Hello,
“Look,” Lexi said as she pointed to the ground at a lizard type creature that was a bit over a foot long.
“Oh I want a picture of that,” I said and raced to get my camera.
Before I returned that creature had gone up a tree and blended in stupendously. Sarah said, “It is a gecko or we will just call it that.”
I did take three pictures of it. I challenge you to look for it clinging vertically to the trunk. Leroy did not really see it until I pointed out the legs and the head. The head is only visible in the first picture.
Lexi was great friends with all of the people who worked inside the compound so I had to show you a picture of her with the gatekeeper. He is in his uniform and in front of the building that he could be found in or near most of the time. I believe that he came in street clothes and changed after he got there as did most of the day workers. Sorry that I have included so many pictures of this granddaughter, but she occupied a good bit of my time. Notice that the grass is sparse and the dirt is red.
Lexi spent a great deal of time in the back looking at leaves, insects, small lizards, and macadamia nuts.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/AroundTheCompoundInKenya#
Paula
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Catching the bus and the Kenya National Library
Hello,
A man was running and running trying to catch the slow moving bus long after it seemed impossible. When he drew abreast, a hand thrust out the door, he grabbed it, and swung up into the bus.
“Sarah,” I said, “he got on the bus and it did not stop.”
“Yes,” she responded, “that happens all of the time. I would be afraid to do it, but …”
A bit later guy got off a moving bus. Such risk takers, surely living in the US would be too tame.
The person who is cleaning told me, “It is so good to go home at 3:00 p.m. because I only have to pay 20 bob for transport. In the morning it was 40 bob.” Morning rush hour commands a higher price. Forty bob would be about 50 cents. Not a bad price, but to save half would be very nice.
Sarah had some books to give to the library. Following sketchy directions, a map, and circling she found the place. I was pleased to go to the Kenya National Library. There was a book van out front so I knew that was available for someone who would not live close. Inside, the building was plain but utilitarian with most of the space used for good purpose. A shabby Webster’s Third International was on the table for easy access. Never have I seen such a hard used dictionary in a library. Pages did not seem to be torn, but folded, creased, and wrinkled.
Sarah was donating fiction, but most of the collection was non-fiction as this seemed to be more a research library. There was also a small children’s area. I asked if I could take some pictures and they urged me to cover the entire floor. Even on a national holiday weekend there were people sitting and studying in the plastic lawn chairs.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/KenyaNationalLibraryService#
Paula
A man was running and running trying to catch the slow moving bus long after it seemed impossible. When he drew abreast, a hand thrust out the door, he grabbed it, and swung up into the bus.
“Sarah,” I said, “he got on the bus and it did not stop.”
“Yes,” she responded, “that happens all of the time. I would be afraid to do it, but …”
A bit later guy got off a moving bus. Such risk takers, surely living in the US would be too tame.
The person who is cleaning told me, “It is so good to go home at 3:00 p.m. because I only have to pay 20 bob for transport. In the morning it was 40 bob.” Morning rush hour commands a higher price. Forty bob would be about 50 cents. Not a bad price, but to save half would be very nice.
Sarah had some books to give to the library. Following sketchy directions, a map, and circling she found the place. I was pleased to go to the Kenya National Library. There was a book van out front so I knew that was available for someone who would not live close. Inside, the building was plain but utilitarian with most of the space used for good purpose. A shabby Webster’s Third International was on the table for easy access. Never have I seen such a hard used dictionary in a library. Pages did not seem to be torn, but folded, creased, and wrinkled.
Sarah was donating fiction, but most of the collection was non-fiction as this seemed to be more a research library. There was also a small children’s area. I asked if I could take some pictures and they urged me to cover the entire floor. Even on a national holiday weekend there were people sitting and studying in the plastic lawn chairs.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/KenyaNationalLibraryService#
Paula
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Nairobi Traffic Jam
Hello,
On our way home from the friend’s house at 7:00 p.m. traffic was even worse than it had been. It is dark at this time all year because it is so close to the equator they have about 12 hours of day and do not change for daylight saving time. We got in a line of traffic and sat for an extended period of time. They do not have many traffic lights or stop signs at intersections. Sarah said, “They don’t use traffic lights because the electricity goes out frequently.”
“How do you know who has the right of way at a corner?” I wanted to know.
“When I first came I asked a co-worker the same question. The response was, you just know.” Sarah said. “I now have some ideas, but it took a while before I felt comfortable with that.
At the traffic jam, by car light (few street lights), two ordinary looking men could be seen trying to unsnarl the mess and direct traffic. They were able to move a couple cars out of the thick of it, when Sarah commanded, “No big truck don’t go.”
