Hey Now

I know it's been several days since my last entry, but internet is spotty at my place and things have been pretty quiet since the safari.  To keep things interesting, I am planning some trips for myself: next weekend, I am considering a climb up Mt. Kenya.  It is the second highest peak in Africa (after Kili) and only about a 3 hour drive from here Nairobi.  There are 3 routes to choose from and they range from 4-7 days and differ in level of difficulty.  I will have to speak with my supervisor at work (who encouraged me to visit Mt. Kenya) before deciding which route to climb.  My guide book recommends taking a day or two of rest at certain points on the mountain to get acclimated to the altitude.  I have never had any issues with altitude sickness, though, and may be able to expedite that.  


Ideally, I would like to find a group to join me for the climb and divvy up the cost, but I'm not sure that any of the friends I have made here would be up for that type of adventure.  If that's the case, I would hope to find a group when I get there, or just do it solo with a guide.


Thursday I had a small South African wine tasting at the UN Rec Center.  There is a full gym there and a beautiful pool, and I found out that I am eligible to join for a very reasonable cost.  It is right next to my office so I might actually use it...  
The UN Complex is giant and beautiful.  I will post some pictures.


I am finally going to the Millennium Village Sauri this week, and am very much looking forward to it.  A driver is picking me up at 05:00 Wednesday morning for the flight to Kisumu airport.  In Sauri, I will see how I can help out with the dairy cooperative - hopefully that doesn't involve milking a cow or sampling any fresh product (BTW they drink almost exclusively whole milk here with breakfast and in coffee, so be thankful for your Grande Soy Lattes).  I also am being introduced to Claire, a community health worker from the UK, for collaboration another project.  When we return Thursday, we go directly from the airport to the office to debrief the boss-man.  I will surely take pictures and debrief you as well.


I have really come to appreciate technology and some of the luxuries that I take for granted at home.  I've been without TV and internet for a week and it hasn't been easy (to make up for lost time I downloaded Season 1 of "Walking Dead", which I have heard good things about).  My iPod has been absolutely crucial for the hour-long walk to and from work.  After some heavy deliberation, I also brought with me some iPod speakers from home.  The housekeepers and maintenance man had never seen/heard anything like it.  I played some Marley for them while they cleaned and it almost brought me to tears.  


I am writing this from the Village Market and have to start walking home before dark.  I really appreciate the nice e-mails and comments I've gotten from some of you who have enjoyed reading.


Sawa sawa, kwaheri for now.