To Kenya and back

Nairobi

2006-03-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

So we gathered our luggage and managed to get everyone in the group together. Then they took outr luggage and placed them in these big trucks. Now, honestly. I was a bit freaked out. Really, if everyone else hadn't been doing it, I wouldn't have done it. Because from Day One, Peace Corps told us not to let anyone handle our baggage and that Nairobi was a very bad place where we will all get mugged and shot and killed and abducted. And yes I was that naive. But, I parted with my beloved luggage and borded the bus that PC arranged to pick us up.

I was a bit disapointed that we arrived at night. There wasn't much to see outside the windows besides lights, and I so badly wanted to see everything. But I didn't see much, and honestly, I was exusted. As we rolled through the city and made a few turns, we eventually made it to the hostel where we would be staying. It was a bit freaky, because there were these armed guards and a gate. Something that I defenetly wasn't used to at that time. Then came the tedious task of dragging out butts out of the bus. But there was food and it was great. I was not expecting the food to be that great, but it was soooooo yummy. After we ate, we chose roomates and got our stuff, checked into our rooms and made the exausting trip to our rooms (many of us were carrying two very LARGE bags). My roomat was Jen Lee, who I think fate brought us to room together those days.

That night I wrote in my journal about the trip. I was excited to be were I was, but I was so scared. I had never been away from home like that before and I missed so it much. After Jen got out of the shower (one of our last ones for a LONG WHILE), we talked till we fell asleep. But I really couldn't sleep that night, and started crying. Like I said, I was sooooo scared. I felt like I didn't belong there and all that stuff. But Jenly talked to me (I tryed to cry quietly, but it didn't work, and I was forced to talk). Eventually I calmed down and was ready to face another day. I am forever grateful for that.

So the next day we awoke to a misty rain. The trees were so green and it was so humid. We ate a great breakfast (the bread was so divine) and we met for a class. We were given a small tutorial about Kenya and we talked to the Medical Staff. We were given these breifcase sized first aide kits and got to enjoy a great tea break and lunch. We met again and were place into our language groups. We started studying lanugage that day with our first Kenyan words being "Hujambo....Habari Yako??? Nzuri Sana." My instructor was Henry, who is by far my favorite language teacher. He was so full of energy and said things like "getting jiggy with it".

Sadly though the good food didn't last. But on a good note the three days had passed and it was time to leave the "scary" city of Nairobi. We loaded our luggage (this time I wasn't so scared) and jumped in our bus. I sat next to Steve (one of the funniest PCV's I know) and soon we were bouncing our ways through the "mean" streets of Nairobi. There were people everywhere in the streets. Each one trying to sell their goods. There were also people looking in out bus, as though they had never seen so many "white" people all together. We bounced and bounced. And soon we were outside the Nairobi city limits. I felt very lucky to have the bus I did, because the driver was playing local Kenyan music and it really set the mood for the ride as we bounced through the Kenyan countryside.

It is one of the most memorable drives I have ever been on. I was so in awe of everything around me. I mostly sat back and tried to take everything in. We took a small pee break in Machakos and I believe we scared the town because there were so many of us and we moved in herds. Soon we were off again and bouncing off to Kitui. Every time we passed a town, I couldn't help but think that this is what my site could look like. Most of the people around me talk, but I have always been an observer. I took in so much. From the red color of the dirt, to the green in the foliage. I saw the way the dirt dusted each leaf of the trees that had the misfortune of being near the road. I saw all the people wave at us and the signs painted on the sides of buildings. I felt so at peace just driving like that.

After a few hours we arrived in Kitui. Kitui is a small large town. There are so many people, but the town itself is so small. There were gas stations and people selling papaya and mangos on the side of the road. There were people walking to and fro and goats walking as free as the people. We made a few turns and headed to the pastoral center where we would spend a week (or so, I can't remember the number of days). After a very scary ride down a very steep hill, we arrived in a smurf villiage of sorts. Every single one of the language/culture trainers were there. They greeted us, and I am sure I mumbled something in return, but, it feels like a dream now. I am sure we had another lesson and had some tea and at some point we got our roomates (my new one was Misty, who will always be my travel roomate) and moved into our smurf hut (though, unlike the smurfs, there were MANY more girls than guys). I am sure we ate and the food was good (though not as good as it was in Nairobi). I am sure that me and Misty talked long hours into the night, but like I said, it all seems so dream like.