But to no avail, the truck moved into the intersection and we were stopped again. Our valiant helpers worked hard to get things sorted out again and finally we moved on our way. Sarah said, “I have been in traffic jams before and almost never seen the police. Usually some of the matatu drivers get out and solve the problem.” Is that acting locally? Or is it a genuine grassroots effort?
Sarah said, “Once it took me 2.5 hours to get home from work. Usually that is just a 15 minute drive.”
“Did you have enough gas?” I wondered.
“I turned the car off much of the time,” she said.
Paula
On our way home from the friend’s house at 7:00 p.m. traffic was even worse than it had been. It is dark at this time all year because it is so close to the equator they have about 12 hours of day and do not change for daylight saving time. We got in a line of traffic and sat for an extended period of time. They do not have many traffic lights or stop signs at intersections. Sarah said, “They don’t use traffic lights because the electricity goes out frequently.”
“How do you know who has the right of way at a corner?” I wanted to know.
“When I first came I asked a co-worker the same question. The response was, you just know.” Sarah said. “I now have some ideas, but it took a while before I felt comfortable with that.
At the traffic jam, by car light (few street lights), two ordinary looking men could be seen trying to unsnarl the mess and direct traffic. They were able to move a couple cars out of the thick of it, when Sarah commanded, “No big truck don’t go.”
But to no avail, the truck moved into the intersection and we were stopped again. Our valiant helpers worked hard to get things sorted out again and finally we moved on our way. Sarah said, “I have been in traffic jams before and almost never seen the police. Usually some of the matatu drivers get out and solve the problem.” Is that acting locally? Or is it a genuine grassroots effort?
Sarah said, “Once it took me 2.5 hours to get home from work. Usually that is just a 15 minute drive.”
“Did you have enough gas?” I wondered.
“I turned the car off much of the time,” she said.
Paula
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Nairobi Traffic
Hello,
Yesterday I meant to talk about the matatu (van for hire) that was in a picture along with another car. On my way home from Adam’s Arcade I got my camera out to take some pictures of the plants when a matatu comes by with a guy hanging out the door. I miss that photo, but wait for the next one. No buses or matatu come by. Then some come but everyone is secure inside. I get tired of waiting, put my camera away when a bus and a matatu come by with people hanging out. I laugh and think maybe another day. I feel so much more comfortable than I did the last time I was here even if I am working harder and not yet sleeping more than six hours. I am grateful for those six hours of deep sleep.
Again I marvel at being in a foreign country understanding most of the language I hear. It seems these people spend a lot of time talking. Chatter, chatter, and chatter all around me.
Yesterday the driver from Sarah’s work picked up Lexi and me taking us back to her office. Traffic was copious and crawling. When Sarah was finished working we set off to visit some friends. Traffic was backed up even worse in the lane that we wanted to use of this two-lane street. At times matatus drove on the sidewalk creating their own lane. It certainly helped them get ahead. There are people walking around us and on the sidewalk along with bicycles that can move a bit more freely. Sarah pulled out in front of a big truck when the cars moved a little. Odd but no cars were meeting us. After 10 minutes we got about .5 miles down the road and discovered the source of the delay. A truck had stopped on a hill and cars could not get around, explaining why we did not meet any cars, but why we had been stopped was still a mystery and would remain so. After that we could move freely.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/StreetScenesInNairobi#
Paula
Yesterday I meant to talk about the matatu (van for hire) that was in a picture along with another car. On my way home from Adam’s Arcade I got my camera out to take some pictures of the plants when a matatu comes by with a guy hanging out the door. I miss that photo, but wait for the next one. No buses or matatu come by. Then some come but everyone is secure inside. I get tired of waiting, put my camera away when a bus and a matatu come by with people hanging out. I laugh and think maybe another day. I feel so much more comfortable than I did the last time I was here even if I am working harder and not yet sleeping more than six hours. I am grateful for those six hours of deep sleep.
Again I marvel at being in a foreign country understanding most of the language I hear. It seems these people spend a lot of time talking. Chatter, chatter, and chatter all around me.
Yesterday the driver from Sarah’s work picked up Lexi and me taking us back to her office. Traffic was copious and crawling. When Sarah was finished working we set off to visit some friends. Traffic was backed up even worse in the lane that we wanted to use of this two-lane street. At times matatus drove on the sidewalk creating their own lane. It certainly helped them get ahead. There are people walking around us and on the sidewalk along with bicycles that can move a bit more freely. Sarah pulled out in front of a big truck when the cars moved a little. Odd but no cars were meeting us. After 10 minutes we got about .5 miles down the road and discovered the source of the delay. A truck had stopped on a hill and cars could not get around, explaining why we did not meet any cars, but why we had been stopped was still a mystery and would remain so. After that we could move freely.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/StreetScenesInNairobi#
Paula
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Removing the Satellite dish
Removing the Satellite Dish
May 24, 2009
Hello,
Sarah had asked me to take the glass jars to the recycle place, but Lexi would not put on her shoes. Before I solved that issue Sarah called to say, “A guy from my office will be coming in 15 minutes to take the satellite dish off the roof. You will need to let him in. also have him look at the baby clothes.”
