Small Victories

Thanks for hanging in there these past couple of weeks.

(warning: this post is a bit random and probably not written very well)

I still don’t have a homestay but soon hopefully. And an internship soon! I hope (life here involves a lot of waiting). I’m starting to find the humor in this situation. I do, however, have a working ipod! And they fixed it for free. I have no idea what was wrong with it, but they gave back to me working and said I didn’t have to pay anything.

It’s all about small victories here. So I take what I can get.

I’m still staying with Atara’s homestay. Atara lives with a woman named Nikta who has five grown children. Atara’s grandparents were missionaries in the Congo and Nikta actually met them as a girl and Nikta ended up moving to Kenya as an adult. Basically Atara’s family has known Nikta forever. Anyway, her house is nice. Atara has an extra bed in her room so that’s where I’ve been staying. Nikta has been so kind to me and shown such great hospitality. I’m so thankful to her.

So Atara’s house is half between Karen and Ngong. Karen is a suuburb of Nairobi and it’s where a lot of white people live, which surprised me a little. There are many nice houses and a few shopping centers. It reminds me a lot of South Africa. Outside of the mzungus(white people) meeting places I stick out quite a bit. I get a lot of attention.

The weather has been kinda random. It’s been cold and muggy the past couple of weeks. It usually warms up by the afternoon. Then there are days like today where it’s gorgeous outside and so warm. But we want rain! Nairobi and probably much of Kenya is in the middle of a drought. It’s estimated that Nairobi will run out of water in five years.

Kenya has no plain m+m’s (my absolute favorite candy) and there are no McDonalds! Imagine that and you thought Mcdonalds were everywhere. Well of course Mcdonalds and all those other global fast food places wanted to come to Nairobi, but Kenya wanted them to use their products. as opposed to importing thier products. Mcdonalds and the other guys didn’t like that so no Mcdonalds. They do have this chicken place which I’ve heard is the closest thing to fast food. I have yet to try it, but I’ve heard it’s good.

Like South Africa they are rationing power here. We don’t have power til 6 on Tuesday, Thursday and then 1pm of Saturday. So that’s something to get used to. It definitely influences how you plan your day.

I have yet to get sick so that’s another small victory!


Life has been slow these past couple of weeks. Without an internship my days are spent reading, walking or taking small outings (Atara is gone at her internship). I can get around by myself now so that helps a little. The lack of busyness has caused me to think of home quite bit which has led to quite a bit of homesickness. But i think once things start happening, I'll be alright.


If you want to know anything else just ask!


I'm going to try to share some pictures. The internet is not so great.