Walk don't run

June 4, 2010
Kenya tip number 1,583: Do not rush.
Since I have been in Kenya, I think the only time I remember being in
a hurried state from one place to another is in Nairobi when we made
the quick jaunt from the customs counter to the luggage belt when we
saw our bags.
At home my schedule seems to be something along the lines of… rushing everywhere
– rush to school, hurry to and from my classes, and then dash to a
lunch meeting with friends (where we shovel food in fast in order that
we can go to the library and work on papers before our next class,
etc.). Long story short, I try to pack in as much as possible in our
day.

In Kenya, we have been busy – so busy that when I get into bed at
night, I can only read a few pages of my book before I doze off and
let the book slip out of my fingers. However, the work we have been
doing is not a "rushed" kind of busy. Please let me explain more so
that you might have a better understanding of what I mean by this.
During our Orientation Week, as we've mentioned in previous posts, we
have met many people including school administrators, elders and
guardians, church members, students, Umoja Board members, and more.
In just one week, I have observed a different model of meeting people
than I'm used to back home. Here in Kenya, when you meet someone you
get more than a "Hi how are you doing" that is customarily followed by
"I am fine." Instead, you ask in detail about the person. For
example one will ask, "How is your family (naming specific family
members)?" This question is not answered with "fine" but is responded
to with specifics. You do not RUSH a greeting. You really meet the
person and learn about their life.
Something I have learned to love is not RUSHING a goodbye either.
Many times when I thought our team has been ready to go, we walked
toward the van…only to find ourselves in another 30 minute
conversation (or sometimes even longer!). I say that I have "learned"
to love this because I had to get used to it. At home, I am a very
rigid and timely person. Ask my roommate, if we say we are leaving in
five minutes, then by golly I will count down by minutes until it is
time to go (and then I'll get antsy and irritated if we postpone our
departure further). That is not the way in Kenya. Time with company
is cherished. Thus, a parting from one another is cherished. So many
great things have happened during the times that I thought we were
leaving and then ended up not for quite awhile. For example, through
a continued conversation, Kathy found out a common interest with
Charles (a Board Member of GIP-Chulaimbo). He connected her via phone
to his sister who has served/serving Peace Corps. Also, one time when
I was ready to go (but we stayed), I ended up joining a game of
tag/chase with the children outside of a church building where we held
a meeting just before. This was so much fun – I was able to play with
them and break a cultural barrier (tag is indeed a universal game).
Thus, I have learned – DO NOT RUSH goodbyes because the relationships
that are built and maintained in the departing(s) are way better than
a countdown that maintains a schedule ;)
Finally, I have learned not to rush while eating a meal. As I
mentioned previously, back home I can easily rush through a meal (even
when I'm sitting with friends). Much worse, I am guilty of grabbing a
sandwich from the student center at Duke, and eating it on the 10
minute bus ride home from school – so that I can rush onto work with
some food in my stomach. I've only been here in Kenya a week, but I'm
sure eating alone or in a space with strangers which you do not
converse with (such as on the bus) does not happen. Meals are to be
shared. Which brings me to the first reason why you do not want to
rush a meal: because it is a time to share with others. Stories are
shared over across the table that unite strangers and create
friendships. Secondly, you do not want to rush because it is
delicious! We've had some wonderful food – Kimusu is right on Lake
Victoria so we've had some GREAT fresh fish. You don't want to rush
eating because you want to taste all of the seasonings, etc. We've
also had chapatis (my favorite), ugali, mandazi, and the best fresh
watermelon/bananas/pineapple. Finally, you do not want to rush
because if you're finished, out of their gracious hospitality they
will keep feeding you, and feeding, and feeding you. After all, as
delicious as the food is – one should not endlessly eat.

All in all, through not rushing, I have learned something else – to be
thankful. To be thankful for the time we are given to be with others
and grateful for the food we are given.
More tips to come as we learn from our gracious hosts.

Since I've talked about busy-ness, I thought it would only be right to
include some of the time-log (again, only some highlights).

Tuesday, June 1, 2010 –fyi - this was a national holiday in Kenya.
9:47am – arrived at Kanyamedia School and met one Umoja Scholar, Rita.
This school has 300+ students and 14 teachers. Stayed longer (didn't
rush the goodbye) to hear Ellen encourage Rita in her studies. Ellen
has been a wonderful mentor and teacher.
10:11am-drank water in van out of bottle on bumpy road – mistake.
10:48am – St. Barnabas' Girls Secondary School – met Emily, Umj.
Scholar. She asked us to take her picture with her best friend – she
was shy, yet enthusiastic to introduce her guests from USA.
11:38am – Vitalis, our van driver, negotiates a price for us to climb
on Kit Mikayi (The Rock of First Wife – named after a man who loved
the rock more than his actual wife, who became his second wife).
11:47am- did some rock climbing in Kenya…in our skirts. We're that hard core.
1:08pm- We met Carolyn, an Umoja scholar, at Huma Boarding School for
girls. She won our hearts over with her dimples. We took a team
picture with her and encouraged her to keep on studying hard.
1:53pm – avocado break at Margaret's house (Kathy, Laura, and Sanetta
will be staying with her for week 2 of trip)
2:58pm- Arrived at Charles' house
4:35pm- tried to leave Charles' house due to storm clouds approaching
4:48pm- still talking to Charles and Mary (creating great friendships)
4:51pm- STORM IS HERE. SCATTER. [In my actual time log this is in
very bad writing because we left and were in the van on a bumpy road]
*The three students we met today were at school – On a day that is
national holiday studying with other students. STUDYING ON A HOLIDAY?
That's dedication!

Wednesday June 2, 2010
Winnie showed us around town today = many markets, the MegaCity Mall,
and other important places that we should know (including places we
should know NOT to go to while we're here).
9:22am- Marriage proposal.
9:43am- At MegaCity Mall sign on display window "Pliz Don't Touch"
10:30am- Visited Hospital (just to look…don't worry no injuries on our team)
1:15pm- Lunch on the shore of Lake Victoria. Our lunch was staring
back at us. Fish served whole (tale, fin, head, eye…you name it).
1:28pm- Sanetta and Laura try fish gills for the first time (not too
bad actually)
*Sometime in the evening – mosquito made buffet line on my left arm. 11 bites.

Thursday and Friday (today) have been great days as well, but I'm sure
my teammates will include some of the details in their blog entry…so
I'll let you wait in anticipation for more info about our trip.

Peace and grace,
Laura