First this guy got a rickety ladder from the people at the gate. The ladder swayed as he climbed up. Lexi and I had to go out to watch all of this. It was not long before he realized that he did not have the proper tools so back down the swaying ladder and back to the gate to get the right tools. Even with these tools it took a while to pry it loose. Finally it came off and rolled to the edge of the roof before it stopped. Our industrious guy positioned himself on the ladder, grabbed the dish with one hand and swung his way carefully down to the earth.
After a bit if inspection he took the entire box of baby clothes. He also asked about taking the box of books, but I called Sarah and learned that those would be going to a library. Sarah tells me that many Africans are not shy about asking for items that you might want to give away. When this man left he called me “Big Mama”. I am not quite sure what to make of that. I believe it was a positive thing.
Sarah comes home for lunch most days. When Sarah leaves in the morning and at noon, Lexi cries quite a bit. I wonder if it is at those times that she misses Jane. Once she gets past that crying then life seems to be good with me. Lexi especially likes it when I sing to her so I have been racking my brain to pull out all the children’s songs I can think of. The songs have ranged from “Jesus loves me” to “My Bonnie lies over the Ocean”. (Just what is my Bonnie doing lying over the ocean? What does that mean?) Lexi is so easy to put down for her nap. Some days she even asks to go la-la (Kswahili for sleep).
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/RemvoingSateliteDish#
Paula
May 24, 2009
Hello,
Sarah had asked me to take the glass jars to the recycle place, but Lexi would not put on her shoes. Before I solved that issue Sarah called to say, “A guy from my office will be coming in 15 minutes to take the satellite dish off the roof. You will need to let him in. also have him look at the baby clothes.”
First this guy got a rickety ladder from the people at the gate. The ladder swayed as he climbed up. Lexi and I had to go out to watch all of this. It was not long before he realized that he did not have the proper tools so back down the swaying ladder and back to the gate to get the right tools. Even with these tools it took a while to pry it loose. Finally it came off and rolled to the edge of the roof before it stopped. Our industrious guy positioned himself on the ladder, grabbed the dish with one hand and swung his way carefully down to the earth.
After a bit if inspection he took the entire box of baby clothes. He also asked about taking the box of books, but I called Sarah and learned that those would be going to a library. Sarah tells me that many Africans are not shy about asking for items that you might want to give away. When this man left he called me “Big Mama”. I am not quite sure what to make of that. I believe it was a positive thing.
Sarah comes home for lunch most days. When Sarah leaves in the morning and at noon, Lexi cries quite a bit. I wonder if it is at those times that she misses Jane. Once she gets past that crying then life seems to be good with me. Lexi especially likes it when I sing to her so I have been racking my brain to pull out all the children’s songs I can think of. The songs have ranged from “Jesus loves me” to “My Bonnie lies over the Ocean”. (Just what is my Bonnie doing lying over the ocean? What does that mean?) Lexi is so easy to put down for her nap. Some days she even asks to go la-la (Kswahili for sleep).
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/RemvoingSateliteDish#
Paula
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Sweeping the lawn
Hello,
“Wow! I get to see them cut the grass,” I thought as I watched the guy bend over and use a machete. Lawn shears and manual hedge trimmers were put to use. A little later someone came to rake debris out of the bushes. The next task was sweeping the lawn with a bundle of tired reeds. I only have one picture of these jobs, as I did not want to embarrass them, also they were really quite speedy.
The cleaning woman used a bundle of reeds and a container of water to clean the area around the washing machine and the patio. She was quite efficient in her bare feet. The washing machine is outside but under the overhang so it did not get the full brunt of the weather.
The lot next to the compound was being turned into a car lot. From Sarah’s bedroom window Lexi and I could keep an eye on progress. I took a lot of pictures of guys shoveling dirt into a truck.
Some dirt made it in the truck, some landed on the ground, and some on the side of the truck high above their heads. One guy stood on the truck cab for a while before he came down and did a little shoveling too. Some wore no shirt, some short sleeves, some long sleeves, and some had on a jacket. Cars were in this lot before we left.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/WorkingInNairobi#
Paula
“Wow! I get to see them cut the grass,” I thought as I watched the guy bend over and use a machete. Lawn shears and manual hedge trimmers were put to use. A little later someone came to rake debris out of the bushes. The next task was sweeping the lawn with a bundle of tired reeds. I only have one picture of these jobs, as I did not want to embarrass them, also they were really quite speedy.
