Hey everyone!
I arrived in Kenya late last night after almost an entire day in transit. I should have given Ethiopian Airlines more credit - they got me where I needed to be only about an hour late. My only issue was that somehow I missed that there was a 15-pound weight limit on carry-ons, so I had to check my backpack after a few minutes of frantically switching my valuables to a cheap REI collapsable tote bag that ended up being my savior. I only took real issue because I could see that this rule was not evenly enforced. But everything made it to Nairobi, so no worries.
Masha Maitha, the director of Amani People's Theatre, personally picked me up at the airport. He explained that he could have sent a cab driver, but he would have been up worrying about me anyway. He and his wife have been extremely warm and hospitable to me - in fact I am writing this from their house, where they have both an internet connection and a Macbook.
Tomorrow I am taking a trip to Pokot, a town in the Rift Valley near the Ugandan border, where USAID has sponsored a theatre project through Amani having to do with the upcoming elections. Unfortunately the project is almost over, and I will be returning on Friday, but I think it will be a good introduction to the work this company does. There is an Austrian intern named Pia who is already there, and I will meet her tomorrow (Future best friend? Sure hope so!)
The community house I am living in is very comfortable, and people seem to move in and out of there frequently (an example - an American couple who specialize in drama therapy came here last week to work with the teenager's group, and will be returning sometime next week). I have a bed with a full mosquito net, a hot water heater, and even a tv in the living room. Life is good. Miss you all and can't wait to tell you about my trip!
Becca! I am so happy that you are having such a great time so far. Everything sounds perfect :-). I miss you a lot, but I love reading your blog and feeling like I'm right there with you. Have a great trip, I can't wait to hear about it. Sending American-beach hugs (Stephanie and I are at Virginia beach)!
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Meghan
I'm almost positive that when packing, you couldn't decide which books you were going to take and which you would leave. And so you ended up taking most. Am I right?? I'm not saying you have too many books, I'm just saying that if you were over the 15 lbs weight limit, some of those books could've been the first things to go. Am I right?? Trip sounds awesome and hope thing keep going well. Safari njema!!!
ReplyDeleteYours sincerely,
Tyler
Hi, Becca! We are glad that you are doing so well and are so happy. Life sounds very comfortable, if not totally luxurious. Your mom and I had a great time at Meghan and Rich's wedding at the Elms College chapel in Chicopee and the reception at the historic Hotel Northampton. (Almost) the whole clan was there celebrating --- and asking for you. The bride and the church and ceremony were beautiful, despite a torrential downpour that caught those of us who left our umbrellas at the hotel. Meghan had a lovely string quartet provide the music.
ReplyDeleteOne of the many highlights of the great reception was Matt, ably assisted by his sister Abbie, leading a hilarious group dance and song that he had learned at camp as a kid. You should get him to teach you by internet so that you could teach it to your students in Africa. You would love it; everyone at the reception did.
Our long, stormy trip home was an adventure, too, which I'll let your mother and sisters tell you about.
On to Maine!
John
Thanks everyone! Tyler - I made almost all the books fit! John - I heard about the trip, and I'm glad everyone had a good time despite the rain in both places. Meghan - hope the beach was fun, I miss you girls already!
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