And then the door on the matatu wouldn't open...

Habari Yako!!

Sorry it has been so long. Not going to lie, my life has been less than exciting these past few weeks. Classes are in full swing and on top of having school work to start doing, we started our internships!

Thus far, I really enjoy Amani ya Juu. The women I get to work with are incredible and I have been able to do some interesting things. The first day they had me sew some things, so I could get a feel for some of the things the ladies do there. None of the women thought I could sew. They made fun of me while I was setting up my sewing machine. However, thanks to Mary Kiefer (and my 7th grade sewing teacher) I surprised them all! I got hugs the rest of the day. I think I earned a lot of respect because of that, so that is nice.

I have already bought a few things from the store - I imagine that is where the majority of my presents will be coming from. I like it because not only do I know the women who are making them, I also know that the money is going towards a good cause.

The good news is that the USIU death trap bus has yet to kill me. It did hit a car the other day - so we had to offload in the middle of the highway, and Quinn S almost got flattened by a dump truck. But, I have lived another day. That same day our matatu door wouldn't open. It was troubling. LUCKILY I have come up with a plethora of worst case scenario strategies: like, if the matatu door won't open, you open the window and crawl out of that (this is why it is imperative that you get a window seat or a seat by the driver). The USIU bus is more tricky - a window seat is good, but sitting towards to front of the bus is best - seeing that there are no emergency exits and the windows don't really open that well.

Anyway - I have yet to need any of those, so it is all good.

Today we traveled outside of Nairobi to go on a "nature walk" (it was a hike) and to the Kitengela glass factory. The hike was a ton of fun. We were able to get some pent up energy out, climb on some rocks - enjoy beautiful weather and fresh air. It was probably around 80 degrees - so we all lathered sunblock on and enjoyed the occasional cool breeze.

hiking/braving rocks

still hiking

picture of people taking pictures

so beautiful

We visited a little Maasai village where they danced for us and taught us about their tribe. It was unclear whether they were living there legally because they were on private land. In Kenya, no one can really go on a hike alone - you always have a guide and usually a security guard of sorts. I like to think that this is how VIP's feel all the time.

Nyos dancing with the Maasai. LOOK at that vertical leap.

Then we hiked to Kitengela glass factory. However, first we had to adventure across this:

scary bridge -- however it is decorated by blown glass from the factory! so it is v. pretty

bridge from the other side. we had to go back over it after the glass factory
dun dun duuunnnnnn

Steven is happy we survived.
:yay!:

Kitengela had beautiful pieces and all of their work is made from recycled glass from around Kenya! Sustainable art! 

Glass champagne flutes

gorgeous light fixture

stained glass window in the store

Following the glass factory, we braved the bridge again - and finally settled down for lunch and some swimming (for some people). It was great to lounge by a pool and get to relax outside - something we don't get to do very often in Nairobi. 

Hopefully there won't be as large of a gap between my next post. Miss you all 

Safari Njema