walk to water day 2

I felt her shake me awake. She told me we had to start walking now to get there in time and get back before dark. I was starting to rethink this idea. I got up and we started on the walk. 4  hours later I started to see kids not much younger than 6 walk by me with 3 gallon buckets on their head.

I didn't think touch of it until we got to the water hole and I started to try to walk.

I felt like I was going to get crushed by the water.

Than I realized how much the little kids were carrying. I slowly started to walk. I could feel my body straining to carry the water on my shoulders. After it had felt like we had been walking for a hour I asked her how much farther we had to go before we got to her house. She just looked at me and asked if I really wanted to know. I just sighed and kept walking. As I was walking a 2 quotes kept popping up in my mind. " The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.”  “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” I thought about how that was not the case in this journey it was about getting the water home to survive. Those quotes made me keep one walking. 

Walk to water day 1

Since I was already in Africa I decided to visit one of my friends from Tanzania. I called her she told me she lived in Mtwara Region. I went to the airport I told them I needed a ticket to Mtwara Region. They gave me one and I went off to where the plane was. I boarded the plane and I was on my way. I heard the pilot say the we were now arriving in Mwanza Region. For a second every thing seemed alright but then I realized the pilot said Mwanza Region not Mtwara Region. The plane landed and I had no idea what to do or where to go. I started walking down the road after a few hours it started getting dark. I heard some one yell some thing. From my limited knowledge of the Tanzania language the woman was tell me to come in side. It was getting dark, I was hungry and I was tired so I went inside. She gave me some rice and what was left of the water. After dinner I offered that in the morning I would help her get some water. She said Thank you and I fell asleep.

Visit with Zainabu day 4

I slowly got out of bed I didn't want to leave. I packed my stuff up. As I was about to go out the door I heard Zainabu say " where do you think you are going with out saying goodbye?" I told her I didn't want to wake her up. She came over and gave me a hug. We said our good byes and I stepped out the door.
I got a taxi to the airport I went to my airplane. As the airplane as taking off the sun was still rising.

I said good bye.

Visit with Zainabu day 3

I woke up to the sun streaming through the window. I could smell the freshness from after a day of rain.

                                                                            

Than I remembered I had gone to sleep in front of fire place. I was about to get up but than I realized that there was a blanket over me. I asked Zainabu where it came from she said I had looked a little cold so she put a blanket over me. I said thank you and I got up and looked around for something to have for breakfast.She saw me looking around and told me that we were going to have breakfast outside today. I went outside and I sat down and enjoyed the sunshine. I knew I had to really enjoy this day because it was my last. :(
I could smell the food before it even came outside. My mouth started to water. She walked out side carrying a big plate of eggs. 

Before my mind decided to eat it my hand was already on the fork. I took one bit and I was in love I asked her what the recipe was she told me she would never tell. I said ok and went on eating.When I was done she gave me another plate. I just looked at the plate than at her she looked at me and I could tell she was bring not to laugh. She had a twinkle in her eye. She told me that it was for the kids. I looked at her and said thank goodness and got up to brush my teeth. After I finished we went for a walk around town. As I was walking around it came to me I was going to really miss this place. As I was about to ask her where we should go next my phone rang. I picked it up the air port was calling saying that they over booked the flight I was going to go on tomorrow they asked me if there was any way that I would be ok with leaving tonight. I looked over at Zainabu and I knew I couldn't leave today I told the airport person that it would not be ok they would have to ask another person the switch planes they said ok and hung up. For the rest of the day Zainabu and I had a even stronger friendship. Before I knew it, it was night time. We had dinner and I went to bed.  

Visit with Zainabu day 2

When I woke up I heard the pitter patter of rain of the roof. I got up and heard a rumble I could feel it start in my toes and go up to my head. It shooke my whole body. I looked around for Zainabu. I could hear her son. I walked over to where her son was, I asked him where Zainabu was he just pointed outside. I went over to the door and I saw her sitting out side filling up water jugs.

I asked her if she needed any help she said no but thanks for asking. As she was walking in I could hear the water in her shoes slopping around. The first thing she said was that it was cold and that we should get a fire started in the fire place. As soon as the fire lit the whole house transformed. It just felt cozier more like home.

I felt like I stared at the fire for hours. 

I felt my eyes slowly start to close I drifted off into a deep sleep. 

Visit to Zainabu day 1

I got off the plane and I looked around it was not what I expected it to look like. I thought it was going to look like where Maruge lived. But I was wrong it looked like a a big city. I looked around for Zainabu I could not find her, so I decided to take a look around. After I had been walking for about a hour I saw Zainabu sitting near her house.

The first thing she said was that she was sorry she totally forgot that I was coming today. I told her it was fine. After we said hi I asked her how her Water business was going she said great, She thanked me for finishing her loan. I told her I was glad I could help. By the time we were done talking it was time for dinner. She asked if I wanted to go out to dinner I said I'd love to. I could smell the restaurant from a few blocks away my mouth was watering just from the smell. I asked Zainabu where we were going she said to the Blue Room. I got a hamburger and she got fish. We got to her house and fell asleep.

