Just a couple weeks ago I turned to Bethany and said “man, I’m on cloud nine right now.” Her response somewhat caught me by surprise. “Steph, you’ve been saying that for months.”
This simple interaction has been on my mind for some time now. I have traced the last couple of months in my head. I remember saying that in Egypt while horseback riding through the Sahara desert after sunset with the Pyramids at our backs. I remember saying that while my Grandfather and Uncle came to visit. I remember saying that over a million times while being surrounded by children that I love. I am left grateful at what my life has become over the past 7 months.
A couple months ago I was faced with an issue I wasn’t sure how I was going to solve. My visa had expired and I still had 3 months left in Kenya. Leaving the country and coming back was an obvious solution however, my bank account stared me in the face and laughed. There was no way I was going to be able to afford a trip outside East Africa. Enter to the equation, two incredible Flying Kites visitors that brought me along on some of their Nairobi visits and treated me to an unforgettable night at one of the nicest hotels in all of Africa. The Giraffe Manor is a beautiful place in itself, add the fact that giraffes surround the property and greet you through the window, and I, was “on cloud nine”. That night a group of about 4 couples from Missouri also arrived at Giraffe Manor. It was merely minutes after their arrival that conversation sparked between all of us. After some time, my trip to Kenya came up in discussion and my visa issue was out in the open. No longer than 20 minutes later, did one of our new friends approach me with $400 in his hand. He looked at me and said, “Go. Go and come back to complete what you’ve started.” I stared at him and was speechless. Tears ran down my face. I was so touched by this man’s generosity that tears were impossible to hold back.
So, there I was with $400 to use towards a trip to renew my visa. But where to go? Traveling to Egypt has always been this unreachable goal of mine that all of a sudden was achievable. Ever since learning about Egypt in Mr. Tucker’s 8th grade History class, this land rich in history and culture was a place I had to visit. Although Egypt was in a state of unrest due to the Revolution that was taking place, I knew that turning down such an opportunity would be something I would regret for the rest of my life. I couldn’t let some instability hold me back. With two other volunteer friends on board, it was a done deal. Bethany, Erin and I flew into Cairo on the 11th of March, from there, a trip to remember followed.
On day one of our trip, we went directly to the Giza Pyramids, on camelback nonetheless. I have no words to describe the sheer excitement I felt as I faced such impressive and remarkable pieces of history. As my friends and I stared jaw dropped in amazement we noticed silence all around us. What is usually one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world was incredibly empty. We were the only people in Cairo it seemed. It was as if they had shutdown Egypt for our arrival. Although we knew that that was far from the truth, it was fun to pretend. With no one around, it was impossible to give up an opportunity to get away with things that normally would be unheard of. So, the three of us were off, up a pyramid. We got nearly 2/3rd of the way up before our guide asked us to come down. Climbing up the pyramid was not only a thrill but a way to truly understand the immense size of these structures.
Day two included a trip to the legendary Cairo Museum, which, turned out to be another unforgettable experience. We spent nearly six hours winding around the museum admiring and soaking in every bit of information that we could as we listened in suspense to our guide describe these ancient artifacts. From King Tut’s burial dress to the numerous mummies on display, the Cairo Museum was filled with excitement. However, once again, that excitement was shared with the three of us and only a handful of other tourists. What usually welcomes nearly 10,000 visitors daily, The Cairo Museum only had 500 people come through its door’s by 5 o’clock that day. The revolution had done some serious harm to the tourist industry and as a result, an equally negative effect on the economy. The revolution also caused some serious physical damage. Around almost every corner stood an empty display case that had been broken into and robbed while the community was so distracted by the overall instability of the country. Despite the violence and chaos that the revolution caused, it was an exciting time for Egyptians. Mubarak’s step down was a huge accomplishment for the country and a reason for celebration. The streets were covered with Egyptian flags, smiles, and stickers that depicted the revolution’s start date, January 25th. It was evident that the dip in the economy and a few stolen artifacts was a small price to pay for Egypt’s Freedom.
