Today would have been the day that I would have flown back to the US, but i'm staying here for a few more weeks and here's why.
1. Mama Hope has given me permission. I definitely could not be here without their approval and support. That is as simple as that.
2. Our work here is not complete. Largely, this is due to a lack of funding. The money I have raised so far is already spent on the Rescue Center. We need your support every day. We still have so much to do here that you can be a part of. Here's your chance to be a part of real change…donate here: www.stayclassy.org/rescuecenter
1. Mama Hope has given me permission. I definitely could not be here without their approval and support. That is as simple as that.
2. Our work here is not complete. Largely, this is due to a lack of funding. The money I have raised so far is already spent on the Rescue Center. We need your support every day. We still have so much to do here that you can be a part of. Here's your chance to be a part of real change…donate here: www.stayclassy.org/rescuecenter
3. My home is where my wifi connects automatically. Everyone has a different idea of what qualifies as home to them. This is mine, and I am at home.
4. Honesty. I feel that people here are more honest, true, and own their emotions with no fear of being vulnerable or uncool, or different, or scared. People are not fake. When they smile, it is genuine, so genuine that you have to mimic instinctually. When they laugh it is so hearty and real, you can feel it and eat it with a spoon. And when they are not ok, as in today is just not a good day. They own it, they don't fake it. That is not to say that people mope around, because I don't see that. No matter the struggle, it can be voiced. We can put it all on the table, hear it, digest it, and take a small piece of that sadness in order to help that person to not carry that burden alone.
4. Honesty. I feel that people here are more honest, true, and own their emotions with no fear of being vulnerable or uncool, or different, or scared. People are not fake. When they smile, it is genuine, so genuine that you have to mimic instinctually. When they laugh it is so hearty and real, you can feel it and eat it with a spoon. And when they are not ok, as in today is just not a good day. They own it, they don't fake it. That is not to say that people mope around, because I don't see that. No matter the struggle, it can be voiced. We can put it all on the table, hear it, digest it, and take a small piece of that sadness in order to help that person to not carry that burden alone.
5. Sun is Shining. Ok, it's the rainy season which means it rains almost everyday, but the sun also shines everyday. The realization that the song "sun is shining" was written in a place with a climate just like this is perplexing to me. Listen to the lyrics, "the sun is shining, the weather is sweet". Of course the sun is shining, it's Kenya. But it is a song about giving thanks to the everyday gifts we receive. The everyday gifts are sometimes the most crucial ones, but also the ones we forget to think about and give thanks for. I am so thankful for the sun here, because I can't tell you how many days I have lived where I did not see the sun. Calling out to all my nursing colleagues (and many other professions) who know you can go into work before the sun comes out and leave long after it has gone to bed, almost as though the day never lived.
6. Everything is negotiable. Everything is negotiable and subject to change. I briefly mentioned getting into a closed palace in Uganda in the last blog. In addition, my visa magically got renewed, though according to current policies it should not have been. In these cases the flexibility of the rules worked in my favor.
7. The motivation of the matatu slogans. I can't honestly say they motivate me, mostly they are just funny or amusing for their vulgarity. Some of them are famous quotes, some are just interesting, but I like to pay attention to the subtle influence it can have on my mind depending on how the day is going. They are also usually plastered all over the vehicle, not reserved and bumper sticker sized. Here are some samples:
"Don't go looking for a hero, be one"
"Mixing for the lord" (with a picture of a DJ spinning tracks)
"Life is an Endless Adventure"
"Being male is nature, Being a man is responsibility"
8. People actually respond when you ask "How are you? " This is in contrast to my experiences in America where often people in passing ask "how are you" and we reply with "how are you" as though it is more important to be certain to ask the person in return how they are rather than answer the question. I am still a little shocked when I say how are you in passing and it is followed by a "I am fine, thank you". The assumption is that I genuinely care how you are, and I want an answer. I mean why else would I ask that question?
9. Ultimate Frisbee. Frisbee is definitely not a sport I associate with Africa. I don't even associate it with the east coast where I grew up. Yet, somehow I am playing on a frisbee team, and we went to an East African frisbee tournament, rocked it and won! I love that we are a mixed team of locals and expats, guys and gals. I did not even think of frisbee as a sport before coming to play here, let alone did I imagine rivalries, that there is a proper way to throw a frisbee, and a proper set rules to the game. I find it unique that I will associate my growth as a frisbee player with Kisumu, Kenya.
10. The rain and the nature. In at least one aspect we give respect to nature. When it rains, all pedestrians stop and take shelter. Generally it's for an hour or so. But you just stop. It doesn't matter where you are going or what time you needed to be there. Void of a car or an umbrella, nature suddenly gets to take the reigns from us, just for a little bit.
I also had the delight of taking a bus ride to the coast this past week for the frisbee tournament and the views were spectacular. One in particular was a scene of tea plantations in the forefront, followed by the massive rift valley in the middle and mountains in the far back. What a view, even Instagram could not do it justice.
{Some frisbee mates looking out into the harbor in Mombasa- from left to right: Mercy, Josphat (to the back), Allan, Clement, and Michelle}
{Below- Early morning view of the beach where the frisbee tournament was held.}
{lastly, the squad after the win}
7. The motivation of the matatu slogans. I can't honestly say they motivate me, mostly they are just funny or amusing for their vulgarity. Some of them are famous quotes, some are just interesting, but I like to pay attention to the subtle influence it can have on my mind depending on how the day is going. They are also usually plastered all over the vehicle, not reserved and bumper sticker sized. Here are some samples:
"Don't go looking for a hero, be one"
"Mixing for the lord" (with a picture of a DJ spinning tracks)
"Life is an Endless Adventure"
"Being male is nature, Being a man is responsibility"
8. People actually respond when you ask "How are you? " This is in contrast to my experiences in America where often people in passing ask "how are you" and we reply with "how are you" as though it is more important to be certain to ask the person in return how they are rather than answer the question. I am still a little shocked when I say how are you in passing and it is followed by a "I am fine, thank you". The assumption is that I genuinely care how you are, and I want an answer. I mean why else would I ask that question?
9. Ultimate Frisbee. Frisbee is definitely not a sport I associate with Africa. I don't even associate it with the east coast where I grew up. Yet, somehow I am playing on a frisbee team, and we went to an East African frisbee tournament, rocked it and won! I love that we are a mixed team of locals and expats, guys and gals. I did not even think of frisbee as a sport before coming to play here, let alone did I imagine rivalries, that there is a proper way to throw a frisbee, and a proper set rules to the game. I find it unique that I will associate my growth as a frisbee player with Kisumu, Kenya.
10. The rain and the nature. In at least one aspect we give respect to nature. When it rains, all pedestrians stop and take shelter. Generally it's for an hour or so. But you just stop. It doesn't matter where you are going or what time you needed to be there. Void of a car or an umbrella, nature suddenly gets to take the reigns from us, just for a little bit.
I also had the delight of taking a bus ride to the coast this past week for the frisbee tournament and the views were spectacular. One in particular was a scene of tea plantations in the forefront, followed by the massive rift valley in the middle and mountains in the far back. What a view, even Instagram could not do it justice.
{Some frisbee mates looking out into the harbor in Mombasa- from left to right: Mercy, Josphat (to the back), Allan, Clement, and Michelle}
{Below- Early morning view of the beach where the frisbee tournament was held.}
{lastly, the squad after the win}