Lena: Host family update

Here is a picture of the Shikobe family, with whom I've been living for the past 3 weeks:

Soon after we arrived, we had a meet and greet with the host families that we were to spend the weekends with. My host father was the only member of my family able to attend. Interestingly, although my host father is only 4 years older than my real dad, he has 4 grandchildren. In addition, he is retired; he worked at the center for 17 years and his wife still works here in the kitchen.

He was really excited to take me to see the house, so that same day, he drove me to the house. This being within our first week, I walked over to the right side of the truck, what I thought was the passenger side, and patiently waited for him to unlock it for me. He politely informed me that he would be driving and that I should probably get in on the other side of the car. I have to admit I was pretty embarrassed, but he handled the situation with grace and good humor.

The house was really nice, although you may not be able to tell from the outside. When I walked into the living room, I was surprised to find two very large teletubbies, prominently decorating the entertainment stand.

The first weekend that I stayed with my host family, one of my friends from the University of Nairobi came to visit. I was a bit uncertain about what to expect and how I would be able to balance spending time with my new family and also with my old friend. My host family made this weekend with my friend, Oposh, so much easier. They completely welcomed him into their home; he spent all day hanging out there with me and he ate all his meals with us. They helped us find him a guesthouse close by that was cheap and convenient. In the mornings they even sent someone to fetch him so he could join me for breakfast and the first night they escorted him back to his room, to make sure he could find the way.

There are definitely more mosquitos as I can hear them buzzing around at night, but I slept the first night in my net and I really didn't like it. It gets really hot and it just makes me feel clausterphobic. I just always keep tossing and turning, plus there is lots of noise outside from the animals and bugs.

Most of the family speaks pretty good English but for the most part I try to stick to Swahili, especially because my host mother doesn't really speak English. We mostly do a lot of mixing and occasionally my host father translates from English for my host mother. They both seem really nice and my host brother and host cousin got stuck with the duty of playing chaperone all weekend because I talked to one of my teacher's about Dan and she said, I'll make sure that nothing happens and she talked to my host parents. It's actually kind of nice, although a little weird.

My host father was going to make his son go running with me in the morning, but I snuck out without him this morning because I felt bad, plus I prefer to run alone. One of the little children in her school uniform starting trying to catch up with me this morning. I think most people were very amused by the fact that I was running when I didn't have to and several people said sorry as I ran by. Perhaps my shorts and bare legs were also a bit shocking.

I taught my host brother and Oposh how to play rummy, memory, and go fish and my host brother taught me a game similar to uno or crazy eights. My host parents went to church and also went to help prepare for a wedding, but I didnt't go in part because Oposh was around. Oposh helped me with the book I am reading for my book report and I definitely felt like I was back in primary school.

My mom from America sent me a care package with my favorite cereal: Cherrios. Because they came during the last week of my time here I brought them to my host family. I ate Cherrios with my host father yesterday morning. He sat and read the entire box the night before and was very impressed that they lower cholesterol. I told them that in America we eat it with cold milk, so they tried to chill the milk after boiling and he was very sorry that it hadn't completely cooled. He ate two bowls and I couldn't tell if it was solely for benefit, or because he actually liked them.