Perhaps my favorite day of the trip was our last full day in Cairo. After a cup of tea at a local outdoor café, we spent most of the day at the Bizarre, a famous Egyptian market full with Egyptian spices, jewelry, and souvenirs. After many hours of bargaining and exploring the Bizarre, we took a break for another delicious Egyptian meal. Lunch consisted of falaful, humus, eggplant and BBQ chicken. What made this day so memorable was what followed dinner. Just as the sun was setting the three of us climbed up on horseback and road off into the Saharan Dessert. We rode for nearly half an hour until we reached a hut in the middle of the dessert. There, a fire pit and cups of hot tea waited for us. The three of us along with our guides sat and talked about the Egyptian revolution, culture, and what a typical life in Egypt meant. This conversation lasted for what seemed like hours. Unfortunately it eventually grew time to turn back. Holding on for dear life as these horses ran as fast as they possibly could was an exhilarating experience on its own, add the fact that this was all going on with the most incredible view, the pyramids, in the background and I, was once again, “on cloud nine.”
My Uncle and Grandfather arrived to Kenya on the 19th of March. It was my grandfather’s first time visiting Africa and was my uncle’s first time back to Kenya after volunteering here for nearly 2 years at a Polytechnic 40 years ago. Both were two trips I was very excited to be a part of. After spending 3 days at Flying Kites the three of us were off in search of my Uncle’s old school and home. However, our departure was only after the kids fell in love with both of them. There wasn’t a second during their stay that they weren’t completed surrounded by kids. I think for my grandfather, this was simply because he is the most gentle, loving and friendly man you’ll ever meet. As for my Uncle, I think his knowledge of the kid’s Mother Tongue and overall excitement and energy was more than enough for these children and, of course matrons, to fall completely in love. The next four days or so were spent searching for the Polytechnic and for old friends of my Uncle’s. It was as if our trip was a scavenger hunt and every person we ran in to held a small clue to help us along. Well, our search was a success. Not only did we find the school, we found the family he worked with at the Polytechnic. This family was so genuinely happy to see my uncle after all that time. They treated the three of us like family. They hosted us for 3 days, introduced us to friends, and showed us around their town. I feel so honored to have been a part of this trip. I was so happy to have been there as my Uncle relived such an important part of his life alongside his father.
This past Easter was, for all the right reasons, by far the most unique Easter I have ever been a part of. For one, Easter baskets were replaced with Easter rain boots. The kids were surprised with candy filled boots on Easter Monday morning. Yes, Easter Monday. In Kenya, Easter Sunday doesn’t exist, instead, Easter is always on a Monday. Our Easter continued with an Egg Hunt once the kids’ bellies were full of jellybeans. Being that our kids are known to be fairly competitive with one another, this was on serious Hunt. It will come as no surprise to anyone when I say that an Easter Egg Hunt isn’t the typical method of celebrating Easter in Kenya. Because of this, we wanted to make sure that as many kids as possible could join in on the fun. After every last egg was found, the Flying Kites children were in charge of re-hiding them for our neighbors to find. Through the eyes of a child who has never heard of such a tradition, seeing this take place must have been the most foreign they’ve ever seen. However, after some explanation and encouragement from our kids, the hunt was on and all of our visitors had a great time.
This simple interaction has been on my mind for some time now. I have traced the last couple of months in my head. I remember saying that in Egypt while horseback riding through the Sahara desert after sunset with the Pyramids at our backs. I remember saying that while my Grandfather and Uncle came to visit. I remember saying that over a million times while being surrounded by children that I love. I am left grateful at what my life has become over the past 7 months.
