I am stalling. I can't read anymore about the Puritans and their education. So, I thought I would put up a few more pictures that I actually have on my computer.
My friends informed me that I had to try a few different restaurants while I was in Nairobi. On my last Friday night, we drove downtown to Parklands, which is the Hindi community. We went to this place called Diamond Plaza. When we got there and got out of the car, my friends asked if I was ready. "Ready for what???" I asked. Then I figured it out. About 15 guys approached us, all of them waving their menus in their hands. Diamond Plaza is set up like an outdoor food court type thing. There are lots of different vendors and they all want you to buy from them. Since we were wazungu, or foreigners, we were a pretty easy target. The picture below portrays the frenzy that was ordering. I ordered a chicken kebab, but was warned that it would be nothing like what I was expecting. And it wasn't. It looked like three sausage links and that's exactly what it tasted like. I tried some chicken tikka (spicy chicken) and some naan (sort of like toasted bread with butter). I also drank sugar cane juice and the most amazing pineapple juice I have EVER had. It was incredible! The evening was a lot of fun and I will definitely go back the next time I am in Nairobi.
We visited Splash, which is out by the airport Chris works at. It is very similar to the wonderful Wavering Pool in Quincy, but colder, cheaper and fewer people. There weren't any lifeguards at the top of the slides telling us when to go down, so all six of us went down at the same time. I managed to rip some holes in my skin, but no big deal. It was a lot of fun! Ethan and Daniel (not pictured) liked to lay on the hot concrete to warm up. I was convinced that I would freeze, but it wasn't all that bad. While there, I tried a samosa and bhajia. More interesting foods. Bhajia is kind of like fried potatoes or french fries, but a little bit different. The samosa was a triangular shaped fried deal with minced meat and some spices inside. It, too, was pretty tasty.
Chris and Kelly live on a compound with three duplexes and one large "transitional" house. There is a small gate on their end that leads to another compound with four families and two small transitional apartments. The Salters live on the other compound, but they are really great friends of Chris and Kelly's. While the guys were in South Africa (more on that later), we went over to "Aunt Pearle's" house for dinner. The pile of kids on the couch are the Salters and the McMichaels. Good memories!
Okay, that's all for now.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Monday, August 01, 2005
Picture Update
Well, I am still waiting on some pictures from Kenya. I have also decided that I have way too many pictures (insert tourist comment here). I don't know how I am going to post them on here just because of the sheer volume. We'll see...until then, these are the adorable little boys I had to leave. They are all so big and grown up. Isaac can't say my name at all, so instead he calls me "Marmee" or "Mermee," one or the other. I miss it!
*Notice the bright colored playset in the background of one of those pictures. My friend Jacob helped me give it a makeover. Kelly just wanted it to look fresh, so we bought some bright colored paint and went to town. I will put up before and after pictures later on.
*Notice the bright colored playset in the background of one of those pictures. My friend Jacob helped me give it a makeover. Kelly just wanted it to look fresh, so we bought some bright colored paint and went to town. I will put up before and after pictures later on.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Home Sweet Home
I am back! We got into Quincy last night a little after 10. My mom ended up getting sick so I had to drive the 5+ hours home from Kenosha, Wisconsin. It was really strange to be driving again. Even though eight weeks without a car is not that big of a deal, it took me a little while to get aquainted with my parents' van.
Update on the rest of my flights: Not only did I sit next to a few drunk guys and a kicker, I also saw some maker-outers. No joke. This couple on the flight from London to Frankfurt starting making out moments after we took off. Guess who was sitting right across the aisle from them!? ME! I just closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on my CD player. The flight itself was really bumpy and I got stuck in the very last row. The flight to Chicago was okay. The worst part was that we didn't have our own personal TV screens. I know, I know. I am such a selfish American, but when you are short and sitting in the very last row of the cabin, it is difficult to see over the seats and the other people to see the postage stamp size screens. I ended up having the two window seats to myself, so I attempted to get comfortable. I failed, but it's okay. I am home now and I won't be on a plane again until December (if all goes according to my plans). My luggage finally showed itself in Chicago and it was a lovely sight to see. These Italian ladies cut me off though and I had to ask for help to get my stuff off the belt. My parents and Grandma were waiting for me just outside of customs and it was nice to see them again. We drove into downtown Chicago and ate at Ed Debevics. I have always heard stories about this place and I finally got to eat there myself. I wasn't hungry, but it was still cool to be there. We dropped my dad off on Michigan Ave. for a conference and we drove up to Kenosha, Wisconsin to stay the rest of the week with some family.
