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Friday, September 4, 2009 | 10:21 amI’ve been in Nairobi for a while now, and after several weeks of physiotherapy, there doesn’t seem to be a vast improvement in my shoulder. And so, after seeking advice from the Peace Corps office in Washington, D.C., it looks like I am going to South Africa for a second opinion.
Many medical cases are [...]
Nairobi - Mombasa - Nairobi
Monday, August 17, 2009 | 12:08 pmWell, I’ve officially been out of site for three weeks now. When I left, I thought I’d be gone only four days. Funny how things rarely go as planned here. I went to Nairobi to witness swearing in of the new volunteers and to help with an auction, and ended up staying [...]
An Ordinary Day
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 | 11:21 pmA very, very long post about not a whole lot.
I want to post more - I really do - but it seems that the things that were once so fantastic and exotic about this place are becoming more and more ordinary. It’s difficult to see things through the eyes of a visitor, after being [...]
A Lamu Weekend
Thursday, June 25, 2009 | 11:16 amI’ve been busy. My project work is moving so fast that I am hardly noticing the days go by. We’ve spent nearly all of the money in our first disbursement of UNDP funds, so now I’m busy compiling a progress report, complete with financial records, contracts, and pictures. To follow our progress, [...]
Pockets Full of Patience and Flexibility
Friday, May 29, 2009 | 7:47 pmBring them with you to Kenya. That’s what the Peace Corps told us during Staging in Philadelphia. I find that here, a little patience and flexibility goes a long way. It can take a frustrating situation and very quickly turn it into a productive one. A little creativity doesn’t hurt, either.
It [...]
Matatus
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 | 10:18 pmMatatus are an interesting phenomenon in Kenya. Matatus are minibuses, usually Nissans, that serve as a primary form of public transportation for many Kenyans and this rather brave mzungu.
Matatus are designed to fit the driver and 14 passengers. Rarely are they ever so empty, however; there are usually between 18 and 24 people [...]
Top 10 List: Unexpected Dangers of Rural Kenya
Monday, May 25, 2009 | 9:23 pmThis post is inspired by a similar post from my friend and colleague, Nic, whose blog can be found here.
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Having a mouse jump out of the choo while you are using it
Getting pecked to death by indigenous foul
Suffocating in an overcrowded matatu
Brain implosion from too many ‘How are you’s
Hungry looks from horny Kenyan men
Lack of [...]
Sabbatical
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 | 7:00 pmI plan to take a little break from this blog for a while.
I think I’ve finally hit my first low-point since arriving in country; the point when all of the development work that I had hoped to accomplish in my two-year stint appears to be a farce and where I spend more time [...]
Waidaka
Friday, March 27, 2009 | 10:28 pmI’d like you to meet Waidaka. He is 6 years old. Waidaka lives in my compound with his mama and baba. In Kenya, the parents often take the name of their children. For example, Waidaka’s parents are known by everyone in the village as “Mama Waidaka” and “Baba Waidaka.” I doubt [...]
Curious Things About Rural Kenya - Part Two
Friday, March 27, 2009 | 7:34 pmSo, here is the second installment of “Curious Things.” Hope you like it…
Music
With no real musical history of their own, Kenyans borrow the worst of American music, including rap, rap, and more rap. There is some traditional music here, but even their sounds are borrowed from Nigeria or Tanzania. Local music videos here [...]