car with 7 people besides ourselves and took off - Thomas at the wheel!
Arrived safely and it is truly a beautiful place. It is surrounded by mountains. We met with Thomas's mother in her cow dung hut and she served us hot chai. She was busy scraping the hair off of the goat head roasting in the fire but took some time to accept my gift to her. We visited the school and the preschool where my teacher friend, Francis, works. He was SO surprised to see me! Francis has attended the last two workshops I've done in Samburu District. A very nice and kind person.
Stopped to bargain with the local woman selling jewlery and my brother bought several Samburu spears (about $8.00 each). Loaded up the car with 7 people besides ourselves and took off - Thomas at the wheel!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Public Transportation
Riding a bus to Moshe was an experience and I remember turning to Sarah and thanking her for being with us! Little did I know that the next day, Summer and I would be on our own-
I had a ticket for Longido to Nairobi on a private shuttle but our plans changed and I let the shuttle company know we would instead, be traveling from Moshe. Communication can take a while here and the shuttle company in Moshe got the message too late. They sent us to the public bus company as no shuttle was available.
Sitting on the bus, sweating like crazy, I watched the time on my watch knowing the bus was suppose to leave at 11:30. Time came and the bus was full. Good because that is when busses leave, when they are full. But no, still sitting and still sweating. All of a sudden, the bus fills with bodies. Our suitcase is placed at our feet so Summer and I sit with our legs up on the seat. People pile in and soon it is standing room only. Still not full enough for the driver and about 10 more people pile in - a mother with her baby, a grandmother, a man walking with a cane. The driver has Summer and I move closer so the grandmother can sit with us. We are squished together and sweating so bad that it feels like a river running down my back and I'm sitting in a pool. The grandmother, not a small woman, is half sitting on me and half sitting on the seat. Of course, I am the only mzungu on the bus so everyone is staring. Hawkers, selling their wares are at our window, yelling for me to buy from them. I cannot move a muscle. I'm stuck in one position!
Off we go, over bumpy roads, stopping at every town. We travel like this for almost two hours! When we finally get off the bus in Arusha, I am so proud of myself! And a great experience!
I had a ticket for Longido to Nairobi on a private shuttle but our plans changed and I let the shuttle company know we would instead, be traveling from Moshe. Communication can take a while here and the shuttle company in Moshe got the message too late. They sent us to the public bus company as no shuttle was available.
Sitting on the bus, sweating like crazy, I watched the time on my watch knowing the bus was suppose to leave at 11:30. Time came and the bus was full. Good because that is when busses leave, when they are full. But no, still sitting and still sweating. All of a sudden, the bus fills with bodies. Our suitcase is placed at our feet so Summer and I sit with our legs up on the seat. People pile in and soon it is standing room only. Still not full enough for the driver and about 10 more people pile in - a mother with her baby, a grandmother, a man walking with a cane. The driver has Summer and I move closer so the grandmother can sit with us. We are squished together and sweating so bad that it feels like a river running down my back and I'm sitting in a pool. The grandmother, not a small woman, is half sitting on me and half sitting on the seat. Of course, I am the only mzungu on the bus so everyone is staring. Hawkers, selling their wares are at our window, yelling for me to buy from them. I cannot move a muscle. I'm stuck in one position!
Off we go, over bumpy roads, stopping at every town. We travel like this for almost two hours! When we finally get off the bus in Arusha, I am so proud of myself! And a great experience!
Longido, Tanzania
Wow! What a beautiful place! I understand, Joanne, why you love it so much! The people are great, always happy to greet and help in any possible way they can. The "restaurant" was fun and the food so good. Sleeping on the hill in tents was quite an experience with the wind blowing so hard every night! Good thing I was warned or I wouldn't have been completely freaking out!
Most of my time was spent with Sarah, a Montessori trained Maasai woman who has started two Montessori schools in the area. She has done a beautiful job and the children in the schools seem so happy! I've taken so many pictures and video that I'll post when I get home.
Sarah also took me to the Montessori training site in Moshi where she received her training. It is run by Catholic Sisters and again, what an incredible job they have done. A person going through training spends two years learning and making their own material. Everything is made by hand!
I'm very impressed!
Most of my time was spent with Sarah, a Montessori trained Maasai woman who has started two Montessori schools in the area. She has done a beautiful job and the children in the schools seem so happy! I've taken so many pictures and video that I'll post when I get home.
Sarah also took me to the Montessori training site in Moshi where she received her training. It is run by Catholic Sisters and again, what an incredible job they have done. A person going through training spends two years learning and making their own material. Everything is made by hand!
I'm very impressed!
So Much for the Internet!
I thought I could easily stay in touch by e-mail and blog. Again, I learn the lesson - Don't assumer anything! Internet has been mainly unavailable and when it is, so slow that I give up after 30 minutes of trying to log on to aol.
Now in Samburu District and using the Sereolipi Primary School computer. Let's see how far I get...
Now in Samburu District and using the Sereolipi Primary School computer. Let's see how far I get...
Saturday, January 24, 2009
It's feels so good to be back!
Summer and I made it to Nairobi. It feels so good to be back in Kenya! Flights were on time and only one piece of luggage lost. Too bad it was the luggage with our essentials inside. (The other bags are full of donations for the Samburu children.) We are staying an extra night at Jane's cottage in hopes that the bag is delivered tonight. If not, we'll be in Tanzania for a week with two pair of underwear each! Oh well, such is the world of travel.
Weather here is perfect! We did some basic shopping, bought a phone for use while here and Summer was able to hug a giraffe at the giraffe center. She refused to kiss him, too much slobber I guess.
Tomorrow begins our adventure in Tanzania - living in a Maasai village for a week in a tent on a hill. I'm looking forward to meeting some new friends face to face instead of through the Internet. I'm also looking forward to seeing the Montessori school in the village, meeting the teacher and the children.
Am I tired? Now that's a silly question!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Less than 24 hours and counting
Have you ever been so stressed that you are frozen? You run around in circles, making constant lists in your head, accomplishing nothing! That is exactly where I am. There is still so much to do that now I'm thinking - prioritize! So, with that in mind, getting my perscription for malaria pills filled is more important than stopping by Comfort Shoes to check out the cool sequined fitflops. Staying healthy? Looking cute and sparkly in the bush?
I picked up two old suitcases at the thrift store for a total of $3.00. I'm packing them full of shorts, t-shirts and dresses for the children at Narairi Preschool, the school Clay-Platte Montessori School supports. Thanks to many of the parents at the Montessori, I have enough clothing and shoes to fill two suitcases. Enough for every child! Also, several very involved parents and a couple of precious children gave me money to spend while in Kenya - buying school supplies, balls and items for babies. Basically anything I can find to help the children. This money will go a very long way and I am so appreciative of the families that have helped.
Ok - next thing on my list???? Oh yes, get the maleria pill perscription filled!
I picked up two old suitcases at the thrift store for a total of $3.00. I'm packing them full of shorts, t-shirts and dresses for the children at Narairi Preschool, the school Clay-Platte Montessori School supports. Thanks to many of the parents at the Montessori, I have enough clothing and shoes to fill two suitcases. Enough for every child! Also, several very involved parents and a couple of precious children gave me money to spend while in Kenya - buying school supplies, balls and items for babies. Basically anything I can find to help the children. This money will go a very long way and I am so appreciative of the families that have helped.
Ok - next thing on my list???? Oh yes, get the maleria pill perscription filled!
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