Thursday was absolutely miserable. I woke up at 6 am and could not sleep. I was beyond exhausted and felt like a truck hit me...twice. My mom and grandma and aunt wanted to go to Gurnee Mills to shop so I tagged along, but I was in such a daze. It was a really weird experience to go from living in Kenya for six weeks to going shopping in America. Culture shock at its best.
We ate at Cracker Barrel twice yesterday and I was able to eat the one thing I was craving all summer: macaroni and cheese. I still haven't had my mom's homemade macaroni with Velveeta, but they promised I could have it today. I am still on a terrible schedule and I can't sleep, but that should get better with time. I plan to relax for the weekend and unpack and such, but come Monday I have to crank out a bunch of papers and assignments for this lovely Internet class. I think I have two weeks to finish it, but my goal is to be done by this Friday.
All in all, the summer was amazing. If any of you ever get a chance to go to Kenya, take it. It is so much fun. Safari, amazing animals, great people, crazy driving experiences, and monkeys randomly coming in your yard...priceless!
I know that I promised pictures, and they will come, but some of them haven't made it here from Africa yet. The CD my friend burned for me didn't work and our computers here aren't reading it or something. However, I will share this one picture. This is my roommate, Christina, and she was the first person, outside of my family, who called me Wednesday night when I came home. It was so great to talk to her! We got to stop at good ole LCC to meet up with her last night and it was a very sweet reunion. I am really looking forward to moving back into the apartment to hang out with her this semester!
Okay, the end.
Update on the rest of my flights: Not only did I sit next to a few drunk guys and a kicker, I also saw some maker-outers. No joke. This couple on the flight from London to Frankfurt starting making out moments after we took off. Guess who was sitting right across the aisle from them!? ME! I just closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on my CD player. The flight itself was really bumpy and I got stuck in the very last row. The flight to Chicago was okay. The worst part was that we didn't have our own personal TV screens. I know, I know. I am such a selfish American, but when you are short and sitting in the very last row of the cabin, it is difficult to see over the seats and the other people to see the postage stamp size screens. I ended up having the two window seats to myself, so I attempted to get comfortable. I failed, but it's okay. I am home now and I won't be on a plane again until December (if all goes according to my plans). My luggage finally showed itself in Chicago and it was a lovely sight to see. These Italian ladies cut me off though and I had to ask for help to get my stuff off the belt. My parents and Grandma were waiting for me just outside of customs and it was nice to see them again. We drove into downtown Chicago and ate at Ed Debevics. I have always heard stories about this place and I finally got to eat there myself. I wasn't hungry, but it was still cool to be there. We dropped my dad off on Michigan Ave. for a conference and we drove up to Kenosha, Wisconsin to stay the rest of the week with some family.
Thursday was absolutely miserable. I woke up at 6 am and could not sleep. I was beyond exhausted and felt like a truck hit me...twice. My mom and grandma and aunt wanted to go to Gurnee Mills to shop so I tagged along, but I was in such a daze. It was a really weird experience to go from living in Kenya for six weeks to going shopping in America. Culture shock at its best.
We ate at Cracker Barrel twice yesterday and I was able to eat the one thing I was craving all summer: macaroni and cheese. I still haven't had my mom's homemade macaroni with Velveeta, but they promised I could have it today. I am still on a terrible schedule and I can't sleep, but that should get better with time. I plan to relax for the weekend and unpack and such, but come Monday I have to crank out a bunch of papers and assignments for this lovely Internet class. I think I have two weeks to finish it, but my goal is to be done by this Friday.
All in all, the summer was amazing. If any of you ever get a chance to go to Kenya, take it. It is so much fun. Safari, amazing animals, great people, crazy driving experiences, and monkeys randomly coming in your yard...priceless!
