After I got up, I ate a mango for breakfast, took my malaria pill, and got ready for the day. Waited by the main road for my ride and watched joggers go by in their bare feet and monkeys climbing across (and laughing as they sometimes fell off of) the power lines. Said “Jambo!” to the passers-by. Routine already, and this is only my 9th day in Kenya. I’m thankful for it, though, because it makes life feel normal even though I’m so far from home.
I’m currently at the Kwale District Eye Center (founded by a British woman but sponsored by a German missions organization... hence my being here) drinking hot tea with lots of milk and sugar (hot tea on a hot day? Guess I’m just following suit and doing like everyone else does) and am spending the day thinking about where this project is headed and how I can make it better. It's a bit of a relief to be able to take a break from surveys and interviews and to just work on some planning instead.
Research has been complicated and challenging, and it’s hard for me to even see where this whole project is going at times. Somehow it’ll all get straightened out – at least I hope so! I’m thankful for getting to know the staff while I’m here, though, and they’re all having fun teaching me Swahili words like “eye clinic” and “cup” and “how much does it cost?” and are very curious about my research, which I like telling them about.
On Wednesday I went out in the field for an eye screening in a very remote village in Kinango about an hour and a half drive inland from the coast. We had to drive up into the highlands over pretty rough roads and through a national park to get there, and along the way we saw some warthogs and baboons with their babies following behind. (The adult versions of both animals aren’t so cute, but the young ones definitely are!). It was like a mini-safari, which was really fun. We were hoping to see some elephants, too… but all we saw were elephant droppings. Boo! Slightly disappointing, but at least I can say I was in a park where elephants live : )
An "Mganga" - traditional healer - who came to our screening.
Other than research, I’ve been spending time with Jael and Sebastian and appreciating their rides to and from work that save me from the Matatus (although I think I could handle them better now that I’ve had some experience). The restaurant they took me to last night was wonderful – we ate dinner with only a palm roof over our heads by the light of candles and paper lanterns and watched the waves wash ashore just 50 meters away. I definitely needed the break from thinking and worrying about my research, so a relaxing late dinner fit the bill perfectly.
Okay, off to do some work. Thanks for reading and hope everyone in Columbus has dug their way out of the snow I hear you all got mid-week ; )
Stacy, Sounds like you had a beautiful day, do not worry about your research you will find your way and as the Bible says "do not worry about tomorrow for each day has enough troubles of its own, if this if how the Lord clothes the lilies of the field how much more does he cares for you." I love your picture of the traditional healer and your description of the resturant, it definetly made me want to be there with you. Miss you very much!
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