Wow, so much has happened and so little internet access- what do I do!!
I spent 2 days in dubai because Turkish Airways changed my flight without me knowing and I missed my flight to Nairobi, they couldnt rebook me so I was stuck! It was a nightmare!
But I made it to Nairobi okay with a great welcome from Ann the program coordinator in Kenya for Akili Dada and we got right into work after a little sight seeing. We went to a bead cooperative where women make beautiful necklaces that are importated to the US and all over- the place is called Kazuri. Then we saw giraffes at a conservative park and go to feed them, it was so amazing and they are tall spunky little things!
Then we got right to work doing interviews at the schools to decide who to take on as an Akili Dada scholar based on financial need and potential to be a leader. This lead into our mentoring conference which was all day for our scholars, mentors, and people interested in AD who want to support us. We has some great group dinner and explored an ihub space in Nairobi and have had great opportunities to connect with others. Kenyans are so great!!
I will right more alter but now we are in Kilifi doing our strategic planning session on the beach at this beautiful rented Swahili home!!
I never want to leave!!!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
My Days in Odessa
After coming in Friday night and having a wonderful Ukranian dinner with everyone in John's hostel, Saturday I got to sleep in a little bit and then we took the bus to the commercial center for a little shopping for the hostel. Then we headed to the market to try all sorts of interesting cheese and cherry juice. Masha Johna and I walked around and saw everything one can see and buy in a market.
Saturday John took me to a park near the beach in a wooded area where we barbequed- well Rob, John's American friend who speaks Russian very well cooked a bunch and meat and some veggies for me. All the hostel goers- a dutch couple, some french guys, John, Rob, a German man and I saw the beach and at some good food!
Saturday night Masha sang at the jazz club on the second story of an old building in the town center by the park. All her friends including Slava and Nastia the russians on their honeymoon, Alex the Ukranian dentist, and the dutch couple and some other friends came to support and we sipped campagne while listening to beautiful songs in French, Spanish, and English- all the classics!
Sunday we walked around the flea market with John's friend Deema. It was like one big garage sale. We started from his hostel and saw a good part of the city stopping in a little grocery store to get some iced tea since it was crazy hot! Then saw all this old soviet influenced parafanalia including old coins, clothes, guns (out of commission no worries!) and all sorts of crazy cool things. My Aunt Kit and Grandmother Mary would have loved looking through everything. I bought some pins and an old kids book in Russian. That little market on the broken sidewalks and next to the cracked painted buildings was so neat to see.
From there the flea market turned into people selling animals in cages and in the trunks of their cars. It was somehow not cruel but normal for them. To see kittens next to their siblings being purchased right there on the road lined on each side with all sorts of animals- though categorized according to animal type. So after the blood hounds and german shepards in the old car trunks came the kittens, then the chickens and rats! I saw the biggest water rats of my life that were bigger than the fattest cat I knew.
Then John and Masha and I walked all around. He took me to see the Ptumpkin steps and the bouncing bridge with love locks on it, the town hall, the main square and water fountain with art being sold around it. We stopped in at this French patisserie for tea (very common in the Ukraine) and desserts. We met John's friend Katya who met him in an english speaking group I think John facilitated. She was adorable and by this type the harsh Russian accent in english turned into an adorable accent easily understood on any occasion. We had strawberry cheescake and chocolate round puff thing and just picked it all out. Mind you John was paying for everything practically this whole trip and wouldn't once let me take out my wallet (until sushi!). Then the 4 of us walked around some more and I saw the Mexican restaurant where John bartended when he first arrived- very funny, especially since no one in the place speaks better spanish than john and when john came to visit me in spain I almost had to translate everything for him! That night we went to the Opera on a whim and very much enjoyed though got a little bored and left at intermission. But since Masha loves singing and music, she had been there a hundred times, but wanted me to see it. The opera house was beautiful and we had our own private balcony with red seats and could see the whole place from our view. I listened to a song in Russian and thought it was so beautiful.
From there the weather started to get muggy and birds were flying all around signaling the supposed rain that was upon us. We walked through town and ended up at a sushi restaurant John and Masha never go to because its expensive, though not compared to crazy American standards. So I treated them to a nice sushi dinner which left us stuffed! It was really good though. Then we ended up in Arcadia on my last night. We went to a bar beforehand though and someone conned me into doing a flaming shot...I have no idea but I guess that is what they do in the Ukraine. Then we took a cab to Arcadia, which was new for me for a couple reasons. Many people who have cars in Odessa pick random people up on the road who want rides to get somewhere and you may a couple dollars and that is that. People do this because petrol is so expensive and its a good way to compensate in a nice friendly city! So Arcadia is an interesting place- like a theme park for adults, but not that big. There are places to dance and bars with all different themes. We came with a bunch of people from Johns Hostel and his friends but ended up leaving them to have pizza with just Masha, John and myself- it was sooo good!
