I left wonderful friends behind and have re-connected with awesome friends here....but I wanted to blog about some of the non-relational comforts.
First: The Hits....the top 3 things I enjoy most about being back in the United States:
1. Internet EVERYWHERE!
I have heard stories about "back when" missionaries when to Africa and had no internet, no phones and a very unreliable mail system, forced then to use only on letter-writing. I am very thankful that I had some internet access in Kenya, but am more thankful still for the amazing fast internet that is available here in the US! And it is everywhere! Restaurants, hotels, airports....no matter where you go, you can reach out to your "web circle" and stay connected. Not too mention shopping online, TV online, online research, downloading books, movies and music! We are perpetually being entertained! And I must say...I love it!
2. Transportation
Travelling in Kenya was always a bit of an iffy situation. You were never sure when the matatu would leave or when it would arrive. Even travelling by private car had unknowns - the perils of livestock in the roadways, flat tires or getting stuck in the mud. Not too mention the paucity of restrooms and being able to find food/water along the way.
Recently when I travelled to the northwest for a conference, I took a plane, a rental car, a train and a bus. The bus was delayed at one stop for 2 hours because the emergency window somehow shattered and rendered the bus undrivable. So we had to wait for a replacement bus.
It was a beautiful sunny day. We were at a stop with a restaurant, clean bathrooms and plenty of benches. I didn't even get upset. In Kenya - there wouldn't even be a replacement bus!
Then my train was delayed on the tracks by 3 hours because of a fire near the tracks. I was inside the train - again with food, water and this time - with free wifi!
The more you travel, the more you realize that there are always things that will go wrong - delays, lost bags, rude people, missed flights...and on and on. But I am so happy to be in a country that has comfortable (for when there are delays!) and generally reliable means of travel.
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| Where there's a will...... |
One of the difficulties I encountered in Kenya was having access to certain..."necessaties." Mainly, diet Pepsi and ice cream. The stores in Nairobi had Diet Pepsi, but Nairobi was 3-4 hours away and I rarely was able to get off work long enough to go in for supplies. So, I had to rely on the kindness of my neighbors who would help me procur my "fix" and I had to buy in bulk. And if the supply ran out.....too bad.
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| Oh Edy....I missed you! |
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| Ahhh...the elixir of the gods.... |
In the US, its a little scary just HOW accessible processed food and soda is! In fact it is MORE accessible and cheaper than healthy, organic foods and produce. No matter where you are in the US, you can find a place that sells soda and snacks. And though I love having my Diet Pepsi and ice cream....it scares me a little too. Like maybe it is all a little TOO accessible....and now I have chips for a snack instead of carrot sticks. This "hit" may require some close monitoring!
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| Maybe too accessible?! |
Coming up.....The Misses...the top things I miss most about living in Kenya!
Number three with food scares me every time. I don't get it, and the excess is too scary. Jon says, "SHHEEESH" at the piki picture. How did you get a shot of it? mine are always soo blurred!
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