Kweisos



A hay field in Kenya?!

About two weeks ago (yes I know I am a little behind) Josh and I went up to Kweisos Guest House near Kericho with a few friends.  Its this small house that you can rent out on a large sugar cane plantation.  They have amazing cooks who can do just about anything with the groceries you bring.  While you are there you can swim, hike, fish and ride horses.  We took advantage of all of this plus took some time to relax and enjoy the four day weekend. 

Check out that catch!

Kweisos is only an hour and a half out of Kisumu so after we arrived and got settled in we took a short walk around the area.  I was shocked how much the area looked like a US farm.  There was a stock yard and hay fields two things that I have never seen around Kenya.  After exploring the farm a bit we relaxed at the house the rest of the night making plans for the next few days.





Ben plays a little guitar

Relaxing on the porch

The next day we got up fairly early and headed out to a few ponds in the area.  Ben had brought his fishing poles and was itching to finally try them out. With no luck at the first spot we headed to a beautiful, secluded pond next to a pasture.  Here we caught a ton of small talapia.  Our guides insisted that we keep a few and we picked the five largest to take home for dinner.  The rest of the day was spent relaxing by the pool and enjoying the beautiful scenery. 

Our small fishing pond

On our last day we arranged to do a little horseback riding.  I was a little nervous at first never riding a horse before but ended up having a very enjoyable ride.  Poor Josh was stuck with my initial horse who had two speeds: slow and trotting.  Overall it was a lot of fun and we got to see a lot more of the farm.  The horses enjoyed munching on the sugar cane as we passed alongside the fields. 

Trying my hand at macro photography

Kweisos was a great way to get away and relax.  It is definitely a place where you can stay active if you want or just be lazy by the pool.  I hope we're able to head up that way again.  I'd love to try out the horseback riding again!  

Conquering the World

So we conquered the world.....Now what?!

                                                
                   

A Kenyan Work Permit

This story begins all the way back in April when I made the decision to come back to Kenya.  I was corresponding with CDC and trying to arrange for the most appropriate visa for my trip.  Despite my instance that a work permit was a possibility we applied for a Special Pass.  Despite talking to many about this "special pass", I still cannot figure out what was so special about it.  It did not allow me to work in Kenya, I wasn't considered a resident and it was only for three months which is the length of the typical Kenyan tourist visa. 

Quickly after my arrival, we decided it was best to apply for a Kenyan work permit.  This permit allows the holder to come and go from Kenyan as he or she pleases, gives the individual resident rates at national parks and attractions and is free to KEMRI staff!  You can't beat it right?  Well little did I know what a long and stressful process it would become.

I began filling out the paperwork in July which included an application, transcripts from my undergrad and grad school, a copy of my passport, 2 photos and a letter of support for the director of CDC.  All were relatively painless (if you don't count the 2 hours at the passport picture place because I smiled in the first shot).  Next came the KEMRI approval and with all things Kenya it took a bit of time.  A few weeks later my application was in order and on its way to the immigration office.  Here's where the headaches began...

The assured time of two months came and went.  Finally at the end of November I got word that the immigration committee was finally convening to discuss my application.  "What a relief!" I thought.  "Maybe I'll even get this before I leave for Christmas."  Ahh the optimism I had then.  The only result from that first meeting was the request for my actual diplomas rather than my transcripts.  Apparently when they ask for transcripts you are supposed to imply that they really want your certificates.  Well luckily by then I was headed back to the states and was able to scan and send the diplomas in. 

I was shocked and amazed when I received an email 2 weeks ago saying the permit had been approved.  One I didn't think anything could get done with the holidays and two I was just plain beginning to loose hope.  There are still a few things I am sorting out like my alien registration card (which takes another two months to process :) and my contract at CDC.  All in all the frustrations and stress from this process has been worth it.  Despite my rantings, the whole process would have been ten times worse if it wasn't for the dedicated CDC staff both here in Kisumu and in Nairobi who put up with my pestering and personally went down to the immigration office day after day to inquire about my visa.  I am definitely looking forward to moving on with this process and eventually completing it.  In the meantime though, that work permit in my passport feels like pure gold.


Here it is.  Proof I am legal to work in Kenya!

4,000 pieces...Nothing to it

Josh and I recently picked up a 4,000 piece puzzle to do in our free time.  It's been a slow process but we've gotten a lot done.  We recently finished all the land mass and have started on the ocean.  We quickly found that putting the ocean together is a bit more difficult than the land.  Hopefully we'll be done in a month or two!

