Finally Getting Caught Up on Entries

Well, I must say that the number of blog entries is somewhat of a sign on how things have been going since my arrival in Kabula/Bungoma. October had 13 entries, November had 4 and then this month has only been 1. Hopefully you all haven't dropped out of interest. I have been laying very low and simply resting and getting back on my feet. I've been doing a few things, but only when I am chauffered around and accompanied by someone.

Geri arrived safely last Sunday. She ended up hiring a safari driver because all of the buses were booked and she would have been stuck in Nairobi until Thursday. Between people returning upcountry for the holiday season and/or the elections, the buses have been exceptionally crowded. It was very nice to have her here. She was able to talk to my mom and vouch for my health and well being.

Despite Geri's arrival, I left her on the farm Monday morning and went to Eldoret for an overnight stay. The car needed a tune-up, new shocks, bushes, etc. and we had to go to a place that could do certified work on such a new (2001) Toyota. Ben, one of the drivers, chauffered me. Eldoret, in the Prado, is only about a 2 hour drive. There is not a whole lot to do or see there, so after dropping the car off for servicing we just went to a hotel and watched TV and I napped. The car was ready early on Tuesday morning so at least it wasn't an all day wait. Even though I wasn't driving, I could feel the difference when we hit potholes or drove over the way too numerous speed bumps.

On Wednesday morning Ben, Geri, Hilary (a departing volunteer) and I headed south through Kisumu and around Lake Victoria. Hilary was on her way to Rusinga Island and Geri and I were checking out a program in Kendu Bay. Peter, our driver when we were in Nairbo last year, has a program that awards scholarships to secondary school students. Most of the students have lost at least one parent to HIV/AIDS. They were participating in a 2 day "Life Skills" training. I had the opportunity to spend some time talking to them about my life as a positive person and the need to speak out in order to reduce stigma and discrimination.

Hilary was going to see a friend that is doing work in Mbita near Rusinga Island. She also wanted to try to find a young boy that she had sponsored through Save the Children. It had been 13 years and so the boy is now about 25 years old. I just got a text message this morning that she was successful. I will call her later on in the day to get a better update.

Geri and I decided to travel on to Kericho. Kericho is tea country and about 5,800 feet above sea level. It was a beautiful drive as we climbed higher and higher. There is not much to do there, but it made for an enjoyable ride. The accomodations were quite modest, but the water was VERY hot and that was great. My little solar shower bag does a good job, but to have decent pressure is such a special treat.

We headed back home Friday morning. There was a necessary stop in Kisumu to get Nile Perch (tilapia) for dinner. Bargaining for the fish was interesting. I am not good at bargaining so it was good to have Ben doing most of the talking. We also stopped at the Super Nakumet which can best be described as the Kenyan version of a Walmart.

So, even though I have been doing a lot of napping and resting, I at least managed to get around the southern district of Nyanza. I will be going back to doing program on Monday. Everyone has been insuring that I am taking it slow and easy. I have been jokining about having 3 moms - my real mom, Geri and then Mama Betty. I'm not sure if it is good to have 2 of them around me at the same time. Just kidding... but having 2 of them within reach and telling me to take it easy is a bit overwhelming. You all know my stubborness at times. But, truly, I have been taking it easy and am in the care of a good doctor and friend, Mohamed. Also, there is now a nurse and doctor on the farm so I have plenty of care available.

The median age of volunteers has shifted dramatically. All of the Indiana University students have departed and we are down to just 8 folks. I think the youngest is 26 and then it moves up into the 30's, me in the 40's, and Geri at 70. We will be having 8 Cornell students arriving on Monday so that will get the average down a little. It was enjoyable to meet with the IU students. It is sad to see volunteers go, but a pleasure to meet them.

The election campaign is really in full swing and so much different from politics in the US. I think that the current President (Mwai Kibaki) will lose to Raila Odinga. This is a big thing as Raila is a Luo and so will be the first Luo to hold the title of Presidency. I could be wrong, but it sure seems to be going that way in terms of the polls. We are in an area that is pretty supportive of Raila, but there are still a number of Kibaki supporters. I just try not to wear any orange or bright blue clothing as those are the colors of the parties.

I hope that this lengthy entry has made up for my lack of activity. But, I am sure that you can all understand. If any of you received emails from me over the last month, it was obvious that things were a bit difficult. My typing, grammar and ability to be fully coherent just wasn't there. My grammar may not be the best, but I do feel much stronger and able to function. I will continue to take it easy. Because of the slow down during the holidays I will be forced to go slow.