The end of Nairobi but it's just a beginning

This is my last day in Nairobi! Then I'm off to a rural village to live with a family of 12 and a couple of cats! It feels weird to be done with this portion and to not be going home, and to be starting all over meeting a new host family. I know it will be incredible once I get into my routine there, but I'm getting anxious to discover it all.

This past weekend, Haley, Ami and I went to "Bomas of Kenya," with Haley's host mom. In Kiswahili "Boma" means "Homestead." It was an educational place that had sample villages representing the different tribes in Kenya, art places, and an auditorium where we saw a traditional dancing and music show! Awesome! They used traditional drums, shakers, and a weird accordion sounding, piano looking instrument. The dancers were incredible, and at the end of the show, there was a little acrobatic portion - cheerleaders of Kenya! It must have been school kids' day because there were at least 1000 kids in school uniforms  crowding the place - I even had a couple of small kids leaning on my back to see.

As I come to the end of this portion of my journey, I thought I'd share some things many things I've learned so far: People need other people; Slums are hell on earth to me; There is a whole lot of work that needs to be done in the world - slightly overwhelming; I'm only 1 person; listening to my body is important; I'm extremely grateful for my education; North Dakotans are lucky to have clean air and open spaces; I love the stars and miss them here; I have taken for granted how much freedom and potential I have as a woman in the US compared to being a woman in a different country; poverty sucks; My relationship with God is way different than a lot of peoples' - especially in Kenya - and that's okay; A person's attitude can make or break their experience; I like learning about other people, but the Midwest is home to me.

I miss you all dearly! Can't wait to be in the chilly, snowy weather in December, and hope all is well back home!