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