The next few days we were divided up into new language groups according to where our homestay families lived (I had an all girl group, all of up just a hop, skip, and jump away from each other). We learned more, ate more, and got to know each other more. We were taught how to squat over a choo hole and how to bucket bathe. And soon, it was time to get out homestay families.......

Next time...Mama Becky (yes, I need a seperate entry just for this)......

About Kenya....

2006-03-09T22:57:00.000-07:00

So anyway, this blog is supposed to be about when I lived in Kenya, so I guess I will start with day one and move on from there.......

I was nervious as hell as I borded the plane and left everything that I knew behind. I cried as I left my parents at the Security check and boarded the plane for a dream that I was following. Being only the second plane ride I ever took, I tried to play cool on the plane and talked to a nice young man about the new security measures taken at the airport we were landing in. At the airport, I couldn't help but wonder if any if the young people whose faces I was looking in were going to be fellow PCT's with me. As I waited for the shuttle to the hotel and met some PCV's on their way to some latin american country, but still no one from my group. I checked into the hotel and was told my roomate hadn't arrived yet. The reality of everything was beginning to kick in. A wave a nausa and homesickness washed over me. But the excitement of everything was just to powerful. So I waited in my plush hotel room, which I must say for the Peace Corps, they know how to ease a person into the lifesyle that they will be living in during their time overseas.

Eventually my roomate, Tessa, came, an awesome girl from California. We spent all hours of the night talking, nervious for the next morning when everything would become real. That night I dremt of forgetting my luggage for the 100th time.

The next day, it was like some sort of college mixer in the lobby of the hotel. People were going up to each other and asking "Where are you going". The people going to Kenya grouped together, talked, and filled out paper work together. We were given games to play, that would help us get to know one another, and I am sure that we were all wondering...."am I gonna hate that person?" or "I wonder what that person is doing in a place like this?" and alas, I am sure most of us girls were scoping out any potential hotties of the group (I am sure the guys were doing the same).

So after a few days of lectures, videos (there was this one where the guy had kids throwing rocks at him in his bike helmit--so funny), and me stating for the 8000th time that I am deathly afraid of monkeys, we became familer with each other. We grew bonds that no one in the world would ever understand and started to get over the awkawrdness that we had on the first day. Granted, I think by the last day of staging, many of us wanted to just get the hell out of there and go, I know that many of us were also pretty scared (they told us stories to scare us about the evil city of Nairobi and all the bad things about Kenya).

That night we repacked (and somehow I lost all of my passport photos) and I am sure most of us didn't sleep at all that night. The next morning they loaded us in cabs and sent us to get the first of what would seem like endless shots. They gave us our Malaria meds and before we knew it we were heading to the airport. By this point we had already lost one of our fellow trainees because of a reaction to one of the shots.

I know that I have mentioned that the Peace Corps is nothing more that waiting and more waiting. The airport was no exception. There were 37 of us at that point, and we had to get us all through checking in and security. During checking in with the airline, we managed to lose another Trainee, bringing our number down to 36. So there it was, 36 of us, about to change our lives forever.

The plane ride was really uneventful, really it was just long. But I must say, it did seem like a party in the back of the plane. In Amsterdam, where we changed planes, I realized (with dread) that I didn't have my ticket to get my boarding pass to go to Kenya. But after I almost cried in the poor dutch lady's face, I was allowed to board. Then we waited, waited, and waited some more.

We loaded into what seemed like a much more crowded plane and once again began the party that I dont think has ever really stopped. We flew over the alps and I truely think that I have never seen anything more breathtaking than that. Soon, we came closer to our destination. The nerves were kicking in and many of us were wondering "what in the hell am I doing????". We changed into our "nice" clothes that were emphasized so much during staging. The plane landed, and I was filled with excitement, dread, fear, happyness, giddyness, EVERYTHING. We walked into the airport and were greeted by the APCD's, the CD, and a couple of PCV's. It was so surreal. After much insanity, we organized method of quickly retrieving everyones luggage and we were off.......................................

Malaria

2006-02-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

So like I said in the last post.....I would talk about Malaria.

