Was that hole I just peed in the toilet?

Megan and Joey arrived safely well over a week ago now. They have been doing a great job adjusting to Kenya and getting involved in the village by volunteering at the Special Unit at the primary school and meeting various self help groups and community members. One of the most memorable moments with them thus far involved Joey using the toilet at a bar in Karandi (a town about 5 kilometers from Isaac and Joyce's place). After the meal and a couple Tusker beers Joey had to use the toilet. In rural areas of Kenya, and many other places in the world I would imagine, the toilet consists of a small hole in the floor of a latrine. When Joey returned he asked if that was indeed where he was to leave his waste. Fortunately, he was correct. He has become to comfortable using the Palace after I took mercy on him and allowed him direct access to the luxury that has become our toilet.

As previously mentioned, we've spent quite a bit of time at the Special Unit and primary school this past week. One of the more substantive projects we're engaging in is instructing teacher's at the primary school on the use of a computer that was donated by a former student. The computer is in good working condition and even has speakers so teachers can show their students dvds. There is also great potential for the school to begin to keep records and back up information digitally. Unfortunately, few of the teachers have any training or computer skills. To help train them we spent a few hours putting together basic instructions on things like turning the computer on and off properly, creating folders and files, saving work, and using dvds. This process was actually much more difficult than one might imagine. Having been computer literate since elementary school I found that trying to explain how to use basic computer functions in a way that can be understood by individuals new to computers quite difficult. This week we'll be doing two on two instruction with the teachers so we'll know how we did and will report back.

We just got back from a 4 day Safari with Isaac in which we saw all of the big 5 (elephants, black rhinos, leopard, lions, and the cape buffalo) and many other interesting animals. This was the first time I've ever seen a leopard in the wild and it was quite amazing. We also got to see the beginning of the wildebeast migration which will bring 1.2 million of the animals to Kenya from Tanzania to feast of the sweet grass of the Masaai Mara. It was amazing to see thousands of these animals grazing as far as the eye could see. Isaac is truly a spectacular wild life guide and I can't say enough about what he has taught us and been able to show us through his skill and trade. If you ever visit Kenya I insist you take a safari with Isaac and the guys at Wild Connection Safaris!

We spent the last night of the Safari at Lake Nakuru to see the flamingos. If you've ever seen the pictures of thousands of them in a lake that's probably the same one we're were at earlier today! AMAZING!

This was also the first time on the trip we've been around lots of mesquitos and faced the malaria threat! I've been taking my pills and have had no ill effects such as the vivid dreams I got from Larium and Malerone the last times I was abroad. I have had some strange dreams, though. I'll share with you the oddest: I was at the Watering Hole in downtown Lincoln and they had remodeled their bathrooms. They were just as dirty and nasty as they are now!

That's all for now. Be sure to check Joey and Megan's blog at www.kenohyeah.blogspot.com. If I don't write again, Happy Independence Day. We'll be giving the finger to the UK from another former colony!

Peace and Love to all,

Jake