I Flew Around the World

When I was a kid, we'd often accompany an uncle to the airport as he jetsetted to work in different parts of the world. I was envious of the people (mostly junguz) lugging suitcases and backpacks ready to fly out. Who cares where they were going? It was an adventure. I'd listen wide-eyed as my Dad and Uncle would regale us with stories of life abroad. Little did I know that someday, I, too, would be one of those travellers....

_________________________________________________

How do you know that you live in shagz?

When an answer to "Unaishi wapi?" results in: "You know K? Sawa, wakati unaelekea P, unapitia barabara ya kuenda R, halafu ukifika sokoni T unaingia ndani. Fuata barabara kwa kilomita nane na utafika C."
To keep it simple, I often shorten the answer to K, the main town where everybody goes shopping and to have some fun.

Change is unavoidable. Progress at home is invariably measured in terms of land and construction. It happens in the cities and extends to the villages. I was somewhat amazed at the structures that had mushroomed on a previously open field where cows grazed occasionally. I remember the days when we'd buy sweets at the main kiosk and eat chips and nyama fry at the main "hoteli." Now, there are a dozen. And that hoteli no longer exists:(

_________________________________________________


Sidenote:***For anybody visiting Kenya for the first time, beware that the word 'hotel' is used rather liberally. It can describe a luxurious 5-star hotel, a dingy backstreet lodging above a bar, or a place to eat. On our drive home from Nairobi, I spotted the sign "Undugu Silent Hotel." It was one of those simple buildings with a mabati roof. Sure enough, all the windows were boarded up and there was no sign of life. So, do you think the guests are instructed to shut up as soon as they enter? I find so much humor in Kenyan life=)

_________________________________________________

Familiarity is comforting. Walking into my bedroom and seeing the curtains and wall hangings just warmed me up. I enjoyed being in my parents' house that has a beautiful yard with trees, flowers, and a vegetable garden. I used to take it all for granted and never understood when visitors would rave about the beauty around us. I can see why my parents moved us there. I currently live in an apartment in a densely populated urban area so I appreciated all the space. I never used to get the idea of going to a park till I lived in this area.

I found it strange that some people thought I didn't understand Kiswahili well. Nobody can mistake me for a Tzian (although this actually happened one day) or someone from Coast; I don't speak sheng and wouldn't be able to write a prize-winning insha, but I do get by. Of course, I'd love to stay in either one of those places and be able to speak Swa with that rhythmic, melodic sound.

______________________________________________

Aviatophobia, aviophobia, or pteromerhanophobia are words used to describe the fear of flying (courtesy of wiki). Often, fear stems from the fact that you don't know what to expect. The first time I got on a plane, it was a domestic flight. I was very excited. I remember fumbling with the seatbelt before the kind gentleman next to me helped me snap it in place.

Domestic flights in the U.S. are relatively affordable, but there are still tons of Americans who've never been on a plane. There are always risks you have to take. On the last stretch of my flight back here, we delayed on the runway for over an hour while the engines were being checked out. Strangely, I wasn't anxious, just irritated. When I think about being in a plane crash, my first thought is about life insurance coz chances of surviving are slim. I'm not a morbid person, but I have preferences: I don't want to drown, die in a car, or have a chronic illness that will kill me painfully over many years. I have relatives who've died under suspicious circumstances that leave many questions unanswered. It's been said that the only certainties are death and taxes. I'll save my tax rant for another day (or night).

Resolutions? Goals? Aspirations?

I've read some blogs where New Year's "resolutions" have been thrown out the window in favor of "goals." And I'm liking it. So, pardon me as I dub your ideas and share a few of the goals I have for this year 2007:

1)Learn how to swim--in the deep end without floaters. It gets a little embarassing hanging out in the shallow end with the toddlers. This is something I should have learned to do when I was a kid. Nobody's self-conscious about their body or hair then. In my younger days, I took a few lessons randomly then finally went to a school where it was an organized activity. It was fun before the older girls would entertain us with stories of people who died in that pool. I was in a vulnerable state of mind and couldn't go back after that. So I dropped out.
**I've already signed up for a swimming class at school. Not sure if I can stick it out. I'll need more than a year to work on this.

2) Successfully complete 2 sems of full-time classes at my school. It's a juggling act but it's got to happen.

3) Spend my summer in a different part of the country and visit at least 2 or 3 new cities on my list.

4) Save X amount by the end of the year. If I'm successful, then I know exactly where to put it.

5) Take the GRE 1 or 2 times, dig up more info on my top ten, and compile grad school requirements. By this time next year, I'd have narrowed the choices down.

P.S. I wrote these down on few weeks ago on old-fashioned pen and paper.

"There and Back"

Guess who's back? (like you really had to...)

The past few weeks I spent at home will always be among the most memorable times of my life. I feel amazing after being immersed in the love, warmth, and comforts of home. Spent quality time with peroz (love you Mom and Dad) and relaz. I experienced so much in Kenya, there's no way I could put it all in words. I will share some observations and incidents that a lot of KBWers can identify with. When I left this place, I felt like an old car that was running on an empty fuel tank. Right now, it's the opposite: I am energized, filled to the brim and overflowing. Let me attempt to get some sleep because of an 8am class in the morning.

Nyumbani

I got home safely, long long layover along the way. I'd read and doze off then wake up to find only 1 hr had gone by. The warm welcome at JKIA was well worth the hassles I went through. Even the immigration dudes were enthusiastic (One even proposed.) Everything is lush and green (lots of rain). I'm taking lots of pics. Lots of changes but some things are the same. I'm eating such good food. Enjoying the comforts of home. Taking it easy away from everything. Lots of r 'n r (I always wanted to use that expression).

Glad to look back to last year and see that I fulfilled all my resolutions--at least the ones I blogged about. It was a first coz I don't usually make resolutions.It's such an amazing feeling to plan specific things out and have them happen.

All the best in 2007 everybody! Hope your dreams come true. Don't know who said, "If you don't have a dream, then how are you gonna make a dream come true?"