Friday, May 27, 2011

One year ago today I posted my first blog entry from Kenya. What stands out from that post is the blind optimism and naivety that all PCV’s share when they first set out to save the world. I in no way mean to be cynical, I truly love it here but a year later I am sitting here trying to figure out what has changed in the past year. Kenya is now my home and I am surprisingly comfortable here, so much so that sometimes I actually forget I am in Kenya. Regrettably seeing Kenya as a home and not just an exotic destination on the map has taken a lot of the excitement out of it. Don’t get me wrong there are still days when I feel the need to pinch myself and say “holly shit I’m in Kenyan!” but they are just getting farther in-between. Its quite weird. In many loves I truly love it here, Diani especially and feel that if I was paid sufficiently I could be very happy working here in the future. On the other hand I miss America. Of course I miss friends, family and surfing but what is surprising is how much I miss the little things. Like being able to wake up and drink cold orange juice while watching ESPN before I go to work or being able to hop in a car and drive myself where I need to go rather than pile into a van with 18 other Kenyans. Most of all maybe I miss being able to watch my Dolphins, eat wings and drink beer on a Sunday. All in all I do love it here. I am hands down the luckiest PCV in Kenya to be stationed here. I live in tropical paradise on the Indian Ocean, I have made an awesome group of friends from all over the world, there is always something fun to look forward to in the next couple weeks and on any given night there are beautiful girls from exotic countries at 40’s. Back in my village life is good too. I really do feel immersed into my community. It took about a year but I no longer get the “what is he doing here?” look when I walk around and rarely do I find people trying to rip me off. As is the case with all PCV’s during the week it does get lonely and boring but thank god for my laptop, my hard drive full of movies and fairly reliable electricity. Work wise, the past year has been somewhat of a disappointment with the failed water project. This is the norm in Peace Corps however and all I can do is keep trying to help people where I can and take pride in my small victories. Without further ado I present my top 5 memories of the past year….

5. Seeing Kilimanjaro on my walk to class everyday
4. Helping baby Hawksbill Sea Turtles find their way to the ocean
3. Super Bowl weekend at Malti and Adrian’s when we still had the whole crew together
2. Seeing the Indian Ocean/40 Thieves for the first time
1. Swimming with Whale Sharks

On to the present. Work has continued to be slow. Last week I drew up a marketing plan for my schools coco wood furniture project and presented it to the manager, but am currently waiting on the board to make a final decision on what they want to do before I move forward. Bureaucracy is alive and well in Kenya. On a positive note I have been selected to help train the new group of volunteers. I will be giving a lecture on marketing products in a Kenyan specific setting and hanging out with them for a week. I am excited about this because I get to leave Diani for a while and because I remember how helpful the PCV’s who came to my training were. Getting an unbiased opinion from an actual volunteer in the field versus a trainer was awesome.

Last but not least, it’s Diani Rules weekend! This is a real big deal here, Diani Rules is kind of like a drunken field day for adults. It becomes an endurance event as games consisting of rugby, soccer, cricket, tug-of-war etc. begin a 8am both Sat and Sunday and you drink the whole time. Expats from all over Kenya come for the event. I am proud to be the captain of my team and we picked up a sponsorship from a local business. (team entry is almost $600 so getting sponsored is a big deal) Wish us luck!

That’s it for now folks I will be seeing everyone in just over a year and can’t wait!!

Love,
Dino