One day and I am off to the coast
Trip Start
Mar 03, 2007
1
12
16
Trip End
May 04, 2007
Bungoma/Kabula,
Kenya
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
I miss you all so much-fyi :-) Everything is grand in the wonderful country of Kenya. Tomorrow I am leaving with four other volunteers to the coast. I am so excited! It is a 16 hour trip, so we are leaving tomorrow afternoon and we will sleep on the bus throughout the night. We are going to spend all day Thursday and Friday there and leave on Saturday. The town is called, Mombasa. It is where the international cross country tournament is being held. It should be a blast!
Not much has happened the last few days. I have just been relaxing and hanging out with the village children. I absolutely love them. Yesterday we had a water fight. They did not understand that when you are throwing water at someone using a bucket, you don't throw the whole bucket at them. It was hilarious!
A few days ago I went into town by myself, and I ate at this new place called Liban Hotel. (Hotels are restaurants here in Africa). It is run by a Muslim family. Anyway, the owners were so super duper nice to me. They didn't even want me to pay and were really welcoming. Yesterday I went back with three of my "village mates" and we had lunch. It was amazing! The owners/family really love us. I wanted spaghetti, so the owner offered to send someone to the market to buy some. I told him he did not need to do that. Since I am a vegetarian and this other volunteer is too, the owner made special dishes just for us. The owner told the other volunteers that he would go to the market and buy a large fish and make fillets. I just can't believe how friendly and welcoming they are. I went back for lunch today with one of my hut mates, and they were so excited to see us. We are going to visit their entire family next week.
Saturday night we went to our favorite spot, Sherriff's Center, for Miss Bungoma 2007. Erin, the volunteer that was supposed to enter the pageant, chickened out and decided not to do it. Oh well, I still had a blast.
Maryann, I am so sorry to hear about Buttercup. I will truly miss her too. I loved her so much.
Gina, good job on your report card. I am so proud of you! Keep up the great work. I think it is best if you go to college in Miami. That way your big sis has a reason to visit once a month ;-)
Lilli, I sent you a letter from one of the children here in Kenya. She is so excited to be your new pen pal. Maybe one day you will be able to meet her.
And to everyone else, I love you so much and miss you more each day.
Tonight I am going to Levin's house to have dinner and visit his family. I did not bring my camera into town today, so I can't upload any pictures. Sorry. I promise to have some wonderful pictures by Monday. I hope everyone has a safe week.
Love ya bunches,
Jacquie
Comments
A big JAMBOO
We sure hope that means hi! We really have enjoyed reading all of your entries. Unfortunately, it makes us want to come for a visit sooooo bad!!!
Taylor wants to know how you got the name 'Nafula' (rain)? Is it because you cry so easily?
It is so exciting reading your entries - I truly hope you are also journaling, cuz although you think you'll remember, when you get to my age, your mind needs some prodding to recall events! :) Gosh, it's hard to beleive you were on the Nile!!! Some of us only dream about that. The rainforest? The coast? Lake Victoria? Your village? We are so happy for you, your parents must be so proud! I tell my kids that the greatest gift I can give them, is to go out and see the world, and come back and tell me what it is like. Mark (Taylor's Dad) and I have always felt that the best part of traveling is meeting different people, discovering their beliefs, and learning about their culture and heritage. That is what makes the journey so exciting and rewarding. This will surely be a memory you will cherish forever!!!
I firmly beleive that one person can make such a difference in someone's life. You should take great pride in knowing that you are making a difference in so many peoples lives - the children in your village, the restaurant family, the other teachers and ESPECIALLY, Levin etc.
Taylor wants you to know that things are going well in the classroom - they just started learning about Oceans. She says it is already getting very interesting and is going to ask Ms. Strong to show the rest of the class where the Indian Ocean is. They also just got to switch their seats around and were able to sit by a friend. She is sitting next to Samantha White. Our family just got back from Spring break. We went to Siesta Key, Fl. It was sooo warm there, but it was COLD (35 degrees) when we got back to In. What is the temperature in your village?
Taylor has got to get to bed now...
We haven't been writing cuz we couldn't remember our passwrd/user ID (now do you understand why you should journal? we wrote it down this time!) HAVE FUN, we look forward to your next entry.
Love,
Taylor and Debbie
Jambo
I am a fellow student with sandy at IUPUC I found your site thru a friend. I will be in kenya May 4th adn arrive on the farm I hope may 5th and stay thru July. Please tell sandy and David hi for me. I really have enjoyed reading your logs. I am so anxiouse nd nervous as well.
Hope to meet you sometime
Dorvin