Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity, Jiggity, Jiggity, Jiggity, Jiggity, Jig

Oct 26, 2010 –  Not sure when this will get posted.  Some of you may have seen me by the time you read this. 

It’s 9:40pm, Tuesday.  Joyce and I are in the airport waiting for our first flight that ends Wednesday about 9:30pm in Portland.  that sounds like just 24 hours, but with the time gain, maybe it is a loss, it’s actually 34 hours.  Counting the time leaving our place in Nairobi, it will be closer to 36 hours.  If you go from Mbita, well then you start counting in days, about 5 and a half.

By the way, the flight takes off about 2 hours later than we usually go to bed and later than I think we have been up since we hit Mbita.

The exit has been leisurely.  Left Mbita Sat morning, with Joe driving us to Kisumu via the ferry.  Made good time and got to spend 2 nights with Morgan in Kisumu.  Did a little last minute shopping, one more run to the great ice cream place (make that two for me) for a last couple scoops of deliciousness.  Dinner at Rachelle’s. All in all a good time.

Took the 8 am Easy Coach bus from Kisumu to Nairobi on Monday morning.  Quick ride, but the suspension on Kenyan buses is a little stiff.  Even when the road looked mostly smooth, it was a bumpity bump bump ride.

Oh – flash back time.  Vicki arrives in Kisumu and we are traveling down the road.  Many little stalls lining the way, with wares of all different sorts.  She spots some rope looking things and asks – “What are those rope like things hanging on the stalls?”  “Ropes” we answer and have a good laugh. 

A day or so later, we are walking in Downtown Kisumu.  We’ve just had a snack, or maybe a soda and Vicki has a little piece of trash to dispose of.  She turns to Joyce and I and asks, in all seriousness “where do they throw their trash here?” as she is looking around the trash pit street we are walking along for a receptacle.  Joyce replies, quite sarcastically, “have you looked around?”

Guess those items were funnier if you were there.

in Zurich Switzerland now.  It’s 8:38 the next day I think.  That’s am not pm.  The flight was marginal.  A little cramped and for some reason the seat seemed really uncomfortable, sort of like a matatu.  It’s was about zero degrees outside when we landed.  Whether that is Celsius or Fahrenheit doesn’t really matter when you’ve come from 3 months where it seldom dipped below 70, even at night.  And you have only your summer clothes.  I don’t think we are going to go sight seeing.

We have about 6 hours here in the airport.  Not much to look at.  At least in the wing that we are in.  In fact, the shops have not even opened yet.  and we have more than 5 hours until our next flight.

The next flight is to San Francisco and scheduled for  12 + hours in the air.  Yeah.  This one could be a killer.  With the time change we get in 3 hours later, about 4:30pm.  This will be 2:30 am for us, then we get to wait for a few hours before the last leg.  Hope we don’t fall asleep at the gate and sleep through the boarding.

It’s going to be interesting on the 12 hours to SF.  Hoping after the first meal to pop an Ambian and sleep the middle part of the trip away.  But it will be day light the whole way.  We have the seats A and B.  Hoping that it’s only 2 seats on the side like the last plan, even though it is a different model.

The airport is waking up – shops opening, gates getting ready for passengers and customer service reps in place.

I did get a little excited when I noticed a selection of about a dozen magazines at the various gates.  That is until I went to pick one and found that they ALL where in some gibberish language that I could not comprehend.

Noq about 11 am on the 28th.  Made it home.  Slept most of the long flight away – at least 7 hours of it, with the help of 3 drinks and an Ambian.

My feet are cold.  But can’t bring myself to put on socks, much less shoes.  I’m wearing a sweatshirt for the first time in like 4 months.  Still have to remember it is okay to drink the tap water.  All the luggage made it.  Don’t think I slept last night, if I did it was not for more than an hour.  I got out of bed at 5am this morning and started to unpack the clothes we had packed away – I needed to find something I hadn’t worn in 4 months.  I’m really sick of the clothes i had along – most of them are the same ones as last trip.  Thought about burning them.  Actually thought about burning all my clothes and start fresh – but I think I’ll need to get a job before I pursue that thought.  The shower was great last night, the bed was wonderful.  I don’t think I ever mentioned how bad beds are in Kenya, particularly Mbita.  Need to catch up on Survivor.  The house seems to be in great shape.  Not sure what time my body thinks it is.  I think I am a little brain dead right now, thoughts are starting and just stop part way through.  The car started – yeah.