The cleaning woman used a bundle of reeds and a container of water to clean the area around the washing machine and the patio. She was quite efficient in her bare feet. The washing machine is outside but under the overhang so it did not get the full brunt of the weather.
The lot next to the compound was being turned into a car lot. From Sarah’s bedroom window Lexi and I could keep an eye on progress. I took a lot of pictures of guys shoveling dirt into a truck.
Some dirt made it in the truck, some landed on the ground, and some on the side of the truck high above their heads. One guy stood on the truck cab for a while before he came down and did a little shoveling too. Some wore no shirt, some short sleeves, some long sleeves, and some had on a jacket. Cars were in this lot before we left.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/WorkingInNairobi#
Paula
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Getting ready to move
Hello,
Sarah had gathered many shippable things in the computer room. Once she had everything in there that she could think of, we check the inventory created to come to Kenya. I sit at the computer and change things on the list while Sarah looks through the items and tells me about the numbers and cost. This list will be important if the ship goes down, pirates nab it, or there is any unforeseen disaster. One of the tricks for Sarah is that she adheres to the weight limits and space limits so her company will pay for all of the shipping.
I now know more about some of her possessions than I do about my own such as how many dresses, scarves, and jackets.
The shipping company came about a week ahead of our departure date. That meant most of Lexi’s toys were packed away, but she really was quite content without them. If she could have seen them and been reminded of them she might have been upset, but packed away was no problem.
Four men and one woman came early in the morning. It was nice that Sarah had not yet left for work so she showed them what they should pack and the one desk that was to remain in the room. They went right to work wrapping, packing and moving all items to the lower floor. One man worked on building a shipping crate while others weighed each package. The truck did have a hydraulic lift on the back so they could more easily put the crate in the truck. If the truck had not said Storage Company on it I might have thought it was a horse trailer. I was sorry not to see loading take place, but they got it done when I was not looking. I also was curious about whether they had ridden there in the back of the truck or come there some other way. We would often see trucks with many people riding in the back. At the end I did have to sign a paper that they had all: been courteous, working, dressed in uniform, and careful of the house.
Yesterday Sarah told me that it would be July before their items came to the US. She might have told me this before, but I could not remember. The crate goes first to Mombassa by rail or truck, then by ship north to the Suez Canal, to the Mediterranean, and finally crosses the Atlantic. If I could be sure of no pirates, I might like to take that type of trip. Could I handle more than a month at sea? I am not sure.
I should comment that Sarah and Stephen did not move furniture to Kenya because Sarah’s company provided those things along with other household items.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/MovingCompanyKenya##
Paula
Sarah had gathered many shippable things in the computer room. Once she had everything in there that she could think of, we check the inventory created to come to Kenya. I sit at the computer and change things on the list while Sarah looks through the items and tells me about the numbers and cost. This list will be important if the ship goes down, pirates nab it, or there is any unforeseen disaster. One of the tricks for Sarah is that she adheres to the weight limits and space limits so her company will pay for all of the shipping.
I now know more about some of her possessions than I do about my own such as how many dresses, scarves, and jackets.
The shipping company came about a week ahead of our departure date. That meant most of Lexi’s toys were packed away, but she really was quite content without them. If she could have seen them and been reminded of them she might have been upset, but packed away was no problem.
Four men and one woman came early in the morning. It was nice that Sarah had not yet left for work so she showed them what they should pack and the one desk that was to remain in the room. They went right to work wrapping, packing and moving all items to the lower floor. One man worked on building a shipping crate while others weighed each package. The truck did have a hydraulic lift on the back so they could more easily put the crate in the truck. If the truck had not said Storage Company on it I might have thought it was a horse trailer. I was sorry not to see loading take place, but they got it done when I was not looking. I also was curious about whether they had ridden there in the back of the truck or come there some other way. We would often see trucks with many people riding in the back. At the end I did have to sign a paper that they had all: been courteous, working, dressed in uniform, and careful of the house.
Yesterday Sarah told me that it would be July before their items came to the US. She might have told me this before, but I could not remember. The crate goes first to Mombassa by rail or truck, then by ship north to the Suez Canal, to the Mediterranean, and finally crosses the Atlantic. If I could be sure of no pirates, I might like to take that type of trip. Could I handle more than a month at sea? I am not sure.