A couple months ago I was faced with an issue I wasn’t sure how I was going to solve. My visa had expired and I still had 3 months left in Kenya. Leaving the country and coming back was an obvious solution however, my bank account stared me in the face and laughed. There was no way I was going to be able to afford a trip outside East Africa. Enter to the equation, two incredible Flying Kites visitors that brought me along on some of their Nairobi visits and treated me to an unforgettable night at one of the nicest hotels in all of Africa. The Giraffe Manor is a beautiful place in itself, add the fact that giraffes surround the property and greet you through the window, and I, was “on cloud nine”. That night a group of about 4 couples from Missouri also arrived at Giraffe Manor. It was merely minutes after their arrival that conversation sparked between all of us. After some time, my trip to Kenya came up in discussion and my visa issue was out in the open. No longer than 20 minutes later, did one of our new friends approach me with $400 in his hand. He looked at me and said, “Go. Go and come back to complete what you’ve started.” I stared at him and was speechless. Tears ran down my face. I was so touched by this man’s generosity that tears were impossible to hold back.
So, there I was with $400 to use towards a trip to renew my visa. But where to go? Traveling to Egypt has always been this unreachable goal of mine that all of a sudden was achievable. Ever since learning about Egypt in Mr. Tucker’s 8th grade History class, this land rich in history and culture was a place I had to visit. Although Egypt was in a state of unrest due to the Revolution that was taking place, I knew that turning down such an opportunity would be something I would regret for the rest of my life. I couldn’t let some instability hold me back. With two other volunteer friends on board, it was a done deal. Bethany, Erin and I flew into Cairo on the 11th of March, from there, a trip to remember followed.
On day one of our trip, we went directly to the Giza Pyramids, on camelback nonetheless. I have no words to describe the sheer excitement I felt as I faced such impressive and remarkable pieces of history. As my friends and I stared jaw dropped in amazement we noticed silence all around us. What is usually one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world was incredibly empty. We were the only people in Cairo it seemed. It was as if they had shutdown Egypt for our arrival. Although we knew that that was far from the truth, it was fun to pretend. With no one around, it was impossible to give up an opportunity to get away with things that normally would be unheard of. So, the three of us were off, up a pyramid. We got nearly 2/3rd of the way up before our guide asked us to come down. Climbing up the pyramid was not only a thrill but a way to truly understand the immense size of these structures.
Day two included a trip to the legendary Cairo Museum, which, turned out to be another unforgettable experience. We spent nearly six hours winding around the museum admiring and soaking in every bit of information that we could as we listened in suspense to our guide describe these ancient artifacts. From King Tut’s burial dress to the numerous mummies on display, the Cairo Museum was filled with excitement. However, once again, that excitement was shared with the three of us and only a handful of other tourists. What usually welcomes nearly 10,000 visitors daily, The Cairo Museum only had 500 people come through its door’s by 5 o’clock that day. The revolution had done some serious harm to the tourist industry and as a result, an equally negative effect on the economy. The revolution also caused some serious physical damage. Around almost every corner stood an empty display case that had been broken into and robbed while the community was so distracted by the overall instability of the country. Despite the violence and chaos that the revolution caused, it was an exciting time for Egyptians. Mubarak’s step down was a huge accomplishment for the country and a reason for celebration. The streets were covered with Egyptian flags, smiles, and stickers that depicted the revolution’s start date, January 25th. It was evident that the dip in the economy and a few stolen artifacts was a small price to pay for Egypt’s Freedom.
Perhaps my favorite day of the trip was our last full day in Cairo. After a cup of tea at a local outdoor café, we spent most of the day at the Bizarre, a famous Egyptian market full with Egyptian spices, jewelry, and souvenirs. After many hours of bargaining and exploring the Bizarre, we took a break for another delicious Egyptian meal. Lunch consisted of falaful, humus, eggplant and BBQ chicken. What made this day so memorable was what followed dinner. Just as the sun was setting the three of us climbed up on horseback and road off into the Saharan Dessert. We rode for nearly half an hour until we reached a hut in the middle of the dessert. There, a fire pit and cups of hot tea waited for us. The three of us along with our guides sat and talked about the Egyptian revolution, culture, and what a typical life in Egypt meant. This conversation lasted for what seemed like hours. Unfortunately it eventually grew time to turn back. Holding on for dear life as these horses ran as fast as they possibly could was an exhilarating experience on its own, add the fact that this was all going on with the most incredible view, the pyramids, in the background and I, was once again, “on cloud nine.”
