Market and Goat Roast

It is my 21st birthday and I am here in Kenya! After arriving in Kenya yesterday we rode in a Land cruiser to the camp. My first impressions of the outskirts of Nairobi (Kenya's capitol): cold dusty air, really friendly people, lots of delivery trucks, land cruiser styled cars, and motorcycles but almost no personal vehicles. The land is flat with short brown grass, a few trees, and rolling hills in the distance. On the initial drive from Nairobi to the camp, I saw camels and giraffes! Giraffes! On my first day! I was so excited that I immediately fell asleep in the bumpy land cruiser.

Our driver, Jackson, pulled over and bought some sugarcane on the side of the road for us to try. It is similar to the consistency of bamboo but not hallow. We gnawed on it and sucked out the sweet liquid, then threw away the rind.


The front porch of my banda.


One thing I want to share, when I get the chance, is a basic part of life for me here in Kenya. I have spent two nights here and am staying in a banda (hut) with three roommates. The banda has a front and a back door, enough room for a narrow walkway, four beds, and two cabinets. Leigh and I sleep on opposite sides of the walkway with the cabinets slightly separating us from Courtney and Vanessa. The base of the banda is made from cement while the A-frame is made mostly of burlap on the inside and an exterior of some sort of wide-leafed grass. It is extremely comfortable! My favorite part is the mosquito netting! We each have one that we tuck into the edges of our mattresses so they are pulled tight. This keeps out the mosquitoes, bugs, tarantulas, and snakes like black mambas and red spitting cobras. Not only do they provide security and a little bit of privacy but they also add a romantic feel. The morning light will shimmer through my net in the morning and it takes my breath away.


Today we have just had classes which are interesting but I won't go into too much detail. Yesterday we went to the Kimana market which was awesome! Basically it was an area where people had laid down plastic in the dirt and had things to buy placed in the plastic. Some stalls were covered by black sheets of practice as a roof. Paths with debris weaved in and out of the stalls as did the people! Babies, teenagers, old women- so many people! It was very intimidating at first; we were definitely stared at. Where we are in Kenya is not a tourist location at all, so it was odd for them to see so many white people. As soon as we walked into the booth area I walked by two little boys who reached their hands towards mine, to hold in passing. Even though it was only for a moment, that made me really want to delve into the experience. We walked through the dirty narrow paths being followed and surrounded by mamas. The mamas wore tons of jewelry and were trying to sell tons more! Everywhere one of us went, a cluster of mamas followed. I bought a shuka which is a traditional garb usually found in a checkered print of red with black or blue. It is worn over the shoulders like a scarf that falls over the torso. I also bought two necklaces and was given a bracelet as a gift.

After the market, the local staff roasted a goat which is a huge honor in Maasai culture. They took the time, energy, and their own money to have the ceremony for us. Even though I didn't eat the goat, I understand that it was their culture's way of establishing a strong friendship with us.



Remains of the goat roast.