Changes in Latitude...

I’ve been home for about two weeks now and decided it was probably time to write my last entry for a while. I have been procrastinating this moment, not knowing what to write. Also, I hate endings and I felt that a closing message on this journal would signify the real finality of my trip. Although this blog will be going on sabbatical for a while, my experience is still far from being over and perhaps, never will be completely over. I believe I will always be thinking, reflecting, and learning from the events of the past four months and that my memories, or at least my pictures, will never leave me.

On the thirty-six hour plane ride, in between the movies and tv shows I had to catch up on, I thought a lot about what my study abroad experience meant and accomplished. This probably sounds cheezy, but really, the four months I spent in Kenya were just one small droplet of time in my college experience, my life, and the world in general. I interacted with so many people and built relationships with them, but I really struggled with understanding what sort of difference I made in their lives. For many people, I was just another mzungu, coming in for a blink of time and then leaving again. By the time we left, some homestay families already had new students living with them solidifying the fact that we were just passing through their space. I know that really, what matters is what I choose to do with my knowledge and experience, but I guess that is easier said than done. I don’t think I witnessed any life-altering or world shattering things. Most things I’d learned about before and life was in many ways the way I had always pictured it. More than anything, I think my experience abroad has helped me refine and direct my opinions, ideas, and goals. I did not change the path of my life or even the things that are important to me. I still have no idea about what I want to do after next year. That uncertainty did not bother me before nor does it really trouble me now because I know that I will figure it out when I need to. But, I prioritized and organized my thoughts and matured a lot, both mentally and emotionally, this semester. I don’t necessarily think this occurred because I was in Kenya or Africa or even abroad. I think it was merely that I was away and ready to be away. Although I had been abroad multiple times before, I don’t think I was mentally capable before of figuring anything out. That’s not completely fair, because I gained a tremendous amount of knowledge from each trip I’ve been on. To be honest, I think we gain knowledge from every aspect and moment of our lives. However, I did not have the tools or the mental aptitude to fully understand and analyze the experience before this trip. Perhaps these things come with age and education, and, if that be the case, I hope to continue to understand and mature as I get older.

I don’t know if I will ever return to Kenya. Of course I would love to but the world has so much to see and there are so many places I would still like to visit. Although I was just there for a short time, I feel as though I understand more about Kenya than most other places and that I can use that knowledge to compare other places I visit. Perhaps my droplet of time in Kenya will form a ring of ripples in which I can affect other things (Ok, I know, it’s the hallmark in me, I can’t help it!!). At least I hope that is what will happen. I am energized and ready to get started!

I want to thank you all for reading my long rants as I tried to figure out what the heck I got myself into. It’s been a pleasure sharing my experience with you and I hope to continue now that we are back on the same continent. Asante sana mabibi na mabwana. Tulikuwa na furahi!


Final Thoughts…

-To help my readjustment process, I entered the duty free shop at the airport with the intention of buying a candy bar. To my shock, nothing in the store cost less than $5 and I spent $12 on two things of candy, the equivalent of food at Miracle Café for three weeks.

-People are people. People are everywhere. Simple, but sometimes we forget. There are nice people, rude people, poor people, extravagant people, smart people, helpful people, all people, everywhere.

Things I will miss:
-my siblings.
-the people on my trip and all the people that make SIT fantastic.
-fresh fruit stands.
-eating meals for 30 cents or less.
-KTN and NTV: random tv.
-Matatu rides.
-Tony Nyatundo on the radio.
-walking. I’ve realized that in suburbia, it looks strange to walk without a dog or baby with you.
-sunrises.
-sunsets.
-clouds.
-per diems. (free money!)
-commercials. Particularly for coke, nakumatt, pilsner, and tusker.

Things I am looking forward to:
-calling people and leaving voice messages.
-not being stared at as I walk.
-music.
-friends.
-getting pictures developed.
-high speed internet.
-clothes other than the five outfits I’ve worn for the past four months.
-sharing. processing. remembering.
-riding my bike.
-cheese. swiss and cheddar.

Things I will not miss:
-chai at least 4 times a day.
-Ugali.
-black snot.
-police checkpoints.
-litter. and burning plastic.

Things I am not adjusting well to:
-I am always comparing things. If you get annoyed with me, just let me know.
-Clothing. Yes, I realize it is weird to wear a kikoy as a shawl in public here but it is not a table cloth.And I like them.


A little Jimmy Buffet to finish ‘er off…

…Reading departure signs in some big airport
Reminds me of the places I've been.
Visions of good times that broughtso much pleasure
makes me want to go back again.
If it suddenly ended tomorrow,
I could somehow adjust to the fall.
Good times and riches and son of a bitches,
I've seen more than I can recall...

…Oh, yesterdays are over my shoulder,
So I can't look back for too long.
There's just too much to see waiting in front of me,
and I know that I just can't go wrong with these..

These changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes;
Nothing remains quite the same.
Through all of the islands and all of the highlands,
If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane

:)