So anyway, when I left the Peace Corps, I was given a full medical evaluation complete with blood tests and all that good stuff (which I never did get the results on). After all that was done I was given pills to take to kill off any Malaria in me. Which was fine and dandy, untill I got home....and half the pills crushed. but I figured that all would be well. I mean really, could I have honestly been exposed to Malaria while I was in Kenya. I thought it was highly unlikely.

But I ended up starting to get sick a few weeks after I came home. Nothing to bad, just tired all the time. Every once in a while I would get a small fever. but really nothing that alarmed me. i figured I was just getting used to being home. Then I kept getting sicker. My fevers would last longer and I started getting the chills. Having been told a million times by Medical that these were they symptoms of Malaria, i was pretty sure that I had it. But I couldn't get in to see a doctor, because there are mostly PA's in this area and even to see them it was hard. When I finally did get in to see a PA, he really didn't do much. I tod him "I have Malaria. I got it while I was in Kenya. It is most likely Cloroquine resistant." But instead he tried to make me pee in a cup.

That night I got home and I felt fine. But then had the worst fever ever. My body started shaking and I ached everywhere. I kept hitting my head and screaming out. It was horrible. I kept seeing things and felt like there were people at my door watching me. My body was so cold and my head was so hot. I kept thrashing around and everytime I felt like I had get up, I fell to the ground.

The next morning my mom was going to take me to another doctor, to see if there wasn't something else that could be done. When she came to wake me up however, my skin was pale yellow and I couldn't move. As I struggled to get dressed (I kept falling over), I started feeling nasous. Somehow I managed to run to the bathroom in the nick of time and threw up whatever I had in my tummy. When I was finished my mom said screw the doctor and said I was going to the hospital. I had to hold myself up against the wall because I couldn't stand up on my own.

The whole way to the hospital (45 minutes) I threw up. It was mostly a daze for me. Once I got to the hospital they pumpd me up with morphine and ran a TON of tests. I had no clue what was happening to be honest. Afer being in the ER for a few hours, they relesed me to the care of my mother (who is an acupuncturest and nurse). That night was horrible and if it wasn't for the pain killers, it would have been a lot worse.

The next day I somehow managed to get myself up and to an interview (I got the job), but that night I kept itching like crazy, which turned out to be an allergic reaction to the pills that they gave me in the hospital. Eventually things got worked out and in the end I managed to fully recover.

So I learned to religiously take your malaria pills while in Africa and that malaria is a real threat and a nasty disese.

Home

2006-02-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

Well, alas, my peace corps journey has ended. I have returned home or ET'ed. It was an increadible journey and I truely miss it and cherish every moment, but I know this is where I am supposed to be.

When we arrived in Kenya, so much was going through my head. I was nervous, excited, everything. But soon after getting to know everyone, my fears went away and soon I began the hard-core training. It seemed as soon as we touched down in Nairobi, we began our language and culture lessons. Soon we were taken to Kitui, where we would spend the next few months training for the next two years. We spent the first few days at the pastoral center while they prepped us for homestay. That's where most of us got to know each other. Then it was off to our homestay families. And that is where I began to have my first doubts about being there. I'll admit it was mostly my fear of my new "family", but after a few encouraging words from some of my best friends and a phone call home, I was ready to face Peace Corps Kenya.

My homestay mama was nothing like I expected her to be. She was a very strong woman with a gigantic heart. My siblings were the cutest things ever. My closest PCT was a girl that I became good friends with. We were in a all girl training group with one of my favorite trainiers Sam (it didn't hurt that he was cute, but alas, married). And as the weeks went by, I began to love Kenya.

But then I started feeling depressed. When I was at my house I wanted to be with my friends. When I was with my friends, I wanted to be at my house. When I was alone I wanted to be with tons of people and with people I wanted nothing more than to be by myself. I had so many conflicting emotions and soon it seemed that everytime I called home, all I wanted to do was go home. I was crying myself to sleep everynight and when I would fall asleep, my dreams would be horrible and realistic. Some of my closest friends were wearing on my last nerve. I know now that many of those syptoms had a lot to do with the Malaria Prophalaxtic I was taking, but I also knew to reconize when some of those feelings were my own.

However, I didn't want to appear to be a failure, in my own eyes as well as my family's eyes. So I hung in there. I switched my Malaria meds and sucked it up. i knew I would regret leaving if I didn't make it out to site. And finally it came. I was so nervous when we got our announcements and even though I was placed at a great site with an awesome group to work with, I cried. I knew then that I didn't want to be in Kenays no more, even though I loved the country. So I went to my site, and I tried to find reasons to go home. My house wasn't that good, the group didn't need me, whatever I could. But in the end I realized that it was me and not the site at all. So on the way back to training, I thought long and hard. I weighed all my options and knew that deep down, my time to go home had come.

