First Day at Machakos

We all had our last training in the morning at Nairobi.  The topic was "water treatment" and we covered   

briefly on many topics.  But we are to learn more and practice with our host families (tomorrow!).  Our host families are already prepared to teach us dumb Americans to do some simple things like washing our clothes from a bucket, having a bucket bath, going to a choo (toilet) with just a hole, how to clean our water.  It was funny, but at the same time, its just amazing on how far ahead we live our lives and not realize that there are still parts of the  world are not at the same place yet. 

The photo below shows us a demonstration of going to a choo.  We were warned to bring a flashlight, preferably a headlamp cuz at nights, in the choo, cute creatures such as snakes and so forth would love to visit your ass.  Also we were warned not to put our phones in our pockets because once it falls in the choo, its pretty much done for.

For this demo, we were taught how to drink from that pail of brown water.  Well we did not in the demo, but we may will, maybe at our sites.  Our home stays should not be that dirty but we will still have to "make" our water by filtering it and keeping it in a 10-liter container for our personal use.

I must admit I felt a little embarrassed and stupid when I was asked if I know how to wash my clothes or bathe from a bucket.  Asking that question to another American would get a response like "sure I know" but we really do not know the details. You will be amazed as to what is involved.  I am sure I will blog about it one day when I finally get to do them, probably tomorrow. 

Final group photo before we split up.  18 PCVs headed off to Liotokitok while the remaining 10 of us went off to Machakos.  Davin and I will be going back and forth between Machakos and Liotokitok several times tho.

Quick photos while in the bus going to Machakos.  Wanted to take some pictures of Nairobi, and this is the only one that shows its few tall buildings  Everything seem low-rise and its quite packed.  I read somewhere and I think I agree that Nairobi is like a Dirty Atlanta.

My hotel room in Machakos.  From the outside, it stands out as the most nicest building in the whole town, but I am amazed as to how its built.  Being a carpenter and handyman, I can see from my eagle eye that almost everything is not plumb straight.  Stairways seem to be wide from one side and narrow at the lower side.  Even the tiling does not look straight.  All the rooms are TINY.  Pardon me for the poor picture.

Daily life on the main street, at front of the hotel.  The busy district is a short walk away.

In "downtown" Machakos -- alot of small shops and stores, selling pretty much everything including stacked boxes of live baby chickens.

Because I was not yet comfortable taking photos of people, using my iPod, I sneaked a shot below in the food market.  But to my amazement, in my sheath shoot, I ended up photographing this damn tree right in front of me. But anyway theres alot of people sitting around selling their food products, and shooing flies with whatever they have in their hand.  Lot of babies and cute little toddlers live their young lives in there I guess.

I finally bought a "hearing" phone.  Cant call it a pager cuz of its keyboard.  I keep finding myself using my two hands to use the keyboard and get shocked that its all numeric and I have to basically use just my right hand and click on some keys several times to get my letters.  It sucks, but at least I can text my fellow PCVs and the Peace Corps should there be an problems.  I do not think I will text to America due to the cost.  Let me figure it out some more, but for now, it will be just emails.

Few tidbits

• wearing flip-flops outside will make the Kenyans think you just got out of bath.  Kenyans use flip-flops for that purpose only and do not wear them anywhere.  I refer to those cheap beach flip-flops.  
• when you say pants, its underwear to them.  You need to say slacks.  I have not seen a single Kenyan in Nairobi nor Machakos wear shorts at all.  So, I guess I snuck my fourth shorts thinking I would wear them was a fool's errand.  
• The Kenyans are well dressed society.  The poor and dirty gentlemen still wear nice pants and jackets, along with filthy shirt, even with missing buttons and stuff.  The poor here sure got class.  

On a closing note, I have not yet pulled out my dSLR camera.  Ive been living in my suitcase and am not yet ready to flash it to the Kenyan public.  I need to know when I am safe, and in a safe place.  We are constantly warned about the crime.  For example, when going through a busy section where everyone is walking, you may find someone hitting you and grabbing stuff through the bus window.  There are other examples.  So I find myself using my Olympus camera, but now Ive been using my iPod touch camera.  So once you start seeing better pictures you will know I finally switched to the best camera

Hakuna Matata

Last Day in Nairobi

Jambo, my dear readers!

