Going Native

Today we went "up-country" about an hour away in the mountain area.

Oooh! A Banana tree!

We got to go visit a school. It was very interesting. Apparently it gives much status to have white people visit. Of course, everyone expects white people to be rich. The school had 360 children from age 5 or 6 up to 14. They went to class in this long building.

I have to mention that we got to meet the headmaster and the teachers and while we were being boring, Marian went outside to check things out. The kids were released to play a minute later and Marian came racing back inside! the kids had swarmed her and scared her with their sheer numbers.

Here are all the students. Schools here all have uniforms. And until 3rd grade they learn in "mother-tongue", which is whatever regional dialect they speak at home. Once they hit 3rd grade, they learn English and school is taught in English.

We also visited Erica, a member of the church who has a "Shamba" (small farm) right next to the school. Marian was in love. So many animals to see and play with! And the school kids who lived there or near by all came to check out this odd white girl.

This is the sort of bathroom most people have. Hole in the floor squatty-potty. no sink, no hand washing, no toilet paper. It is called the Choo.

And Yes, I did use it! No, I didn't pee down my leg. Yes, I had tp in my pocket and darn right I had hand sanitizer in there too! No, there was NO other place to go to the bathroom, other than in the bushes.

I got to see cute baby cows!

Marian harassed this cow and then she left them alone.

Erica made us a traditional African meal for lunch. She cooked us greens (which Marian wouldn't even try), cooked bananas that looked and actually tasted a lot like mashed potatoes, and chicken cooked their way. It was all pretty tasty, but different. And that was a tough chicken. Marian did try the chicken and banana, but she did not eat much.

The kids LOVE Marian. They would follow her everywhere. She was happy to play with them as long as there weren't too many of them. She loved having so many friends.

She was the Pied Piper for children! Seriously, they followed her everywhere! She said today was the most fun with all the kids.

I really enjoyed getting to see a different way of life. Erica farms and we got to see all her animals and crops. She also had some bees and a small fish pond. We got to drink cocoa made with milk from her cows and it was surprisingly tasty. Erica was delighted with us and declared us to be honorary family. It was humbling to have someone think we were so fantastic, for doing nothing but visiting. Marian said this is the best trip ever, so I'm happy.

Tomorrow we go to the Mara No internet and spotty electricity means no more blogging till Sunday most likely. But I expect there will be lots of pictures then!