Definetely not an introvert.

It is so unnatural for me to come home to en empty house, put my things away from the day, and not busy myself making social plans for the evening. I'm doing something I have never really had to do: keep busy alone. The other night I made cookies and pizza and danced the whole time. My co-workers are so pumped about chocolate chip cookies. I’m starting to like the lone time though. I thank the Lord for good music, a guitar, books and a computer! As materialistic as it may be, these things keep me very sane. It does suck when it's not safe to leave your home at night and everyone tells you not to trust anyone. Right when you think you can trust someone it seems they want something from you. Men are still an issue. I think I'll go ahead and say that I hate polygamy. It has been the cause of many of East Africa’s problems, especially for women.

Yesterday morning an older man who works for Foodsnet Kenya and helps MICH came into my office, asking to have a meeting with me. I stopped my work and agreed. We had a really good conversation. His English was excellent, he was very intelligent and gave me a lot of insight into Kenyan politics. Throughout our meeting though, he was telling me how beautiful I am and how he felt very strongly that God meant for him to meet me now so that our relationship could bloom in the future. I would simply ignore his smooth and charming looks/comments and look to the computer to edit something, waiting for him to get back on topic. How did he not get the picture ?! Soon he was pressuring me to live in Kenya permanently and begin a "revolution" through “CIDA-Canada” for civil education. I agreed that it would be a good idea and that I would pass some information to CIDA in time. This was not good enough. He wants to meet me again. He kept switching in and out of business mode into “I would do anything to get to know you more." When I told him I would appreciate if this could stay strictly business and that I'm in Kenya to WORK he leaned in way to close and said, "all work and no play I believe would make Justine a dull girl." I wanted to scream, but somehow I always stay far too polite. He kept trying to "tune" me (as they say here) for the rest of the meeting. Finally I stopped responding to him and he got the picture that we were through. Stupid! It could have been a really productive meeting and perhaps partnership but has no doubt that I don’t want to see him again and if I do I won’t be as kind. Sorry to complain about men again but this is a true problem out here. I appreciate the advice from all of you and I'm getting better but I think I might have to become a little bitchier. Not trying to toot my own horn, but I'm not very good at that, especially with complete strangers!

Kenya is a very political country. If you follow any African news it is clear that King Kibaki (current president) may be seeing the end of his rule. I say "rule" because a president here is very different from a Canadian Prime Minister. Raila Odinga is a "Luo" and is gaining much popularity as Kibaki's 5-year term is coming to end in December. Raila is the leader of the Orange party and many people, especially Luo's, are going Orange as they often feel disappointed with Kibaki's "Hacunah hajah!" (it doesn't matter to us) and excited about Raila's promise to implement the constitution made by the people in 2002 for more of a social democracy. I am often told that Kenya wants to be like Canada politically. People might just say this because they assume me to be politically involved and able to change Kenya. White skin. I tell ya. Most people here think I'm in my 30's. They are shocked when I say I'm only 20, but unfortunately, it doesn't scare old, married men away. Anyway, very serious political people who want to share their views frequently approach me and want to me seriously invest in Kenya, mostly monetarily. I’m learning how to in some ways, brush them off, saying I can only do so much and I don’t have loads of money. I seem to feel more ok with it the more it happens.

A common and valid political concern is that the people, particularly the lower class, will not be prepared for the constitution when it comes. So many educated and political people of Kenya are requesting resources for civil education before next June so that if the political "revolution" occurs, Kenya will benefit and not fall deeper into economic despair. I do think political and economic education is crucial here now, especially for the very poor, otherwise the rich and poor gap will grow. So I’m learning that there is so much we can offer Kenya in the form of knowledge and our time. The challenge is convincing them that this is the best thing to offer to them.

Kenya is a strange country because so many different languages are spoken in the same vicinity. I've appreciated the subtle but very clear body language here. I'm adjusting to communicating with the slightest lift of my chin, pursing of lips or even looking away at the right time. Learning this language has been my survival for getting around so far. The verbal is not as much of an issue but I am learning some Swahilli and Luo and getting a bit more comfortable with the phrases. People love it when I try. I don't hear what they hear but it makes them hysterical.

I'm also surprised to learn about how the different tribal groups of Kenya often don't associate with one another. This is changing for the most part and they call people who really stick to their own kind, "tribalists". I was wondering why people didn't seem to get along in a lot of situations. They can tell by a glance which tribe someone comes from and they make assumptions for there, often pertaining to language. When I ask what tribe someone is from, it seems like a bit of a hush-hush topic, depending on where you are. I think there is a lot of back-talking with the assumption that someone can't understand your mother tongue. I've been told stories about Luo's who look like Kikuyus and end up telling off some people (often hairdressers) who are talking badly about them, assuming they can't understand. I'm sure it's happening to me all the time. I do frequently hear Mzungo, wherever I go and everyone seems to be talking, so I look at them and there is a silence that follows me. How could I not know the word 'mzungo' by now, seriously? Anyway, all these language barriers and tribal associations make for an interesting social dynamic. I can also say that it makes people less trusting and more on edge in public places than you would find in the west. People are very serious and look at one another in accusing ways. I wish I could understand this language. It's like they know who is and is not trustworthy by a glance.

In other news, while on the crammed Matatu this morning, a large woman came on carrying 3 live chickens with tied legs. They were squawking and ruffling their feathers like crazy. She plopped down beside me as our reggae-blasting matatu sped off and placed the chickens on the ground by our feet. No one seemed to notice the absurdity but me. I thought they were going to peck my toes off but I tried to act as if I didn't notice. I only felt ruffling feathers. Only here. It is inside a matatu that I truly feel like I’m in Africa. It's completely normal for me to be shoved onto a complete strangers lap as we endure the bumpy roads into the downtown area. Sweaty bodies all crammed together, clutching our possessions to our bodies and looking forward, expressionless, rarely addressing one another, and waiting for our stop to be “alighted”. I’m usually wondering how I’ll manage to get out from the back as gracefully as possible, without causing everyone to have to move. Well I’ve given up on being graceful and if I ever had any personal space issues, they're gone now.

Work is good. We are busy with a rural women's group that wants to improve their agricultural skills as well as increase their stock in products they sell each day. I've been gathering data from the surveys we gave out on Monday and we've decided to begin agricultural training for them with composting. This is a foreign concept here but one I feel will make a huge difference. The environmental degradation I've been seeing is biodegradable waste strewn everywhere. I'm currently working on a pamphlet on how to compost, what to compost, etc. that will be translated into Luo by my friend and co-worker Helen. I hope the concept of composting will really spread to clean things up and improve soil quality.

I’ve also made some “artist” friends. DAKTARI is a hip hop/rap artist who has a couple of home studios and is popular in Nairobi. He looks like Bob Marley. I’ve given him some of my music and he wants us to make country / hip-hop music. He believes it will turn the world upside down. He’s pretty good, mostly sings/raps in Swahili, decent percussionist so if I have time, we might record something. I am loving reggae more every day. It just fits so well with life here.

I love all of you who read this and are thinking and praying for me over there. I wish you could all come and see this place for yourselves. We could walk the streets together and you could feel very, very white and unnecessarily important with me.

More soon. I'm terrible at capturing things on camera, mostly because I feel even more notice me once I pull it out and it tends to cause chaos, but I'll try to be sneaking a few shots. It’s also very difficult to upload pictures with poor Internet connections.

peace and love.