I used to think "research" sounded boring...

I started my research today at the Kwale District Eye Centre – it was a very good, long, fun, and exhausting day all rolled up into one and I’m currently trying to finish preparing for my day in the field tomorrow before crashing into bed.

My morning began with a rather adventurous ride on Matatus (privately owned mini-buses) to the clinic an hour away. Thankfully John, who I met yesterday, happened to be going on the same route as me and was able to help me through the whole crazy process. He saved me from being charged higher “Mzungu” fares, which was nice. Better, though, was when he saved me from being completely overwhelmed when we had to change Matatus - I was nearly mobbed by people trying to push and pull the Mzungu woman into their cars so they could make a little extra money off of my inexperience. John grabbed my hand, pulled me through the crowd to the right Matatu, and put me in it after telling the driver where to let me off. Thank goodness!

At the clinic I spent the day meeting staff and still trying to figure out exactly how I’m going to go about this process of researching. A chat with a German doctor who works there (and coincidentally studied at the University of Bonn and worked in the same office I did while I was there!) really helped me figure some things out. He’s taken an interest in my project and I think he’ll continue to help guide me while I’m here. An hour into my time there I also found myself learning to give and chart the reading part of eye exams, putting in eye drops, and taking blood pressure… but don’t worry, they weren’t calling me Dr. Stacy just yet ; )

To end the day, I went with Dr. Roberts, the founder of the clinic, and one of the nurses named Jael to a resort in Diani Beach where we did an aerobics class and followed it up with fifteen minutes in a sauna. If you can imagine an hour of aerobics in mid-90 degree temperatures with high humidity and far too many people in a tiny room followed by an even hotter and sweatier trip to the sauna… well, that was my evening! But it was so nice to get to hang out with some people from the clinic and know that when I go back tomorrow, there will be people I am looking forward to seeing.