My first instinct was to just leave and not tell anyone. I didn't want to be seen as a quitter by my peers or anything like that. But the bonds that I created with my peers was much stronger than that and before I knew it, I was crying on everyones shoulders and having a hard time saying good bye. I gave a tearful speech to show my appreciation to the trainers and my respect for my fellow volunteers. But in the end, I felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

I traved to Nairobi the same day I announced my decidion. I spent three days there and was very much relieved to have a close friend of mine there with me (she needed to be with medical staff). And as the plane finally arrived in Denver, I knew that home is where I was meant to be.

So now I am back home, and I have a great job. I am planning a trip back to visit all my friends and some days I miss Kenya terribly. But I believe that all things happen for a reason. I know that Kenya will always be a part of who I am and my experiences there have shaped me to the person I am, but for now, this is where I am supposed to be.

Next time......my experiences with Malaria......

WOW

2005-05-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

So three days left. THREE DAYS!?!!?!?!? Time has flown by so quickly, it the only way it knows how. Though I know I am leaving, I have the plane ticket inches away from me, it doesn't seem real yet. I have packed and re-packed and packed again. I have walked around my parents ranch with my backpack and other luggage, and yet, it doesn't seem real. I have said some goodbyes and enjoyed my going away party, and still hasn't hit me yet. I have eaten a TON of food and drank with some good friends. . . and yet. . . . you get the picture. I am so nervious, happy, sad, confused, worried, excited, scared. . . everything. I din't think this was even possible. I keep thinking that this isn't happening. That there is no way that I could EVER do something this life changing. And here I am. Doing it. I still haven't decided if I am brave or just crazy. . . maybe both. But whatever the case. . . . HERE I GO!!!!

And I am off. . . .

2005-04-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

Well Three weeks left. I have my plane ticket, I have quit my job, and my travel itinerary. Scary to think that I am really leaving. I mean, I have always wanted this, and I know I would be devestated if I didn't get to do this, but the reality is totally sinking in. Before I got my ticket, it was like surreal. Like I would never get to this place that I am at now. But here I am. I still feel like I have a million things to do, a million people to see. My room still needs to be cleaned out (forever the procrastinator) and the more I think about packing, the more I don't want to take. Such limited amount of space to pack. I feel crazy thinking about it! I am a big box of emotions too. Sometimes I want to cry, because, no matter what, two years is a LONG time to go without seeing one's family. And I worry about things happening to my family when I am gone. And what everyone is going to look like. . . okay, I am sure everyone will be the same, but still. Then I worry about whether this is real or not. Like I am going to get to DC and they will be like. . . hahahaha, just joking. I have constantly been reasured that this is not likely to happen, but since I have waited for so long, it seems like it could happen.
On the other hand, I am so excited. I can' wait to meet all the new people, and actually see what the people I have chatted with on-line really look like. . . .hmmmm. I so can't wait till I get to Kenya too. Everything I have heard about it, makes it seem so exciting. All the animals, the history, the people, everything. I can't wait.
On a side note, I am so excited, because next week (already?) I am going to one of my best friends college graduations. Another BFF from high school will be comming in from florida. I am so excited to see them. I am so proud of everything they have accomplished and am very much looking forward to seeing them (and hanging out with) them again.
Then the next week my sister gets married. I can't believe it. . . hopefully she won't have any kids till I get back (sorry mom, you will have to wait for grandkids:)
So much going on.

The List

2005-04-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, I decided to post a "rough draft" of my packing list. . . not quite the PC list, but my list. Any sugesstions, gifts, or otherwise would be very helpful.

