1. Friends/Family
I say friends and family because that's what they were. They were my home away from home for three months. The experience wouldn't have been the same if they weren't there. I know it is these people who made the trip unbelievable. We traveled together and bonded over all the mishaps along the way. I always used to wonder what it was about summer experiences that were unforgettable; the warm weather, the exotic locations, the reasons for traveling? Its the people. The people can make or break the experience and I was blessed on this trip to meet and spend time with some of the best people I've ever met. When I think back on Kenya its these people who are attached to the memories. They are undoubtedly what I will and what I do miss the most.
As I am sitting here writing (and starting to cry) I am trying to pinpoint some of my favorite memories and its hard. There are so many moments, so many nights, so many jokes that its difficult to pick just one. Like the adventures I think I'm going to highlight some of my favorite memories from this summer.
Max-You were here for so short but I don't think the summer would have been the same without you there. You single handily got us started on our weekend trips and I don't think we stopped to sleep until you left. I mean how many trips did we fit into the 5 week time? Not to mention the week where we went out EVERY night in order to fully celebrate you leaving and raided Kayla's pantry to make dinner. You were the only other CDCer and we had many good chats on the way to work every morning of course while the matatu van was swerving dangerously around the road. My favorite memory by far though has to be when you and Richie got the 'great' idea of running after the wildebeest. Maybe not the smartest of ideas but made for an entertaining video. Here's where I'd congratulate you for winning our asshole card tournament but wait you didn't win did you el presidente...I think that title was stolen from you at the last minute. Did I say stolen? I meant rightly deserved.
At the top after our first trip, to Hell's Gate.
Emily-First I have to say how grateful I am to you. I'm not sure I would have gotten to know as many people as I did without you to do the introductions. I am so grateful that that day our car was late and I was able to tour Walter Reed. Also very glad you spoke up at the mention of Michigan!! You were our guide. There are times that I look back and wonder if we could have gotten through it or gotten through it as smoothly without your Swahili skills or Kenya experience. You really showed us the ropes. I think by far my favorite memory or memories is all the dancing. Especially to Waka Waka....I think we definitely lived this one up. Or you know my favorite memory could be the baked goods that seemed to constantly be coming out of your house. I mean do I listen to my head or my stomach? I think the best part of the summer for us is it doesn't have to end. I always wonder at how small the world is when you think about the people you meet across the world. I mean were 45 minutes apart!! Craziness....I can only say until we see each other again because I know with this distance we will!
Richie-Where do I even start? I think my favorite memories of you this summer mainly revolve around the crazy things that came out of your mouth and tusker. And I think you wouldn't have it any other way. Some of my favorites: "That's deadly." Said over and over again in relation to just about every 'cool' thing we did over the course of the summer. "Jen, we need you to come here now." I go running in what seems to be an emergency but turns out to be a birthday cake with many candles waiting for me. "Let's extend our trips." One night after a few too many tuskers we all decided that it may be necessary to stay a bit longer in Kenya. REALLY glad this happened! "I'm going to have one more." I can't even begin to count the number of times I heard this one. Looking back on it I think it was your instance for one more tusker that turned nights into memories and friends into family. (Yes I realize that was a little cheesy) I know that at times you probably got sick of being the only one with testosterone at the table but Richie it wouldn't have been the same if you hadn't been there. I can only say that I cannot wait you make it here to the states or I to Ireland. Whichever comes first and YES I will be taking you up on that offer to stay at your gaff. As Rachel was our witness you can't back out of it now!
Its been grand.
Rachel-Again where do I start? There isn't a single memory (ok so that's a bit of an exaggeration but there isn't many) that I have of Kenya that doesn't include you. Whether it was our bikes breaking down in Hell's Gate, telling you to stop 'sleep-texting' on Mt. Elgon, going to see Twilight in Nairobi, visiting the tourist market in Kisumu so much that they know our names, attempting to make a pie from scratch, or splitting a delicious dessert at the Laughing Buddha, I'm never going to forget it. One of my favorite memories has to be our attempt to make make up a song in the Mara. "Masai, Masai Mara....Mara" (said to the tune of Money, Money, Money) So we got this brilliant idea that we should one make up a song about the Mara and two we should do a music video. We got as far as this line and stopped....yeah you can see why. Needless to say there isn't one distinct time that stands out to me more than the other whether we were convincing Richie it was time to go home, shopping, walking around the city, or just hanging out. More so I am thankful that I was able to find a great friend in you. I'm going to hold you to the promise to return in May. The coast, Kisumu, the works! I am already saving!!
