Monday, December 31, 2012

Merry Christmas!


Christmas morning in Kenya started with my favorite meal of the day aka Breakfast! Breakfast was comprised of Christmas bacon and eggs as well as Christmas Mangos. Nairobi Chapel’s joint Christmas service started at 10:30 with Christmas carols to open and a message about the meaning of Christmas. The afternoon finished with a Christmas lunch at our sight coordinator’s house.

In many ways this meal was similar to what you might have in the United States on Christmas with a little twist. I had turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, salad, spiced rice, beef ribs, macaroni and cheese, christmas cookies, carrot cake, apple pie, and red velvet cake. The best part of it was sharing the meal with my group of YAVs as well as Bob and Kristi Rice (Presbyterian Mission Co-workers). I definitely ate too much and we stayed well into the afternoon.

The day ended with and exchange of gifts. Us YAVs had done Secret Santa and after we finished eating Christmas lunch/dinner we gave our gifts to one another. It was great to have everyone there and take a picture in front of the Christmas tree. And just as I thought that the night couldn’t get better, Phyllis sent us home with left over cookies and cake!

Although it was nice being with the other YAVs, Phyllis’s family, and friends, there were still things that I missed having this year. One of the major differences with having Christmas in the southern hemisphere is that the weather is hot and sunny. It seemed vary strange to have a warm and bright weather on Christmas when you are use to having cooler temperatures.

Another part of Christmas that I missed this year is the public expression. While people in Kenya may celebrate Christmas to a larger extent in their own homes, you don’t tend to see many public expressions of Christmas decorations as you drive around the city. The exceptions are mostly the Malls where there are lights strung up and Christmas trees. Most of the houses in Kenya have protective wall with a gate at the front, which don’t allow you to see inside. But even the apartments that have balconies or the windows looking out to the road don’t have any lights or Christmas decorations hanging in or around them. This provides for a very different environment in which to have Christmas.

This has led me to ponder if we YAVs are part of very few people how really like to celebrate Christmas both publically and privately. However, this is truly false because everyone I spoke with ask me if I had had a nice Christmas. I even received calls from people from my office that wanted to tell me Merry Christmas and ask how my Christmas has gone.

In conclusion I want to send some shout outs to the world best parents Ruth & Hunter, Ndaya, Andrew, Lloyd-Sidles, Brand Clan, Kaku & Grand Paw Max, Jess & Derek, Doug & Christina, Beth, Meredith, Wesley, Paw Paw & June, The Farrell’s, The Irby’s, Crescent Hill Pres, The Welches, Bethany, and Chela.

I miss you all!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

First Retreat


Monday the 17th we all went on our first YAV retreat of the year. Nicole and Gina flew in from Tanzania a few days before the retreat. On Monday morning our guide, George picked us up from our respective houses and brought us to Phyllis’s (site coordinators) house. After a nice lunch and refreshments, we took off with Phyllis and her family leading the way in their car. Phyllis surprised us by taking us on a Safari at an animal reserve where we stayed for two nights. It was a first time for many of us to go on a Safari and to stay at a luxurious camping/hotel located within the reserve itself.



Located close to Mt Kenya, Sweetwaters Tented Camp and the Ol Pejeta Conservency reserve are a great place to go if you want to get out of Nairobi and see the wildlife. Rob and I shared a spacious and plush tent that came equipped with two beds with comforters and hot water bottles, toilet, sink, and shower (with hot water). A lounge area where me and the other YAVs drank cups of hot tea is right beside a floodlit waterhole. Our own tents opened to the same waterhole where many waterbucks, zebras, and birds would gather.



The whole experience was great. It was a little hard to get up at 6:30am to start he Safaris but completely worth it. Most of the animals are out and about in the mornings and retreat into shaded areas once 12pm comes around. I was really shocked about how close that our guide could get us to the animals. This was nice because my camera does not have a good zoom on it. At night I was most thankful for the hot water bottles because it got really really cold.

  




The first time we went out we got rained on a little. We went out in the van and our driver opened the roof so that we could stand up and see all around us. This was nice but it also means that water was able to get into the van. The second morning we went was better. The sun came out early and the light provided lots of good opportunity for good pictures. In only two days we got to see elephants, buffalo, impala, zebras, cheetahs, lions, rhinos, and others.



Friday, December 7, 2012

Maasai Market



The Maasai market is one of the many attractions for first time visitors in Nairobi. During the week the market moves from one mall to the next so you have to know what day it will be in your area. In my case the best time is on Thursday afternoons. While I do not know the official time that the market starts, you can always listen for the drums or singing that are sure signs that the market is in full swing.

It can be a little overwhelming when you first step into the market and see all the different products the people are selling. Venders lay their goods out on tarps in front of them. I couldn’t tell you all the things that people are selling at the market.  But here are a few things you can buy: limestone carvings, wood carvings, cloth paintings, bowls, t-shirts, pants, dresses, sandals, statues, masks, sarongs, hats, bracelets, headbands, earrings, sunglasses, metal work, spears, in short there is lots of stuff.  The whole spectacle is full of color and people eagerly awaiting their first customer of the day!

If there is one thing that I have learned since I have been living here in Nairobi it is that if you are ever feeling alone or feel like you don’t have any friends, then its time to go to the Maasai Market. I kid you not, once you step into that place its like everyone wants to be your best friend for the day. It is not uncommon for people to come up to you, greet you, introduce themselves and lead you by the hand to where their merchandise is.

Although the market is a great place to buy your souvenirs and to find gifts for friends back home, the business of bargaining for a good price takes both skill and patience. If you know for a fact that you don’t possess good bargaining skills, make sure to bring along someone who does. You see many “muzungus” or foreigners walking around the Maasai market accompanied by a local tour guide or friend who can negotiate a fair price for them. If you are going alone, you know you don’t possess good bargaining skills, and you have brought a lot of money, I would say to just keep your hands in your pockets. Haha ok no. I don’t really mean that… just make sure you aren’t massively overpaying for your purchases. Like I said before with some patience and persistence you can get some good bargains.  
 
I won’t say it is impossible to “just be looking” and leave empty handed, however venders will make a strong case for you to buy something from them. The first time I went to the Maasai market I ended up not getting anything. However, this last Thursdays I bought this small stone-carved hippo from this guy named Moses. I am sure it won’t be the last thing I buy but for now I’ll save the bigger purchases for later.














Visiting with Bob and Kristi


Last Wednesday I was able to connect with Bob and Kristi Rice who are Presbyterian mission co-workers in the DRC. I had met them about three years ago when I visited Kananga with my father and sister. It was great to see them both again here in Nairobi and to catch up with them over a cup of coffee.