Three Days into One Day

Hi all! Made it to Nairobi, Kenya, Africa.  The three-day journey through Philadelphia, South Africa and Kenya was almost like merged into a single day.  Had like maybe 5 or less hours of solid sleep in 72 hours. I figure for the three flights, I flew almost 19 hours.  The flight between JFK and South Africa (15 hours) was the longest flight ever in my life, and it was hellish.  I could not sleep for more than 20 minutes with people constantly bumping into me and stuff.

My group of 28 volunteers turned out to be a great group.  Few of them are fluent enough in ASL, with the next few signing "not that bad", and almost all of them knew the manual alphabet.  That made my life easier.  However, I am happy that I have 2 KSL interpreters and 4 Deaf Kenyans working with us during the entire training, so I will be very immersed in KSL.


As expected Internet isn't that good where I am at in Nairobi.  I wanted to write some posts for my blog but there isnt enough hours for me to do that yet.  But I am trying to keep a journal for future stories on the blog.  Actually before I left home, i really thought I would blog quite often, but obviously i am naive ha. I promise my posts will become more interesting and filled with better photos once I settle down (of course depending on the internet access).

Tomorrow will be our last day training in Nairboi before we head down to Machakos and/or Liotokitok for the next 10 weeks of training.  It is also where we will be staying with our home stay families (host families).  I am curious as to what my host family looks like.

Till then... Hakuna Matata.

Picture time!

Kenya!

The look of 5 hours of sleep in 72 hours.  All other volunteers and their bags in the background.

In case you need a better look.

This is my house.

On a shuttle to our Nairobi for two day training.  Find Waldo (me) yet?

Since I suck in the Kitchen and not know much about foods, so dont ask me too much about what the plate contains,  I just eat them.  There is alot of rice, beef (cow and goat), soup, etc.  By the way I have started to try to eat right and have not had any junk or candies thus far.  Remmy the Belt Challenge post below?

2nd day of the Booster Cards.  They were champ!  It lifted my spirits during sad times during my departure.

My bedroom in the Hostel (for two days).  Notice the mosquito net.  I did not even think of opening it up for last night, but I should have.  There is no mosquitos yet until the raining season but we are to use the nets all the time regardless.

No hole in th

No hole in the ground yet.  But I did see one at the airport.  

Front of the Hostel

Side of the Hostel

Better view of the Hostel

First day of the Booster Cards

Second day of the Booster Cards

Me at the training site, at the spot where theres good WiFi coverage (coming out from one of these rooms)

Posing with two fellow Deaf Kenyans who will be part of the KSL instruction team for us. 

Inside Hostel, there is open atrium

This is what our training look like.  Im sure you can guess where my seat is (I am not there as I took the photo)

Kenyans follow the British customs (since they occupied their country until 1967).  We have our tea and biscuit breaks twice a day.  Drinking hot tea in 80's in the afternoon isnt too bad.  I intend to immerse myself into Kenyan's culture so I do whatever they do.

We were doing various skits to learn about health and safety.  We did the water instruction (bottled, boiled, or filtered water, and never tap water)

We all were given our own medical kit -- with like about 1,000 pills and other meds in.  On the top is the malaria daily pills (started today), and later on, they will decide if I get to do them daily or use a different kind that would let me take them on weekly basis instead.  I also had three shots (typhoid, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B)

My House On Wheels!

After reading so many Peace Corps Volunteers' blogs and emails on what and how they packed for their two year 3 month service in Kenya, I have built up my own packing list.  But with too much time on my hands a month or two ago, I find myself going to stores constantly to buy an item or two, a piece of clothing or two.

But now, it comes down to the ultimate test -- to put everything I thought I would need, and what I bought, into two bags that total 107 inches and weight up to 100 pounds total.  I also could have a carry on (as a third bag) that would fit overhead or under the seat.

So, today, with 3 days left before departure, I charged my daughter Sami to help me with the packing.  She is very good at that, so I am not sure how I would do this without her.

The packing took us two rounds.  The first round failed.  The bags were bursting at the seams, and overweight.  So we took a break and a breather.  That gave me some time to reflect on what things I thought I needed are actually what I would NOT need after all.  My expectation and tolerance levels have to droop lower.