After meeting Masha and being with john for a couple days, it was hard to leave. Masha was adorable and cried a little- she doesnt like goodbyes. But I am sooo glad I went and will hopefully be back soon!
Saturday John took me to a park near the beach in a wooded area where we barbequed- well Rob, John's American friend who speaks Russian very well cooked a bunch and meat and some veggies for me. All the hostel goers- a dutch couple, some french guys, John, Rob, a German man and I saw the beach and at some good food!
Saturday night Masha sang at the jazz club on the second story of an old building in the town center by the park. All her friends including Slava and Nastia the russians on their honeymoon, Alex the Ukranian dentist, and the dutch couple and some other friends came to support and we sipped campagne while listening to beautiful songs in French, Spanish, and English- all the classics!
Sunday we walked around the flea market with John's friend Deema. It was like one big garage sale. We started from his hostel and saw a good part of the city stopping in a little grocery store to get some iced tea since it was crazy hot! Then saw all this old soviet influenced parafanalia including old coins, clothes, guns (out of commission no worries!) and all sorts of crazy cool things. My Aunt Kit and Grandmother Mary would have loved looking through everything. I bought some pins and an old kids book in Russian. That little market on the broken sidewalks and next to the cracked painted buildings was so neat to see.
From there the flea market turned into people selling animals in cages and in the trunks of their cars. It was somehow not cruel but normal for them. To see kittens next to their siblings being purchased right there on the road lined on each side with all sorts of animals- though categorized according to animal type. So after the blood hounds and german shepards in the old car trunks came the kittens, then the chickens and rats! I saw the biggest water rats of my life that were bigger than the fattest cat I knew.
Then John and Masha and I walked all around. He took me to see the Ptumpkin steps and the bouncing bridge with love locks on it, the town hall, the main square and water fountain with art being sold around it. We stopped in at this French patisserie for tea (very common in the Ukraine) and desserts. We met John's friend Katya who met him in an english speaking group I think John facilitated. She was adorable and by this type the harsh Russian accent in english turned into an adorable accent easily understood on any occasion. We had strawberry cheescake and chocolate round puff thing and just picked it all out. Mind you John was paying for everything practically this whole trip and wouldn't once let me take out my wallet (until sushi!). Then the 4 of us walked around some more and I saw the Mexican restaurant where John bartended when he first arrived- very funny, especially since no one in the place speaks better spanish than john and when john came to visit me in spain I almost had to translate everything for him! That night we went to the Opera on a whim and very much enjoyed though got a little bored and left at intermission. But since Masha loves singing and music, she had been there a hundred times, but wanted me to see it. The opera house was beautiful and we had our own private balcony with red seats and could see the whole place from our view. I listened to a song in Russian and thought it was so beautiful.
From there the weather started to get muggy and birds were flying all around signaling the supposed rain that was upon us. We walked through town and ended up at a sushi restaurant John and Masha never go to because its expensive, though not compared to crazy American standards. So I treated them to a nice sushi dinner which left us stuffed! It was really good though. Then we ended up in Arcadia on my last night. We went to a bar beforehand though and someone conned me into doing a flaming shot...I have no idea but I guess that is what they do in the Ukraine. Then we took a cab to Arcadia, which was new for me for a couple reasons. Many people who have cars in Odessa pick random people up on the road who want rides to get somewhere and you may a couple dollars and that is that. People do this because petrol is so expensive and its a good way to compensate in a nice friendly city! So Arcadia is an interesting place- like a theme park for adults, but not that big. There are places to dance and bars with all different themes. We came with a bunch of people from Johns Hostel and his friends but ended up leaving them to have pizza with just Masha, John and myself- it was sooo good!
