It’s been just over a week since I’ve been in Africa. I can’t believe how quickly this orientation went by! Already I’ve made many adjustments to start to blend into the Kenyan lifestyle. And although I still stand out as the “mzungu” (white person) walking down the street, I feel much more comfortable and confident navigating through the town. After a lot of practice, I finally can keep straight the basic greeting, “habari yako,” and saying no thanks, “hapana asante.” I’m comfortable wearing my long skirts, putting on mosquito repellent at 6 pm every night, riding bodabodas, and using bottled water for brushing my teeth. All of these adjustments will be so helpful with the transition to living with a host family and really integrating into the Kenyan way of life. But so many of changes I have gotten used to from this past week will not be with me in a matter of hours. Going to the Nakomatt (supermarket) every day to make sure, again and again, that I have everything I need, spending each night with the 10 other interns talking and relaxing, using a flush toilet, eating fruit every night. I’m sitting in the hotel lobby right now about to check out, with my computer battery about to die, and I’m almost ready to head into a whole new chapter of my Kakamega adventure. And although I know I’ve been well prepared, I’m really nervous! Wish me luck.
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