Chapter 3: The WASP's 3rd Commandment

Walking along the path past the large classroom block on campus, squinting in the sun that shines directly overhead, and I mean directly, being so near the equator, I slow down a bit to really absorb the sight of the Starehe Girls’ Centre in the full light. Everyone has been emailing me and posting on my wall to “soak in” everything, which I took to imply a certain passivity that I don’t think I possess anywhere except when lying on a beach, “soaking” in the sun. I don’t think you can soak in an experience. You have to dive into it and swim around, seeing and learning anything you can get your hands on.

Back to that moment, walking in the sun towards my apartment after a long morning of typing exams and lesson schemes in the administrative block, I found myself looking up and around, despite the bright sunshine, at the incredible trees, branches, and flowers that lace themselves around the school’s plain white and gray buildings. I laid eyes, then, on a large palm plant that I had not noticed before, and the moment was complete.

I think it must be rule written nowhere for all temperate-dwelling whiteys like me that goes something like: “Thou shalt swoon at the sight of a palm tree.” Instantly thou shalt feel like you are in Paradise, where erryting is aire. So, I’m not in Paradise or Jamaica, but there are a few perfect things about living at Starehe.

For one, I sleep like a baby every night. And yes, this may have something to do with the lack of meat in my current diet, but it’s not something I lament. The second perfect thing about this place is the feeling I get watching two pairs of Form Twos (sophomores) twirl around the small, darkening music room, waltzing to a sappy Hayley Westenra song. [Laura, I wish you were here to show them some expert moves :) ] After trying to teach about 10 pairs of Form Ones (freshmen!) the waltz in that same tiny room, I can really appreciate the quality of learning that comes from small class sizes. Third, but certainly not last, I’ve learned how to cook chapattis. Yes. Me, cooking! And let me tell you, I believe you can rightly use the word “cook” only when flour or raw meat is involved. Anything else is baking, boiling, frying, or nuking. Chapattis are made of sugar, salt, oil, water, and FLOUR! I am a cook!

Throwback 1: A day in Prague

It turns out I have a bunch of things on my camera that have nothing to do with Kenya, but a lot to do with my friends and family. I'll be posting these Easter eggs to keep you all on your toes...

This video, starring Natasha, and costarring the backs of Gennie and Laura's heads and three Czech performers, was taken on the first day of the Prague Easter Festival or something like that. None of us spoke the language, so we really had NO idea what was going on beyond the delish food for sale in the stalls in that square.... Sausages, trdlos, corn on the cob, CREPES, coffee, chocolate bananas and strawberries :)

Portfolio 2: "My heart's all over the world tonight"

My living room the first day I arrived at the Starehe Girls' School. I'm on the third floor of Dorm C, one of the newly-built boarding houses at the school.Putting my mosquito net to some early, but as Jane says, unnecessary, use. Whatevs... I'm a princess with a forest green canopy bed now :) What you can't see is the Obama poster propped up above my curtain ledge.

The view out of my bedroom window.

Chapter 2: A few things done... Many left to do...

Right. It's late tonight, but the frogs in the reservoir outside my window are exceptionally loud and persistent, so I thought I might tire myself out by writing. Today I performed my first administrative tasks with the help of the physics teacher, Dan, worked on plans for a PE regimen for the girls, ate the most magnificently sweet mango I've ever tasted, washed some clothes, and taught game after card game to Rhodah, Sally, Jane, Carol, and Bridget, who are all in Form 4 (seniors). They start their hugely important KCSE exams in about a month, and I feel guilty for distracting them from studying, but they're so much fun to hang out with I can't resist.

Yesterday Jane sang me part of the opera duet she performed with her boyfriend for a Kenyan music festival and competition. She was so incredible without even warming up that I agreed then and there to use my computer to get her as much information on US universities with voice programs as possible. Rhodah wants to go to Harvard for Pre-law and Sally wants to study Public Relations. I want to help them apply, but I don't know the best way to do it...

Portfolio 1: Hopefully the rest of my photos won't be so weak

Chapter I: I love my Crocs, and the Buonajutis' cooking, and I hate using the phone

For a few days there, when I first got to Kenya, Safaricom was the bane of my existence. It's not that I miss my Chocolate or anything... you sweet navy blue ear candy that could always connect me to Endo salmon rolls at the touch of a button... I just would have liked to have been able to call someone. Anyone. But today I'm happy to say that the cell Chris lent me and this little white thing sticking straight out of my USB port have decided that they finally work for ME now. They have probably single-handedly saved Anthea the cost a frenzied flight to Kenya, and me, the sight of my frenzied mom stalking me down to see how I am. I love you, Mom!

I'm grateful to Carrie for recommending these Croc ballets. They're the only shoes I've worn since I bought them three weeks ago. Of course, if you know me, that's how I am with all my shoes, whether I buy them or "borrow" them from friends. And yes, Mother, that's why I threw a hissy when you tried to stuff my rucksack full of extra shoes. I hope you don't mind, but I flushed those aquasocks down the airplane loo 10 minutes after I took off from Dulles. :) Kidding! I'll give them to a fisherman or something.

Lessons I've learned from four days of staying with Anthea and Julian's Kenya friends: 1) Marry an Italian man who cooks. Even if you're Dutch and can already make the best tomato sauce, pasta, and cheese soufflé ever tasted. Especially marry an Italian if he makes incredible salad dressing and stir fry. 2) That's all I got. 3) This is Katherine speaking. I love food. Period. 4) Stop judging me, I'll learn more lessons later.

Kenya seems inherently different from my visit last year. I find I'm paying much more attention to my surroundings, which is nice and makes sense (as I'm on my own and probably shouldn't get lost anywhere), but it seems to be partly because I don't have the Kenya Krew 07 to distract me, which is a bit sad. [Aside: if any of you read this, Chris, Koko and I went out to dinner before I left and we all believe that a REAL reunion would be the making of a great summer trip one of these years...] If it's possible, it was actually rather shocking not being thrust into Kibera on my first day in the country, or in fact, at all. I saw it for the first time today as Campbell, his friend John, and I drove past it on the way from downtown Nairobi to Langata..... at the foot of the Ngong Hills ....... I had a farm in Africa....... Actually, I watched part of that movie on the plane ride down, but after gradually realizing what a camp move I was making, I switched over to an episode of Flight of the Concords. And yes, it was the Yoko one. This is for Katie and Ashley:

[I’d climb the highest mountain
I’d swim the deepest ocean
I’d walk along the longest path
To be with you
If you want me to

I’d solve the hardest puzzle
And read the boringest book
I’d hold the hottest substance
Ooh nyeah

I’d solve the hardest puzzle
I’d race the fastest animal
Eat the biggest meal
To be with you, Coco]

I know Bryony, you're so ashamed of your pop-culture-groupie sister. Maybe if I spent 3 1/2 years in Kenya, that would change, but unfortunately, I think it's a part of me. Just remember that Katie Chew made me this way. It was absolutely none of my doing :)