Firstly, I apologize for taking so long to update. On Thursday I sat down to write a nice long post and the power went out. Because I am in a rush for time I will give you the nitty gritty on what's going on.
- Last week was my last week teaching school. I gave a test for the 79 grade 6 kids, with an average score of 73% and a test for the 39 grade 7 kids, with an average score of 76%. I was glad that, for the most part, my teaching sunk in with these kids. It was a pleasure working with the teachers and head master at the school. They REALLY appreciated me being there and wished they could hire me to be on their staff full time.
- On Thursday I took a matatu into Nairobi for the first time by myself (one transfer and 2 hrs). At one point I heard chirping. I looked over to see a crate marked "100 day old chicks." A hundred little yellow fluff balls were chirping away right next to me! While waiting for my next matatu to leave the railway station I got hit on by a guy who told me we could make "babies like Obama." Wonderful. When I got there I was able to go to Nakimart (the Kenyan Walmart) and buy 4 new books. I have read 4 books in a period of 22 days and finding book stores is a challenge!
-Friday morning I left on safari with two awesome girls named Amia and Stephanie (also from the states). Our guides Mike and Jackson are a wealth of knowledge and funny as all get out. We drove to Masaai Mara and had a quick run through of the park just before night fall. We saw lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras, buffalo, impala, etc. The sunset was spectacular! We were camped out in a tent with 4 beds, a toilet, sink, and shower (!!!). It was REALLY cool.
- Yesterday we drove around Masaai Mara all day looking at animals! On top of the animals we had already seen, we saw ostrich, hippo, a momma cheetah and her cub, and my favorite a leopard up in a tree! It was a great day. Today we did a sun rise drive through of the park and saw some more animals.
- News on my placement: The placement in Kitengela at Saint Teresa's was a dead end. Apparently they don't need/want a volunteer there, so in order to do HIV work I will have to move. Right now it looks as if I will be moving to Nairobi. That being said, please STOP SENDING MAIL to the address I gave you. I will let you know of my new address when I do. I was planning to move out of Kitengela on Tuesday, after the end of my safari, but my plans have changed. Amia and Stephanie are taking a bus to Mombasa on Monday night and I have decided to join them. I had hoped to make it to the coast during my trip, and since I have two awesome potential travel partners all ready to go, I should go with them before they fly home to the states on Friday! This will put my placement back by 3 days, but I think it is worth it.
- On a side note, I am doing much better mentally. I know some people at home were a little worried about me, because I sounded sad and homesick- which I was for a time. I am mostly content here and this trip with the girls, especially, has made me very happy. I have made some good buddies here, which makes all the difference in the world! Also, my cold is gone, I'm sleeping through the night, and I haven't gotten sick yet! Yippee!
- Thanks everyone for all the love from a far. I haven't received any mail yet, but I know it's on the way! I love helping people here and I miss you all back home!I am sending a GIANT international hug!
Until next time,
Kris
PS- Don't forget you can view some pictures of my trip here (open to the public):
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2412030&id=6403463&l=5cab925b54