I know that I promised pictures, and they will come, but some of them haven't made it here from Africa yet. The CD my friend burned for me didn't work and our computers here aren't reading it or something. However, I will share this one picture. This is my roommate, Christina, and she was the first person, outside of my family, who called me Wednesday night when I came home. It was so great to talk to her! We got to stop at good ole LCC to meet up with her last night and it was a very sweet reunion. I am really looking forward to moving back into the apartment to hang out with her this semester!
Okay, the end.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Half Way There
I have made it to London! I am halfway through my 34+ hour trip home. I have to fly to Frankfurt, Germany and then back to Chicago, so I should be on home turf sometime after 8 pm tonight.
I tried to post a few weeks ago, but Blogger was dumb and deleted it. I was a little frustrated, but I guess I will just have to make a huge post when I actually get home.
The rest of my trip was incredible. I can't believe my time away from home is very nearly over. I needed these eight weeks so badly, and it was good. Really, really good. All I can say is that God knows what he is doing, even when we think he doesn't.
I sat next to two different fish on the flights to Dubai and London. By this, I mean that they drank like fish. It was out of control. This one guy ordered one Jack Daniels after another. I found it humorous, but after a while, he really started to stink. Plus I had captain kicker behind me. He would not stop kicking my seat. Oh well, I had the window seat, so that was a bonus.
My flight doesn't leave here for anohter two hours, so I am not quite sure what I am going to do to kill the time. I don't have any money, I don't have anyone to talk to, my cell phone doesn't work here, and it is too early in the States to call anyone via my phonecard. Perhaps I will go explore...
Oh yes, I almost forgot. Last week, I got to feed giraffes! I got to touch their faces! I have pictures, don't you worry. One of my friends in Kenya made fun of me the whole time because I took so many pictures. He kept calling me a tourist, which technically I was, but I did stay for over a month.
Anyway, talk to you soon, my friends!
I tried to post a few weeks ago, but Blogger was dumb and deleted it. I was a little frustrated, but I guess I will just have to make a huge post when I actually get home.
The rest of my trip was incredible. I can't believe my time away from home is very nearly over. I needed these eight weeks so badly, and it was good. Really, really good. All I can say is that God knows what he is doing, even when we think he doesn't.
I sat next to two different fish on the flights to Dubai and London. By this, I mean that they drank like fish. It was out of control. This one guy ordered one Jack Daniels after another. I found it humorous, but after a while, he really started to stink. Plus I had captain kicker behind me. He would not stop kicking my seat. Oh well, I had the window seat, so that was a bonus.
My flight doesn't leave here for anohter two hours, so I am not quite sure what I am going to do to kill the time. I don't have any money, I don't have anyone to talk to, my cell phone doesn't work here, and it is too early in the States to call anyone via my phonecard. Perhaps I will go explore...
Oh yes, I almost forgot. Last week, I got to feed giraffes! I got to touch their faces! I have pictures, don't you worry. One of my friends in Kenya made fun of me the whole time because I took so many pictures. He kept calling me a tourist, which technically I was, but I did stay for over a month.
Anyway, talk to you soon, my friends!
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Jambo!
Greetings from Nairobi, Kenya!
I am sitting at the hangar where my uncle is a pilot. We came for a quick business/pleasure Internet run. I need to work on my Internet class, my dad needs to do some work stuff, and Chris has some flight reports to write. However, I found my way to Blogger and decided to write up a quick post.
Things here are a bit cloudy, and "cold". It has been like 65 degrees everyday, not really my definition of cold. We have been to the elephant orphanage, the Massai market, and on Monday we take off for a birthday safari in Amboseli. I will turn 21 on the 21st in a game park in Kenya. How is that for a fun memory?!
Like I said in my last post, the past three weeks have been nothing short of amazing. There have been some ups and downs, but mostly ups. I don't want to bore anyone with the details, but man, I have been to some very cool places. If you ever want a very detailed report, you may borrow the journal that was given to me the day before I left. I have written in it every day religiously. It has a crazy amount of details, but hey, what did you expect? I have taken close to 1000 pictures on my killer camera. I have tried to document all of the food I have eaten as well, including veal (not my favorite) and stuffed grape vine leaves in Athens. After I got past the idea of eating tree leaves, I was just fine.