My Uncle and Grandfather arrived to Kenya on the 19th of March. It was my grandfather’s first time visiting Africa and was my uncle’s first time back to Kenya after volunteering here for nearly 2 years at a Polytechnic 40 years ago. Both were two trips I was very excited to be a part of. After spending 3 days at Flying Kites the three of us were off in search of my Uncle’s old school and home. However, our departure was only after the kids fell in love with both of them. There wasn’t a second during their stay that they weren’t completed surrounded by kids. I think for my grandfather, this was simply because he is the most gentle, loving and friendly man you’ll ever meet. As for my Uncle, I think his knowledge of the kid’s Mother Tongue and overall excitement and energy was more than enough for these children and, of course matrons, to fall completely in love. The next four days or so were spent searching for the Polytechnic and for old friends of my Uncle’s. It was as if our trip was a scavenger hunt and every person we ran in to held a small clue to help us along. Well, our search was a success. Not only did we find the school, we found the family he worked with at the Polytechnic. This family was so genuinely happy to see my uncle after all that time. They treated the three of us like family. They hosted us for 3 days, introduced us to friends, and showed us around their town. I feel so honored to have been a part of this trip. I was so happy to have been there as my Uncle relived such an important part of his life alongside his father.
This past Easter was, for all the right reasons, by far the most unique Easter I have ever been a part of. For one, Easter baskets were replaced with Easter rain boots. The kids were surprised with candy filled boots on Easter Monday morning. Yes, Easter Monday. In Kenya, Easter Sunday doesn’t exist, instead, Easter is always on a Monday. Our Easter continued with an Egg Hunt once the kids’ bellies were full of jellybeans. Being that our kids are known to be fairly competitive with one another, this was on serious Hunt. It will come as no surprise to anyone when I say that an Easter Egg Hunt isn’t the typical method of celebrating Easter in Kenya. Because of this, we wanted to make sure that as many kids as possible could join in on the fun. After every last egg was found, the Flying Kites children were in charge of re-hiding them for our neighbors to find. Through the eyes of a child who has never heard of such a tradition, seeing this take place must have been the most foreign they’ve ever seen. However, after some explanation and encouragement from our kids, the hunt was on and all of our visitors had a great time.
I have found that even the simplest incidents can leave me with a big smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart. Just the other day, I was outside our gate getting ready to walk down to town when a group of neighborhood kids on their way home from school came over to greet me. After a choir of “jambos” “habaris” and “muthiegas” I noticed a big bush of Honey Suckles behind them and was curious whether or not they knew what they were. Well, they didn’t and when I showed them how to get to the honey inside, they looked at me like I had five heads. It was quite a sight. I’m standing there holding out Honey Suckles to these kids and trying to explain to them how to get to the juice inside using the handful of Kikuyu and Swahili I know. Next thing I know a new group of neighbors turn the corner, this time, two young girls and their cucu (grandmother), each with pounds and pounds of firewood on their backs. They stopped dead in their tracks and ask “ni ni ni” which in this situation basically translates to “what in the world are you doing?” My response was simple, “juice!” I took three suckles off the bush and brought the juice up to their lips. With big smiles on their faces, each of them said “Tamu sana” almost in uniform, “very sweet”. This interaction immediately brought me back to spring time in New Jersey when my mother would teach me how to get the nectar from our honey suckle bushes. Now, it was my turn to share this secret.