Josh- Can I say where do I start for a third time? I feel over the past three months I was in Kenya the memories I have that include you are to numerous to count. Upon trying to decide on a favorite is where I get stuck. My first thought goes to Mt. Elgon and the struggle (or what seemed to be) to get up and down the mountain. Sure I trusted your new car and sure I trusted your driving but that whole falling off the side of the mountain was always there in my mind. I'm just glad I wasn't seated up front because I probably would have driven you crazy with my 'minor' freak outs and bouts of hiding in my hoodie. My second thought goes to a certain wedding crashing event that may or may not have happened :-) (depending on who is reading this right now) I don't think I've ever enjoyed rocking out to YMCA and Michael Jackson as much as I did that night. Think if we would have stayed there any longer we would have started making friends out there on the dance floor. When I look back on the summer, I think I also have a lot to thank you for. The simple things: the rides (unfortunately you were the only one with a car) and the big things: allowing me to wait out the referendum at your house and then move in for the remainder of my trip. I think (or I hope) I managed to take care of the place while you were away. I mean it was still standing when you got back! Most of all though, Josh, thank you for being a part of my summer and more so for continuing to stay in touch. And get ready, Rachel and I are coming back!!
My last night in Kisumu out at the Laughing Buddah.
All in all I miss you guys tons. The three months in Kenya were some of the best of my life. Until we meet again! (if I knew how to say that in Swahili it would make this post even cooler!)
2. The CDC
When I started this summer I already had preconceived notions on how my summer experience was going to go. I had found this amazing opportunity abroad and was ready to get started. As with any international experience things are bound to change and sure enough my project was switched about a month into my trip. It ended up being for the better as I had the opportunity to basically run my own project. I started from the beginning stages learning what I could from already established surveillance programs, hiring staff, running training sessions and eventually collecting data. It was really a great experience to have because it allowed me to follow a project from the start to the implication. It also gave me the opportunity to get hands on experience in project management. Both good resume builders!
On a less serious note, working at CDC summer was a dream come true. I learned way more in my three months in Kenya than my entire first year in grad school. It made me see that sometimes you don't realize how much you know until you put it in practice. Coming over I felt so unprepared for what awaited to me and was honestly surprised by the knowledge that I had and how I was able to translate that into my work.
It was not only my experiences at the CDC that shaped my summer but more so the people who worked there. I had the privilege of working with some of the country's leading minds in influenza, malaria, statistics, and enterics. It was an honor to collaborate with them and share ideas. I know that as my career moves forward I can turn to these people for advice, support, and assistance. When you think of CDC your mind honestly recalls the research and ignores the inter workings of the organization. It is these people that I will remember most because of the experiences and memories we formed.
Rachel- My supervisor, my friend, my go to, my second mom, my support. Its hard to pinpoint what I will remember most or more so what I will miss the most. You brought me through the initial hard times and were always there with a piece of advice. I will always remember your assistance with the mess that was finding me a place to live and all the times we moved me around the city. I loved meeting your family and your kids. I will treasure those moments with them. As a mentor you taught me the inner workings at CDC. Who to go to when you wanted something done, how to be an effective leader, how to ask for help when you need it. I was so grateful for these lessons and also appreciated you turning to me for help as well. I knew leaving would be hard but I didn't expect saying goodbye would be as difficult as it was. I know we will always stay in touch and will meet again soon.
Chege-My driver, the giver of marriage advice, and the best at subtle jokes. I already miss heading out to the field everyday. My best memories are when we decided that work just wasn't necessary that day and headed into town or when you insisted that I needed to marry a Kenyan in order to stay longer. I am so thankful that you were always our driver and honestly looked forward to the hour drive to and from the field that was filled with jokes, snide remarks, and rantings.
Rhoda-The go to girl, the keeper of my passport, and the one who will always brighten your day. Rhoda was always the one I went to when I needed a pick me up. There was never a moment or day that she wasn't smiling and no matter the question she always seemed to have an answer. I jokingly refer to her as the 'boss'.
Ruttoh-I don't have any funny name for him or any smart remarks. Ruttoh is a character in and of himself. He was the go to man for any kind of supplies and even though I probably was in his office everyday he never turned me away. He was my teacher of Kenya names for things and always reminded me that it wasn't a binder but a box file. I will always be grateful to him for helping me find my first place and buying me that beer!
There are so many others that I would love to mention but then this post would just go on and on forever. CDC was my home away from home for the three months I was in Kenya. The people there opened their arms and sometimes homes to me. Given the chance I would go back in a heart beat and Kayla did say, "Come back in May....Bring your own money!"
