Finally in Kenya

I know everyone has been waiting to hear from me, and I am sorry that it has taken so long for me to post. I just had to adjust a little and get comfortable. I don't have a lot of time to write much because I am about to go feed some giraffes and giant tortoises.

As far as the country goes, it is amazing! Completely different than anything I have ever seen. The other volunteers I have met are very nice and are helping me out a lot. Yesterday we all went to the beach for the day. Camels were walking up and down. Before I leave I will have to ride one. Its only 100Ksh...meaning a little over $1.00.

Getting around is quite an adventure. They have these buses called "matatus" that have set destinations. The trouble is finding the correct one. Also, if you aren't careful, they will try and charge you 300Ksh, when it is only about 20-30Ksh. They are shocked when they realize that we arent stupid tourists.

I start work at the orphanage tomorrow. I am very excited to meet all the children. Something that has fascinated me a lot is the hospital that I will be working at. The other volunteer who is working there now delivered a baby within the first hour of the first day. He wasnt just watch either, he was the one who caught the baby on its way out! To add on to this, he has also done stitchings on people, seen limbs be cut off, and has stuck his hands inside someones body cavity. Sounds like it will be quite the experience!

I have yet to meet my host mom yet, she was at church when I moved in. The city completely shuts down on sundays. Its incredible. Supposedly she came home the other day and told my roomate that she has malaria again without a worried tone to her voice. I guess it is just so common here that people think of it as being similar to the flu. I will try and stay protected, but I did get my first mosquito bite right outside tyhe gate in nairobi!

I would love to go into more detail about everything I have seen. It is just incredible. Most of the time I am completely speechless. I chatted with a 18 year old kenyan boy on the beach for about 2 hours just because it helps him learn better english. He lives in a home with no power, but still seems to live happy. He told me that his dream in life is to become a professional futbol player. We exchanged numbers, so one of these days I may play in a game with him.

The first day of this trip, I was quite frightened. I have been scammed by people, but that is a part of life and has helped me learn. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish between the people who are actually trying to help or are just there for money. It is only my third day, and I already feel more relaxed.

If you are wondering about Cairo, there isnt much to say about it. It was a very dirty city with no color to it at all. Everything was brown. In the airports they had prayer areas along with a mosque at one end which was unusual to see. As far as the pyramids go, I didnt get a chance to see them because I was sitting on the wrong side of the plane. It was just typical. Hopefully on the way home it will be a different story.

Well I am sure there are things I have missed, but I will be back on a computer hopfully tomorrow to give some more details and maybe some pictures. I just would like everyone to know that I am having a great time and am thankful for the experiences that I am about to gain. We are planning a safari next this upcomming weekend that involves camping and everything. We may stop by some tribes as well. Ill take plenty of pictures for everyone.

I have to run now, the giraffes need to be fed soon! We will be in touch.