Marigat...a picture post

Early morning on Lake Bogoria

Steam vents on the lake

Look at that water

Flamingos take off

The wildlife was limited but this guy was super cute

The only male ostrich at the hotel looking for a means of escape

A croc on Lake Baringo

On the boat ride

Here hold all three!  The one in the middle is a bit camera shy.

He's my age!

Josh decides snake sounds good for lunch

Letting off a little extra heat

Big Stanley and Little Stanley's Marigat Adventure

Here we are with our tickets to get into the park. 

A little introduction to those who don't know but George and Spike (as Aunt Mary would say) sent us over here to visit with Jennifer in Kenya for awhile.  She promised to take us on lots of adventures and we were excited to see the rest of the world, or at least her portion of it.  Marigat was our second adventure with Jennifer and we made sure she took lots of pictures so we could share with George and Spike.  Jennifer promised that she would help us post pictures of climbing Kilimanjaro soon but in the meantime she is helping us write about last weekend.

A little too close to the water

Last weekend we packed up and headed to Marigat with Josh and Jennifer.  They were going mainly to check on Josh's project site and they also thought they may get to see some of the sites as well.  The first day we decided to stay at the hotel while Josh and Jennifer went to visit his research site.  It was a very bumpy ride up to Marigat and we were tired from the journey.  The next day we got up early and took a taxi to the Lake Bogoria National Park.  Lake Bogoria is a sulfur lake that is not home to many fish but a lot of flamingos.  There are also many steam vents around the park where you can boil eggs for fun.  We made Jennifer take lots of pictures of us and even got into a little trouble when we went too close to the water.

Us with the flamingos

That afternoon we went with Josh and Jennifer to Josh's field site.  He had to check in on the carpenter and make sure all the repairs were completed.  We wanted to help with the work but got stuck on the ladder.  Little Stanley was too small to climb the rungs! 

Helping at Josh's field site

The next day we traveled with them to Lake Baringo but decided to not go out on the lake with them.  Our jet packs were running low on fuel and we were not sure they would work in case we fell into the lake.  We couldn't get wet!  After the boat ride, Josh and Jennifer went to the reptile park next to it.  Again we decided maybe it was better to stay in the car.  Little Stanley was afraid of the large snakes! 

"I was not!"

Anyways we decided since everything was larger than we were, it was better to not get trampled.  Those large tortoises looked like they could move fast :)

Overall we had a great time with Josh and Jennifer.  We can't wait to see George and Spike again though and are ready for our next grand adventure...flying back to the U.S.!

Since when...

Since when are first class tickets cheapier than economy?  When I went to purchase my round trip ticket from Kisumu to Nairobi there was a $100 difference in the airfare!  Guess this girl will be sitting in first class at least for that leg of the trip.  Wow a whole 45 minutes :)

Thankgiving

Despite Thanksgiving being my favorite holiday, I have not managed to make it home for it the last couple of years.  This year was another spent away from family but slightly unusual as I celebrated in another country where Thanksgiving is not a national holiday.  It was a little strange to wake up to a house that didn't already smell of turkey and pumpkin pie (Elise and I managed to change that very quickly) and to not watch the Macy's parade on TV.  Instead we spend the day lounging around and working a little bit on our new 4,000 piece puzzle (more on this to come!). 

About an hour before we had to leave, I decided I better start on our dishes to pass and quickly threw together a green bean casserole and corn bread stuffing.  I couldn't resist sneaking a bite, no wait I mean checking to see if it tasted ok :) The traditional dishes transported me home and it began to feel like the holiday.  The food is what makes the holiday for me.  Yes I do love being with my family and I always remember to give thanks for everything in my life, but I just can't get past the food.  Its not even about the turkey for me.  Weeks before I dream of mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole and cranberry sauce. 

Luckily we got to have a little of each of these as we were invited to a joint CDC/WRP Thanksgiving potluck.  I was amazed at the spread and made a beeline for the food after a toast was raised and a prayer said.  It didn't stop coming as the dessert line was even larger with pie after pie and even some great apple cider.  We finally had a taste of fall, despite the 80 degree temperatures of Kisumu. 

