Its that crazy time when I feel like something has ended and something else has not yet started. I'm in a mixed up world of limbo, purgatory, and Elysium fields with a frightening mix of Target thrown in. Its weird to shop for things to need in a place I've never been. I decided to buy sharpie pens, but did not take the jumbo box of dryer sheets.
I've mostly just been drifting with my sister for the past few days. I want to go back to college where the most difficult challenge of the day is where to find 3 more girls to play intermural dodgeball. I know I am selling my sister short because she is amazing and is one of those people who does absolutely everything and then some (currently she is an active member of 3 intramural teams, is an engineering major, works at the gym, tutors calculus, and still has time to train puppies), but I'm feeling nalstalgic for college. It was a place I understand, though it would be strange to still be there when all my friends have moved on.
I'm off to New Jersey tomorrow for some extended family bonding. I will be in the city on Tuesday (probably sipping mango mojitos at Papillon with Mikey if anyone cares to join) Then its off to DC on the 27th in preparation for Peace Corps craziness.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
The Speedy Forces of the Bureaucrat
Peace Corps just sent out a little e-mail detailing what I should do to ensure my mail gets to me during training. It is however different than what they sent out earlier this summer, so everyone who is getting the awesomely nifty change of address card has it slightly wrong. If you want the correct address, e-mail me or check it out on Facebook.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Born in the USA
Actually the title of this post is a lie. I was not born in the USA, but coming back is still a real homecoming. I am currently at la casa fenbine, where I share surrogate daughter responsibilities with my sister. It is also a reassuring stop off before peace corps because the fen of Fenbines was Peace Corps Venezuela with my father. They have been amazonian river rafters, compatriots and good friends for longer than I've been alive. Its impressive and a strong reminder of the good things I can get out of this experience are worth it.
Now I am off to do battle with the bureacrats fo of the world. I have a machete to cut through red tape, so I have high hopes. The schedule for my stateside stay is DC today, Shepherdstown and Miami tomorrow, NYC on the 24th, and back to DC on the 27th. Turkmenistan on October 3.
Oh and Kenya had a promising start on the mail races. it took less than a week for a package to go from Nairobi to California. I will have to stop insulting the Kenyan postal system.
Now I am off to do battle with the bureacrats fo of the world. I have a machete to cut through red tape, so I have high hopes. The schedule for my stateside stay is DC today, Shepherdstown and Miami tomorrow, NYC on the 24th, and back to DC on the 27th. Turkmenistan on October 3.
Oh and Kenya had a promising start on the mail races. it took less than a week for a package to go from Nairobi to California. I will have to stop insulting the Kenyan postal system.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
I Miss the Rains Down in Africa
Toto was half right with his song. I will definately miss Africa generally and Kenya specifically, although I could have done without the weeklong thunderstorms. But I am leaving tonight, perhaps forever or until I can find a way to come back again. It is time for new adventures and insanities.
I celebrated my bon voyage in proper expatriateness with Hilary, who I will thank endlessly for being in Nairobi, being a friend, having gentleman callers, and our shared obsession with Jack. (She also gave me some mystery CDs to get me though Turkmenistan). Friday was a rocking evening at Havanas where we stumbled into the SA versus England Rugby Match. For the Americanos amoung us, the Rugby World Cup, which is kind of a big deal, is ongoing. New Zealand are the strong favorites, but SA did it in '94, so I have high hopes. The beers were excellent, the crowd loud and rowdy, and victory to the RSA. It was actually an anihillation (20 something to zero).
Saturday was a proper night on the town. Mercurys to start because we like to pretentd we are swanky and classy. They also make an excellent Manhattan Jack with bitters. Too fabulous for words and its pink. Then we went to Gypsies because boxes of bars can never be a bad thing. We ran into macedonians and generally made a ruccus of ourselves before heading to Casas. I will miss sheesha bars, bonfires, and sandpits. Lenana road is definately where its at.
