'Don't put that in your mouth!' This is a saying I used a lot last week but seemed to have no effect on the kids. Let me back up... I go downstairs into the preschool class to find another volunteer with the 8 kids and no teacher to be found. The kids are suppose to be coloring but what are they doing instead? Coloring their tongues with the markers! haha. So English didn't work when telling them not to suck on them so I had the Kenyan volunteer teach me how to say it in Kiswahili (which of course I cannot remember now) and then do the kids listen? Nope, they just repeat whatever I say and go back to doing it, haha. Oh the fun of little kids! They did turn back to very sweet though when the director asked me to go get their tea for break. I brought it back to the kids (tea and bread with butter) and they all sat down closed their eyes and said a prayer in Kiswahili then paitently waited for each to be served. If someone started to eat before they all had theirs then they definitely got called out by their peers! So with the bad you certainly take those good moments.
Other things I have done... sorting beans to take out rocks and little bugs (cant just buy a nice bag like in the US), peeling beans off the pods (looong process), making posters for the classroom (I can draw better than I thought!). This week we will be reorganizing all the babies cloths because those shelves are a disaster!
Over the weekend I went to Mombasa (more specifiacllly Diani Beach on the coast of Kenya) with about 13 other volunteers. We took an overnight train Friday night and then took it back on Sunday night. The train was def a good time because we got to see a lot of the country (it was like a 15 hour trip!) and they were sleeping cars but it felt like sleeping in the rough sea! I even met a group of guys from Cleveland, OH on the way home! It was so nice to be at the beach if even for just a short time. Where we stayed there were monkeys all over the place and they tried to come into our room so ya had to be sure not to leave the door open. They also have what people call 'beach boys' which aren't cute and fun like you would think from the name- no, they are people that hang on the beach and pester you into buying things or going on snorkeling trips or something like that, etc. etc. Kind of obnoxious!!
The city hasnt turned on the water in our area of town since Friday so I am hoping they did today so I can bath and wash some cloths tonight... This along with many other things has really made me think and appreciate America. For example... with the water- we waste sooo much water! Try taking a bath with a bucket about half full. You will be surprised how little water you can use. With food- they eat it here for nurishment and to continue with life. It is not a staple to their life here, things do not revolve around food, they do not snack, they have basic meals and stick to those. Ah another thing- personal space! There is none here! haha. On the matatu the other day I have two guys leaning over me. In a 15 passenger matatu they will fit 30! Not only is there no personal space with people but the same with cars! Ah its so crazy here. Its weird to think I am trusting this driver with my life yet they are makin so many ridiculous moves! Suprisingly though there are few accidents.
Oh I suppose I will shut up for now! Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July weekend!
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