Signing off from home,

Paul

Last CGA Day

Oct 22, 2010 – It’s been a while since I’ve written anything.  I guess I’ve just been distracted by the fact I know our days are numbered here in Kenya.  Also with Steve and Judi back the days seem a little more full, with the explaining what we have done and just catching up.

Our time here at CGA is almost complete.  It is actually complete for Joyce, but I’m still hanging around some.

Joyce got to participate in chapel again this morning, getting the kids to sing some of the songs from the Christmas Pageant that she has been working on while we’ve been here.  She ended with getting the principal up front to help lead ‘Hey Hey Mon’.  The kids loved it and all had a good laugh.  If you know the song, you can imagine why.

Our saying good bye and them saying it to us went with fewer tears than expect on Joyce’s side.  I, and her, was sort of expecting a good stream of water coming from her, but they made it quick and pretty fast which did help.  I even teared up a little, but pulled it together pretty quickly.

We got presented with card from each grade and the teachers.  Reading material for the plane.  They usually give out more, but I think we got all the usual volunteer gifts the last time we were here.  It caused some concern to the head master that he had nothing to give, but I doubt it would be anything nearly as good as our pictures and memories.

Well, hopefully another one or two blogs before we get home.

Paul

Just Two Weeks

Sept 13, 2010 – Hard to believe that in just two weeks we will be home.  Not quite actually, two weeks plus a day if you consider the time difference and the fact we arrive late in the day and it’s still morning here.

But none the less, the time is wrapping up. 

“None the less” does that that phrase really make sense?  Hearing some of the phrasing locals use hear makes you stop and contemplate these things.

We had the biggest rain of our trip so far last night.  Ended up with a pretty good puddle of water on the veranda.  Must have blown in through the screen windows.  Now I know why Steve said when it gets stormy they let the dogs sleep in the main part of the house.

And we are trying to fatten up the dogs here in the last week so Steve and Judy do not think that we were starving them on purpose.  Actually been trying to increase their food for the last couple of weeks.  I think it’s just that rice and omena just does not have enough calories for them.  At least it looks like we’ve stopped the bleeding, as we say.

Steve and Judi will be back in town on Friday.  We are excited to see them.  Wish we were spending more time with them but will only have about a week with them.  I thought we had worked it out to have more but with this and that it’s only about a week.

It’s 10:30 am now and the sun is finally out and 80 degrees in the manager’s office.  Should be a good day.  Not much going on for me however.  nothing in fact.  I’ll have to make myself look busy all day.  Maybe I should work on pictures.

Need to go check the water tank that got busted a couple months ago.  The fundi here repaired it a couple weeks ago and the rain last night finally filled it over the crack.  Let’s see how much water is coming out.

From CGA,

Paul

Day to Day

Sunday, Oct 10, 2010 or 10-10-10.

Sunday afternoon and the kids are playing with Joyce.  It’s been a lazy day around the Maier home today.  Did the watering – that was about it for my duties. 

Joyce easily talked me out of attending church today.  The AIC church we attend is just not very inspiring – mostly because I don’t understand the songs we sing in Luo and occasionally Swahili.  Every so often there is a bit of English in a song, but even then it sometimes takes me a while to recognize that is what it is.  And the sermons are very repetitive, going over the same point again and again – often somebody trying to explain a verse in 1000 words or more.

I do wonder about the fact there are many small churches like this one in the area.  I’m not sure if these are started by a local group who wants a particular type of church close by or a foreign missionary that zooms through and starts up a particular church and jets off to the next one.

I wonder if the church members would be going to another one of the many churches close by or this is the only church that they want.  Or maybe they think this is a good one since at times there are several (4 or 5) whites in attendance, or a good one to at least maybe get something from the whites.