I should comment that Sarah and Stephen did not move furniture to Kenya because Sarah’s company provided those things along with other household items.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/MovingCompanyKenya##
Paula
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Lexi has a fever
Hello,
Almost immediately Lexi developed a cough, runny nose, and a slight fever. The neighbor boy had gotten seriously sick about a month ago so we were a bit concerned about this even though Lexi did not appear to be that sick. After a couple days of no real improvement Sarah decided to take her to the hospital down the street. I was happy to go along so I could see the inside. It was basic but clean.
Our first stop was at the receptionist. She asked standard questions and got us a sheet that we took to the cashier where Sarah paid for the visit. Then it was back to the receptionist. I asked the receptionist if I could take her picture. She was cute and even posed in a couple different spots. She told us that we should wait, but it was quickly on to see a nurse who weighed Lexi and took her temperature, 36.4 C which is really not a fever.
A doctor came and took us to another room. He seemed quite pleasant and careful of Lexi’s feelings. She did not really want to open her mouth for him to look in with his flashlight, but he listened to her chest and felt her glands. He prescribed an antibiotic, expectorant, and fever reducer. He also assured Sarah that Lexi did not have Swine flu. He felt she should be better in about a week.
Our next stop was the pharmacy. The pharmacist looked at the prescription, checked prices and sent us on the cashier to pay. When we had paid we brought back a voucher allowing us to pick up the medicine.
Each stop required only a short wait. It really did not take very long. Sarah said, “We have insurance, but this is very cheap and it seems wrong to make the insurance company pay so much at the other hospital for such an ordinary thing.”
At first, Lexi seems about the same after taking the medicine. All morning she runs around at top speed. Following her nap she is usually hotter and much quieter. By the time Sarah comes home Lexi is a bit better, but still hot. However, by the time a week had passed she was much recovered and only coughed about once a day.
Paula
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/NairobiMasabaHospital##
Almost immediately Lexi developed a cough, runny nose, and a slight fever. The neighbor boy had gotten seriously sick about a month ago so we were a bit concerned about this even though Lexi did not appear to be that sick. After a couple days of no real improvement Sarah decided to take her to the hospital down the street. I was happy to go along so I could see the inside. It was basic but clean.
Our first stop was at the receptionist. She asked standard questions and got us a sheet that we took to the cashier where Sarah paid for the visit. Then it was back to the receptionist. I asked the receptionist if I could take her picture. She was cute and even posed in a couple different spots. She told us that we should wait, but it was quickly on to see a nurse who weighed Lexi and took her temperature, 36.4 C which is really not a fever.
A doctor came and took us to another room. He seemed quite pleasant and careful of Lexi’s feelings. She did not really want to open her mouth for him to look in with his flashlight, but he listened to her chest and felt her glands. He prescribed an antibiotic, expectorant, and fever reducer. He also assured Sarah that Lexi did not have Swine flu. He felt she should be better in about a week.
Our next stop was the pharmacy. The pharmacist looked at the prescription, checked prices and sent us on the cashier to pay. When we had paid we brought back a voucher allowing us to pick up the medicine.
Each stop required only a short wait. It really did not take very long. Sarah said, “We have insurance, but this is very cheap and it seems wrong to make the insurance company pay so much at the other hospital for such an ordinary thing.”
At first, Lexi seems about the same after taking the medicine. All morning she runs around at top speed. Following her nap she is usually hotter and much quieter. By the time Sarah comes home Lexi is a bit better, but still hot. However, by the time a week had passed she was much recovered and only coughed about once a day.
Paula
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/NairobiMasabaHospital##
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Babysitting
Hello,
After the first day I was there I was on my own for childcare and house cleaning. Luckily there was a phone that stayed with me so I was not totally cut off from the ability to ask questions. Generally that was not needed, but I felt better having the phone available.
The first cleaning task was to clean my room that had not been touched in some time. The hardest part is being in someone else’s house and not knowing where clean rags are. That was next on the laundry list. I did manage to clean the shower, tub, toilet, and sink. Then I felt much better as now any dirt was my dirt. Sarah did hire someone else to come in and clean for three days. This cleaner used water much longer than I would have before changing it, but maybe I am careless with water.
That night we went to a farewell party for Sarah. It was held at her bosses beautiful house. Some people in Africa live very well while some do not. The contrast is huge. Leroy and I both had a bit of trouble with the disparity, although in Nairobi it is not so noticeable if you stay on the main streets. I would like to add a quote from my friend Ron Klug.
