After a 4 hour flight to Bangkok, an 11 hour layover followed by a 9 hour flight to Nairobi, I've made it to Kenya! I've been here about 8 days so far and have been super busy getting aquainted with my new home for the next month. Last weekend we drove about 4 hours to Lewa for the 2010 Safaricom Marathon. We camped out under the stars and the next day I tried my best to run a full marathon through a game reserve. It was intense. Much more difficult than I had originally thought and although the surroundings were inspiring and breathtaking, I couldn't pull off the full marathon and had to settle with finishing the half. I blame the jet leg coupled with my lack of training during my last few weeks in Taiwan. After an amazing weekend camping we were back in Nairobi.
I relaxed for a few days and on Wednesday I met up with some of my fellow volunteers and was taken to stay in a local Kenyan house for the night. My host, George was fantastic, really friendly and funny. It was great to finally be staying in an actual home after living 2 years pretty much entirely on my own.
We had orientation for the program Thursday and Friday and met the other volunteers. They're all really friendly and there is such a wide range of people from so many backgrounds, that everyone had an interesting story or two to tell. After orientation we were brought to our host family. Everything has been great so far....I start teaching on Monday but I'm a little nervous. I've heard from other volunteers that the conditions in the school are really tough to deal with....i.e. 40 kids in a class with only 7 books. We'll see how it goes. I'll be teaching there with another volunteer and the mother and daughter (who have already been here for 2 weeks) will continue to teach at the school for another two weeks. So it'll be good to talk with them and get their advice about what to expect in the classroom and in Kenya in general. There's no internet at my homestay and the accomadations are basic but comfortable. It's a big difference from the modern megapolis of Taipei. I don't know when I'll be able to blog again, but hopefully I can post bits when I get access to a computer, which might be a week from now or a few weeks.
We're planning on going to Mombossa next weekend and I've been thinking about climbing mount Kenya before I leave. But for now it's time to focus on teaching. I'm really nervous but I hope I can remember all the tricks and tactics I used with my class in taiwan to really make sure these kids enjoy learning.
I'm safe and sound in Kenya, I miss Taiwan a lot though. Monday is my first day teaching here in Kenya and I hope it goes well.
Best
B
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
兩年
Liang Nian,
On June 13, 2008 I boarded a plane for Taipei. It was probably the most nerve-wrecking 18 hour flight I've ever had. That seems like a long time ago, and it was. I came here almost on a whim for many of the same reasons that other people who teach abroad cite: I wanted some adventure, wanted a challenge, a new experience, was fed up with living where I was living and most importantly wanted to prove to myself I could handle something as crazy and ridiculous as moving to a new country on my own. And yet, its hard to put the last two years and this whole experience into words.....
Two years ago I had no idea what to expect. At all. I vividly remember getting off of of the plane and walking out into the airport, the heat the humidity, the congestion of Taipei.... all on my own and thinking "What the hell have I just done? What the fuck is wrong with me?" I came to Taiwan all on my own, no job prospects, a pathetic amount of Chinese ability, no apartment lined up,a phone number of someone whom I barely knew who lived in Taipei, no experience teaching, and worst of all chopstick abilities that were pathetic at best.
Two years later, I have no regrets about my decision. It was the best chance and risk I've ever taken. Two years later, I have so many amazing friends, have a job that I absolutely love and that really helps people improve their lives, I feel completely confident teaching all levels, my Chinese has improved from pathetic to adequate (A night market vendor was recently blown away by my impeccable ability to order some tea), and, most importantly, my chopstick skills are out of control.
Taipei is a wonderful, safe, albeit a little too rainy; but nonetheless an awesome place to live. After two years here however it's time to move on. It really pains me to leave Taiwan....this small little island that has some of the friendliest people I've ever met, and has ..."touched my heart" as its tourist slogan suggests. It's hard to summarize the last 2 years of my life here in Taiwan....all I can say it's been incredible. The people I've met, places I've been and things I've learned have all been inspiring. As cliched as it sounds it has been a life changing experience.
