I’m staying with Violet and her sister, Irene J The adrenaline started pumping when we jumped out of the taxi to be on our own for the next few days. I loved not know what was going on or where exactly we were going. We had to wait for Irene to meet us so we went to a little shop, ordered some sodas and relaxed. We barely finished our sodas and here comes Irene almost running through the streets in her high heels! I couldn’t stop laughing, she reminded me of my sister and was maneuvering around the garbage piles, potholes, and washouts with ease. A feat I would latter try to attempt and fail at!
We made it to Irene’s later in the afternoon and we agreed on peas for dinner. Violet and I made passion fruit/carrot/orange juice while Irene started on the food. It was fun to grate carrots outside on the ground and crazy to think that every time one would want juice this was the process. I also helped with the dishes when it came time, I’ve never washed dishes in a tub outside either, unless while camping. I think that is why I enjoy this life style, it’s similar to camping which is something I’ve always loved to do.
The food was amazing! Peas, potatoes, rice and juice. It was hands down the best meal I’ve had since arrival. We are going to make a corn porridge for breakfast. It’s after dark and Violet and I are sent on a mission to obtain milk, onions, and coffee. At night the market holds a different beauty. Lanterns lined the shops and candles lay on the ground. I’m glad I was able to experience this evening.
Breakfast was also delicious; I told her she should cook all the time J
Today we meet up with the group and went to Aero beach for an adventure. I couldn’t believe that there were broken down airplanes that we could play in with sharp metal edges and places to fall! Never in America! The whole day was really nice. I was able to eat my first fish eyeball, and play some new games. When the school children arrived it was interesting to see that they would rent swimsuits to use. I had never thought about if they even owned a swimsuit before. The music filled the beach soon after and almost everyone was dancing.
We hit up the town tonight… it felt like home.
Violet and I meet up with Sharon, Silver, Ellen, and Sean this morning for breakfast. I will never forget the avocado shake that was presented to me…. Best shake I’ve ever had! Shopping was a little insane with the time constraints since none of us really got up too early!
We again stopped at Lake Victoria before the ISU student’s departure. It was FREEZING! Medi and I hid out in the taxi for a little while to get out of the wind.
I can’t really describe the feeling of watching the ISU students go into the airport and seeing the MK students left behind. It was silent for a long time and not without tears. I tried to imagine what it would be like for them, I know I’m leaving in another two weeks, but they will remain here and may never get on a plane to America. My heart was broken.
Today I went with Irene to her place of work. She does the bookkeeping for a construction company and we were on our way to one of the buildings she divides her time between. It was hard to grasp the concept that they still were using hand written records for everything.
It’s early morning and Irene took me out in the community. We had to collect water for showering and cooking. The first place we went didn’t have water but the second home did. We paid the lady and filled our jerry cans. I guess the city comes and fills up the wells for a fee so the citizens pay for it to keep it working. The lady’s little boy carried our large jerry cans filled with water back to Irene’s for a small fee as well. “Child labor at its finest.” joked Irene. While the boy was taking the water back we ventured over to the nearest butcher to find some pork for lunch. The first butcher we passed, with Irene quickly pointing out that the meat is not fresh. I wish I had the skills to spot fresh meat on the streets… had to have learned from a young age what was considered safe and fresh. We found one that she liked and from what I could understand from visual clues the boy who cut our meat for us was an apprentice. He did exactly as Irene instructed, cut this fat off here, a little skin there, she was happy. When we got back to Irene’s it was time to cook and I had to help her hold the meat so she could cut it. I’m not sure what my deal is but I absolutely do not like holding fresh meat from unknown sources with hair, fat, and skin still identifiable. Irene thought it was hilarious. Violet arrived back at the house just after we finished cutting the meat. She had gone to pick up a clothing stand Irene had purchased the night before. It was really nice, solid wood, holds shoes and your clothes for approximately 50 US dollars….. that is amazing. To get it home you simply find a man with a truck and pay him for the ride and labor.
I like how things seem to run and depend on the interactions of strangers. In Ames, I could probably last a few days solely interacting with people I know.
The food again was amazing, Thank you Irene!
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