Sorry I haven't been able to update my blog recently. My laptop of 5.5 years is on the verge of death...the end of an era. So I write this message in a lovely air-conditioned cyber cafe in downtown Mombasa. The past two weeks have been the most frustrating and stressful weeks I've had here so far. I have definitely faced some challenges at work (which I will go into further detail in a less public forum for those interested). But I have FINALLY succeeded in planning the second kitchen garden training, which will (hopefully) take place tomorrow (Friday) morning.
Last weekend I was able to visit the Gedi ruins, north of Mombasa. I went by myself, which I was a little hesitant about at first (traveling by myself can be kinda annoying---kenyan men), but it ended up being a great decision. The Gedi ruins are a fairly in-tact Swahili settlement from the 14th century or so. What is particularly interesting about these ruins, despite the amazing architecture (and that all the buildings were constructed out of coral), is that there are no historical records of the people who lived there. This is particularly surprising because it was a very developed or "civilized" town with a huge palace and numerous mosques, not to mention the fact that there is a great deal of evidence that the people who lived there traded with China, Islam and Europe (there were many bowls and plates made in China and Islam, coins from both of those places and there were Venician beads). The Gedi ruins are located in the middle of a forest, which made it especially mystical. There weren't many other visitors there so there were many times where it was just me, the ruins, the butterflies and the monkeys. It was SO serene and SO peaceful. The perfect ante dote to my incredibly stressful week. I will upload pictures of the ruins when I get home and fix my computer.
Today (Thursday) I went to a conference on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Policy and Medical Practices in Kenya. It was such an informative and inspirational event. We heard speakers from legal institutions, medical institutions, chiefs and the police. It was really interesting to hear all the different points of view on the issue. They are trying to combine forces so the Medical, Legal and Cultural institutions in Kenya can work together to address the needs of survivors of SGBV and prevent future assaults. It was a really great experience and was so nice to be surrounded by really thoughtful, articulate and educated people.
Well, I best be off. I need to go home and hang out with the family. Oh, also tomorrow after my training my host brother is getting married, so I have to go to the wedding (which I SUPER excited about). The whole family is staying at our house for the weekend (except for one sister who is finishing up finals in the U.S., but she'll come next week). Irene is one of 7 kids so this means that there are 5 of her siblings staying at our house and five kids. Two of the kids are from the U.S. (a 14 year old girl and a 9 year old boy), which is funny because they sound "American" and don't speak any Swahili. Someone like meeee! There is also an adorable 2 year old boy and the 4 year old boy Kelvin, who I have a picture of on my facebook, and a 13 year old girl who I briefly met this morning at 6am but didn't get to hang out with for very long because I had to go to the conference. This brings the term "full house" to a whole new level for me. But so far it has been really fun! Hopefully I'll be able to fill you all in on how the training and wedding go before I come home.
Hope everyone is doing well! I can't believe I will be home in a little over a week!! CRAZINESS!! But I can't wait to see you all :)
Much love,
Anna
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