A broad volunteering, part 5

Hello fam!

Well, I've made it a month! YIPPEE, HURRAY, THREE CHEERS FOR ME! Let's do three more..

Per recent requests, I have pictures! I sort of rushed picking them (they are from Manal's camera, since I always forget to take pictures), so they are from random days. I'm also wearing the same headband in all of them, which is funny since I don't wear it very often. Just wanted to clarify.

Picking and cleaning kale with Josefa and Lee.

Being welcomed by the kiddos in the morning and getting a squeeze from Teresia.

Some serious prayer.

We finished Marilia's renovations last week (some minor bits still need to be done). Here's the before shot of the bedrooms..

And the after! New floors, matresses, pillows, curtains, rug, towells, fresh paint, and a toy for each kid!

Us cooking for the renovation party last Tuesday (Josefa, one of the women, Manal, Jared, and meee).

Had to include this one of Ann (tiny little thing). At the end of the party each girl got a doll or barbie and each boy a truck -- they were SO excited! This picture makes me cry.

So, anyway. Africa is good! Very hot right now, actually. I'm waiting for a big rain to come because it didn't all weekend. Some of the volunteers went to Zanzibar for a week, a trip that I was supposed to go on but backed out last minute, so it was a quiet and lazy weekend for me. Went to the market, went out for lunch at the cafe, etc. They sell DVDs everywhere for ridiculously cheap prices, and I was able to snag season one and four of 30 Rock for a combined amount of about $3.50, and it was really nice to watch it on one of my roommate's computers. Felt like home.

Speaking of buying things, I really should have practiced my bargaining tactics, because apparently I'm terrible at it. I continuously buy things and walk away thinking I just scored the best deal of my life, and then hear someone got it for half the price. Bargaining is like a game here, and sometimes I really enjoy it. Don't worry, I'm not ripping anyone off, just attempting to prevent them from doing it to me. As you can imagine, white people get prices that are incredibly inflated, and when you give them a counter offer they give you this hurt look, as if you just told them they were hideous, and usually say something like "Oh, sistah, you must go higher." It's all such bs. But, no more, I tell you. This muzungo knows their game.

Let's see, what other details can I fill you in on. Well, for one, ignore the rumors about me loosing weight here, because it aint gonna happen. And by rumors, I mean when I told everyone I was going on an Africa diet and then envisioned myself walked down the aisle at Catherine's wedding all gazelle-like. The food here is all carbs and starches. I've done some grocery shopping for some supplemental foods, but still, there's no avoiding it. The biggest food here is ugali, which is pretty much Annie's hell. It's looks like a thicker, grainier mashed potatoes, but it's just water and flour slowly cooked. Good thing I don't like it because that shiz could really do some damage on my behind. I eat lunch at the orphanage, which most days is rice and beans (I skip it on ugali days), and dinner is whatever Charity makes. However, the fruit is pretty delicious and very cheap. Lots of days I'll pick up a mango on the way home from work, and it's only 10 shillings (I think it's currently about 75 shillings to an American dollar). As far as the rest of my looks go, my farmer's tan is shaping up quite nicely ( my nose is permanently red, no matter what I do) and my feet.. well.. they aren't pretty. I think I'm going to treat myself to a niiiiice pedicure when I get home.

Update on work: I think I am getting some street cred with the women. I've been trying to work really hard, and they all seem to be warming to me a lot because of it (or, at least, I think because of it). I also need to take back some of the things I said previously. Some of the women (see: Joyce) can be rude and frustrating, but the ones that live there work their butt's off, and I need to give them more credit.

Other miscellaneous updates: 1) All the cows I pass are chomping on grass and, again, I can't help but think of Annie. I'm like, HEY! GRASS-FED COWS! 2) The beer here is called Tusker and not only is it yummy, but the bottles are huge and sometimes about a dollar each. Plus, plus, plus. Minus on the part where it prevents me from getting my gazelle-like body. 3) I've taken to killing many an insect with my bare hands. Sorta proud of that one, but not totally. 4) There was a lizard in my bedroom the other night, and I didn't even scream. I was just like, ugh, I'm too tired, get out. 5) My most recent terrifying matatu experience happened last week when the driver slowed down a bit and then hopped out of the door. Just like that. We were gliding along with no driver and then a bit later a new one hopped right in and sped up as if the trade-off was totally standard. Oy.

That's about it. Sorry if this post of all over the place! BTW - I loved, loved, loved the recent Buri flickr pics of Easter (made me miss home so much!) and the one's of the G family, don't even get me started. As usual, I miss you all loads and love you lots. I just wish you could all be here, it's really incredible.

xoxo Lisette