I'd like to breeze over the church experience since it was harder to survive than imagined (me being so stubborn about not pretending to believe in things I don't and striving toward honesty in my life in general- I felt like quite an outraged fraud). I was even yelled at over a microphone with a congregation of a couple hundred people since I didn't stand up at the right time (in my defense Annette and Keith were still sitting too! and they are seasoned veterans.). And during the 20 minute segment entitled "SCOFFERS BEWARE" on the powerpoint on the front wall I had a really lousy feeling that the Bishop was looking directly at me during certain, really, forceful points he made. So you get the gist.
In other news, I've been informed that at the G-BIACK center where I start work tomorrow (harvesting, planting watering, working all over on the ground), just some of their "common pests" as Mamma Keith puts it, include porcupines- which eat all of their sweet potatoes and Red Spitting Cobras which like to show up when turning the compost pile, or hang out in rock or wood piles, OR fantastically like to come INSIDE the office and hang out in the corner or even in one's gumboots. Enter: panic attack. Somehow Red Spitting Cobras scare me more than terrorism. It is totally illogical but I am already worried I'll have nightmares tonight.
I'm also once again reminded to be grateful for all of the infrastructure we have and TOTALLY take for granted in the U.S.: water safe to drink from the tap, toilets that both work and have seats, etc. etc.
On that lovely note I'd like to call myself out on being a bit of a jet-lagged black cloud. I told a friend back home today that after losing all hope of finding one of the few hair clips I brought with me I realized to my shock that it was actually holding all of my hair up at that exact moment. So to be fair, my brain is still adjusting and I hope I'll get less 2/3rds worldy- poor me- what the hell is going on here once more time passes.
If anyone is really reading these posts, I would be overjoyed to get feedback or comments.
Ca va Ca va.
8 comments:
I think it's cool you made the church visit even if it isn't a fit for you. It's obviously a big part of your host family's life.
I'm not wild about the snake thing as you would guess, though I read up on them and apparently there are people who think they make good pets. Something to consider. :)
Dad
Hey Kater, Thank you for this email, even, and especially because of, all this detail. Sorry about the church experience... but you wouldn't have known if you had not gone. And remember that porcupines and snakes are part of the environment... just like BEE-utiful YOU! No getting around it... adventures ARE adventurous. Sending you an email with more thoughts... along with all my love and huge hugs. Love you, Momma
Kate, you're amazing and i'm so glad to be reading about all of your experiences in Kenya so far!
much love chica,
Kate
Cousin-Sista!
So it took me a while to figure out how to get Dave signed up on your blog but here we are! Phew!
I love reading your blog! The way you've been conveying your experiences makes me feel like I'm experiencing it too. Please keep writing. I can't wait to see what "we" are going to do next.
Tons of love and support!
Jen (and Dave too)
yaaay for comments! thanks loyal readers! more to come soon!
Have you tried their tea yet? We bought some home with us.
oh yes! the family i live with takes tea like clockwork. i have already become a bit addicted, unfortunately. tonight i shared some tea from home with them and it was a big hit!
YAY KATE! SO PROUD OF YOU!!! LOVE, AUNTIE LIN
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