Saturday June 13th
Four days smashed into one, 20 hours awake, cooking, partying, and embracing a culture completely foreign to me. I rose at 4am to a dark sky and empty kitchen. Kaizea does not arrive until 5am. I wrote my blog before it was cut short upon to hooligans arrival. As much as I regretted to put my computer away before 5 am, it was nice to chat a bit. They don’t generally ask me personal questions but today they felt more curious. It truly does feel like family has developed quickly and I’ve never had a little brother but I think I am starting to get a sense of what it might feel like.
Anyways, they would never be up at such an ungodly hour but since the party would commence soon, they had gotten up to watch three goats be slaughtered. Filled with curiosity, I decided to join. The sky was still dark when two Kenyan man swooped I and said it was time. They walked swiftly to the goated tied to the fence. The man took the goat like a dog on a lease. The squealing animal knew its fait, trying to release its neck from the rope. We reached the charcoal area, where two banana leafs were placed under the screaming goat. The legs were binding together and before you knew it the throat was being sliced open. The sound turned screaming to something that resembled a goose. I was planning to watch but I couldn’t help but cover my eyes as soon as the knife touched his through. The hung the goat and began skinning the animal started with his testicals and penis.
I then heading out on a stroll before they could remove the intestines. With no destination in mind. I walked towards town. As I approached a body of water in the valley a Kenyan woman came to met my stride. She was quiet at first so we walked in silence for a few meters but slowly we began to have conversation. She told me that her son (14) and daughter (11) had met me the day before playing soccer. We went on to discuss various other topics but the depth of conversation was limited considering the language barrier. Once we reached town we passed other housewives headed to work. She seemed to know so we greeted them as we walked by giggling and laughing. As we passed buildings that looked like abandoned buildings along a country road. She went on pointing out the hospital, bank, church, and school. After a half mile on the main road, I decided to turn back, knowing I would have to walk the same path alone.
As soon as I reached the dirt road, there was a motor bike parked, at first I felt intimidated so I stated a light jog but the man had the kindest smile. I felt he had no malice intentions I slowed down a bit to say “sa sa,” at the same time a woman came running out of the house. She seemed in a rush but as soon as she saw me she light up with joy. The motor bike driver laughed at her enthusiasum. She held my hand tight and said “you must meet my son! Come come!” She turned and ran back through her house gates expecting me to follow, so naturally I did. Behind the gates were multiple doors lined along a brick building. We stoped at the second to last door and seated on a chair naked from the bottom down was her son. I felt he was much too old to be naked with company but no one seemed to be alarmed to I proceeded to shake him and greet him. It was a short visit since I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to say to a half naked 14 year-old I’ve never met and the mother also had to leave for work. I walked her back to the motor bike, said “have a good day” and we set out on our days. Both leaving with big smiles and a good laugh about the unexpected interaction. I continued my walk back to the DNRC where the party had began!
Soon after my return, the students joined in on preparation. I rolled many chapati, little flat breads thinner than a naan and thicker than a roti. They will never be as perfect as the Kenyan but I reached a point I felt proud of. I also tried cutting the tomatoes and greens free hand.
Serving food, indigenous dance, skit
Walk to the river with Hannah and Blaise
Speakeasy, goofing around
Dance party
Dinner and cards
Wired to Wonder 