Clothes
2 nylon slips
1 nice dress
4-5 long skirts
3 tee shirts
4 button down shirts
2 pairs of jeans (hoping to get the chance to wear them)
2 pairs of nice sandals (Teva/Chaco type)
15-20 pairs undies
8 bras
1 sweat shirt
1 rain coat
2 pairs of socks
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair PJ bottoms
1 pair shorts
1 pair of nice dress shoes
1 baseball cap
1 visor
2 bathing suits

Hygene and Personal Care
Tampons
3 month supply of hair prouducts
soap
sunscreen
lotion
toothbrushes
toothpaste
dental floss
mouthwash
deoderant
comb
hair ties
3 nail clip
nail file
nail polish (okay, not necessary, but I NEED it for my sainity)
razor
Chapstick (tons)
solar shower (just to be on the safe side)

Entertainment
CD player
CD's
shortwave radio
8 or so of my absolute favorite books
deck of cards
art stuff (paints, brushes, paper)
2 cameras and film
2 journals
tent (for camping)

Other stuff
sleeping bag
favorite blanket
2 fitted full size sheets
favorite pillow with case
sleeping pad
1 nalgene bottle
1 camelback
potato peeler
1 nice knife
2 non stick pans
spices (including red chili powder)
mesuring spoons and cups
leatherman
bateries
head lamp
flashlight
2-3 pair sunglasses (I lose them so quickly)
duct tape
ziplock bags
herbs and vitamins
alarm clock
address book
US stamps
towels
fleece
money belt
prepaid credit card
debit card from us account
seeds
herbal remedy first aid kit (if I can get it together in time)
gifts for host family
salt and pepper in grinder
calender
poster or two
tape recorder and cassets (good to help learn the language and send home)world map
map of africa
map of us
english dictionary and thesarus
stickers (for the kiddies)
scissors?

I hope that is everything. . . I also hope this is equal to or less than my eighty pound limit. But than again this is my "Rough Draft"

Strange Dreams

2005-04-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

They're back. All of those strange dreams I was getting when I first accepted my invitation are back. Mostly they are dreams where I forget things or luggage or packing altogether. Last night I had this dream where I went into this room and had to change into a bathing suit and while I was changing I realised that I forgot to pack and bring my luggage. I think that the dreams are stressing me out more than anything else. . . Five weeks...breathe...five weeks...breathe.

Waiting: Life of a Peace Corps Volunteer

2005-04-15T23:25:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I have only One month and One week left until I leave for Kenya. It seems so surreal. I have put in my two weeks notice at work, however, it doesn't seem as though I will ever leave :) In a way time seems to go by so quickly, yet so slowly. I feel like I have a million things to do, and at the same time I have nothing to do but wait. It doesn't seem that it is humanly possible to carry around so many contradictions. I have all these worries, all these fears, and I feel as though I am powerless to fix them. I just have to wait until I leave. Wait. Wait. I swear, I am writing a book when I get back. I believe I will call it Waiting: Life of a Peace Corps Volunteer. I feel bad too, because, I want to spend time with all of my family and friends and all that, but life has me so stressed out right now that I just want to sleep and veg out in front of the television. There are so many people I need to call, but as I say every week, "I'll do it on my day off".

Packing list

2005-04-12T13:20:00.000-07:00

Here is my official PC packing list. . .for those of you asking if i need anything. I am quite surprised that i have aquired so much. how this is going to fit in my suitcase and how it is going to be under 80lbs, is beyond me. if anyone has any packing ideas let me know. anyway to the packing list. . .

Packing List Suggestions

Astrix (*) means you can find these things in country. However, they may not be good quality, selection or they may just be really expensive. So, if you are particular about something (you can only use Pantene extra body conditioner), bring lots! If you are not particular or are poor (you are volunteers, we understand), know it is not the end of the world. Take a deep breath. Do what you can. Remember, you are not going to an uninhabited island. You will have everything you NEED to make it through your Peace Corps service in country. ( I have put a ~ by the things I have)

Necessities
Tampons * ~
Water bottles (2 recommended-Nalgene) or camelback ~
Batteries (rechargable are a good idea)* ~
A nice dressy outfit for first week dinner with officials ~
Headlamp with batteries and replacement bulb
Bathing suits (2-your size may change while here)~
Glasses/sunglasses (2 pair)~
English dictionary ~
Nice comfortable shoes (think nice sandals, Tevas, Chacos)~
Professional clothing in breathable fabrics ~
Good bras (tons!)~
Good underwear (they have these in country, but quality is poor)~
Good pair of tennis shoes~
Nice flip-flops*~
Pictures from home~
Camera and film (lots!)*~
Duct tape
Sweater, sweatshirt or long-sleeve shirt~
Medium book bag (for 3-4 day trips)
Toiletries for three months (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razors)*~
Hairbrush or comb~
Three month supply of prescription drugs~
Watch
Portable alarm clock*~
Leatherman or swiss army knife
Towel (travel/camping ones work well because they dry quickly)~