Time sure goes by nicely and quickly when you are on somebody's schedule.  We had our trainings on different topics, including some Kiswahili (more on this soon).  The electricity constantly went out like every 10 minutes during the day, so it affected the presenter's LCD projector, and unfortunately wifi for some of us who depend on it for our emails (and blog for me).  But then we remember we are really in AFRICA and going Hakuna Matatu-ing about everything.  

Although it is not exactly life-threatening for me, I have a little withdrawal syndrome with access to everything.  I have to learn that the vibrations in my pocket is only a phantom pager that is no longer living in it.   

We all received our walking money -- $120 in Philly, and recently $6,500.  We are rich!  Well, not exactly, its actually worth $77.  But if I understand it should last us until October 20th, with some leftovers.  Notice all the bills have the same portrait of their president.  I would think a photo of their elephant or lion on some would be better.  We were to buy our phones and stuff using it

I thought I was smart to bring my old unlocked Blackberry Tour thinking I could just insert a SIM card from Safaricom.  Everything worked, at first glance, but at a closer look, it was sending "private call" on others, which is not acceptable because when I contact Peace Corps for emergencies or stuff, they need to see my name or phone number.  So, after wrangling crowded Safaricom shop, and they ended up having 3 staff working on it, and it finally worked.  Me happy?  No.  Later I found out that it refused to let me "top up" (we purchase a scratch off cards) on my phone to increase the airtime.  So, I thought I would google it up, but duh me, internet has not been that accessible.  So I guess I will just buy a cheap phone in Machakos (cheap Samsungs go like $20) and learn how to text using the numeric keypad.

Heres another photo of us, Deafies and KSL interpreters.  They all are very friendly, helpful, and mostly very patient.  I am still struggling to remember their, and anyone's, names.

Josephine, Monica, Carolyn, Me, Joseph, Isabella, and

I am learning, but not yet getting the hang of, new daily habits. The photo below is my view up while I am on my bed.  I need to use water bottle to brush my teeth with (there are tap water, but we were encouraged not to use them), taking my malaria pills (this Monday, I will switch over to different type that allows me to take weekly instead of daily).

Few tidbits.

For few people, I have been ribbing (maybe not, as I really want to) about losing weight and being more fit and healthy.  I learned from Joseph that in Kenyan's culture, being thin is viewed as one having problems while being heavy as one being happy.  Oops.  I better shut up about this topic and lose weight in silence.

Now about learning Kiswahili.  We were broken up into groups of threes.  A Kenyan teacher along with my two KSL interpreters worked with three of us. The teacher went off introducing Swahili to us, and then trying to prompt dialogue.  The teacher did not realize that I am learning TWO languages - Swahili and KSL.  So I receive Swahili information (alot of spelling) along with KSL and I am trying to remember my KSL and learn Swahili.  While my mind is grinding its gear 110%, I keep finding the teacher looking at me waiting for a rapid response. Fortunately, learning Swahili is an option for Deaf Education because the Deaf Kenyans are not required to know Swahili as it seems to be mainly a spoken language.  There are some Swahili written on signs and papers, but everything is mainly English.  But unfortunately I will go through this for one more week before I (and other Deaf Ed PCVs) will be totally emerged in KSL for the rest of our training time.

On other note, as I mentioned, many of PCVs in our group know ASL, varying in skills.  They keep asking me "what is the sign for this and that" and I keep warning them that they will have to learn these signs again in KSL as almost all of them will be different.  Now we are here in Kenya, with me immersed in KSL, and a few of them picking up a sign or two, I struggle on what I should use to communicate -- ASL or KSL.  And when they ask me for a sign, I struggle on which language to show them.  I told Davin that we gotta all agree to just stop using ASL and use KSL full time.  Seesee.

Today, after water treatment training is done, we will load up and head out to Machakos.  The Deaf Educators will live there for the next 10 weeks.  The rest of the PCVs (19, and all secondary education teachers) will head off to Liotokitok.  Davin (Physics) and I (Math) will travel to Liotokitok for few days about three times during the 10 week training time.  I think all of us 28 will be together again in Liotokitok during our last week for swearing in. More on that later. 

I also hear internet access is even worse in Machakos and Loitokitok, so bear with me if I do not post regularly.  

Also, I hoped to post short, quick and sweet posts for simple reading and not be too wordy, like Deb Skj likes to say about me, but its only possible if I had good access to the internet.  Maybe eventually my news and updates will dwindle down once routine takes over.

Hakuna Matata.

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...