One thing I forgot to mention yesterday, Grant (the last guy in our group) finally arrived into Nairobi on Monday morning from Bangkok, except his bags didn't arrive with him, so we now have both Grant and Daniel without their bags, including without malaria tablets - I think they were off to the hospital this morning to try and pick some up. Miranda, a girl that's going to be staying with us in Mutumbu, is a nurse and works at a baby orphanage, said it is so easy to contract malaria if you're not on the tablets, because Kenya is one of the most malaria-affected places in the world.
The other thing I keep forgetting to mention, and is hilarious, is that when we walk through the streets, so many locals yell out "Obama, Obama" - they automatically think because we're white that we are Americans and are soon to have Barrack Obama for president. It's wonderful though, they are so proud of him and that he acknowledges his Kenyan roots. If one of us yells "Obama" back to them, you should hear them cheer and laugh!
I only noticed it really yesterday, and I guess it took me so long because the whole city looks like it's falling apart, but there are many burnt out buildings in Kisumu from the post-election violence late last year and early this year. We've heard stories from some of the locals, and they are frightening. There were riots everywhere, many shops and buildings were looted and then burnt, and no public transport was running through the city. Johnson, the man we met yesterday, said he had to walk through the streets (because there was no transport), and every time he made the trip there were more dead bodies lying in the streets. I just can't imagine what it was like here then, it would have been absolutely terrifying.
Anyway I must be off, we're about to have lunch and then heading out to visit the juvinielle centre this afternoon, which should be interesting. And don't stress, right now I'm eating more than I would at home, we go out for lunch and dinner every day! I'm probably getting bigger! But we should settle in to some good food routines at the village.
Take care xoxo
