I said goodbye to my Kisauni host family yesterday. It was really sad. They wanted me to look special for my trip back to Nairobi, so they decked me out in henna, an updo with extensions, makeup, and a lime green Swahili dress. I looked like a white Swahili bride. There were tears, and questions of whether I will come back in December for the cultural festival in Lamu. I had to tell them probably not, as I have classes through most of December... then they loaded me onto the night bus to Nairobi. After watching them catch a matatu back to Kisauni, I quickly changed into jeans and a t-shirt, because as touching as their gesture was, it really wouldn't have been a good idea to arrive in a somewhat-sketchy part of Nairobi looking like that. I'll really miss them. They have so little, but always managed to welcome everyone into their home for extended stays. I wasn't ready to say goodbye.
Arriving in Nairobi this morning was surreal... I felt like I was back in the United States. I still do. First off, since the politics have cooled down, there are tons of white people here now. It's actually really weird. Things look so established and clean... I have no idea how I'll react when I actually do return to the U.S.
Friends and family, please be patient with me when I come home. I feel like I have a million and one stories that I want to share with everyone and a million things I want to do (when I know everyone will be busy taking finals.) I also know for a fact that I'll have difficulty at first listening to the trials and tribulations of American life. We can really have whatever we want whenever we want it, and I now know at what cost. At the same time though, I look forward to all of my privileges, which I feel a little guilty about. It will be a very strange first meal home at one of the swankiest restaurants in Rochester.
I look forward to seeing and hearing from all of you soon!
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