I have been doing some fun reading and some tough reading. I have also been keeping track of special verses or quotes that have hit me in a very cute little memory card notebook deal that was also given to me the day before I left. Cool cool. Also available for loan come August.
Anyway, I need to get on with my class stuff. Just wanted to give an update from this side of the world.
Random tidbit: Did you know that when you are south of the equator, the water in the toilet bowl swirls clockwise, as opposed to the counter-clockwise motion one would find north of the equator. However, since we are so close to the equator here in Kenya, the water in the toilet is just sucked straight down. Now you are all smarter because of this information.
Kwaheri.
P.S. The post title, Jambo, is hello in Swahili. Kwaheri means goodbye. You are also smarter for the new words I have taught you!
I am sitting at the hangar where my uncle is a pilot. We came for a quick business/pleasure Internet run. I need to work on my Internet class, my dad needs to do some work stuff, and Chris has some flight reports to write. However, I found my way to Blogger and decided to write up a quick post.
Things here are a bit cloudy, and "cold". It has been like 65 degrees everyday, not really my definition of cold. We have been to the elephant orphanage, the Massai market, and on Monday we take off for a birthday safari in Amboseli. I will turn 21 on the 21st in a game park in Kenya. How is that for a fun memory?!
Like I said in my last post, the past three weeks have been nothing short of amazing. There have been some ups and downs, but mostly ups. I don't want to bore anyone with the details, but man, I have been to some very cool places. If you ever want a very detailed report, you may borrow the journal that was given to me the day before I left. I have written in it every day religiously. It has a crazy amount of details, but hey, what did you expect? I have taken close to 1000 pictures on my killer camera. I have tried to document all of the food I have eaten as well, including veal (not my favorite) and stuffed grape vine leaves in Athens. After I got past the idea of eating tree leaves, I was just fine.
I have been doing some fun reading and some tough reading. I have also been keeping track of special verses or quotes that have hit me in a very cute little memory card notebook deal that was also given to me the day before I left. Cool cool. Also available for loan come August.
Anyway, I need to get on with my class stuff. Just wanted to give an update from this side of the world.
Random tidbit: Did you know that when you are south of the equator, the water in the toilet bowl swirls clockwise, as opposed to the counter-clockwise motion one would find north of the equator. However, since we are so close to the equator here in Kenya, the water in the toilet is just sucked straight down. Now you are all smarter because of this information.
Kwaheri.
P.S. The post title, Jambo, is hello in Swahili. Kwaheri means goodbye. You are also smarter for the new words I have taught you!
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Ciao, Ciao and Arrivederci
Greetings to all three of you who read this!
I am in a very smoky Internet cafe in downtown Athens, Greece. Tonight is our last night and we thought we would do a quick email run. The trip has been amazing, to say the least. I have taken so many pictures and made so many memories already, and the summer has barely even begun.
Just thought it would be cool to post on this from Greece. I will update when I can, but maybe not until I return to the States. It all depends on the Internet connection in Kenya.
Have a great summer! Feel free to email (eks621@hotmail.com)
I am in a very smoky Internet cafe in downtown Athens, Greece. Tonight is our last night and we thought we would do a quick email run. The trip has been amazing, to say the least. I have taken so many pictures and made so many memories already, and the summer has barely even begun.
Just thought it would be cool to post on this from Greece. I will update when I can, but maybe not until I return to the States. It all depends on the Internet connection in Kenya.
Have a great summer! Feel free to email (eks621@hotmail.com)
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
How could I forget?
I finally got my new camera! It is a black, Fujifilm Finepix S5100. It is the coolest! I even bought a fun camera bag to store all of my cool camera accessories, including a brand new 256 MB storage card! I think I will be set for my summer excursion. It has 10X zoom and 4.0 megapixels. Good stuff.
Antio! (That is good-bye in basic Greek.)
Antio! (That is good-bye in basic Greek.)
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