The Kenyan World Around Us

It was a busy 'half-week'. The Feth parents left for the states on Tuesday night and we were back into our routine the following day. There's much to show and tell about their visit with us but I'm still sifting through the tons of photos we took, so more to come on that later.

For now here are some of the things that have made impressions upon us here in Kenya that we know we will have fun looking back on someday:

- Everyday at the corner of our road a gentleman sits roasting corn on a makeshift charcoal stove selling to passersby. It always looks and smells appetizing and we plan to try some sometime soon

- Almost every night it rains (mufua) now. The day's are mostly clear but as soon as the sun sets the long rains move in ready to rock us to sleep

- Our power flickers on and off most evenings and will go out for minutes at a time. Whether rain is present or not the Kenya Power is not very consistent

- Most roads in Kenya have serious potholes (and are often unpaved). As a way of trying to get quick cash you will come across gentleman who fill the holes with dirt from the side of the road. Not sure how successful they are in actually receiving money from those driving by but it sure makes a difference!

- We recently met a Massai man who has 6 wives

- We unfortunately have many cockroaches in our apartment and I have become a cockroach serial killer, sorry but seriously.....what would you do?

- Some Kenyans like to end their sentences with, 'isn't it?' to emphasize agreement with the statement they are making. As if saying their point is correct, isn't it? For example, "The real way to help farmers isn't through handouts but through direct intervention, isn't it?!"

- When greeting a Kenyan one knows formally (or are two men greeting one another) shake hands and then ask how the other person is and how things are going, then move onto business talk. Two females greeting one another (and knowing each other well) touch left cheek to left cheek, right cheek to right cheek and then left again while shaking hands and asking the usual formalities

- Kenyans do not like drinking cold water. When going for water at the water cooler they will fill their glass 2/3 full of hot and then top it off with cool making it refreshingly luke warm!?

- Toilet paper is often viewed as a luxury so I am always sure to carry my own supply wherever I go

- Police officers do not have patrol cars so to curb speeding, all streets include several large speed bumps you don't ever want to speed over with your car, otherwise you will 'bottom out' for sure

- Taxi drivers are often some of the most informed people you will come across. You'll find yourself discussing everything from politics to religion on your ride somewhere

- Traditional Kenyan dish: grilled meat (chicken, beef, goat) , ugali (mix of maize flour and water) and spinach or kale

- Women in Kenya and all of East Africa for that matter do not carry things on top of their heads (that is done in West Africa) but instead place the strap of a basket around their forehead and lean over to balance the basket on their back

- Kenyans pronounce english words with a hybrid Kenyan/British accent, so that whole aluminum pronunciation throws us Americans off here as well!

- Kenyans are some of the happiest and friendliest people we've ever met :-)