“Ron Klug wrote: When we were missionaries in Madagascar, which is a very poor country, we struggled a lot with being "rich" in a country of very poor people. I think we were making $3000 a year, but in a country where most families were making maybe $300, if they were lucky, so we were almost like millionaires. Some of the older missionaries just laughed at us, like, "You'll get over that soon enough." By American standards, we were living way below the poverty line--much, much lower than we did in Slovakia, very simple in terms of housing, food, transportation, clothes. No car, almost nothing to buy except locally grown food , only the clothes and "beauty supplies" and feminine products that we had brought with us. But I knew that the camera around my neck would feed a Malagasy family for months, maybe even a year. And some of our students (missionary kids) drove motorcycles that were signs of great wealth, way beyond what any Malagasy family could even dream of. Our children had many changes of clothes, when Malagasy kids were lucky to have one outfit, and that would have been like a pair of striped underpants. We lived in a huge old wooden house (although it was infested with lizards, giant roaches, rats, huge spiders, and an occasional boa constrictor).
One Catholic priest was so bothered by the disparity that he tried to live at the level of a Malagasy family, in housing and food, but within weeks got so sick that he couldn’t work. So he decided that part of humility is to recognize what we as Westerners need to do our work.
We at least tried to spread the wealth around a bit by being generous, hiring workers. Some of the older missionaries were always afraid of being taken advantage of by the beggars. Some agricultural missionaries thought it was wrong for us to have servants, so they fired all of theirs.
So they kept their consciences pure, while the people starved. We tried to hire as many as possible, as yard workers, cooks, babysitters, laundry workers, but never felt altogether comfortable with being bosses either.
Even after four years we did not adjust to a situation in which we still had a closet full of clothes, when some people had only rags. I think the main struggle is to stay aware, to not let yourself be hardened or indifferent to the differences. Of course, the gap exists for us every day now too, but it is not so visible.
One result of living in Madagascar is that it made us forever more grateful for simple things, like plenty of good water, fresh milk, a piece of cheese, toilet paper!”
These are just some ideas to think about.
Paula
After the first day I was there I was on my own for childcare and house cleaning. Luckily there was a phone that stayed with me so I was not totally cut off from the ability to ask questions. Generally that was not needed, but I felt better having the phone available.
The first cleaning task was to clean my room that had not been touched in some time. The hardest part is being in someone else’s house and not knowing where clean rags are. That was next on the laundry list. I did manage to clean the shower, tub, toilet, and sink. Then I felt much better as now any dirt was my dirt. Sarah did hire someone else to come in and clean for three days. This cleaner used water much longer than I would have before changing it, but maybe I am careless with water.
That night we went to a farewell party for Sarah. It was held at her bosses beautiful house. Some people in Africa live very well while some do not. The contrast is huge. Leroy and I both had a bit of trouble with the disparity, although in Nairobi it is not so noticeable if you stay on the main streets. I would like to add a quote from my friend Ron Klug.
“Ron Klug wrote: When we were missionaries in Madagascar, which is a very poor country, we struggled a lot with being "rich" in a country of very poor people. I think we were making $3000 a year, but in a country where most families were making maybe $300, if they were lucky, so we were almost like millionaires. Some of the older missionaries just laughed at us, like, "You'll get over that soon enough." By American standards, we were living way below the poverty line--much, much lower than we did in Slovakia, very simple in terms of housing, food, transportation, clothes. No car, almost nothing to buy except locally grown food , only the clothes and "beauty supplies" and feminine products that we had brought with us. But I knew that the camera around my neck would feed a Malagasy family for months, maybe even a year. And some of our students (missionary kids) drove motorcycles that were signs of great wealth, way beyond what any Malagasy family could even dream of. Our children had many changes of clothes, when Malagasy kids were lucky to have one outfit, and that would have been like a pair of striped underpants. We lived in a huge old wooden house (although it was infested with lizards, giant roaches, rats, huge spiders, and an occasional boa constrictor).
One Catholic priest was so bothered by the disparity that he tried to live at the level of a Malagasy family, in housing and food, but within weeks got so sick that he couldn’t work. So he decided that part of humility is to recognize what we as Westerners need to do our work.
We at least tried to spread the wealth around a bit by being generous, hiring workers. Some of the older missionaries were always afraid of being taken advantage of by the beggars. Some agricultural missionaries thought it was wrong for us to have servants, so they fired all of theirs.
So they kept their consciences pure, while the people starved. We tried to hire as many as possible, as yard workers, cooks, babysitters, laundry workers, but never felt altogether comfortable with being bosses either.
Even after four years we did not adjust to a situation in which we still had a closet full of clothes, when some people had only rags. I think the main struggle is to stay aware, to not let yourself be hardened or indifferent to the differences. Of course, the gap exists for us every day now too, but it is not so visible.
One result of living in Madagascar is that it made us forever more grateful for simple things, like plenty of good water, fresh milk, a piece of cheese, toilet paper!”
These are just some ideas to think about.
