I am finally comfortable with being uncomfortable

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  Bungoma, Kenya
Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Hello everyone!
I made it to Africa safely. It took eight hours from Chicago to London and then I had a four hour layover in London because of a fire alarm in the airport :-) Then it was another eight hours from London to Nairobi. AND THEN an eight hour extremely bumpy bus ride from Nairobi to the village where I am living.  I LOVE it here.  The weather is amazing. In the morning it is very cold but it warms up to around 90 by noon. The people here are so welcoming and friendly. There are approximately 300 students in five classes. I have already taught all subjects in grades 1-5. I have already come across many challenges during my journey. Besides going to the bathroom in a hole :-) and the language barrier, the hardest challenge has got to be this....I have to eat the crust of my bread. I absolutely hate bread crust, but I hate to offend them, so I eat it. It takes All I have to chew and swallow it. Besides that I have really been enjoying myself. I have many friends. The family's youngest son, Edwin, helps me out so much. He comes with me on the matatu to use the internet on the computers in town. I call him my brother from another mother! I am the only white person around, but you wouldn't know it. Peolple do not stare at me or look at me different. It is so weird. At school, I have 68 pre-school aged students touching my arms and legs, trying to figure out why my skin is white. They try rubbing my skin to see if I change colors. It is too cute.
    I will add pictures in a few days.  I didn't want to take pictures of everyone on the first day and scare them! I will definitly post pictures sometime this week. This place is so beautiful.
    It is really expensive to call the United States from Africa, as you can expect, but it is cheap for Americans to call here. I spent 500 schillings to leave two messages for my mother. You (United States) can buy a calling card (African Dreams) for $5 and you can talk to me for an hour. Sooooooo, if you would like to call me, please do. I miss everyone in the United States, so much! Just talking to me for two minutes would make my day! I will give you two numbers to call:  You can call me at Country code (+254) 733887977 or (+254) 733471712. I miss you all so much!
  Before  I go, I would like to share with you an embarrassing story that happened to me :-)  When you want to go to the bathroom here you are supposed to say "Na Taca Choca" which means I need the restroom. I accidently said, "Na Taca Taco" which means I need my butthole. I had everyone at dinner laughing. I crack them up all of the time...they think I am the funniest person alive.
   Well I miss you all (like I stated before). I love all of you and can't wait to come home.
Oh, and to Ms. Strong's second grade class, thank you so much for the special gifts you gave me last Friday. I miss being in your classroom. The students here in Kenya, really enjoyed your letters. Thank you.

I love you Lilli, Gina and Mom.

Take care everyone!

Love always,
Jacquie

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