Just this morning as I was on my way into town to steal a bit of electricity from a nearby café, a neighbor of ours came running up to me and asked “Auntie Steph I walk with you?” Well, the answer to that was obvious. Njega was on his was to school. He and I walked the entire way into town hand in hand sharing headphones as we danced, snapped, and sang along to whatever happened to come on my iPod. These small encounters are so carefree and effortless making them so unforgettable. I will miss those walks into town with whomever I just so happened to be sharing the road.
As I sit writing my last Blog entry with only a week left in Kenya, I find myself distracted at the fact that it truly has already been 8 months since I arrived. Where did the time go? My time in Kenya has changed me. It has changed the way I view the world, it has changed my definition of “normal”, it has made me stronger and has changed and simplified what I consider to be “needs”. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to take a year off before college to really understand more of the world and to understand more about myself. I wanted to take a year off to better someone else’s life and to give as much as possible to kids in need. However, I know that I have gained so much more than I could have possibly given in the past 8 months. I have learned so much from this experience but the most important lesson I have learned is a child’s undeniable ability to love. The children I have spent nearly everyday with over the past 230 days, despite their harsh histories and reasons for ending up in a child’s home, know how to love. I just hope I have given them half the affection they have given me.
The hardest part about falling head over heals in love with 27 children is the part where I have to say goodbye. I leave in a week, on the morning of the 31st. How will I say goodbye to the Flying Kites Kids, the staff, the town of Njabini, Kenya in general? I am not too sure. How do I reenter society after 8 months of life in a village in Africa? That, too, I am not so sure about. I do know however, that it will be a challenge. I also know, that my return home will be met by my loving family and friends. It will also be met with simple conveniences that I have missed so much. Reliable Internet, showers, Dunkin Doughnuts coffee, my car, ice, and a #22 from Brennan’s Deli will no longer be things I long for. With a week left, I am full with mixed emotions. I am sad to be leaving behind so many “cloud nine experiences” in Africa, but am confident that there will be just as many waiting for me back home.
See you all in a week! Love and Kisses, "Auntie Steph"
Just this morning as I was on my way into town to steal a bit of electricity from a nearby café, a neighbor of ours came running up to me and asked “Auntie Steph I walk with you?” Well, the answer to that was obvious. Njega was on his was to school. He and I walked the entire way into town hand in hand sharing headphones as we danced, snapped, and sang along to whatever happened to come on my iPod. These small encounters are so carefree and effortless making them so unforgettable. I will miss those walks into town with whomever I just so happened to be sharing the road.
As I sit writing my last Blog entry with only a week left in Kenya, I find myself distracted at the fact that it truly has already been 8 months since I arrived. Where did the time go? My time in Kenya has changed me. It has changed the way I view the world, it has changed my definition of “normal”, it has made me stronger and has changed and simplified what I consider to be “needs”. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to take a year off before college to really understand more of the world and to understand more about myself. I wanted to take a year off to better someone else’s life and to give as much as possible to kids in need. However, I know that I have gained so much more than I could have possibly given in the past 8 months. I have learned so much from this experience but the most important lesson I have learned is a child’s undeniable ability to love. The children I have spent nearly everyday with over the past 230 days, despite their harsh histories and reasons for ending up in a child’s home, know how to love. I just hope I have given them half the affection they have given me.
The hardest part about falling head over heals in love with 27 children is the part where I have to say goodbye. I leave in a week, on the morning of the 31st. How will I say goodbye to the Flying Kites Kids, the staff, the town of Njabini, Kenya in general? I am not too sure. How do I reenter society after 8 months of life in a village in Africa? That, too, I am not so sure about. I do know however, that it will be a challenge. I also know, that my return home will be met by my loving family and friends. It will also be met with simple conveniences that I have missed so much. Reliable Internet, showers, Dunkin Doughnuts coffee, my car, ice, and a #22 from Brennan’s Deli will no longer be things I long for. With a week left, I am full with mixed emotions. I am sad to be leaving behind so many “cloud nine experiences” in Africa, but am confident that there will be just as many waiting for me back home.
See you all in a week! Love and Kisses, "Auntie Steph"
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