After stuffing ourselves at the potluck we went over to a friends for another Thanksgiving feast.  Although we didn't make plates for ourselves here we couldn't resist snatching a few more pieces of turkey and I had to taste the cheesecake. 

Overall it was a great holiday.  Sure it was a little different celebrating an American holiday of food, thanks, turkey and football in Kenya, but the outcome remained the same.  We still went home completely stuffed to pass out on the couch due to a turkey induced sleep! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

                       Happy Birthday Mom!!

I hope you have a great day.  Make Dad and Joseph spoil you.  Wish I could be there to celebrate with you but I'll see you very soon.  Love you!!

Marine Corps Ball

Last weekend Josh and I headed to Nairobi to attend the Marine Corps ball in honor of the Marine Corps' 236th birthday.  Not only was it an event to honor the Marines but all branches of the US military and other US diplomats attended.  It was fun to look at the sea of uniforms and try to guess which branch and which country they were from. 

After the presentation of the colors, the US ambassador spoke as well as a retired Marine officer.  Speaches were followed by the cake cutting ceremony.  Luckly a sword was used to cut the massive cake.  I don't think a regular knife could have handled it.  Dinner was a treat as we don't get most of what was served regularly here in Kisumu.  My mouth watered over the dessert table and I think I just about tried everything on there. 

Dancing started after dinner and the floor was packed long into the night.  Overally it was a great night.  I've never attended a "ball" before and it was fun to get all dressed up.  Learned Josh looks pretty good in his Army blues :)

A Countdown of Sorts

16 days till I leave for Amsterdam
17 days till I land in Chicago and get to hug my mom and Aunt Mary
17 days till I get to see my dad and brother
18 days till I get to see the rest of my family
21 days till I leave for Georgia
22 days till I see my cousins graduate
25 days till mom and I head to Gurnee for a girl's trip
28 days till I get to see Arthi, Natalia and Jamie
30 days till I head to Wisconsin to visit with the amazing Bast family
32 days till my grandpa turns 97
33 days till my dad's birthday
38 days till Christmas Eve with the Foulk family
39 days till Christmas with Stephenitch family
42 days till I leave for Amsterdam
43 days till I land back in Kenya

Just a little excited for my month in the states :)

We're finally starting!

For those of you who are lucky enough to not know my frustrations with my current project, its been trying to say the least.  But fingers crossed, I think most of that is behind us now.  Guess I should provide a little background....

When I first arrived in June, I was welcomed to absolutely nothing.  I had originally thought that the project would be up and running with me just stepping in and running the field operations.  I quickly learned that I would be taking a larger role and that it was up to me to get things off the ground so to speak. 

The following months were the epitome of two steps forward and one step back.  There was weeks where so much progress was made that it seemed like there was no way we wouldn't be starting soon.  Then of course something would come along and push us back a few weeks to a month.  August turned to September then October and alas its November. 

This last month has been the worse with struggles to obtain supplies and paperwork, that in my opinion, was completely unnecessary.  The last hurdle was cleared today as I sat for 2 hours in the procurement office waiting for my lumbar needles.  They were delivered on Monday but alas were some how lost in the office.  "No I won't come back later.  Yes it is necessary that we have spinal tap needles for a study on spinal taps.  I'll just sit myself right here and wait until you find them.  Thank you."  (I don't think they like me much in the office)   Thankfully after some digging they emerged with my needles. 

Even with all the supplies and everyone ready to go I am still worried we won't start tomorrow.  I won't utter the words "what else could go wrong" but that's not keeping me from thinking it.   I understand there will be bumps along the road as we proceed forward but before that can happen we have to proceed forward.  

So here's to me on my way to Siaya tomorrow with a truck of supplies ready to start......fingers crossed.

Let the countdown begin...

One month till I leave for the US.  I'm getting excited to have a month off to visit family and friends.  I am also kind of excited for American food...just a little :) My month will be jammed packed with trips but I wouldn't have it any other way.