Not necessary but useful for some volunteers (not all, don’t go buy all of this)
Shortwave radio*~
Wall calendar*~
Solar showers~
Cookbooks (Better Homes and Garden, Fanny Farmer, Joy of Cooking, CD rom cookbook, ethnic or vegetarian cookbooks that use natural, non-processed ingredients)~
Favorite recipes~
Adaptor (if bringing electrical appliances)
CDs or tapes (lots! You will be listening to them for two years)~
CD player and/or tape player (portable with speakers or small "Walmart" battery operated one*)
Tupperware*
Ziploc bags~
Raincoat/pancho~
Travel/Camping towels~
Money belt~
U.S. stamps (can easily be sent to you by mail)
Beauty products/ pampering things for de-stressing (if you use them)*~
Money (in large denominations, $50, $100, traveller’s cheques, Euros)
Your favorite pillow (if you’re picky about that)*~
Spices/spice packets*~
Good exercise pants~
Linen/ cotton clothing (you can find linen and cotton here and get clothing made)*~
Measuring cups/spoons (a must if you bake or cook)~
Tea tree oil (great antiseptic for those skin infections and mosquito bites!)
Catalogue of clothing (to show to tailor to get copies made)~
Good pens (if they are important to you, bics are available)*~
Bandanas*~
Games
Sports bras~
Pepper/ pepper grinder*
Good flashlight*
Seeds (spices, veggies, etc.- can be purchased here or sent later also)*~
Wet wipes~

Education Specific (also not necessary, just suggestions)
Art supplies (markers*, crayons, paints, construction paper, rubber cement, etc.)~
Children’s books
World map/ map of Africa (can get free from AAA if member)
Calculator*~
Stapler*
Appointment book*
CD books (there are computers at work stations and in some schools; they are smaller than books, packable, and can be useful, ie encyclopaedias, journals, etc.)
Stickers (can be easily sent here, too)~
Blank cassettes (for making listening comprehensions)
Tape player/ recorder

Gift Ideas for Host Families (not necessary, can be bought here, too)
Coloring books
Dollar store stuff (tacky is good here!)
Candy*
Pocket knives
T-shirts
Flashlights*
Karate/ Action movies on VCD (not regular DVD!)*
UNO

Don’t Bring
Too many books (all classics in country)
Short skirts (above the knee)
Too many shorts (can only be worn indoors or when exercising)
Too many white clothes (they turn brown)
Tight clothes (culturally inappropriate)
Spaghetti strap tops (unless used as PJs)
Too many socks (1-2 pairs)
Over the counter medication (Tylenol, allergy meds, eye drops, etc provided by PC)
Too many electrical appliances (you may not have electricity)
Mosquito repellant (provided by PC)

Family letter

2005-04-08T19:53:00.000-07:00

Okay here is the Family letter that everyone gets to read. . . I stole it from steve, who stole it from misty. I am kinda sad and feel left out because i haven't recieved it yet :( I guess that is because I just recently recieved dental clearance. I hope. I guess when it takes one year from nomination to invite, one (myself) becomes scared that they are going to take this away from me. anyway the letter

March 2005

Dear Families,

Greetings from the Kenya Desk in Washington, D.C. It is with great pleasure that we welcome your family member to Peace Corps. During the past year we have received many requests from Volunteers and family members alike regarding travel plans, sending money, relaying messages and mail, etc. As we are unable to involve ourselves in the personal arrangements of Volunteers, we would like to offer you advice and assistance in advance by providing specific examples of situations and how we suggest they be handled.