So I gave up several shoes, t-shirts, jeans, short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, and some other items.

We made it!  Both bags can be zippered up easily, and could accommodate some more items when I collect them during training (e.g., mosquito net, training resources, etc.).

Then it hit me, this is now my house on wheels.  This is my life as I know it.  It will evolve as I evolve over two years.  Maybe I will return with a single carry on and won't need that much stuff, or maybe I am just dreaming?

On the other hand, thanks to Sami's other half Jarvis for willing to work on my Harley.  Everything it needs for long term storage has been performed.  All thats left to do for it is some polish before we will raise the bike up (wheels off floor), cover it, trinkle-charge it, and let it go into long hibernation.

In 27 months I shall kiss it to awaken it again. Maybe I would do that better than what the Prince did to his Snow White...

For fellow Peace Corps Volunteers, whether they are going with me, or for the future volunteers that will follow us, here is my detailed packing list.  

In about 6 months or later, maybe I will come back and review this list and comment on whether I made correct decisions, and why not.

Clothing:

• 5 long sleeve work shirts
• 5 short sleeve work shirts
• 3 short sleeve polo shirts
• 5 solid short sleeve t-shirts
• 3 printed short sleeve t-shirts
• 1 casual long sleeve shirt
• 12  underwears
• 2 ties
• 3 cargo shorts
• 1 blue jean
• 1 casual gray pants
• 4 work pants (cream, tan, brown, black)
• 1 sweatpants
• 1 fleece shorts
• 1 running shorts
• 1 pajamas pant
• 1 pajamas short
• 1 long John pants 
• 1 swimming trunks 
• 1 fleece pullover
• 1 jacket
• 1 fleece vest
• 5 pairs of work black socks
• 6 pairs of black ankle socks
• 2 pairs of white running socks
• 4 pairs of casual colored socks
• 2 pairs of casual white socks
• 1 pair of thick "slipper" socks
• 1 pair of Keen sandals
• 1 pair of Keen shoes
• 1 pair of black dress shoes
• 1 pair of running sneakers
• 1 pair of flip flops
• 1 pair of thin slippers
• 1 baseball cap

Items:

• 5 packs of various card games, plus a pack of dice
• 8 each rechargeable AAA and AA batteries, plus charger
• 1 small camera and accessories
• 1 dSLR camera, tripod, and accessories
• 2 sticks of deodorant, and 1 travel-sized 
• 1 bottle of shampoo
• 4 toothbrushes
• 1 tube of toothpaste
• 1 large and one small nail clippers
• 1 small sewing kit
• 1 pack of safety pins
• 1 pack of razor cartridges with 1 razor
• 1 bottle of shaving cream
• 1 wind-up flashlight
• 1 headlamp
• Several small elastic hooks and 1 large one
• Several mechanical pencils with replacement erasers and lead
• Several pens
• Scissors, mini stapler and staples
• 2 rolls of duct tape
• Several carabiners of various sizes
• 1 large padlock
• 1 sharpie marker
• 1 highlighter
• 1 magnifying glass
• 1 keychain light
• 1 cigar clipper
• 1 pair of bicycle gloves
• 1 multi-tool (leather man)
• 1 pocket knife
• 1 kitchen knife
• 1 camp mirror
• Various Meds
• 3 small notepads
• 1 calculator
• 1 blow-up globe
• 1 spiral notebooks 
• 1 world atlas
• 3 envelope books (gift from friends and family)
• 1 full-size bed sheet pack
• 1 hand and 1 bath REI quick-dry towels
• Small travel size pack of q-tips
• 1 bicycle helmet
• 1 sleeping bag and 1 deflatable padmat
• 1 thin pillow
• 1 laptop and charger
• 1 iPad and charger
• 2 external hard drives
• 3 pairs of Rx glasses
• 2 pair of sunglasses
• 2 suitcase padlocks
• 3 bars of soap (plus an half-used one)
• One accordion file of PC paperwork
• 2 USB thumb drives 
• 1 desk clock/vibrator and batteries
• Extra ziplock bags
• 1 gallaudet string bag

1 large suitcase
1 medium suitcase
1 backpack
1 knapsack

Large suitcase weights 47 lbs
Medium suitcase weights 42 lbs 

Earring and Culture Clash

Among several culture differences between America and Kenya, this one may affect me the most.