Paula
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Starting the trip
Hello,
Course you realize that I am now going back to April 22, 2009 when I started this trip. I got to the MN airport in plenty of time thanks to Jen coming home and being my chauffer. The security guy did comment on my empty water bottle, “I do the same thing and save myself $3.00.”
As I was waiting in the loading area an older couple came in and sat across from me. I decided I be grateful for how easy Leroy is to be around. The man of this couple is a moving guy twitching all the time. I am not sure if he could control it or not. He also talked to himself. His wife did not say a word or move the entire time. Reminded me of Jack Sprat and his wife but in a different venue.
When I got to Nairobi I found the visa fee had been cut in half to $25. The hard part was that I did not have the proper bills to pay and the person behind the desk did not have change since I was the first person in line. I told her I had quarters, but she did not want them. I gave her $30. I was ready to just let it go since it was still a savings of $20 for me, but she had me wait and the next person gave her $25 so she gave me a five dollar bill and it was all good.
This time I saw Sarah and Lexi waiting outside the gate as I came down to pick up my luggage. I had to wait almost half an hour for my bag, but I was not worried unlike the guy next to me who wondered, “What is taking so long?” He was waiting for a fishing pole. More bags kept being put on the belt and someone will get the last bag even though we always want to be first. One time in Chicago Leroy and I got the second to the last bag. It was almost a deserted place by that time.
Paula
Course you realize that I am now going back to April 22, 2009 when I started this trip. I got to the MN airport in plenty of time thanks to Jen coming home and being my chauffer. The security guy did comment on my empty water bottle, “I do the same thing and save myself $3.00.”
As I was waiting in the loading area an older couple came in and sat across from me. I decided I be grateful for how easy Leroy is to be around. The man of this couple is a moving guy twitching all the time. I am not sure if he could control it or not. He also talked to himself. His wife did not say a word or move the entire time. Reminded me of Jack Sprat and his wife but in a different venue.
When I got to Nairobi I found the visa fee had been cut in half to $25. The hard part was that I did not have the proper bills to pay and the person behind the desk did not have change since I was the first person in line. I told her I had quarters, but she did not want them. I gave her $30. I was ready to just let it go since it was still a savings of $20 for me, but she had me wait and the next person gave her $25 so she gave me a five dollar bill and it was all good.
This time I saw Sarah and Lexi waiting outside the gate as I came down to pick up my luggage. I had to wait almost half an hour for my bag, but I was not worried unlike the guy next to me who wondered, “What is taking so long?” He was waiting for a fishing pole. More bags kept being put on the belt and someone will get the last bag even though we always want to be first. One time in Chicago Leroy and I got the second to the last bag. It was almost a deserted place by that time.
Paula
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Resting at home
Hello,
I have taken the day to clean a little; Leroy did not get his usual good job done because he was sick and/or busy. I also needed to spend sometime just sitting with myself and the paper, mail and magazines that had piled up in three weeks time.
I will give a travelogue of the trip, but let me just say that everything went well even when it did not appear to be on the right track. But I am tired even though a week has passed since I have returned to this time zone. Again I will give more details about that in the blow-by-blow description.
When I left in April it was mostly brown. Now everything has a beautiful green glow to it. Not all trees have leafed out, but they will soon. What a change in two weeks.
Nairobi was also green because they had a bit of rain while I was there.
I still do not want to write yet. Tomorrow will be the beginning of the tale. Let me just give this synopsis. For two weeks I babysat, cleaned house some, washed dishes, and did laundry in Nairobi. We embarked on a trip that lasted for 28 hours, enjoyed family for two and a half days, rode in a car for six hours, and had the company of Miriam and her girls for two and a half days. I am not used to such continual contact with people at the same time that I am adjusting to an eight-hour time difference. Could I be getting old because I think this is a bit tiring?
Paula
I have taken the day to clean a little; Leroy did not get his usual good job done because he was sick and/or busy. I also needed to spend sometime just sitting with myself and the paper, mail and magazines that had piled up in three weeks time.
I will give a travelogue of the trip, but let me just say that everything went well even when it did not appear to be on the right track. But I am tired even though a week has passed since I have returned to this time zone. Again I will give more details about that in the blow-by-blow description.
When I left in April it was mostly brown. Now everything has a beautiful green glow to it. Not all trees have leafed out, but they will soon. What a change in two weeks.
Nairobi was also green because they had a bit of rain while I was there.
I still do not want to write yet. Tomorrow will be the beginning of the tale. Let me just give this synopsis. For two weeks I babysat, cleaned house some, washed dishes, and did laundry in Nairobi. We embarked on a trip that lasted for 28 hours, enjoyed family for two and a half days, rode in a car for six hours, and had the company of Miriam and her girls for two and a half days. I am not used to such continual contact with people at the same time that I am adjusting to an eight-hour time difference. Could I be getting old because I think this is a bit tiring?