Irregular Communication
The mail service in Kenya is not as efficient as the U.S. Postal Service. Thus, it is important to be patient. It can take three to four weeks for mail coming from Kenya to arrive in the United States via the Kenyan postal system. From a Volunteer's post, mail might take 1-2 months to reach the United States. Sometimes mail is hand carried to the States by a traveler and then mailed through the US postal system. This leg of the trip can take another several weeks, as it is also dependent on the frequency of travelers to the U.S.
We suggest that in your first letters, you ask your Volunteer family member to give an estimate of how long it takes for him/her to receive your letters and then try to establish a predictable pattern of how often you will write to each other. We would also like to suggest that you consider the use of "aerograms," generally a blue sheet of paper which folds into an envelope. These are available in most stationary stores or at post offices. Volunteers have had good success in receiving their mail in this form. Also, try numbering your letters so that the Volunteer knows if he/she has missed one. Postcards should be sent in envelopes--otherwise they may be found on the wall of the local post office!Volunteers often enjoy telling their "war" stories when they write home. Letters might describe recent illnesses, lack of good food, isolation, etc. While the subject matter is good reading material, it is often misinterpreted on the home front. Please do not assume that if your family member has been ill that he or she has been unattended. Peace Corps has a doctor and two physician's assistants on staff in Nairobi. Through regular contact, they monitor the health of the Volunteers. In the event of a serious illness, the Volunteer comes to Nairobi and is cared for by our medical staff. If the Volunteer requires medical care that is not available in Kenya, he/she will be medically evacuated to South Africa or the United States, depending on the medical care required. Fortunately, these are rare circumstances.
If, for some reason, your communication pattern is broken and you do not hear from your family member for three months, you should contact the Office of Special Services (OSS) at Peace Corps Washington at 1-800-424-8580, extension 1470. OSS will then contact the Peace Corps Director and ask her/him to check up on the Volunteer. Also, in the case of an emergency at home (death in the family, sudden illness, etc.), please do not hesitate to call OSS or our weekend and off hours Duty Officer (202) 638-2574 immediately so that the Volunteer will be informed as soon as possible.

Telephone Calls
The telephone system in Kenya is relatively good. Service to the United States is somewhat reliable, phones exist in most larger towns and Volunteers can often plan to be at a phone on a certain date to receive calls from home. This usually works, but there are also innumerable factors that can make the best-laid plans fall apart.The Kenya Desk communicates the Peace Corps office in Nairobi daily. However, these calls are reserved for business only and we cannot relay personal messages over the phone. All communication between family members and the Volunteer must be done via international mail.

Sending mail during Pre Service Training(PST)

your name, Peace Corps Trainee
P.O. Box 30518
Nairobi, Kenya

Sending packages
Both parents and Volunteers like to send and receive care packages through the mail. Unfortunately, sending packages can be a frustrating experience for all involved due to the possible theft and heavy customs taxes. You may want to try to send inexpensive items through the mail, but there is no guarantee that these items will arrive. We do not recommend, however, that costly items be sent through the mail. Even though Volunteers choose to get local post office boxes, you may use the following address to send letters to your family member at any time during his or her service:

John Doe, PCVU.S. Peace Corps
P.O. Box 30518Village Market, 00621
Nairobi, Kenya

We recommend that packages be sent in padded envelopes if possible, as boxes tend to be taxed more frequently. Custom fees can be quite expensive. For lightweight but important items (e.g. airline tickets), several services, such as DHL, FedEx, TNT, and UPS operate in Kenya. These services however, are very expensive, and can cost as much as $70 for a letter. If you do choose to send items through them, you must address the package to the Country Director, c/o Peace Corps, Nairobi, Kenya. (The street address of the Peace Corps office in Nairobi is: Grivellia Groove, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya). If you send the item to the Country Director, no liability can be assumed.Sending airplane tickets and/or cash is not recommended. Certain airlines will allow you to buy a pre-paid ticket in the States; they will telex their Nairobi office to have the ticket ready. Unfortunately, this system is not always reliable. Several European carriers fly to Kenya. Please call the airline of your choice for more information. You could also send tickets via mail services as mentioned previously. However, Peace Corps will assume no liability in the event of a lost/stolen airline ticket.Trying to send cash or checks is very risky and is discouraged. If your Volunteer family member requests money from you, it is his/her responsibility to arrange for its receipt. There is Western Union service available in Nairobi, although there are many charges involved in the sending and exchange of money. Bear in mind that Volunteers will be aware of people visiting the States and can request that they call the Volunteers' families when they arrive in the States should airline tickets or cash need to be sent back to Kenya.We hope this information is helpful to you during the time your family member is serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya. We understand how frustrating communication difficulties can be when your family member is overseas. and we appreciate your using this information as a guide.
Please feel free to contact us at the Kenya Desk in Washington, D.C. if you have any further questions. Our phone number is 1-800-424-8580, ext. 2324/2323 or locally, 202-692-2324/202-692-2302

