"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good deed therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show a fellow human being, let me do it now, let me not defer or neglect it, for I will not pass this way again."

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Nursing students and new shoes

I apologize for the lapse in my writing. As they say in Kenya, I have been lost. But now I am found and I will update you all on my recent escapades. For the last 2 weeks I have been the host and cultural guide for two different groups of nursing students and instructors from NY.

Despite all the craziness that comes with getting a group of 10+ people to do anything together and on time, I absolutely loved getting to show off my little corner of Kenya. For many of the girls it was their first time out of the US. Traveling to Africa isn’t exactly the smoothest transition to international travel, but they handled it well and I was continually impressed.
After the 2 week whirlwind, Steven and I were invited to accompany them on a safari to the Maasai Mara, which was absolutely fantastic. The lodge we stayed in was sinfully luxurious and the food was better than anything I’ve ever had in america. Issac, our faithful guide, was superb, and got us within spitting distance of lions, hippos, giraffe, water buffalo, zebras, and elephants. Did you know that no two zebra’s stripes are the same?? Their uniqueness is equaled only by the snowflake.
We decided to stay in Nairobi for the next day since it was our anniversary. Yup-the big 04. Steven took me to the giraffe center and the elephant orphanage. It’s not every day you get to spend your anniversary petting baby elephants and feeding giraffes. Did you know that giraffes have 18-inch gray tongues that I would argue have the dexterity of the human hand?
Being cheap people who tend to overestimate their own physical abilities, we decided to forgo the taxi and walk from our hostel to our two activities for the day since they were in the same area of town. One hour later we arrived at the Elephant orphanage sweaty, dusty, and blistered (I insisted on wearing flip-flops with my new skirt instead of hiking sandals). Thankfully we met a wonderful woman named Donna, who took pity on us and let us hitch a ride with her for a good portion of the afternoon since she was also going to see the giraffes. She even took us to a wonderful restaurant for lunch, which was definitely better than the granola bars and beef jerky we had planned on :) Another great anniversary for the books!

We’re now back in Maseno busy as little bees. I got to see my little darlings at the Phoebe House again today, which always strengthens my spirit. I was feeling a little disheartened in regards to the phoebe house because I just can’t seem to get things started and moving. They need to move into a different location because the one they’re in right now doesn’t have a legitimate kitchen, they have no land to grow their own veggies, and there is literally no place for the kids to play or even do school work. Hopefully we'll find something soon. We've just taken 2 more kids, so our total is up to 4 adults, and 10 kids. This picture is of Brain, 6, being very generous with his high 5's. The visiting nursing group brought them all a few new outfits and a pair of shoes. Naomi was so cute with her little pink sandals on. She just stood still and stared at her feet. Apparently this was her first pair of shoes (she's 3 years old) and I think she wasn't sure how to walk in them. This little one is Arnold, a relatively new inhabitant of the Phoebe House. He is 3 years old, has a healthy appetite, and his prefered outfit is a t-shirt, tiny tennis shoes, and nada else. Undies are overrated in his book.
That's all for now. The official countdown is down to less than a month until my dad gets here! Yeah! One of our friends have offered to slaughter a goat for his arrival :)

Jessie

Jessie