Almost there!

Mfangano Island....Happy 2012!

So after two six hour flights from the US to Nairobi and a short 30 minute flight to Kisumu, you would think we would have taken a few days to recover at home, but in true style we took off the next day for Mfangano Island.  A group of our friends had headed out there a few days prior and invited us to come out and celebrate the new year with them.  Josh had been to the island a few times before and couldn't say enough good things about it so we dropped our bags at the house and packed up for a long weekend on the island.

Mfangano Island

The island is pretty close (only about 100 kms from Kisumu) but it can take nearly a day of travel to reach it due to the schedules of the ferries and small public boats headed out to the island.  Luckily we just made the 10 am ferry out to Mbita.  Our luck ran out there as we missed the small public boat leaving at the same time.  As is true to most Kenya public transportation we had to sit about an hour and a half waiting for the boat to fill before departing for another 2 hour boat ride.  With frustration at its highest due to the heat, packed boat and getting swindled out of 200 shillings, we finally breathed a sigh of relief when our friends came into view on the beach.

A little dancing in the streets

They had reserved a private beach for the day and were relaxing on the white sands of Takawiri (a near-by island).  We quickly forgot our long journey and just enjoyed the day.  Whether we were out fishing, playing frisbee, exploring the island or just relaxing on the beach, I've never had a more peaceful new years.  As last sunset of 2011 fell over Lake Victoria, it was nice to just sit back and enjoy Kenya.  Definitely one of those "Wow, I live in Africa moments". 

For dinner we made a bonfire on the beach and cooked up the catch of the day along with some fresh veggies.  The journey back to Mfangano island by boat was done right before midnight and with the glow of the moon to guide us.  After reaching Chas and Jenna's we quickly found a place to stake our tent and toasted in the new year complete with fireworks. 

View from Governor's Camp

The next morning we all decided to do our own thing with a few heading off to the rock art, others off visiting local friends and some hanging around Chas and Jenna's.  Josh and I decided to hang around the house as we didn't really have the shoes to go climbing any mountains.  Chas and Jenna live on a beautiful piece of land with a small garden and mangrove inlet.  The lake is clean where they are which made for a nice way to cool off in the afternoon.  Josh set up the slack line over the water and the guys had fun falling into the lake when they couldn't stay on the line.  In the afternoon we decided to venture out and made our way to Governor's camp.  Governor's camp is the only "resort" on the island and is really made for that wealthy tourist who wants to fish.  After a hair raising motorcycle ride over there we relaxed on the dock and watched another beautiful sunset.  The view (and expensive prices for beer) was definitely worth the ride over. 

Kate relaxes by the lake

The journey back to Chas and Jenna's wasn't nearly as scary as it was done in the dark.  Yes there was just as many bumps and rocks along the way but you know its not so bad when you can't see whats ahead of you :)  The next morning we said goodbye and headed back to Kisumu.  Not to disappoint, the journey was just as adventurous as the way out. 

Lake Victoria

With high hopes of catching the 11 am ferry to Mbita we raced off the public boats and packed into Josh's car.  Arriving at the docks we were confused when Sam's car was no where to be found.  He was stuck at the local hospital (were we parked the cars) with a dead battery.  After many failed attempts to jump start the vehicle, one involving coat hangers, the two cars finally arrived.  Needless to say we didn't make the boat, but we were first in line for the next one! 


Despite long travel and some stressful moments, our new years trip to Mfangano was one of my favorites.  We had an amazing time relaxing on the beach with friends and enjoying the simple things on the island.  I have no doubt we'll be back to enjoy the rest of what the island has to offer.  Here's to 2012!

A taste of home.....in Kenya

I am always trying to find new recipes that will work over here in Kenya.  Usually that means substituting one ingredient for another or some math to convert metric to inches.  Today was no exception as things such as bread flour and parchment paper just don't exist over here.  Luckily this didn't take away much from these delicious treats.

From left to right: plain, cinnamon sugar, and garlic soft pretzels

Hippo for dinner?

