First Update I sent from Kenya!
on Beatriz Pujol (Kenya), 22/Nov/2008 11:45, 34 days ago
Hello again,Last night as I lay awake for hours and hours (I only slept about 4 hours) I pondered all I have been experiencing. As I journalled I realized that I had written a lot of facts and very little feeling. So, today I will add what I wrote in my journal. Some is just stream of consciousness.This morning after the sun was up and I could hear the kids singing and playing I knew I could throw off the mosquito net. Now, I know mosquito nets look very romantic in the movies. And even on safari they are quite nice and cozy. Somewhat like a tent over your bed. But, in fact they are a pain in the you know what. First, mine is quite small, the locals tell me it is for a baby’s bed. Then when it is late and I am tired I have to tuck it in and make sure there are no gaps and then crawl in and then tuck the rest in from the inside of the bed. On safari the staff put them down for you and they didn’t tuck them because they sprayed extremely toxic levels of deet in theroom so no mosi would even think of coming into the room. All the while you are not supposed to get the net on your body because it has been treated (with that toxic crap). Each night about 10 minutes after I get it just right I remember something I need to get and after I get back to bed I can’tfix it the same. And after getting up to pee in the middle of the night half asleep there is no way I can adjust it. Last night was so hot I felt like I was suffocating under it. I can’t wait to get screens put in my windows so the cool breeze can blow in!!!So, once I could open the window and escape the net I was ready to sleep late. But at 7 am I was being called. Mwangangi was here to help with my gas burner. I was missing a clip and so had not been able to use it yet. So, up I was at 7 this morning. It is now 1 pm and I have been working on home improvements, setting things up and cleaning until now.The staff here, Mwangangi the grounds keeper and James the office manager as well as others, have been so wonderful. Every thing I have needed has been addressed and dealt with immediately. They are really trying to make me feel welcome, cared for and to make my home a muzungu home. I really appreciate it. As far as my needs they are not on Africa time. Everything else is, but not making me feel at home. I am so touched by their help. Each time I have to ask how to do some basic thing they teach me without making me feel stupid. I am going to have a wonderful community here. So, no need to worry Dad and Mimi.It is amazing all we take for granted. From turning on the faucet to our fancy kitchen equipment. It is one thing to see it and another to experience it and live it. Life here really is hard work. I am sure my back is going to kill me from all the sweeping and mopping!This morning I bathed and washed my hair. I should have video taped it so everyone could have a good laugh! My three buckets, not sure how to make it work just right. Victor, I will never complain to you again about getting water in my ears! Next time I will put in earplugs! But, it sure felt great and I came out feeling clean and refreshed. Also, my shower should be working by tomorrow or Monday! YEAH!!Excerpt from my journal:I am happy to be here. Overwhelmed by it all. This is what I imagined the town to be. A rural town, not to big and not a remote village either. Typical African life. A mix of Western influence and traditional life. Glad I am not in Nairobi. A simpler life than I live in the US.The people are all nice and curious. Not to intrusive. They are used to muzungo’s here so the gawking isn’t too bad. The people in the center and ACK are really grateful to have me and have made me feel very welcome. They have been very accommodating.The people in Kitui are the Akamba people. So I am learning about their culture and traditions. After I learn Kiswahili I hope to learn some Kikamba.The first night and morning that I was here I had that“Oh shit, what have I done” reaction. Then I realized this is really my dream and I am here. This is just what I wanted.Interesting working with so many men in powerful positions. I am used to being surrounded by women at work. I met with the Bishop and the Chairman of the Board, my boss (Mr. Mutia) and a man named Francis who runs the HIV/AIDS program. It is going to be interesting working so closely with the church. People are very religious here. It spreads into all areas of life. In this area there are mainly Christians (Anglicans, Catholics and African Christian Church) as well as Muslims. The Christianity predominates though.…Am listening to a song (from the bar next door??) that sounds like a Muslim call to prayer. I have heard it around town. Wonder if it is?? I like it, it is soothing.…..Just switched to a song that sounds like lots of cursing…The bar next door plays a huge array of music. African and American. I really like the African music.Love the kids. They are sweet and fun. Maria and Beatrice and Mutea (sp?) and Tony- the littlest one I have seen (he is 7 years old). Marcy is so smart.They like to touch me and feel my things to explore me, especially those that are totally blind. My hair, my bracelets, my hat. They hold my hand and walk with me.Many are shy. Marcy is 13. She is bold and curious. She sings and leads the others in singing. She asks me questions. They know I have a teddy bear, someone saw it on my bed and they want me to bring it out so they can feel it.Mueni the cook and Margaret the girls’ housemother. Mboya the boys’ housefather. Ruth and Elizabeth the nursery teachers. Muthaka is the teacher coordinator, he also teaches and is a VI specialist. He is really interesting and I will be working closely with him.They are calling me Beatrice (pronounced“Betrice”, with no “a”) because Trixie is too hard. There are two girls here named Beatrice.There are quite a few Albino children here. The young Beatrice is one of them. She is sweet and shy. I am always reminding her to find her hat and put on sunscreen.So much need- hats and sunscreen, school uniforms, medicine, medical bills, finishing buildings.I feel like I am home. It feels good and right. (Remind me of that when I am struggling down the road.).All for now. Taking pictures, they will follow. Maybe tonight or tomorrow. Need to work on the blog.Ps. Just reading some emails. Thanks for all your warm thoughts and individual emails. Keep them coming and know that I will not reply to each one individually. But they are good for me to read and I really appreciate them.To answer how hot is it here? HOT. Imagine Santa Fe in the middle of the summer. Walking in the sun is really hot. There is usually a small breeze and the shade is much better. The evening cools down and are nice. It is dry, not humid. They say things are cooler now and we should get some rains. The really hot time of year just passed in Sept./Oct.. The really cold time is June/July.Did I mention the cows and chickens? I took a photo today of a cow in front of my house. Will send it soon.