Omo, Bafu & Anna

Laundry soap, the bathroom and Anna...yup, that's been my day so far. So I haven't washed my clothes in a bathtub since junior year of high school in Madrid, and even then I think you can image what 6 teenagers in a foreign hotel room is like attempting domestic tasks. What I was doing did sound like Sandra's laundry lady from Sunday morning, so that's a good sign, I think. The clothes look good, the apartment smells mountain fresh and I think I may have just mastered my first domestic task; that is, beyond the basics. Today is a pretty chill day, as the first week was pretty hustle and bustle. I was supposed to meet Jane in town this morning for a meeting with the Young Women Campaign Against AIDS, but with the Internet down last night, I couldn't get a hold of her. No worries, I will be meeting with them tomorrow and you will hear all about it. Yesterday we traveled to Machakos, which is about a 2 hour drive from Nairobi. Sandra grew up here and thus I was introduced to her parents, grandmother and a few cousins. We first walked around town. Machokos is a small town at the foothills of a small mountain where the air is fresh and the trees are plentiful. It is a small town, but one that many from around the country and world call home. Sandra's parents are both missionaries, her mother is currently a professor at a Christian college while her father is the Elections Commissioner for the district. We had a wonderful lunch and then walked a few minutes to Rev. Ndonye's office. His position would be similar to that of a State Elections Official. He walked us through his office and the process of registering voters, elections exercises and election day. As you all know I am a bit of a nerd so this was particularly interesting to me, especially since I have studied Kenyan politics before; much of which has been distorted information I have come to learn. I wont bore you with the details of the system, but he has been in the position for 9 years and has been working for the GK (Government of Kenya) for over 15 years. For those of you who don't know Kenya has only had independence since 1963 and has only had a multi-party system since 1990. The 1997 elections brought on a vast amount of violence in the country and they are expecting the same this year, as it is an election year. The 2002 elections were a bit more peaceful, but there were still claims of fraud and violence. Kenya is a developing democracy and the building stages are being seen everyday, which is why I find it interesting to encounter and converse with a wide variety of people as many of them will have drastically different opinions. Rev. Ndonye brought us around the country side, where I couldn't help but want to grab my bags and stay forever. With the peaceful breeze, the view of the mountain-side and the mix of chirping birds and children's laughter from a nearby school yard. Ah, the simple life. There was a Red-Cross and an orphanage down the road a bit, maybe that is where I will end up. :) The Reverend also pointed out the first signs of "white man" in Kenya, which was a church and a tree. As most of you know if whites are looked at in a negative manner here it is only because in the 1800 and 1900's they ripped apart all of Africa. Everyone from the Brits, the Dutch, Portuguese, French, etc. They created divides which we now call countries in Africa and ever since the 50's-80's when the country's fought for their independence they have been working to mend those ties. Now keep in mind that is the most general history as can be, but I know that some reading this may not be aware... as I have a tendency to forget my 5th grade social studies.... ha ha. No really, someone asked me if I had been to "The Desert State", and I was like, umm... "The Desert State"... Arizona, Nevada, hmm. So I just went with the overall no, as I haven't been to many western states. ha ha. Sometimes I wonder how I made it this far in life.. ohh goodness. Anyway, the plan for today is to read my literature from Rev. Ndonye (yes, I'm a nerd like that I want to read 'A Handbook for the Kenyan Voter'), catch up on my US news, and then Tony, Sandra and I have a date tonight. Yes, yes Tony is cooking Tilopia, I am making desert, Sandra is bringing Tusker and we are going to watch Happy Feet. :) So I shall not write until tomorrow or so, but that is the plan. Tomorrow I will be going to the Young Women Campaign Against AIDS, and then maybe Oceans 13. I know.... explorative. :) This weekend I will either be traveling to Mombasa (the coast) or Kisume (Lake Victoria). Peter said he can even connect me to see the Obama's house, as he was a Luo (a tribe that occupies a lot of this area). What I have learned: To do laundry in a bathtub, ha ha. No, but really. Taxes, we all complain every day about paying taxes, but we have so much to be thankful for in terms of what our money is spent on. Take a moment to realize all of the things that our taxes pay for: good education, quality roads, good health care, safe police, quality water and sanitation. Here, the roads are horrible, no one picks up the garbage, you are upper-class if you have TV and running water, and the police are slow to respond; yet up to 30% of a person's paycheck goes straight to the government and they don't get a cent back. I was mad that I still hadn't gotten my state tax returns before I left. I'm not saying that government doesn't have its flaws, all do; but we never take the time to be thankful for what we do have. I feel bless to have had a great public education, running water, quality roads, sidewalks to play on, police that give me baseball cards, firemen that respond and a government that you can contact and write to if you do have issues. I am a strong believer that government should work for the people and I think it often takes times like these, away from home, to realize that it does. However, if you do think something is wrong, don't tell your neighbor or your brother, tell your government representatives. They don't know if you don't tell them, just remember that. :) Ok, my rant and rave on my love for democracies is to end as I need to read in the sun! Have a wonderful day and know that I am thinking about you lots! Thank you so much for all of the emails and wonderful thoughts, they really do make my day. Kendal asked what I missed the most... its so sad, but its Chipotle. Well that's besides people and Ella of course. :) I miss you so much. Oh, I haven't posted pictures because I have yet to find a electricity converter that works, so I want to save my battery for the kids! If anyone has a solution, please do let me know. Peace and Love.