Paula
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Getting adjusted
Hello,
Lexi is better or at least she seems to be fever free. She still coughs some and her nose runs, but not as copiously as it used to.
I fell asleep before midnight last night, maybe even before 11:00 pm. The only problem was that Lexi woke crying hard at 5:00 a.m. with the Muslim call to worship. She maintained her grumpy mood for a good bit of the morning. Today is a national holiday so Sarah did not work this morning, but has a budget that she needs to complete today requiring an afternoon of work. Lexi is sleeping and we are counting on this rest to restore her cheery nature.
Sarah requested that I take glass to the recycle glass store where it is used to make some new items such as goblets or glasses, while some other colorful broken bits evolve into art objects. This place is just a short walk from their house. A letter also needed mailing so I could do that at the same time. Because Lexi had been sick I did not feel that I should take her on this errand. Wednesday, while Lexi slept and with Jamine (not sure of this name) I walked the recycle glass to Adam’s Arcade. Yes! They were open. Even though the walk is short the glass was getting heavy. Next on to the Post Office. I was finally able to do those jobs that she had requested the previous Friday. Not needing to take Lexi created happiness. The busy street would have been difficult to cross with the stroller. Just getting my body across required quite a wait. I walked with the locals waiting with me, hoping they had some knowledge of safety. Needing to check traffic from the opposite side of the street unnerves me a bit. Consequently my head is spinning around like a kepi doll.
In the middle of the street there is two, possibly three, feet of space so walkers can pause, look the other way, and dash madly the rest of the way. The hard part with the stroller would be that there are two-foot long cement impediments keeping cars off the side walk. In the middle there is a curb on both sides of the dirt island. I would not have been happy with the stroller; scared is the more apt term.
Easy to go to the post office because I remember a bit and I can read the signs. I go to the proper window, buy the stamps, take the envelope to the counter, lick the stamps, affix them to the envelope, search unsuccessfully outside for the box to put it in, re-enter post office, and ask two women at the counter where to mail envelope. They respond, “Ask the man at the window.” So it is back in line for a short wait. The clerk tells me it is just outside the door and sure enough it is a part of the building. Somehow I had become focused on the ATM machine across the walkway. The clerk watches me and makes sure that I am finding the spot, smiles when I drop it in. There are helpful people everywhere. Light and carefree I make my way home.
Paula
Lexi is better or at least she seems to be fever free. She still coughs some and her nose runs, but not as copiously as it used to.
I fell asleep before midnight last night, maybe even before 11:00 pm. The only problem was that Lexi woke crying hard at 5:00 a.m. with the Muslim call to worship. She maintained her grumpy mood for a good bit of the morning. Today is a national holiday so Sarah did not work this morning, but has a budget that she needs to complete today requiring an afternoon of work. Lexi is sleeping and we are counting on this rest to restore her cheery nature.
Sarah requested that I take glass to the recycle glass store where it is used to make some new items such as goblets or glasses, while some other colorful broken bits evolve into art objects. This place is just a short walk from their house. A letter also needed mailing so I could do that at the same time. Because Lexi had been sick I did not feel that I should take her on this errand. Wednesday, while Lexi slept and with Jamine (not sure of this name) I walked the recycle glass to Adam’s Arcade. Yes! They were open. Even though the walk is short the glass was getting heavy. Next on to the Post Office. I was finally able to do those jobs that she had requested the previous Friday. Not needing to take Lexi created happiness. The busy street would have been difficult to cross with the stroller. Just getting my body across required quite a wait. I walked with the locals waiting with me, hoping they had some knowledge of safety. Needing to check traffic from the opposite side of the street unnerves me a bit. Consequently my head is spinning around like a kepi doll.
In the middle of the street there is two, possibly three, feet of space so walkers can pause, look the other way, and dash madly the rest of the way. The hard part with the stroller would be that there are two-foot long cement impediments keeping cars off the side walk. In the middle there is a curb on both sides of the dirt island. I would not have been happy with the stroller; scared is the more apt term.
Easy to go to the post office because I remember a bit and I can read the signs. I go to the proper window, buy the stamps, take the envelope to the counter, lick the stamps, affix them to the envelope, search unsuccessfully outside for the box to put it in, re-enter post office, and ask two women at the counter where to mail envelope. They respond, “Ask the man at the window.” So it is back in line for a short wait. The clerk tells me it is just outside the door and sure enough it is a part of the building. Somehow I had become focused on the ATM machine across the walkway. The clerk watches me and makes sure that I am finding the spot, smiles when I drop it in. There are helpful people everywhere. Light and carefree I make my way home.
Paula
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