Our church is located on a nice parcel of land.  It has the mabati (tin) church itself.  If Bethlehem had used the construction methods of this church, we could have had 5 to 6 times more room inside our new building.  There is also a house (at least I think it is a house as they talk about the pastor being able to stay in it when he is around) and another building which I have no idea if it belongs to the church or the previous owner of the property.  The pastor does serve about 6 congregations I think, so having a place for him to stay when he is here is not a bad idea I guess.

But just last week the chairman (I think that is who he is) of the congregation got up and talked about how nice it would be for the house to have running water and power.  What the heck, power and water? Really I’m thinking.  I got to be temporary treasurer for this church for abut 6 weeks, of which I only attended about half the Sundays, and the most I saw in offerings was like 400 shillings, about 5 bucks.  I hear hooking up power is about 500 bucks.  Not quite understanding even why they are thinking about it.  Most of the offerings go the the AIC managing organization.  Maybe there is a rich parishioner I don’t know about.

I’ll have to quiz Steve some on the origins of this particular congregation and his thoughts on the number of small churches in the area.

Speaking of Steve, him and Judi are in country now.  Nairobi.  The plan is for them to be driving to Mbita on Thursday.  Makes it seem like our time is quickly winding down here. 

I had to extend my visa this past week.  It required a trip to Kisumu to the immigration office.  I was surprised how quickly it went, the man doing it was actually multitasking and moving quickly.  But he still had to fill out his own form, even after I had already filled out two myself.  They don’t seem too concerned about some of the info you put on the forms.  I wasn’t always sure if they were asking for local info or US info, such as for mailing address and residence location.  So I used a Kenya PO Box for one and my Beaverton address for the other.  Only question I got was from the cashier that asked about the US address.  I said it was my home address and I was using the other mailing address in Kenya.  She was satisfied and went on completing the payment process.  The main man did ask about the address I was actually living at.  After trying to explain to him I was staying in a house on the Sindo – Mbita road with no house number I knew of, he asked if he could use the Catholic Parish address I had on the last registration.  Sure I said, figuring if anyone every asked about me there, someone might know who I was, but really, it it allowed me to complete the visa extension, I didn’t really care what he put down.

It was nice to spend a little time with Morgan.  I hung out with her for part of the couple of days and got to see her in action at the pre-school she manages.  I got a chance to take some video and snaps of her in action.  We are going to be putting together a promotional video for her.  She needs to raise some fund for her time here next year.  So get ready to be asked to pony up some dough for her. 

Oh and keep your eyes and ears open on jobs for Joyce.  One of us really needs to work when we get back – might as well be her.

Byron’s in here disturbing me while I write this – burping in my face.  Joyce is close to getting him accepted in CGA for next year.  His uncle seems to have all the papers needed – birth, death certificates, etc.  Let’s hope they are all legit and the final application gets completed.

The third modem was not the charm.  The Orange modem sucks.  I can’t get the high speed connection anyplace I’ve tried around the school or the house.  I even went to the highest point on the school land and up to the peak of the roof here at the house.  Well, maybe this one will be going to Morgan in Kisumu when I leave.

Going to try for number four, but that requires that Steve pick it up for me in Nairobi.

Got some huge avocados on Friday – 4 of them.  Each big enough to serve 4.  All ripe and ready to be used.  All for 60 bob – 75 cents. Total.  More quac tonight.  Probably will be making chapatti chips as well.

Time to move on.

Reporting from Mbita,

Paul

Modem 3, Test 1

Sept 5, 2010 – Yep, I finally broke down and bought my third mobile modem here in Kenya.  I just had to see if it was better than the other two I have.

This blog posting is my first test, not counting my connecting in the store to make sure it actually worked.  It’s about my tenth visit into the store to look at the modem.  Haven’t bought in the past because the sales lady inspired less then minimal confidence in me that she knew what the heck was going on.  She may know, but just can’t explain it well to a white former geek type.  Of course this is giving her a lot of benefit of the doubts. Or is the plural benefits of the doubt?

While one modem is kinda speedy, the signal strength is marginal to bad, so it is often just connected at the slower speed, or a very weak signal. 

