Fun Times with Charlie

Eric left today to the hospital again and Charlie and I stayed back. It is strange not having to go, go, go and somewhat unsettling at times. I have talked to a few people here about wanting to get involved (OT that started the plaster house for kids after orthopedic surgeries to stay while they are healing so they can get 3 meals a day and not get their casts dirty while healing, emailed the peace house in regards to volunteering my time and chatted with some individuals at Selian about some possible ways to contribute). Anything that I do has to be compatible with bringing an 18 month along so it is a bit more difficult but I am hopeful that something will come around soon! SO, that means for now Charlie and I walk the street of Il Boro saying "jambo" "mambo" "habari" "pole" "mzuri" "toto" which are all greetings except for the last one which means baby. We have been invited into a few women's houses which consist of a room about 6X6 feet with a small bed, chairs/couch and a few pictures on the wall (much of the time it is a religious christian picture). The houses are made of brick, mud and tin for roofs and the floor is dirt. There is usually electricity but no running water. They walk to get there water which is usually at least 1/2 mile away, wearing worn sandals and carrying buckets on their heads. They have amazing posture...very strong neck and back muscles which could be a rehab technique with our chronic neck and back patients as I think about it now. :) Anyway, the people here are really nice but at the same time we are warned to stay in our house when the sun goes down and not to leave the compound unless it is in a car and we are getting in/out of the car when our gate is closed (inside the compound). I guess there have been recent incidents of white people getting beaten for their money and robbed. So, we just take the necessary precautions as in any place.

Eric and Charlie are currently taking their nightly shower together to wash off the deet. After that, we will get under the mosquito nets in our room and read Charlie books and play with him until he is sleepy. Then, we put him down and come out into the living room where we have lit some mosquito coils and read, talk, study, use internet. The rainy season starts in March so we will likely be more vigilent about staying under the mosquito nets at dusk than we are now.

Hope everyone is doing well. Each day is a lesson in slowing down, which is hard to do, and enjoying taking in the scenery. It is effort right now to slow down, sharpen my senses and enjoy the surroundings (thanks, Kim, for that tip). More to come later!