Our first day back at work was a bit eventful as we drove out of Kisumu and made our way to campus.  A crowd had gathered at the golf course, next to the lake.  As a crowd in Kenya is never a good sign we were curious as to what was going on.  Did a plane crash? Is someone hurt?  When we were right on the golf course we saw a lone hippo out of the water.  Ahhh the cause of the crowd, but what's so unusal about a hippo?  There are quite a lot in the waters surronding the lake.  Its not a new animal to the area.  After throwing some ideas around we were a bit baffled about what all the fuss was about.  Then I saw this.....www.nation.co.ke/News/Hippo...in...for.../-/index.html

Kenyans.  I mean seriously who eats hippo.  All that fat can't taste that good.  Needless to say we were quickly reminded we were not in the states anymore.  Karibu sana, Kenya!!

Flying First Class

After a fairly uneventful flight from Chicago to Amsterdam, I was looking forward to getting on the next plane and finally getting to Kenya.  I wasn't too concerned with my seat or if I would get to sit next to Josh.  We had traveled the whole way to the states without being able to convince any airline personnel that I should be able to be upgraded. So when he decided to give it a try in Amsterdam I was a little skeptical whether or not it would actually work.  He is able to fly economy comfort where I had only an economy ticket.

We got to the front desk and Josh launched into his usual speech.  "I have an economy comfort ticket.  Is there any way we can sit together..."  Much to our surprise the flight attendant informed Josh that he had been upgraded to first class!  This doesn't happen and still to this day we can't quite figure out how he managed to get the upgrade in the first place.  Well there was no turning down first class so he turned to me, gave me a sad smile and said sorry Jen but I can't pass this up.  We started walking away but were stopped by the same attendant with a new boarding pass for me.  She had upgraded me as well!!

I couldn't believe it that she had been so nice to move me all the way from economy to first class.  We rode the rest of the way to Kenya in complete comfort.  Ah the enmities of first class.  We were constantly asked if we wanted anything to drink (the drink selection was much bigger too).  The food was very fancy.  I mean who serves caviar on an airplane.  Yep that's right, caviar!  After lunch I reclined my chair completely (were talking basically a bed here) and went right to bed.  We were only awakened to the smell of the next meal being served, also very delicious. 

All in all it was an amazing experience that I'm not sure I will get to experience ever again.  I am so thankful for the kindness of the flight attendant. We were able to relax and enjoy the travel rather than be uncomfortable and stressed.  And who knows maybe down the road we'll be the recipients of another random act of kindness...

And were back.....

The last month has been a whirlwind of family and friends and of course it all went by way to quickly.  Despite all of this I can say its nice to be back home in Kenya.  I had a great time in the states visiting my friends and family.  I got to go down to Georgia to see some of my favorite cousins graduate from linesmen school.  I can't say how incredibly proud of them I am.  It was great to see how much they truly loved what they were doing and how good they were at it. 

Linesman graduation

I was able to spend some quality time with my mom.  We embarked on many shopping trips ranging from the grocery store to an outlet mall in Wisconsin.  It was nice to have a few days to just catch up and reconnect.  I also headed up to Chicago to visit with some of the girls from grad school.  We filled each other in over wine and good food, even getting to pull our typical Thursday night tradition of TV and pizza.  I was even lucky enough to meet up with Jillian in the city.



From there I traveled north to Wisconsin and spent a few days with the Bast family.  It was great to see all of them again; it had been so long!  We had a great time catch up and spending time together at the Dells.  I can't recall how many times I went up and down the water slides with the kids.  Josh then came south with me to Mendota.  It was nice to be able to show him around my hometown and my family's land.  We spend the next few days visiting relatives and driving around my small town.  I even got him up in a tractor and gave him a small lesson!


Next came Christmas Eve and Christmas.  I was lucky enough to catch up with both my dad and mom's sides of the family.  It was great to see aunts, uncles and cousins again.  It was neat to see every one's reaction to my pictures and my travels.  I sometimes forget how different and unique my experiences are.  To me it just feels normal. 

Christmas Card potential

After Christmas it was a rush to my departure date, but I was lucky enough to be able to visit with Mallory and catch up on all her wedding planning.  I am so excited for her and for the opportunity to stand up with her come August!  Before I knew it I was on the plane and headed back.  I have never had a more enjoyable international flight before! ( more on this to come) It seemed only a few hours later and we were landed in Nairobi. 

Although I wish we could have had more time in the states, it is nice to be back in Kenya.  Its time to get back to work and our lives here.  Its hard to be away from home at times but the people here make all the difference.  As I said before, Kenya is definitely a home away from home for me.