"While facial piercing, multiple-pierced ears and visible body piercing or tattoos are common in the United States, they are not common for either gender in Kenya.  Male volunteers should not wear earrings and bandanas, as such items on men may be the basis of considerable ridicule.  Body piercing in general (by both sexes) will be a source of suspicion and open criticism.  Volunteers with existing tattoos should keep them covered." 

So with that, out of respect, I shall remove my tiny earring that I wore since I was around 16 years old.  My old roomate at Gallaudet (College) University, Dale Kennedy, pierced it for me using a sewing pin or something back in 1979.  Except for few years, while I worked in a company back in Chicago, I have never went earring-less.

So, bye-bye ol' faithful earring.  I shall put you away safely somewhere in my dresser and we shall meet again in 27 months...

Memories Refreshed

It is now 5 days left before my departure.  Although I had plenty of time to prepare for the departure, I am feeling "crunched for time" with constantly thinking whether I forgot to do something.

For those of you who know me well, also know that I have poor memory.  I forget things often, so it is wonderful for my family and dear friends to help me refresh my memories to the most recent so that I shall remember them for the next two years.  Here are some photos of some of my memories...

For all those days I spent cigar-ing.  I wish I could bring a box or two with me, but am not sure about customs, so I am going to use up all I got.  Maybe Kenyan cigars are as good.

For my dear friend Adree who have always been there for me, through thick and thin.  I hope I have been there for her as well.

For my family and "extended family" who have been there for me.

For all my favorite foods I enjoy here.  I went to several restaurants to remember the flavors.  I had gyros with some of my friends recently.  This is my favorite dessert that goes way back when I lived in Pennsylvania.  My Dad always bought me and my girls BOXES of them whenever we visit them.

For my cats, Minnie (shown) and Mickie, who have been with me for 17 years.  My girls grew with them but went to college and have their lives, but I have always been there for them all those years.  Now Amanda will give them all the loving care in my absence.

For my backyard, where I spent a lot of time.  Played there with my girls when they were little and growing up.  They were great for parties and such.  I often sit out back, enjoying my cigar and the nature that my own backyard gives me.

For my Harley, who gave me thousands of miles traveling.  Jarvis and I will prepare it for a long hibernation in my garage, but it shall be ready for me when I return.

For my house, who sheltered me for the last 18 years.  I love this house very much.  Amanda will tend to it in my behalf.

For my ol' faithful black beauty, the car I have fallen in love.  It served me so well, in such comfort.  Sami will take care of it for the next two years.

For the trees in Indiana.  I shall miss their changing leaves over the seasons.

For my own comfortable bed.  I do not know if I will ever have a regular bed for the next 2 years.

For my toilet, where I can poop well and in peace.  I wonder about those "holes in the ground" I may be using out there.

So, there are just too many memories that I need to refresh.  However, thanks to Sami, and all my family and friends, they put together such a wonderful gift for me at the Farewell Party.

In a set of three bound books, there is an envelope containing a note from members of my family and friends from here and afar.  Each envelope contains a date label indicating when I should open and read the note.  There is also a "stand" that I could hold up the note for the week.  There is 120 envelopes altogether.  I look forward in opening each and every one of them for the next 2 years.  

Tomorrow Sami and I will start packing and see if we manage to meet the 107" and 100 pound restriction.  I will photograph everything before they are packed so that they would help with my insurance claim should they disappear.

NOTE: Click on "contact me" above to find my address and other contact information.

Hakuna Matata (no worries!)

Belt Challenge

As of now, I have been pretty much eating anything and everything.  I also have been pretty much idling around not doing much exercise and doing fitness things that I used to do such as jogging, biking, etc.

Belt Challenge

So, once I go in-country, I hope to straighten out my will power and recharge it so that when I come back, I will be using that belt hole shown above.

I plan to take up as much fitness as possible.  I plan to purchase a mountain bike, do some running, eating better (this one is probably a given).

What are the odds?  We shall see!