Road trip to Meru
Monday, July 23, 2007

This was a very interesting weekend indeed. Saturday morning came and I did not leave myself enough time to pack appropriately for the trip but it turned out ok in the end. I met the volunteers at their camp at 8:30 or so and we headed to Kathenjuri where a matatu was waiting for us. On the walk there they told me that the relationship between the international volunteers and the Kenyans, specifically the locals, was not so good. In fact the price of the matatu was in fluxuation... one of the local volunteers had arranged for the matatu and had originally told them 230 ksh each, now he was saying 300. When the nine of us arrived Anita argued with the driver over the price. Finally it was settled and we left though they are still skeptical, thinking that the local volunteer had made a deal with the driver and raised the price so he could get a cut of the money.

I sat next to Sarah in the Matatu, she is studying architecture in Ireland. It was a nice drive and we arrived in Meru around 11:30. We checked into our hotel - most got single rooms which I found odd. But then again they had been living together in a cramped space for a week now. Then I ran to the bank down the street. It was alittle bit frightening...tons of beggars and drunks crying out to me. I got back to my room and had my first shower in 3 weeks...it was amazing. Water was a bit cold but it didn't stop in the middle this time.

Then we all went out to lunch. We learned that in Kenya if itson the Menu they may or maynot have it depending on the day. I had broiled (fried) tilapia which was really good actually. And something I will never eat in karago. There is no rhyme or reason in a restauarant here, but with patience everything works out eventually.

After lunch we went to the internet cafe. I was able to print some songs for playing the piano at the NICA church and I found out how to really make a corn husk doll. I checked my email only to find one short one from Mom. I was kind of disapointed since I hadn't talked to anywone in 3 weeks. But I also forgot to email them so I guess it works both ways. I will have to wait until I go to Nairobi in two weeks to let them know how things are going. I checked KVDA's website to decide what work camp I would do during the month of August but there were no details posted on the site. So I emailed KVDA and told them to put me in any one in the western province that would involve physical labor. I also told them about my concerns about the father.

When we finished we went to the supermarket, Nakumat. It was their one year anniversary so they had a huge cake just behind the registers. I finished earlier than some of the others and while I was waiting I got to help cut the cake. They took a picture and everything so we will forever be documented as a part of the Meru Nakumat history. haha!

At dinner a discussion started about the interactions between the international volunteers and the Kenyan volunteers. Bushman, the only Kenyan volunteer that went with us, said that white people are still somewhat associated with British control so when we try to argue about prices and things they get defensive. And if other Kenyans take our side they are like those Kenyans that fought for the British in their battle for independence. He also said it was important for us as volunteers to open ourselves and lower ourselves. We can't expect to be treated than anyone else here and we shouldnt use money excessively. He shared alot of Kenyan history and sociollogy. I was at the other end of the table...I wish I could have heard more. There was definately some tension in the air but it was an enlighting discussion. I think all of us complained less after that. Personally I don't really mind paying alittle more for things, because its going to that person's family. Not to mention that everything is so much cheaper here than at home. $4 for a 2 hour van ride is an impossibilitiy in the US. haha Then again, the style of travel would be alittle different. 10 people in a 14 passenger van would be considered crowded. Oh the contrast!