On the road in Kenya

Kenya is the most incredible place.

I can't even begin to tell you about the heaven that is Kenya. We haven't yet reached our village because it is so far - they are breaking it up for us - kind of like the garden route road trip. It's amazing but I'm ready to be settled there in Chepnyal and get plugged in with the people rather than meeting folks and leaving them the next day. They tell us we are making a difference but it will be nice to stay in the same place and see progress.

Highlights so far:
Getting locked in a room with claustrophobic Brittany. I was laughing so hard I was in tears and she was just in tears. Then a cat brought a mouse into our house and as I'm taking pictures she's freaking out. Hilarious. Sammy our driver has killed us almost ten times. But he's a trip. Babboons everywhere. People use donkeys for transportation and moving water. Guys on bicycles hold on to the backs of semis to get places faster. The "police" stand on the streets with assault rifles. Apparently they're all corrupt and take bribes. A boy was walking down the street with a machetti the size on my leg and saw me looking at him and sneared at me. The nuns everywhere we stay are absolutely hilarious. They're all from Ireland and sound like Mrs. Doubtfire (even though she was English - don't ask) - they take away all homesickness because they're like grandmas. The children's happiness is infectious. I went and played futbol with the boys - they hadn't seen a girl who could play (soccer) so I was a hit for a while. It's nice doing dishes by hand for a change - I try to do them every day because it's the least I can do. Everyone asks if I know Obama - everyone calls him cousin bc he is of kenyan descent. I love it. I got in a cage with a rhino and pet him. I did the same with a cheetah. Oh and a lion too. I was attacked by a leopard - through a fence - I jumped and got laughed at by the workmen. A lot. It's funny at meals - when people have their backs turned Brittany scrapes most of her food on my plate and I eat it. So, she's buying me new jeans when we get back. The slums here are nothing like Cape Town - they make Cape Town look like royalty. I saw children going to the bathroom on the front porch of their school. ("School"). The people of Chepnyal are excited for us to arrive. Starting Friday we are climbing eight hours up the mountain to live in huts for the weekend and bring the people food, water, etc.

On the road for twelve hours more.


Missing my family and friends but feeling so fortunate to be here and see this part of the world. I only wish you all could be here too.

Ps. Coca Cola and Nike are everywhere!

Last Blog from Cape Town

Well this is my laaaast blog from Cape Town.  Crazy.  It is definitely 4 AM and I'm not completely packed and I'm supposed to leave at 7 AM for the airport for Joburg and then Kenya.  Who says that procrastinators can never be successful?  Let's hope that isn't true.  Today was incredible - yet again.  I took full advantage of my last day in Cape Town.  I headed to Lion's Head at 8 AM to hike/climb.  It was a different experience from Table Mountain -- I think I enjoyed it more.  It was comprised of much more climbing than hiking.... After that I headed to the Water Front with Kristy and Eric.  We ate at an awesome breakfast place and then headed to Robben Island where I was able to reach inside Nelson Mandela's prison cell.  On our ferry ride back to the main land we spotted two Southern Right whales.  I was pumped.  After that I headed to dinner and a play - said goodbye to Long Street for the last time - walked on the beach - and now I'm staring at my suitcases hoping that everything is packed.  I won't be able to blog while I'm in Kenya for the next three weeks -- if I get a chance I will definitely try to catch everyone up.  I'm very excited for this experience and I'm just going to approach each day at a time and try to soak up as much as I can.  I love you all -- please keep Brittany and me in your thoughts as we will be experiencing things that we never have before.

Alex and me at the final banquet...

These chocolates are the reason why I've gained 23948234 pounds.  You know how everyone loves Cadbury eggs at Easter?  Well you can get it here all year round.  Yikes.

My two extra roommates - Eric and Andrew.  They often pass out in our living room.  I'm going to miss this.

View from Lion's Head...

And again!

Straight up... no joke!

Finally, we made it.

In the clouds.

Shoes.

The group after our big hike.

Way up high.

Our trust ferry catamaran for Robben Island.

Nelson Mandela's prison cell.  # 7.  

Second to last day. And. SKYDIVING!