Currency

The currency in Mombasa, Kenya is Shillings
1$= 1,627.5720 Somali Shillings
5$= 8,137.8600 Somali Shillings
10$= 16,275.7200 Somali Shillings
20$= 32,551.4400 Somali Shillings
100$=  162,757.2000 Somali Shillings

Learn a new Language

In  Mombasa, Kenya  they speak Swahili.
Ten things I want to learn how to say in Swahili are (transatation next to the word)

1.Hello=Habari or Jambo
2.Freedom=uhuru
3.Thank you=Asante
4.What time is it?=Saa ngapi
5.Have a nice day= Nakutakia siku njema
6.Bicycle=Baiskeli

7.I dont understand=Sielewi

8.Excuse me=Samahani

9. What is your name?= Jina lako nani?

10.Do you speak English?=Unasema kiingereza?

Transportation

I am going to visit Zainabu in Mombasa, Kenya 
I only have to take two planes to get there!
Here is my plane ticket. Hope to see you soon!

day 4 visit with Maruge

I woke up I knew that I had a lot to do because tomorrow I was leaving. I woke up at 7:00, Maruge was not awake yet  so I decided to go on a walk. I had been walking for about a hour than I realized I had no idea where I was. so I  retraced my steps until I knew where I was. By the time I got back to Maruges house it was 9:00. Maruge was up he said that he was starting to worry about me. I told hi m about my walk and how I got lost. I asked him what we were going to do today he said that it was my choice. I asked him if we could go to the city. He said ok but we would have to take the bus. When we leaving Maruge said one second. When he came back he had one of his goats with him. I did not ask him why. when we got to the bus the man asked what we were paying with Maruge handed him he's goat. I was about to tell him that i didn't want to make him give up his goat he said to me that the goat was old any way. on the way to the city we had to stop because i had to go to the bathroom. when i was coming back from the bathroom i heard the bus driver say "Damn Goat peed!!"

Day 3

I got out of bed a jumped out and ran outside to see if Maurge was heading up the road. i did not see him there. i was about to try and find him but than i remembered it was Saturday. so i went back to bed. when i woke up again the sun was in the middle of the sky. i asked Maurge what time it was he said it was lunch time. so i got up and went to help him with lunch. First we milked the goats and than just had a sandwich.
After lunch he showed me around the town. i first he was just showing me places like stores. but then he suddenly stopped right in front of this old burnt down house. at first we was quiet but then he told the a story. i was a sad story. this was the place where his wife had been shot and he was taken to be in the war.
for the rest of the day it was quiet like we were trying to take it all in.when i lost my cat i thought that was hard so i could not imagine what it would be like to loose a wife and a little boy. by the time we got back it was dark. i thought about dinner but neither of us had a appite right now. so we just went to bed but if i listened carefully i could here him crying.

Visit with Maruge Day 2

When i woke up i did not see Maruge around the house. so i went outside i saw him heading up the dirt road. i ran up after him i asked him where he was going. he said that he was going to school. i asked if i could come with him. he said he would love it if came with him. Maruge said we were here i looked around all i saw was a broken down old house. When he kids inside saw Maruge they all can running out side to say hello.

We went inside and i looked around for a place to sit. i could not even find a place on the ground so i just stood in the back of the room and listened to the sound of the kids. than a different voice came in i was a adult voice. i opened my eyes and i saw the teacher. She had corn rows down her back. Before i knew it the day was over. 

Visit with Maruge

On my way home from South Sudan, my plane stopped in Nairobi, Kenya. I was invited by Maruge to visit the town of Eldoret. As soon as i stepped out of the plane i saw Marugue getting up to say hello or in Swahil  Jambo. I remember from the plane looking down at Kenya and seeing it just as a desert. Now that i am on the ground i am seeing it from a whole different perspective. All i see clear skys and grass.

The first thing Maruge did was give me a hug. Then he went off down the road. 

i was not sure if i was suppose to  follow him. When Maruge was almost out of sight i heard a voice drifting on the wind saying "Are you coming?" For a man of his age he walked really fast i had to really run to catch up to him. By the time we got to him house it was already 6:00. i was ready to go to bed after a long day of flying.

