After one crazy week of Kenyan adventures, I can finally sit back and say "it's all good." I wish that I could explain in detail all that has happened to me since my departure from the States, however, that would be impossible. From Denver to Detroit to Amsterdam to Nairobi, I have experienced what most people experience in a lifetime: wandering in foreign cities, being lost in an airport, threatened by an elephant, and stuck in mud surrounded by Masaai men. Here is a glimpse of my first week across the globe. Please do not try these at home!
Amsterdam
I landed safely in Amsterdam on Thursday at noon with one mission in mind: find a camera charger. Leave it to me to forget the most important piece of technology of all time. The Amsterdam airport aka Schiphol is somewhat like a small city full of jewelry stores, technology stores, museums, and restaurants. However, an hour of exploring and checking in for my next flight was enough time for me to decide I'm going to the city!! I placed my extremely heavy backpack in a locker, only to initially leave my camera in it, and set out for the train station. The 10 minute ride to Amsterdam Centraal was enough time for me to realize that this courageous act was totally worth it. The city is full of beautiful architecture surrounded by canals and people. I set out to find the Anne Frank House, which seemed easy enough, but found myself puzzled in the abyss of Heineken signs and bicycles. So, I turned around and sat in a real coffee shop that sold coffee for quite a while. I then wondered around aimlessly while people yelled "Oi! Oi!" in my direction and hit me with plastic cups. I'm fairly sure this was their way of greeting me. As I walked back toward Amsterdam Centraal, it began raining, of course, so I hopped back on the train to Schiphol. On this train, some foreign man asked ME where this trained was headed- apparently I looked rather Europe, which is quite the accomplishment in my book. I safely boarded the plane an hour early very satisfied with my adventures. Hakuna Matata.
Nairobi
I landed in Nairobi 45 minutes earlier than expected and was able to purchase a visa and a phone before picking up my baggage (both of which arrived safely). Then the issues started. I found myself stranded in the airport surrounded by Kenyans, none of which had my name on their sign. At this point, I clearly looked like a lost American girl and was offered help by a hotel representative and some German people. Finally, my driver named Moses arrived and said "Are you Blaire?" We then drove to a beautiful home owned by a woman named Stella where I took a warm shower and a nap before the program director, Josh, arrived. Josh informed me that instead of heading to Migori as planned, we were to go on the safari in Masaai Mara that weekend with the rest of the group. Hakuna Matata. I proceeded to watch Bratz and Barbie movies all day with Stella's daughter Tamara while we played with pipe cleaners. In the morning, we began our excursion to Masaai Mara after drinking delicious Kenyan Chai. The crazy Kenyan driving only worsened during rush hour, and I mean drive-down-the-middle-of-a two-lane-road-while-people-run-across crazy. The driver, Martin, asked if I wanted to sit in front with him, to which I responded "No thanks!" I met with the rest of the Medics to Africa group in Naroc where many smiling Kenyans were walking by the road. Just after spotting a bunch of wild giraffes and zebras by the road, we found a traffic jam and the rain began. As it started pouring, we sped in front of the other vehicles on a Titanic Safari. We got safely to the other side of the river somehow, but the other van had no such luck. We ended up being stuck in this river, surrounded by children demanding sweets and Masaai men with spears and machetes for 5 hours. Each van safely got through the river with help of the other drivers, except us. As the sun began to set, Josh arranged for an army vehicle to take the 10 of us up the hill to the place where other cars would meet us. We found ourselves at the lodge, which had no electricity, at 8 pm after leaving Nairobi at 8 am. Hakuna Matata.
Masaai Mara
The following morning our safari began at 7:30, which made up for the long journey to Masaai Mara. We saw cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, and a hyena up close and personal. As we were driving to lunch at the Tanzania border, we found a stray elephant which seemed a bit agitated. We stopped to take pictures when he became extremely angry and started to back up before charging at our vans. I didn't know if I should be scared or excited, so I like to say I was a combination of the two.We made our way back to the lodge and sat around a campfire after an action packed day. Hakuna Matata.
On Monday, we went on a morning game drive at 6:15 a.m. to see more lions napping. Again, we found as stranded mother elephant with her babies. She also felt threatened by us and trumpted before running at the vans- very frightening to say the least.We left Masaai Mara around 10 a.m. to head to Migori and grab some souvenirs on the way (I got some VERY neat stuff).We, again, got stuck in the muddy river where the Masaai men helped us out for a price of 5000 shillings. Hakuna Matata. We finally got back to the residence at St. Joseph's Mission Hospital at 8 pm last night after what seems like the most adventurous, action-packed week of all time.
Unfortunately, my incredible pictures are refusing to upload today so I will try again tomorrow!
Migori
Today was my first day working in the hospital. We started our day with a meeting and a prayer with the head doctors at 8 am. I then attended to pain rounds with my new Canadian friends in the Pediatric unit. Most patients had malaria which caused severe anemia, though one boy's hand was shredded by a sugar cane machine but no bones had been fractures. We then sat in the physiotherapy office for a bit before lunch. Tomorrow, we are headed to the Maternity ward where we hope to deliver a baby!
Overall, I am so happy to finally be at the hospital working with the Kenyan people. It is amazing how many people speak English and are happy to welcome you here. The next 4 weeks will be filled with stories about the hospital and my lovely residence where mosquitoes and flies are plentiful. Apparently a lizard wanders around the living room every so often, so I am mentally preparing for him. I miss everyone so much and I thank you all for the warm thoughts and prepares. I can't wait to come home and see you all soon!!
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