This modem is the same size as the other ones, but a little sleeker looking.  Ruthie, imagine a couple pictures here to keep your attention.  I know you are about to quite reading this.

I know Vicki has made it this far.  So how are you doing lady?  Haven’t heard much from you since your return home.  Hope the transition back into life and hectic work is bearable.

And for your duck fans, I got up at 5:30am on Sunday to catch the end of the game.  After reading the recap of the first half I’m sorry I didn’t get up at 3:30 to watch the complete game.  I wonder if any more of their games will be telecast here before I leave.

So time to post this blog and move on to other testing.

Over and out from Orange Mobile 3G+ network.

Paul

Uninspired Unmotivated

Sept 5, 2010 – Life just seems to be existing here.  I;m not real motivated to do much, although there does not seem like there is much to be done.  I guess if I was inspired I could find additional projects to work on.

I have to say that I’m feeling like I’m living in luxury this time as compared to the last time I was here.  That’s even with only 2 working faucets in the house, one of those being for the shower that seems to quite working about every 10 days.  I’ve figured the easy fix on this.  Just disconnect the riser pipe to the teapot shower head at the faucet and let it run for about 3 minutes. This seems to clear whatever obstruction there is in the line.  But nothing ever come out, so I’m not sure what is living or growing inside that slowly blocks up the piping.

Only one light in the house, that a somewhat dim solar powered one.  So much of the evening is wondering around the house with a torch in hand to avoid bumping into things and to scare the cockroaches away so they are not stepped on.

All our water needs to be boiled.  Just to be safe anyway.  It is city water and treated, but better safe than barfing and other unpleasant stuff.  I must say and thank God that we have been remarkably settled in the stomach digestive sense. 

I should say that the water we ingest is boiled.  The water that we have to pour into the commode to flush it is usually just recycled bathing water.  The poor mans flush toilet, but I’m pretty consistent with being able to do it manually and get a “clean” flush with one try.

having to sleep under a mosquito net is more like an adventure than a burden.  But that is only because we have nets that are big enough to easily cover the whole bed and frame.  Large enough so that it hangs high enough we can sit up and Joyce could stand if she wanted to.  And long enough that it goes all the way to the floor so it does not need to be tucked in anytime we crawl in or out.  Even the cat has figured out a way to crawl under the net, push it back away from the bed some and jump up on to the mattress.  The mattress doesn’t even seem so bad, of course I have a piece of plywood under my side to keep it from sagging, which causes Joyce’s side to have a nice little valley she gets to sleep in.

But with all the little annoyances, I feel so blessed to have such a comfortable home to live in this time.  With water, power, nets, a gas stove and other conveniences we only longed for last time.  I’m glad that it happened in this order, the better arrangements this time rather than last time.  I don’t think I would have handled it as well this time around, even though last time I was marginal with it at times.

We did run out of gas for the stove / oven last Friday night.  This made me cranky.  We have two tanks and had already gone through one.  We had been told that we should have plenty of gas to last the time here, especially since we refilled one early in our stay.  But we didn’t and the problem was that the tanks usually get refilled, or exchanged actually, in Kisumu.  This isn’t a great day trip to make, with a car, and not something I would do at all if I had to go public transport. 

There is a gas station in town that has cylinders, but I’ve never seen the brand that either of our two.  Nothing I could do on Friday night other than wonder how much I would be willing to pay for a new cylinder (I heard they could be $100) to have gas again and avoid a trip to Kisumu or wait for the next trip to Kisumu.

Saturday morning I was grouchy because I could not have a cup of coffee.  Now I don’t need the coffee, I can easily survive without it, but the fact i couldn’t have it just was aggravating.

So fairly early morning I decided to walk to town to find out what the situation and cost was going to be in getting the gas they had at the local station.  It was clouding and breezy so the 30+ minute walk didn’t add much to my attitude.