So, I'm off to pack my carry on bag, get a last supper (Sierras), and leave on a jet plane. Little tragedy to be sure.
Ciao Kenya and Farewell Nairobi
I celebrated my bon voyage in proper expatriateness with Hilary, who I will thank endlessly for being in Nairobi, being a friend, having gentleman callers, and our shared obsession with Jack. (She also gave me some mystery CDs to get me though Turkmenistan). Friday was a rocking evening at Havanas where we stumbled into the SA versus England Rugby Match. For the Americanos amoung us, the Rugby World Cup, which is kind of a big deal, is ongoing. New Zealand are the strong favorites, but SA did it in '94, so I have high hopes. The beers were excellent, the crowd loud and rowdy, and victory to the RSA. It was actually an anihillation (20 something to zero).
Saturday was a proper night on the town. Mercurys to start because we like to pretentd we are swanky and classy. They also make an excellent Manhattan Jack with bitters. Too fabulous for words and its pink. Then we went to Gypsies because boxes of bars can never be a bad thing. We ran into macedonians and generally made a ruccus of ourselves before heading to Casas. I will miss sheesha bars, bonfires, and sandpits. Lenana road is definately where its at.
So, I'm off to pack my carry on bag, get a last supper (Sierras), and leave on a jet plane. Little tragedy to be sure.
Ciao Kenya and Farewell Nairobi
Friday, September 7, 2007
Mail Races:
This is largely just a shameless ploy to get addresses of friends and family, but also for my own amusement. I am planning to race mail to see how fast mail gets from turkmenistan to various points across the globe. So far destinations are kenya, uganda, ethiopia, USA, and potentially Nepal. There will be no prizes other than the joy of recieving an actual piece of mail (you know with a stamp).
If you want to compete, please send me your address at katheryne.kramer@gmail.com
If you want to compete, please send me your address at katheryne.kramer@gmail.com
Matatus, Pedestrians, and Exhausters, Oh My
I have never driven in the first world, and i am terrified of what to do in a situation where you simply trust that everyone will drive according to the rules at 70 miles per hour. Driving in Kenya requires an incredibly cynical nature. You must take as given than no one has insurance, a driver liscense, their vision, or brakes.
The most violent offenders are the matatus. These are 14 seater vans that barrel along predetermined routes, racing to collect the greatest number of passengers. It is not atypical to see a matatu cut across two lanes of traffic and then immediately stop. They also tend to drive with their indicator lights (sometimes even their hazard lights) on all the time. I am assuming it is to warn other drivers that they may pull over unexpectedly.
The indicator light is another of my pet peeves in African driving. It indicates many things, but rarely does it indicate an actual turn. As i mentioned, the matatus constantly indicate a turn, but it becomes irrelevant after a while. You have to look ahead to see a possible passenger to figure out where and when they will turn. Many drivers use an indicator light to indicate that you may pass them; however, other drivers use it to indicate the reverse. I've also been behind a truck that used his hazards whenever he pressed the brakes, because his brakelights were out. It took me a while and a near collision to figure that one out.
The most violent offenders are the matatus. These are 14 seater vans that barrel along predetermined routes, racing to collect the greatest number of passengers. It is not atypical to see a matatu cut across two lanes of traffic and then immediately stop. They also tend to drive with their indicator lights (sometimes even their hazard lights) on all the time. I am assuming it is to warn other drivers that they may pull over unexpectedly.
The indicator light is another of my pet peeves in African driving. It indicates many things, but rarely does it indicate an actual turn. As i mentioned, the matatus constantly indicate a turn, but it becomes irrelevant after a while. You have to look ahead to see a possible passenger to figure out where and when they will turn. Many drivers use an indicator light to indicate that you may pass them; however, other drivers use it to indicate the reverse. I've also been behind a truck that used his hazards whenever he pressed the brakes, because his brakelights were out. It took me a while and a near collision to figure that one out.
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