2005-03-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

Paris, Las Vegas

Posted by Hello

2005-03-26T17:49:00.000-07:00

Tree on Cumbres Pass-I like the way the sky is blue, but the rest of the photo looks black and white

Posted by Hello

2005-03-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

Burned out church

Posted by Hello

Funniest thing

2005-03-26T17:11:00.000-07:00

since i decided to leave to join the Peace Corps, and especially since i have found out that i am leaving to kenya, let's say i have heard some interesting things. alot of "becareful, there is AIDS there" and one person told me that I need to be careful of the lions because they will kill you. however, today at work, one of the guys i work with took the cake. he really is a great guy, (we went to high school together) but he said to me today "so I was watching the exorcist last night and in the beginning it takes place in Narobi. That's where you are going. man be careful. . . it was crazy." now i know he ment to be careful in Kenya for general reasons, but the way he said it made me think that he didn't want me to get posessed by satan. of all the things to worry about.

Finnally

2005-03-22T12:07:00.000-07:00

Dental Clearance. . . .Finnally. . . 20 fillings and a huge dental bill later. at least it is one less thing to worry about when i get to Kenya.

Ten Weeks

2005-03-19T22:26:00.000-07:00

So excited, but not really. Ten weeks left till I leave, but time just seems so slow. I really want to go already (even though i don't even have half the stuff i need to take). It just seems as though i will never leave. I guess everyone in my position feels this way. I guess there were some attacks in Northern Kenya, however I have been told by alot of people that the Peace Corps will not send people to the North. Which is nice to know. I have been trying to find out as much as I can about Kenyan culture as well as Kenyan Pop culture. There are so many things that i want to know bwfore i leave. The craziest thing is that i am more worried about my hair than anything else. I mean I doubt I will be able to take my 30 minute showers (or even a shower, though i do have a nice solar shower-thanx aunt laura and uncle dave, so maybe a short shower). And since my hair is so crazy here, who knows. But I WILL NOT SHAVE MY HEAD. or even cut my hair short for that matter. But on the plus side I sent off all my paper work for my dental clearance. Any day now. And as soon as I know my staging area I will let everyone know. Oh, and i guess that I will not do my country training in Naiviasha, Kenya as I previously thought. Some other Peace Corps trainees and current Peace Corps Voulenteers in Kenya that I have been talking with said that they have decided to move the traing area to a place more rural somewhere called Tisii or Tishkii. . . something like that. Anyway.

Twenty Five

2005-02-24T16:43:00.000-07:00

so i am now 25. though i still like to believe that i am 16. ah, whatever. i can't believe how quickly time has flown by. i only have two more months left at work and three more months left till i leave. i am not too worried anymore. i am slowly getting everything i need together, though i fear i will never have enough shoes. oh well. i am on a dental hold with the peace corps, only because i need to have two more teeth filled, i swear it will never end. but not a real big deal. i have my appointment set up and everything, it is just getting there that i hate. once i am there i am okay, however i always psyc myself out. no more dreams, thank god. now i just have to figure out exactly how much 80lbs worth of stuff is. . . is it a lot, somehow i don't think so.

what to take

2005-02-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

Wow. this internet thingis kinda cool. Because of this blog i decided to keep, i have found another person with the same invite as me. now i can calm down a bit. i am not quite sure how that clams me down, but i guess it isn't as stressful as i make it out to be. Surprise surprise. but whatever. now that i realize that i have like three months left to go, the real stressful part approaches, like what to take. how do you pack for two years with an 80 pound limit. at this point i am not even worried about clothes, i am more concerned about food items (i am so not going to the other side of the world without taking stuff to make tortillas and red chili powder) as well as being concerned about toiletries and hygiene things (like soap and a shower). three months to figure this out.

totally freaking out

2005-02-11T21:50:00.000-07:00

so i got my pc invite to Kenya back in december and i am not leaving until may, but i am so stressing this. i am sure it is because i have never been so far from home (away from home, yes, but never this far). i keep having dreams that i forget things like my luggage and other such items. last night i had a dream that they wouldn't let me wear a bra in kenya. crazy. i am sure that it has to do with work stress as well (like planning on three days off and getting one and covering other people's shifts--breathe) i guess it just amounts to me being nervious. i was like that when i started college.