Mombasa

I'm back from Mombasa and burnt on my shoulders. It was so hot and humid... felt like the Oaxacan coast in June. I had a great weekend: spent time with Lissen and Christine Arogo, rode a camel, swam in the Indian Ocean, visited Fort Jesus and the Old Town, ate chicken biriani, took a ferry, and relaxed.

Monica's friend told us about a place to stay on the "south coast", which was actually on an island. We got an entire fully-furnished flat, that can sleep up to 12 people right on the ocean for only about $20! It was such a bargain and we enjoyed relaxing in the yard. We stopped at a store and bought two treats that we haven't had in months: salad and corn on the cob. yum. It was fun taking the ferry between the mainland and the island and we were surprised how many people traveled between the two each day. Because so many people live there, the ferry leaves about every five minutes and it is free.

On Friday, we visited Fort Jesus and learned a little about the history of Mombasa. The fort was built right on the coast by the Portugese in 1593 and was later attacked by Oman. Also, the city has a lot of Middle Eastern architecture and Arab-Kenyans. In certain areas, I felt like I was in the Middle East. It was a really interesting contrast to the rural Kenya and city of Nairobi that I know and I appreciated the diversity.

We met up with Lissen and Chris, my sisters from Lwanda. (I also visited Ann and John Riany from Lwanda who live there.) It was a nice reunion with Lissen and good to finally meet Chris. We went to the beach, where the water was surprisingly warm, and rode a camel. Monica and I also met up with our friends Alyssa and Raija from school.

I'm back at school now for the final week of classes, which I can hardly believe. Next week, Monica and I are going to visit some of her friends in Uganda, if everything works out. Gotta take advantage of the travel opportunities, and thankfully it is pretty cheap to travel around.

Photos above: Fort Jesus, the ferry, riding the camel

To The Coast

Hey Everyone!

Hope all is well. I am doing fine and finishing out the semester. I finished two final papers within the past week. The first was for my appropriate technology class. I discussed the feasibility of solar panels for Lwanda School. What I found was that to bring electricity to the entire area from the main road was about double the cost of installing solar panels for just the secondary school, so my conclusion was that until the prices of solar panels down (which they will with time, research, and production competition), they are not appropriate for Lwanda. The second paper I wrote was about foreign aid and how it can actually hinder development rather than promote growth due to the poor implementation/distribution, and poor government policies. We have two weeks of class, then two weeks of exams. I can't believe how fast the semester went! The classes I enjoyed most were African Literature and Community Development and the Church. As for next semester, I'll likely spend most of my days interning/volunteering at an organization in Athi River or Nairobi to get some practical experience and break out of the campus life a bit. I'll probably just take two classes here.

This evening I am leaving for the coast of Kenya! I have never been there, and I've never been to the Indian Ocean. Monica and I are traveling by bus, and in a couple days we'll meet up with two friends from school, Raija and Alyssa. My "sister" Lissen Arogo lives there too, so it will be nice to reconnect after three and a half years! So as it snows, just remember I am laying on the beach.

Oh What The Rain Can Do

Hello from sunny Athi River,

As I was heading to Nairobi yesterday with the soccer team, I was thinking about what I should write in my next blog. Looking out the window, I noticed that the river I've always looked for in Athi River had finally appeared! This area is incredibly dry and dusty, but recently we've had some rain, which has proved to be such a blessing. People really suffer without water out here, and a lot of our water is actually brought in with a truck that reads "clean water." But, since it's rained a little, people are able to at least get some water and the area even has a tint of green from the sprouting grass. Our soccer field, which has been completely dirt, is now half-covered with grass. It seems like such a basic concept, but rain can mean life or death.

Another thing I have been thinking about lately is how my concept of "my belongings" and "my belonging" has been transformed. I guess this kind of gets at the idea of living simply and sharing, since we are all valuable members of the community. What I have, I use. What I am blessed to have, such as a guitar and computer, I share on a daily basis. I don't feel so driven to have my own things, my own space or home, and my own little bubble. In fact, I feel at home (away from home), but I just can't identify a physical space where that home exists. I know it's there, it's probably just wherever my friends are or where I feel at peace. I especially enjoy spending time outside playing guitar, soccer, walking, ect... so I assume my home is somewhere outside with the monkeys and zebras, but far from the hyenas.

Speaking of soccer, I have been playing more lately. The pain is still there, but not so unbearably present. I recently recieved in-sole supports from my mom, which I am trying out.

Take care and stay in touch.