I get to the station and look at the cylinders in the cage out front of the building.  Two brands, neither of which is either of the brands I have.  Great, what are the damages going to be?  An attendant, one with fairly good English actually, comes to help.  He starts listing other brands that they offer, but he doesn’t recognize the brands I have.  But the conversation is a little hard to understand for each of us, so he says just look.  He opens a door just by the cage and shows me a room with several dozen tanks or various brands.  And I spot two tanks with one of my brands.  My day just got a whole lot better.  Just need to transport the empty tank from the house and the full tank back.  A piki piki ride will do it, but Joe has already offered to drive his vehicle.  So after I walk back, in the warming sun, we load the tank and head to the station. 

The exchange is quick and painless.  Give them the empty tank, and he goes to get a full tank.  And he grabs a K-GAS tank, not a OiLibya one like I have.  No we say, we need the same brand, yes we know the gas is the same, but it’s not our tank, we need the same.  “Same Same” as he puts it.  Yes.  I pay the 2250 ksh, no receipt, no fuss and only about 400 ksh than it would cost in Kisumu.  Definitely worth it. 

And to top the trip off we go to the ice plant and pick up some to fill our coolers.  I’m in such a great mood that I get two helpings.  I only wanted one and a half, but they can’t figure that out and I need to take two even though they scoop it out with a bucket.

I also go a little over board at the local store, buying things to stock the cooler with and a few other snacks.  I’m in such a great mood having a full gas cylinder in the car.  Turns out I should have gotten more.  Not that the selection of items that can be refrigerated is immense.  Mostly yogurt and sodas. 

Still have ice in the cooler today and a couple more sodas that we bought yesterday and we are having chapatti chips, salsa and guac for dinner.  Life was never this good at the parish.

Yet I still have to talk myself into doing much around here.

Signing off,

Paul

Not so much fun – Joyce & Morgan

So, Morgan and I were having lunch in a small “hotel” in Kisumu after having just returned from our Love Kampala Christian festival.  “Hotels” here are what we call restaurants.  This place (I can’t remember what it is called) is one of Morgan and Kelsey’s favorite little dives in the center of the city.  After lunch, Morgan had just paid the bill as we stepped out into the street and just as she was putting her money away a young man snatched it away from her and ran away.  Well, as her mother was horrified to see this happen, Morgan decided to run like a bat-outta-hell after the guy.  She was yelling and running so fast as I just stood and yelled after them.  There must have been 100 people standing around watching this happen and no one went after her to help her.  She ran through a small field and disappeared around some houses – all the while I was saying to the people around us that “no one is helping her”.  I lose sight of her and tried not to be worried, but she did “text” me with a few minutes to tell me where to meet her. 

After our thief at the boarder incident last year, I was wondering what was going to happen this time.  Last time, the thief could have been stoned to death if the police didn’t stop the crazy mob that chased after him.  This time, no one joined in Morgan’s race.  Thank God that the guy got away and Morgan only came home with scrapes and bruises from falling down in the field…as people were just standing watching her.

A nice “pastorly” type of man did go to find her and walk back with her.  We are so disappointed that no one helped her, but he told us that it was probably a gang member who was the thief and just that morning someone was killed right near this area by a gang.  The man said that people were fearing for their lives – that’s why they didn’t help.  I am glad he told us that because it made it somehow better and understandable.  As I was waiting for her to return I did have many concerned people talking to me and shaking their heads and making clicking noises (that is a common noise that Luos make when they don’t like something).  We were also glad that a mob did not form….  That man was lucky!

When we returned to Morgan’s apartment and told her roommates what happened, I said that maybe things have to happen like this to remind them that they need to be careful – all the time.  Ginger, one of her roommates, has lived in Nairobi most of her time in Kenya and her response was “Oh, I have had so many things stolen from me…I even had a policeman steal my camera from me and deny that I just watched him do it”. I asked Morgan NOT to run after anyone again….for her mother’s sake if nothing else!

Unfortunately, Morgan and I had just returned from this great weekend at the Palau Festival and this brought us down.  Morgan said that she was glad it happened to her and not someone who couldn’t take it…just like her to say something like that. One of our orphan overseers and CGA said “the ENEMY is angry after all the good that was done in Kampala”. Good words to remind us that we are always being tested in this life.  In Kenya more than at home….