Wired to Wonder

Saturday, July 13th

I truly do hate to say it but the hooligans were right. I stayed up until midnight the night of the party and I was able to sleep until 6:30am for the first time. It was a challenging morning. I felt strange, anxious, almost sad. I wasn’t quite sure what I was feeling but for the first time I wasn’t buzzing with energy. I was struggling to see the bright side and it felt like perhaps the wonder and whimsy had faded. Sometimes I fall into these anxious spells, but I decided today I would not going allow it to influence the rest of my day or trip. As I get older and more self aware, I feel more in control of my emotions. I knew that people could learn and grow but in the past two years, I have been shocked by the way I have learned yourself.

Although I was able to get more sleep, I missed my opportunity to be alone in the morning. Confused why I was feeling quiet, I spent the morning processing of my discomfort. At morning tea, I was grateful to have Thili’s company. It was nice to have a familiar voice and positive prospective. I told her how I was sad to leave the DNRC and leave my new found friends so quickly. I have formed connections quickly and started to feel at home. I would wake up early to cook with Kaizia, walk or run before class, and immediately join the local kids at the field. Goodbyes are always the hardest part of travel. Thili reminded how fortunate I am to have loved where I am right now and told me to embrace the day because it wasn’t over. One of my favorite things to say is, “if you don’t miss it then you never loved it.” BIOGI, our next site, will be an opportunity to develop a new routine, and start over in a new way. I felt uplifted and was further recharged by lunch. What I really needed was probably some food but it doesn’t change my gratitude for Thili.

In the after noon, Olivia, Lily, Savanah, Peter, and Sedjek got to return to the Malinge family farm, the same home we installed a water tank. The mother was the same woman who showed Mumbi and I her orange trees. She is full of life and love. This activity was an opportunity to learn about daily life in rural Kenya, the variety of economic status, and the possibility for change. Life is not stagnate and we are constantly learning and adapting.

Class ended as the sun started to set, but I didn’t want to miss an opportunity to play soccer on our last day in town. So immediately, I hurried over to the field. I was greeted at the gate with hugs and high fives from the school kids. The group was larger than the previous days, maybe because it was Saturday and tomorrow children only have church. I was thrilled to find that my name was finally upgraded from mazungu to Elena. Just in time to leave.

Tonight I hugged Rita, Kaizia’s daughter, goodnight and tomorrow I will say bye to the rest. I will leave lovely people and beautiful place but I will never forget. Whenever I leave I hold out hope that I will visit again, the DNRC is no different.