MamaAfrica: First week - A little bit of this and that

Food on the flight was delish!

So we arrived in Kisumu on Monday morning before 8 am, dead tired, just wanting to get some sleep (having slept less than an hour the past few days), but the apartment was still occupied by its' previous renters, who were leaving that afternoon. So instead of getting some sleep, we were taken to the hotel (where our teacher is currently staying). We got there around 9 or 10 am and stayed there, waiting for the other half of our group to arrive on the next flight to Kisumu.

Local fish (tilapia) and ugali (cornmeal)

We were left at the poolside to fend for ourselves without food, water or sun screen. We had no idea how long we'd be there so we ordered food and lay in the sun. The sun was scorching hot and I went for a swim in the pool. Turns out swimming wasn't the best idea, as my back got a bad sunburn. And now, four days later my back is peeling! I got a scrub and got one of the other girls to scrub my back and it feels and looks (or so they say) a lot better!

Fish at the market

The first few days are a blur now because so much happened in those two days. We went to a market near our apartment (see Days 1&2 below) where the locals get their produce. We're going there on Sunday as well after church.The market was very crowded and all the produce was out on display (including fish) with flies buzzing around and on the food. The fruit I'd definitely buy there but the fish, no way! Very poor hygiene and it doesn't look appertising at all. And you should have seen the chickens in the cages! There were tens of chickens in tiny cages! You could buy them and have them cut up for you right there and then.

Day 3: At the orphanage
with a few of the babies

The third day was our first day of work practice at an orphanage (see Day 3 below) and we spent it with the babies. They were adorable! All I wanted to do was to take them home! Now I'm sort of leaning towards adopting a child at some point in my life, when "the time is right". And if my husband agrees. Honey, how about it? ;)

Baby cribs

On day four (see Day 4 below) we were at the orphanage again but this time I got to see the disabled children's side. I have to say it was very exciting. There was a lot of shouting and running and screaming. We had a morning opening and then off we were to class. I was in the middle class and was assigned a "normal" boy, not disabled, to play with/teach. We did a few puzzles and toilet rolls painted. He was adorable and his smile just melts your heart!

Thursday was the first time I've ever experienced racism in my life. We were at the pool just chilling. We figured we'd go swim a little to cool off because it was a hot day. There were four other people at the pool swimming and at first everything seemed fine. I started swimming laps and all of a sudden one of the others had a phone out and was taking pictures of his friends just as I or one of the other girls was swimming by. After a while you could tell they weren't even trying to hide the fact that they were filming us and laughing. All that's fine(ish) by me but then they started following me and swimming next to me/in front of me, disturbing me on purpose and laughing about it. I got so annoyed that I had to get out of the pool. So childish. It definitely wasn't that they were interested or that they were being silly, you could tell they didn't want us there at all. It was so ridiculous that it ruined my day. Until we went to the shop to buy some groceries and about 40 school kids walked in right as I payed.

I was the only white person in sight and these school kids surround me, high-fiving and saying "hello", telling me I'm wise and that they like me! It just made my day how innocently and openly they expressed the fact that I was clearly different to them! You could tell they meant no harm, it was an experience for them to see a white person just walking around. I honestly didn't mind and felt a little like a celebrity in that moment! :D

Religion is a big part of everyday life

Friday (see Day 5) was my last day of my work practice at the orphanage. I spent the morning with the toddlers and a part of the day with the handicapped kids in the sensory room. The sensory room is a blacked out room with Christmas lights and flashing colours. I've never seen anything like it.

Today (Day 6 below) we had our first free day here. We chilled at the pool and had lunch at Nairobi Java Café. We all ordered Pepper Steak and it was DELISH! Then we went back to the pool and I got some colour on my stomach and legs! Not an easy task! :D

The Pepper Steak with vegetables <3

We've been to the pool almost every day this week and I've got some colour and I like it! I want to get some more on my back and stomach and legs 'cos let's face it, we're here for three months and I'm gonna look like a white idiot if I don't get any colour on me!

Tomorrow (see Day 7/Next Post) we're going to church and to the market and to some Professor's house (he invited us via our teacher) for lunch. I doubt I'll be able to film much at the church but I'll get as much as I can. I've heard they're a lot more entertaining here than in Finland.

I'll add the rest of the videos ASAP. Questions? Comments? Leave them in the comment box below ;)

Until next time!

Links to vlogs:
Days 1 & 2: