Finally!–Kenyan Vid + Top 10

Kenyans are actually a number of different tribes. Each tribe has their own “mother tongue,” culture, traditions, etc.  We had the opportunity to go to a show where different tribes performed and we saw their “authentic” villages.  I wish there was a way I could convey this idea without sounding unpolitically correct, but it might come out that way.  So much about the Kenyan historical culture is similar to Native American tribes.  The housing, musical instruments, dancing, food–it all reminded me heavily of the stuff I learned in primary school about Native Americans.  That said, there are a plethora of differences, but just so you have a vague idea, you can envision Native Americans.  Interesting Note: the people here generally dress much better than Americans.  I have played football against people dressed nicer than I dress to church.  I think I could afford an entire job interview outfit (suit, shoes, etc) for under 50 bucks. 

The word “Chai” means tea.  Below is Kenya’s version of “Tea and crumpets.”   They give us a mug with a spoonful of raw sugar and some instant tea mix and we pour in steaming milk.  In the picture below, you can see Chipati, but sometimes they serve the tea with potatoes, taro, yams, or “mandazi” (fried dough).  We routinely are invited to people’s homes and drink tea while putting on a mini-church service and praying for the family. 

So there is a huge constitutional debate
raging through Africa right now.  Kenya has written a constitution (the
country’s first), and it is being put up for public scrutiny until
August.  There are two main camps.  The Greens want the constitution
passed.  The Reds don’t like some of the aspects of the constitution
and want those parts revised.  The two parts include a clause legalizing
abortions and a clause that gives preferential treatment to the Islamic
religion.  Needless to say, Reds and Greens are divided largely on
religious lines. All the Christians tend to be Reds.  There was a recent rally for the Reds in which some bombs were thrown into a crowd and numerous people were killed and injured.  Since I am a lawyer, people like asking for my opinion, even though I am completely uninformed. 

So you’ve been camping and you see a mosquito and although annoyed, you aren’t too worried.  Well, imagine seeing a mosquito in your room and wondering whether or not it happens to be carrying malaria.  Although I started taking preventative meds, a former world race team had a 85% Malaria rate, despite being on medication.  So I will find myself at night hearing the high pitched buzzing and being unable to sleep.  Thankfully, I brought a sheet from home that I can hide my whole body under, but it has certainly been an adventure.  Just so you know, I purchased 3 months worth of malaria meds for under 10 dollars (I would have paid hundreds in the US). 

Don’t drink the water.  In fact, when you get cut, you should avoid washing it off with water because the risk is probably greater of getting an infection if you wash it than if you just leave it.  We have to either boil water or buy giant tubs.  Also, I think I mentioned in a previous blog that they only get running water a couple days a week.  Though we usually can’t flush the toilet, I was given permission when I make #2’s because their 3 year old daughter Patience has been “scared” when she went to use the toilet after me in the past. 

There is a severe job shortage here.  Even university graduates have trouble finding jobs.  One really smart guy I met who has a computer science degree is really struggling to find employment.  As such, wages are low and there are often more than enough people working at any of the service sector jobs.  Many people want to go to other countries because they have heard that jobs are more prevalent there (see Mzungus above).