So this is in no way meant to be stereotypes or concrete information about Kenya or Africa in general simply my observations over the past few months.
1)It is absolutely beautiful here ALL THE TIME! It is currently the dry season(No rain at all) which means that most things are brown but this doesn't take away from the scenery at all. I live in the Rift Valley which is basically mountains and rolling hills everywhere. I always wanted to live in the mountains but I hate cold weather so this is perfect for me, usually temp has been around 25 Celsius which is pretty darn war,. There isn't a day that doesn't go by that I don't just sit and stare into the distance and think wow I want this view forever(if my friends and family were here with me of course).
2)Kenyans do not recognize privacy and personal space as Americans do. This took a longgggg time to get used to. I would say my 1st month I was actually afraid someone would rob me and I wouldn't even know it because everyone stands so close you don't know what's going on. They overpack vehicles(up to 7 in cars and 20 in a 11 passenger matatu) and don't seem to mind people sitting on top of one another or care to open windows no matter how stuffy it is. I usually get grunts/rude looks when I open a window ha. I've gotten a little better with my kids standing over me as I read the paper because they want to look at the pictures, or holding my hands/cuddling me. Let's say if there is one thing that will change about me over these 2 years it will be that. I will come back a much more "touchy feely" person haha hide your kids hide your wife...well maybe not your kids that's a little sick.
3)Coats/hats/sweaters are worn even when its 90 degrees out. I live about 20 km from the equator so the sun is always blazing and I'm usually the only one sweating. My students never hesitate to point out my sweat stains on my shirt :/. Mothers here bundle their children in layers upon layers, students wear full uniforms which include an button up undershirt and a sweater, and grown men just simply wear a full 3 piece suit to go to the post office. Its pretty funny to see.
4)Kenyans aren't as poor as the world thinks. I feel like when the western world hears the word Africa they immediately think of little dirty children with their ribs showing. While this is obviously the case in some areas of Africa and Kenya its not the case for all. Many people now have electricity and maybe even water here. I also know quite a few people with personal vehicles. And EVERYONE has a cellphone. Most people in my area own land of some sort and usually livestock(Mostly cows/goats/chicken) so food is around. I can walk 10 mins and get the basic fruits and veggies or ride for 25 and get basically anything I need from a small town(only 2 streets haha). So I have no complaints at all. Honestly I hate the idea of poverty especially in a country like this one. This idea did not come about until the British made their way into this area. Before then who cared about having a nice car or big things.The basics of surviving was the only thing that was important and passing on your culture.
5)Kenyans believe that America is the land of milk and honey. I hate this one...so much-___-. I am not rich, no where close to it. Actually spent all 18 years of my childhood under the poverty line but we made it work some how. When Kenyans constantly imply that I am rich because I have some basic things I feel so many things:anger, guilt, sadness, confused, I could go on and on, actually I think I will post a separate blog about this later.
6)As beautiful as Kenya is the trash really kills the mood at times. This is typically in larger cities, for example when I travel to Nakuru there is a giant landfill of what seems to be just plastics bags and a HORRIBLE smell for a good 5 mins. Kenya has not gotten the whole waste management thing together yet. Most people simply burn their trash-it makes me cringe every Wednesday when my kids make me throw my trash in the school fire. They even insist that I throw left over food in there...uh no there are many cows/chickens/dogs/goats that will eat my left over fruits and veggies I'll just throw it in my yard.
7)Cleanliness is next to Godliness. I will kill two birds with one stone in this one. Kenyans love their Christian God and being clean and looking smart means everything to Kenyans. Even though their 'smart' usually consist of possibly wearing a second hand shirt with some ridiculous saying that they don't understand(I've seen old men with sorority caps on). As far as religion is concerned, I totally believe to each its own but this is not necessarily the case here. You MUST have a religion of some sort(typically Muslim or christian) and you are expected to be open and very expressive when it comes to this religion. Religion is taught in school(in my school its only Christian Religion Education(CRE) despite the fact that we have some muslims)and students are required to attend a church service on Friday as well as Sundays. I have many feelings about this but I think it's best not to go too deep into this. I'll just leave it at this...In my mind religion is meant to be good for the society but when people use it to justify killing people for doing some petty crime or marrying many women well that's when it makes me cringe.
8)If you read my random facebook updates then you have already heard this one...It's ok to pick your nose! I LOVE IT! Like most of us, I started picking my nose as a child. My dad did it and of course I wanted to be just like him I would pick my nose and pluck the boogers all over the room/car/floor/you get the idea. Well soon enough I learned this was not ok by American standards and boy was I sad. But now its fine so Im happy again:)
9)People here are very hospitable.I don't know if its because I'm American(I tell myself this is not the case) or it's just the way of life around here but people are always helping me out/giving me things/just trying to talk to me. I appreciate it and think its so wonderful but I often feel bad because I don't know what to say to some questions like "Do you all pay dowry for your wives in America"(haha you should have seen my face the 1st time I heard that one). Or I feel bad because I don't have much to give,once again going back to the I'm not rich thing and I dont want to start passing out freebies to give off the wrong idea(I did that with my Class 8 a few times-I gave them fruit that I got from the market because the kids rarely have fruit during school term. Soon afterwards they were calling me rich so I had to stop.) Its a thin line between generous and rich when you're a mzungu...I'm still trying to figure out that line.
10)Animals are just that in Kenya, animals. They wouldn't dare name their dogs/cats. They would NEVER be in the house maybe even not close to the door. What is dog/cat food...all animals eat ugali or at least that's what my class 4 science kids told me haha. Animals are here to serve a purpose.Donkeys are basically slaves. It honestly makes me sad/uncomfortable every time I see a donkey pulling a heavy load and its behind is pink/raw because it has been whipped so much. All other animals are meant to be eaten(I know its the same in America but when you don't have to see the animals slaughtered it just makes life a little easier.) So yeah I know the meat is much better for me here I am still unable to make my way into a butcher and watch him saw off some beef for me to take home or slit a chicken's throat(even though I REALLY want to when I walk in my room and one is chilling on y bed because I left my door open for 2 minutes.) Oh Kenya...Chickens in my bed, cows and goats in my yard and a puppy sleeping in my doorway. Gotta love it.
That's about all I'm willing to type right now. I know I'm lazy, thousands of miles won't change that about me. If you want to know more feel free to hop on a plane and explore this lovely country with me...no really that would be great:)
Also only 2 weeks until the end of my 1st term and a much deserved break YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!
