I guess i'm not a Carnivore?

Today, we went to a restaurant called the Carnivore, which by the name speaks volumes about what the restaurant features. MEAT (on meat on meat on meat). First we drove into the restaurant parking lot and saw tour buses left and right and once we stepped out of our bus we were greeted (very friendly, I may add) by Kenyans dressed in very traditional garb. I am not discrediting their efforts in the least it just made me feel very catered too and white. The only people in the restaurant were Asians and white people. It looked like all of us had just walked off the airplane, headed to dinner and were about to go on a safari. Hello being white!

We sat at a table set for 25-30 people (to accommodate all the students in the program as well as the professors) and were quickly served with our choice of freshly squeezed juice, warm pea soup, a platter of assorted salads and some freshly cooked bread. All were very delicious but was A LOT of food for just the appetizer (yes, that was JUST the appetizer!). Secondly came our main course. I ordered the Carnivore Vegetable Masala which was some of the best food I have ever tasted. My meal was loaded with spices--the masala was cooked to perfection with a side of rice, chapati and grilled veggies. But enough about my silly vegetarian meal, I'm sure you're wondering what the MEAT EATERS ate. Well, the waiters came around with not warm but HOT plates and placed them in front of the meat eaters. Then waiters came around with meat that was speared through by a sword (not kidding, the meat was aligned on the sword, like a huge shish kabob), they would ask if you wanted the meat (beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, pork...etc) and then fork it on your plate. This happened for each variety of meat, of which there were MANY (many 10?). As a vegetarians point of view, this was one of the most disturbing places I have every been too--just simply due to the mass quantities of meat that I was able to see and at how quickly it came to our table. But I guess to a meat lover this was heaven! 

I know everyone is wondering...yes I did try some of the meat. My roommate Chloe was nice enough to let me try anything I wanted...how sweet! I had a bite of the chicken and ready for this..some crocodile. Ewww! The chicken was alright, but I think it is safe to say I will not every try crocodile ever again...it was worth a try though! Some of the crazier meat selections were ostrich meatballs and bull testicles. hmm. 

On an unrelated note, tomorrow (January 24th) we leave for our rural home stays! We are going to Meru Kenya where we will be staying with a family for just about 7 days. I am very eager to go I cannot wait to meet my family and see another part of Kenya. My family has 5 children--girl 8, girl 10, boy 19, boy 22, boy 23 and a mom and dad (who is the  Chief--don't know what that means?!) I have brought my camera and hope to take lots of great pictures. Stayed tuned--I'll be posting pics! 

Have a great week--I'll be checking in after my trip to Meru. See you in a week. 

Chai Time=the Best Time!

And so day three brings great food, great company, Swahili classes and chai. Because this week is 'orientation week' our days have been packed and there is rarely a dull moment except for Chai Time! Of all the great things that Kenya has to offer  (for which there are MANY) Chai Time is one of the best--for sure. Kenyans strongly believe in the power of rest and recovery by the rejuvenation of chai tea (a very spicy flavorful hot beverage). During swahili class (from 9 am till 12 pm) we take a short break at 10:30 to have chai time which is filled with funky conversations, funny jokes and lots of laughs. We look forward to another chai time at 4:30 pm back at the compound which is typically accompanied by a savory snack--which so far have included mandazi (Kenyan doughnuts), biscuits (Kenyan cookies) and the most interesting one yet...cooked sweet potatoes (which were eaten like apples). They were yummy? but just a very new concept for me. 

We are taking intensive Swahili classes--which I would argue is a very accurate term. We are in classes from 9am-12pm and are split up by level (those who have taken 1 or 2 classes and those who are just beginning). The professors are native speaking and are some of the most cheerful, charismatic and helpful people I have met. They are very sensitive to the fact that we are not all natural Swahili speakers but care a lot about us getting a good grasp on the language. So far we have learned almost half of what I learned all last semester..and its only day 3. I am slightly scared but mostly excited to see what Jacken (my processor) has to offer for us!

Today, we went to the Nairobi hospital where we received a talk by two native doctors whose goal was to have us feel confident that we will be okay, when, in turn, we all walked out convinced we are going to contract any and all illnesses that are in Kenya. We were rest assured that the hospital will deliver above adequate care (don't worry Dad, I am safe here) and then were given the phone numbers of the two doctors and were encouraged to call with any questions. (I suppose this was their way of finally convincing us that everything will be okay--and I guess it worked). 

The misquotes here are the size of a quarter and are some of the scariest looking insects I have ever seen. We sleep with mosquito nets to avoid contact with the little guys...but it doesn't seem to stop them from making their way into the compound and buzzing around ever so annoyingly. 