My Hero's Journey

Hero’s Journey

It was finally here summer break. I already had it all planed out; I was going to hang out with Amy, hang out with Amy, and I am also going to hang out with Amy. If you have not figured out by now Amy is my best friend. We have been best friends ever since we started 1^st grade together. Just as I was started to daydream about what we were going to do over the summer, I heard my mom calling my name “McKenna! Come down for breakfast.” As I was coming down the stairs I could smell the bacon and hear the sizzling of it. After breakfast I went next door to Amy’s house. Before I could knock the door opened and Amy came running out to say hello. She said she had been waiting for me because her would not eat. Amy wanted me to talk to her cat. O wait did I forget to say I have the ability to talk to animals. I love talking to all kinds of animals. But I will not talk to a spider I hate spiders! After I convinced her cat to eat it was lunchtime so Amy and I got on our bikes and rode down to our favorite place to eat, Waffle Land. After about a stack of waffles we were full so we paid the bill and got on our bikes. Then Amy said, “let’s race back to my house!” Amy zoomed out around the corner with me not to far behind. As I was going around the corner a car pulled out I had to pull to a sharp stop. By the time I started up again Amy was out of my sight. When I got to her house she was not there. I asked her mom if she had ever came home since we left for Waffle Land. Her mom said no. I decided that I would ride back to Waffle Land and see if maybe Amy got lost some how. Just as I was going around the corner I saw a big black pickup truck sped on by me. I saw Amy looking out of the window screaming for help. I rode after the car as fast I could. I kept riding until it got dark and the pickup truck was long out of my sight. I knew I needed a place to sleep so I kept riding until I found an abandoned train station. I was so tired I just sat on a bench and fell right asleep. I woke up to the sound of birds. When I first woke up I did not know where I was then I remembered. When I sat up I could feel my stomach rumbling. I had not had any food since Waffle Land. I got on my bike to find Amy and food. After about 5 miles I came across an old rundown town. At first I did not think any one lived there. I went to see if I was right. I could smell ham coming from one of the houses the smell made my mouth water. I practically ran to the house. But I stopped short of the door. I could not decide if I should go in. before my mind made up its mind my stomach did. My hand went up and knocked. Less then 30 seconds later a man opened the door. The first thing he said was “what are you doing here? We ain’t had any visitors here for 10 years!” I may brain could only think one thing food. With out me even thinking the first thing I said was “Can I please come in and of some food?” I thought the guy would of said no but he just laughed and said “Come on in I got enough to feed one more person.” I never knew food could look and taste so good. Then I just felt so sleepily, I did not even have enough energy to open my eyes. Before I even knew it I was asleep. When I woke up I had breakfast and I was off to find out where Amy was. As I was riding down the dirt road I noticed tire tracks. I remembered the man saying that there had not been any visitors. I ran as fast as I could down to where the old man was sitting and asked him if any cars had drove by. He said just one black pick up truck 1 day ago about 2 hours before I came. I said thanks you and said good-bye. I now knew that Amy had come by this was. I biked on down the road I followed the tire tracks all the way till the road stopped and there was a forest. I put down my biked and walked in to the forest. After about an hour of walking a came across a bunny. I asked the bunny if it had seen any on go through the forest any time soon. It told me that it did not know but it knew who would. I asked who it said the spider that lives by the old oak tree. I said thank you and I left. I hated spiders I thought about going back but then I remembered that friendship is important. I walked along and then I saw it the old oak tree. I heard a voice boom out from one of the branches it said, “Why do you come through my forest?” I looked up and I almost screamed it was one of the biggest spiders I had ever seen. I asked it if he had seen Amy. He said that they pasted through his forest not 10 minuets earlier. I yelled thank you to the spider and I ran off. Then I realized that I had done it I had talk to a spider. I heard voices so I hid behind a tree a listened. I could hear a mans voice telling someone to be quiet. The next voice I heard was Amy’s. I almost ran out to say that I was there. But I caught my self right in the nick of time. I realized that I needed a plan. So I waited till the man and Amy had gone to bed and I ran out and woke up Amy. When Amy saw me she was overjoyed. I told her to be quiet. We were almost out of earshot when I stepped on a stick. I never knew I stick could make so much noise. We hear the man get up. We just ran as fast as we could down the path. As we ran past the old oak tree I ask the spider to please stall the man the spider said he would do it. We finally got to where my bike was. I told Amy to hop on the handlebars. Just as we were pasting by the old town I heard a car start up behind us I did a quick U-turn and Amy and I went back to the town. I old her we needed to him in an old house. We stayed in the house till morning. We got out and rode down the road. A few nights later we got home right before we got to her house she said a great Idea. Amy said we should stop at Waffle Land. We sat down and had some waffles. We had a great summer.

My Visit to Eldoret, Kenya

On my way home from South Sudan, my plane stopped in Nairobi, Kenya. I was invited to visit the town of Eldoret, where Maruge went to Kapkenduiywo Primary School, so I did. Here is a map of Eldoret. Here is a map of the village.



Here is a picture of some people at the school.

Here is a song from the film The First Grader.

Hope you like it.

In Sudan with Panther Boir

By the time we got there, it was almost lunch time. Panther's wife Nyanthiec made me a traditional lunch. 

 After lunch Panther showed me around his village. All of it was great, but the last thing he showed me was the school he was building. By the time we got back, it was dark. Before we went home, Panther said he wanted to show me one more thing. We went to the center of the village. Most of the village was gathered  there. I asked Panther why everyone was there. He said it was because Lam Tungwar was singing. Here are a few of his songs!