First Day

Here we are! Safe and sound. Kevin and I landed yesterday morning. We were immediately shocked by what we saw on the drive away from the airport. Around us was perhaps one of the poorest slums on the face of the earth. Thousands of Kenyans saturated the grass alongside the street amongst their broken shacks and destroyed cars. Almost all of them were working or selling something. Many lined chairs along the grass to sell. Others hurled gigantic jugs of water over their heads as they walked in the sweltering heat and humidity. It was utter chaos, and both Kevin and I were considerably intimidated to be in that environment. Thankfully, this was nothing like the experiences ahead.

A few hours later Kevin and I tagged along with some other volunteers to a place called "Paradise Lost." The walk there was probably 3 or 4 miles and full of beautiful coffee plantations, green rolling hills, rocky red dirt paths, and fresh clean air. It also made my socks filthy and made my entire foot one giant blister. But it was all worth it.

Upon entering "Paradise Lost" we all got turns to ride a camel. He was stubborn as shit, and wouldn't get up unless his master beat him senselessly with a stick. After a few cruel beatings, he rose, and gave us a fun ride by the lake. We then walked down to a thatched roof bar and had a local "Tuskeer" beer. We sat on chairs facing the lake as a Kenyan man in tribal clothing sang a Swahili song to us. It was a wonderful song, but for all I know he could have been cursing us out.
We walked a long road home, but for part of it we jumped into a "Matatu." Matatus are public transport vans. They are a lot like cabs except for the fact that they cram 20 people into one car who all usually smell a lot like shit. I counted heads in the last van: 20 people. I didn't even have a seat. I sat in between the edge of two people's seats. Actually it was more like 4 people's seats, because two people shared each seat. This is not a way to travel for the everyday claustrophobe.

We returned to our hostel for a nice Kenyan dinner. The two cooks are such friendly ladies and they love to laugh and smile no matter what you say or do. One of them laughed hysterically because I told her squirrels have tails. I wish they were the kind of people who watched my stand up comedy.

Day 1 was amazing. It was the perfect way to experience Kenya. Words themselves do no justice, so I will be eager to eventually post pictures (probably when I return to the states) so that these experiences will become more real for those who are not here. Thanks for reading.