We woke up this morning for our last morning meeting - we had to fill out evaluations and vote for the Global Lead council.  They had inspirational things to say encouraging us to keep in touch and continue service back in the states.  After our wrap up meeting we all headed to the beach for a group photo -- today was gorgeous so the picture is beautiful.  Since today was so gorgeous it made a perfect day for skydiving! (Sorry Mom and Dad!)  I went with a group of 12 other Global Lead students -- we were so excited because they've rescheduled us five times due to weather.  Today was absolutely perfect but I was absolutely terrified.  TERRIFIED.  I don't like to fly - much less am I fond of heights - so I never thought I'd be jumping out of a plane.  I asked the group I was with if they'd mind if I went on one of the first jumps... simply so I wouldn't be able to back out.  They agreed and after we all signed our waivers - Brittany and I decided to go second.  They offered to film and photograph us but none of us had cash and they didn't take cards so the only documentation I have is what I took with my own handheld camera.  I took video during all of my free-fall and then turned on my camera for the parachute ride for a bit and then I turned to my still shots for the scenery and then switched back to video for the landing.  I'm really upset with myself because I took fairly good video of my instructor and me but I didn't take a still shot - that's my only regret.  But.  Skydiving is by far the best thing I've ever done and I'd do it again in a heart beat.  Blake, my instructor, was incredible.  I told him how afraid I was before we got in the plane and he was very reassuring about how he would take good care of me.... I literally almost couldn't stand and was on the verge of tears as we waited for the prop plane to land so we could board and take off.  This is definitely the smallest plane I've ever been in.  There was room for only 6 of us - we were seated on the floor - right behind the controls and next to the door..... There was duct tape holding certain pieces in place but I'm not joking when I say I felt completely safe in the plane.  It was so smooth -- and I would have paid the entire fee just to get to go up in the plane because they flew us all over Cape Town and out over the water before the jump since it took 15 minutes to reach 9,000 feet which is where we jumped from.  I asked Brittany if I could go first since I was afraid if I saw her go I'd be reluctant -- that put me in the hot seat -- right next to the door but I was brave and sat up on my knees the whole time to look over the side for the views.  When it came time for Blake to strap us in completely because we were at 9,000 feet I got a little nervous but not too bad.  He had previously warned me that the worst part is when the pilot opens the door.  I saw the pilots hand move to the handle --- and all of a sudden there was loud engine noise, a burst of freezing wind and wide open spaces.  At that point I was just ready to JUMP!  I wasn't scared at all.  I completely trusted Blake.  I scooted with him to the edge of the plane - tucked my feet under the side of the plane, turned my video recorder on and then he pushed us off.  At the very, very beginning during your tumbling out of the plane you do lose your stomach briefly... once you stop tumbling and you are laying flat in free fall you just feel as though you are floating - it was incredible.   We fell for 30 seconds and then Blake pulled our chute and we had a beautiful five minute ride down.  I want to skydive everywhere I go!  

Tonight was cool as well - we had a farewell banquet - they gave out superlatives - had speeches and we all ate yummy food.   Early tomorrow morning I'm hiking Lion's Head, going to Robben Island and then seeing a show... last night in Cape Town! :(!  

(I'm really sad that Georgia Theatre burned down today... I'm keeping everyone involved in my thoughts... No worries, Ath fest will most definitely go on.)   

Love you all.

PS.  I want to be a skydive instructor.  No joke.

Global Lead Cape Town 2009.  Table Mountain in background.

Getting geared up in the hanger...

Blake, my instructor, putting my harness on.  I made him promise me that I had the best and most reliable harness and parachute.  I couldn't have had a sweeter guide... he was so gentle and kind which is exactly what I needed to get my fanny into the plane.

Here's Blake!

This is me behind Brittany walking on the runway to our plane.  It was TINY.  No turning back now...

Our pilot...  he wasn't very friendly but he got us up there safely so I have no complaints.

I knew they wouldn't be happy so I figured I'd send them a message... I also thought I'd be able to do this in the air but since I took my own footage it didn't quite work out. :)

On the way up to 9,000 ft -- this is at about 3,000 ft over the sand dunes.

Even higher here -- we're reaching the coast -- we turned around over the water and then headed back to the landing pad.