When I came here I figured I would stay for a few months, get tired of it and head back to NY. But after two years here I still love the place and honestly can't imagine living anywhere else.
But restlessness is my biggest drawback....and I've got the itch to get up and go again...SOoooo on June 24th I'll leave Taiwan and fly to Bangkok. I'll have a 12 hour layover and then I will fly to Nairobi, Kenya. To a new continent, new country, new city, new experience, new adventure, new culture. I will be volunteering teaching English in a junior high school there for the summer.....However, this time I have a volunteer job lined up, have a cousin living there and have a place to stay. Piece of cake.
2 years in Taiwan but want to stay for many more...
On June 13, 2008 I boarded a plane for Taipei. It was probably the most nerve-wrecking 18 hour flight I've ever had. That seems like a long time ago, and it was. I came here almost on a whim for many of the same reasons that other people who teach abroad cite: I wanted some adventure, wanted a challenge, a new experience, was fed up with living where I was living and most importantly wanted to prove to myself I could handle something as crazy and ridiculous as moving to a new country on my own. And yet, its hard to put the last two years and this whole experience into words.....
Two years ago I had no idea what to expect. At all. I vividly remember getting off of of the plane and walking out into the airport, the heat the humidity, the congestion of Taipei.... all on my own and thinking "What the hell have I just done? What the fuck is wrong with me?" I came to Taiwan all on my own, no job prospects, a pathetic amount of Chinese ability, no apartment lined up,a phone number of someone whom I barely knew who lived in Taipei, no experience teaching, and worst of all chopstick abilities that were pathetic at best.
Two years later, I have no regrets about my decision. It was the best chance and risk I've ever taken. Two years later, I have so many amazing friends, have a job that I absolutely love and that really helps people improve their lives, I feel completely confident teaching all levels, my Chinese has improved from pathetic to adequate (A night market vendor was recently blown away by my impeccable ability to order some tea), and, most importantly, my chopstick skills are out of control.
Taipei is a wonderful, safe, albeit a little too rainy; but nonetheless an awesome place to live. After two years here however it's time to move on. It really pains me to leave Taiwan....this small little island that has some of the friendliest people I've ever met, and has ..."touched my heart" as its tourist slogan suggests. It's hard to summarize the last 2 years of my life here in Taiwan....all I can say it's been incredible. The people I've met, places I've been and things I've learned have all been inspiring. As cliched as it sounds it has been a life changing experience.
When I came here I figured I would stay for a few months, get tired of it and head back to NY. But after two years here I still love the place and honestly can't imagine living anywhere else.
But restlessness is my biggest drawback....and I've got the itch to get up and go again...SOoooo on June 24th I'll leave Taiwan and fly to Bangkok. I'll have a 12 hour layover and then I will fly to Nairobi, Kenya. To a new continent, new country, new city, new experience, new adventure, new culture. I will be volunteering teaching English in a junior high school there for the summer.....However, this time I have a volunteer job lined up, have a cousin living there and have a place to stay. Piece of cake.
2 years in Taiwan but want to stay for many more...
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wordy warning
Found this in the MRT on the doors blocking the entrance to the subway car:
"In instances when parental negligence leads to children behaving in ways that affect the safe operation of the metro system or disturb other passengers, parents will be held accountable"
That's a mouthful....Unfortunately this has not been dutifully enforced as little "buggers" are constantly disturbing me.
-B
"In instances when parental negligence leads to children behaving in ways that affect the safe operation of the metro system or disturb other passengers, parents will be held accountable"
That's a mouthful....Unfortunately this has not been dutifully enforced as little "buggers" are constantly disturbing me.
-B
Monday, February 1, 2010
Arms deal
In convert with my previous post...
This article in the NY Times came out...
When I first got here a arms deal with Taiwan would not be big news, but now, 2 years since I got here it's important news. But maybe I shouldn't write anymore...the walls have ears.
-B
This article in the NY Times came out...
When I first got here a arms deal with Taiwan would not be big news, but now, 2 years since I got here it's important news. But maybe I shouldn't write anymore...the walls have ears.
-B
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