Each morning I find myself waking up naturally at 6:00 am as the sun rises (as my head is right against a window) and so to make the best use of my time I have been running between 3-4 miles. (I can't tell exactly how much because it is all in the metric system...I'll learn eventually). I wasn't sure how much the elevation would effect me, but it really presented a problem for the first few days. There are a few members of the SLU cross-country team here and they are struggling with the change as well--this has made me feel a bit better about myself. I'm hoping soon enough it won't be such a huge factor; we shall see. 

Here are some pictures of the compound this far:

My roommates are Chloe and Ally--this is my bunk with Ally

Outside view of the compound (where we sleep)

Finding and signing a skull is a SLU tradition

Tomorrow night we are heading to a famous restaurant called "Carnivore" where there is only meat...HA should be an interesting meal! 

I MADE IT!

BIG NEWS: everyone can rest easy--Megan has landed safely in Nairobi, Kenya! The adventure over was to say the least...an adventure. The 9 hour flight to Turkey was, surprisingly, great! Lots of space, great movies (Harry Potter 1-7 and various new releases), above average plane food and comfy pillows.   No complaints. The following 6.5 flight to Nairobi was less great, but still no complaints. As the day progressed (and moved from January 17th to the 18th) I started to feel the long sleepless hours kicking in. Although the adventure to Kenya was long and exhausting I am forever grateful for my safety.

Upon arrival to Nariobi (at 3 am their time) I was pleased that we breezed right through customs and through to baggage where our luggage was waiting patiently. We were greeted by the very friendly faces of the St. Lawrence compound (where we are staying) who led us through the crazy streets of Nairobi to our home for the next 5 months. At this point we, the students, were beyond the point of exhausted and jet lag was kicking in. We detoxed by doing some group yoga, unpacking, and for those who wanted some napping. The night concluded with a game of flashlight basketball (the basketball courts do not have lights) with the professors children (ages 11-13--who were great basketball players). Everyone was sound asleep by 8:00 pm (1:00 pm on the East coast) and didn't wake up till 7:00 am in the morning.

Sunday the 19th was a city filled experience as we were set free (legitimately) and forced to find our way around the blooming metropolis that is Nairobi. We were assigned groups of 4 or 5 and given a location and some money and were asked to meet up again at 2:00. While I was very hesitant and somewhat resistant to this exercise I found it to be one of the most beneficial and helpful activities I have done, and maybe will do. All of the groups did end up finding their way-- although the routes of navigation were very diverse. We then went to the Nairobi National Museum and were all blown away by the incredible artifacts and pictures they had. We concluded the day by an impromptu bus tour by our friendly bus driver, Jau, of all of Nairobi; from where the president lives to the Kibera slums--total culture shock! This was one of the highlights of my day because I was able to gain a greater awareness of my bearings but also realized how lucky I am to be experiencing this trip. Although we view Kibera a different way they view themselves, my feelings of gratitude were just strongly reinforced and helped me realize help grateful I am.

I think it is going to be another early-to-bed night for us again tonight, the city life really wears you out! We start Swahili language classes tomorrow at 8:30 sharp, can't wait to get back into the swing of things. (I noticed today as we were roaming around the city that I really do need to brush up on my Swahili)

Hope everyone is doing well in the USA!

It is FINALLY time!

Whelp, here I go. The moment I have waited for since...forever! I board a flight today from Boston to JFK, New York and then continue along to Kenya after my 4 hour layover in Istanbul, Turkey. (To which, I may add, I am so excited about--so many new adventures!) 

I'd like to pride myself as being a good packer, I have sure done my fair share of it, but this was a whole different ball game. "Less is more" was the drive behind my packing adventure and I think it's safe to say...if I don't have it, I don't need it.  (Or at least I can get it over there if I do!) One hiking backpack, a small duffle bag and day backpack later I'm done; AND READY TO GO!

The forecast is calling for low 80's in Nairobi for the next week which is a mixed blessing. I was accommodating nicely to the recent snow storm that we got on the East coast, but I know I will be able to acclimatize to the heat, happily. Bring it on sun--don't worry, I brought my SPF 50. 

I have anxiously waited as my countdown has gone from months to weeks to days and now hours. I am officially ready to start my Kenyan adventure. I'm feeling nothing but good vibes, Kenya. Here we go...wish me luck!

My calls home are going to be limited (at best) so let's stick with old-school email: mimcgr11@stlawu.edu. See y'all in 5 months!