This I actually shot during my jump... Table Mountain in the middle of the pic - Robben's island is the island you can see to the right of the photo.  What a view!

This is Brittany below me -- I took this while we were both on the way down!

I sat on the landing pad and took photos of all my friends coming in since I finished early -- this is Jordan!

Here's Blakeny...

We survived!

Our entire group after we were finished.

Thursday June 18

I really can't believe I have only two more days left in the beautiful Mother City.  How is that possible?  The sunset this evening was absolutely breathtaking.  Unfortunately my camera was dead at the time so I didn't get to capture it for you all... I watched it from the treadmill though and it was quite a sight... with huge ships in front of it on the horizon.  Today was incredible.  It has been my favorite day spent in the schools so far - and unfortunately, the last.  My group spent time at an elementary school where most of the children are HIV (+).  At first I was a bit overwhelmed because there wasn't any organization to the children... they were all running free on the playground (I don't know why I expected any different - that's how every school has been - even in the middle of the day when they should be in class - I have yet to see an actual class taking place).  I began to walk around the playground and just take pictures of my friends who were playing with groups of children on the makeshift playground items - the jungle gym, merry-g0-round, etc.  Then I made some friends and after we made conversation about their favorite foods and leisure activities I asked them to sing a song for me -- they began singing Beyonce, Rihanna, and all kinds of others - it was hilarious!  They had all the dances down as well... then they grabbed my hand and asked me to come sit in a circle with them... they had many questions about America and after a while they taught me games similar to the ones I would have played on the St. Joseph's playground.  I was so sad when Kevin came to get me to board the bus.  I didn't want to leave!  Once on the bus we made our way to the Amy Biehl after school program.  This particular facility is situated directly across the street from where Amy Biehl was murdered and yesterday the alumni group planted roses to honor Amy - they were very pretty. I must admit it's pretty odd to report for instruction to Amy's murderer because he runs the after school program but I have to remember it was all part of the apartheid amnesty program... I just try to learn from her parent's ability to forgive and build a relationship with their daughter's murderer - it is incredible.  Anyway, at the after school program we had a field day for the children complete with sack races, egg relays, and flour fights!  After taking photos for a while a small girl wandered into my lap and I sat with her while the others played - I have to admit I wouldn't have had it any other way.  I'm about to head to dinner with some friends and then I think most everyone is headed to Tiger Tiger for college night.... 

The beautiful view from the balcony!

Jordan surrounded on the jungle gym.

Just a little Superman.

Merry-go-rounding.

South African National Anthem.

African Salad.  We were all required to taste it -- it consists of boiled grain meal and sour milk. Yum,

Sack races.

Thumb sucker - we stick together.

We let them borrow our glasses.

Wednesday June 17th

So, today was very neat.  We headed to an upper school where we played games and learned games from the students.  We then headed to the Amy Biehl foundation where the children performed "War Cry" for us - a dance performed to a drum beat.  It was about 15 minutes long and perfect -- they had worked so hard and were so excited to show us.  They are all my heroes - I wish I could move and shake like them.  For sure.  About twenty of us left that school and headed to the Waterfront where we were going to meet our sailboat for our sailing adventure... it was SO FUN!  I love waves so "rough sea" doesn't bother me -- I sat on the very front of the sail boat (Titanic style) for a good bit of the ride... however, some of my friends sat near the back with their heads in brown bags.  I felt bad for them but today was clear and the Cape couldn't have been more beautiful from the water.  Tomorrow -- we're headed to the same school and after school program!

*Haley only three more days til you're 21!  Yay!

Amy Biehl children dancing for us... Boy in yellow jersey was a stud!

The ladies....

I'm on a BOAT.

I love these people.

The British Envoy.

Seals in the red buoy.

Table Mountain.

Amanda, Becca, Brittany, Kelly, Alex and me.  You can't tell but we are trying hard to keep up the smiles because at this point we had started to hit about 9 foot waves.

Sunset.

World Cup Stadium for 2010.

You're here... there's noooothing I fear...

And I know that my heart will go on and on...

(Thanks Celine).  

Today was definitely a success.  Only 5 more days in Cape Town, then Kenya here I come!