After meeting Masha and being with john for a couple days, it was hard to leave. Masha was adorable and cried a little- she doesnt like goodbyes. But I am sooo glad I went and will hopefully be back soon!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Istanbul to Odess
Who would have thought that so much could happen from one place to another! I landed in Istanbul and took the metro into town and met this really nice older Australian gentleman who i went shopping with in the Grand Bazaar. it was awesome, he works in an oil rig every other month in Kazakstan and we had turkish ice cream, sesame seed bagels, cold lemonade and bought bracelets, pashminas and bath towels that are beautiful. I wish i could type more byt he way but I am on a foreign keyod board that keeps jumping from plaec to place/. Biut I arrived in odessa to see john and masha johns gf with flowers and we had such a feast at the hostel where mashas mom made some od the best dishes i have ever had. we had rice stuffed peppers, eggplants cheesy tomatoes, delicisou fish, cole slaw stuff, a white estonian drink and really good creamy cake....more to come when i find a normal computer!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Heat, deserts, Camels- O MY!
What do those three things compose? DUBAI!!
I am in Dubai having come from DC and headed towards Istanbul, Turkey! My journey over here was, well, nerve wracking. I never know if I am going to make a United flight since I fly stand by, as most of you know, but I have not been this worried about making flights in a long time. I really didn't want to miss my Turkish Airline flights to Istanbul then Odessa because then my plans to see my brother would either be much more expensive or nonexistent.
But I made it in 14C from SF to DC in the row right behind first class...I know bummer, but at least there was an empty seat next to me and white older government fellow trying to learn Mandarin. Then on my flight to Dubai (where I have never even been remotely close to in my life) I got o go business class-- only because there was space. So I started off with some celebratory champagne that I made the flight and then opened my little travel bag with my favorite lotion in it, took a deep breath and thought about my next few days. I always love listening to music on planes because they have all different great stations. I usually listen to country but it does get a little repetitive. After a little tortellini I thought I would try some port since they offered- um gross!!! too strong, I am not a fan. 4.5 hours to DC and 12 hours later we descend into the United Arab Emerites. As I look across the row of sleepy white men (mostly at least since they seem to be the only ones whos business account paid for their expensive seats) I see a very hazy skyline, but not smoggy or foggy but just unclear. You can almost feel the humidity and thickness in the air just from the sign of the brown haze.
This is the tallest building in the world!
I always heard that the Dubai airport was beautifully elegant because of all the oil money the country has. It is nice. A lot of moving walkways, some fake really tall palm trees, high high ceilings, interesting almost alienlike light fixtures, and most noticeably the women are in black coverings from hear to toe (only with their eyes peeping out) and the men are in white clothes with drapings over their heads usually with a little red crown holding it up top. Now, not everyone is dressed like this but it is hugely eye catching watching people speak Arabic and walk in the traditional dress. Of course there are many Europeans and others wearing their skinny jeans and tank tops but I do have to say I have also not really seen anyone foreign or domestic showing too much skin. Which takes me to the metro, which is super easy to get around and only about 6 dirham for a round trip ticket to the Deira center. So in the metro there are designated train cars for women and children and for men. These lovely asian women are usually the monitors and peep in each car to make sure the rules are abided by. In addition to that, the monitors speak English and make sure the cars stay pristine by telling poor little girls that they cannot eat chocolate on the metro (that only happened once).
Taking the metro at night, there is really not much to see. There are a lot of comercialized centers and tall tall buildings all next to each other but there was nothing super attractive to me. Though I read about souks, old traditional markets that sell goods which are supposed to be interesting to see. I spoke with one of the American flight attendants and she gave me pretty grim picture of Dubai based on her experience, but to me, it was interesting. Who knows if I will come back. Well, I would love to do a camel ride! Something unappealing to me is how much Western Culture is influencing this area. All the advertisements and retails stores from Cold Stone to Claire's to H and M are here which just seem out of place given the history and conservative culture....also it is interesting how all the ads, signs, store names and whatnot are in English and right beside it in Arabic.
This is the tallest and supposedly most luxurious hotel in the shape of a sail on a fake island!
Well, there is a little taste of Dubai for you. Next, I am off to Istanbul to spend the day and then see my brother in Odessa!!!!
I am in Dubai having come from DC and headed towards Istanbul, Turkey! My journey over here was, well, nerve wracking. I never know if I am going to make a United flight since I fly stand by, as most of you know, but I have not been this worried about making flights in a long time. I really didn't want to miss my Turkish Airline flights to Istanbul then Odessa because then my plans to see my brother would either be much more expensive or nonexistent.
But I made it in 14C from SF to DC in the row right behind first class...I know bummer, but at least there was an empty seat next to me and white older government fellow trying to learn Mandarin. Then on my flight to Dubai (where I have never even been remotely close to in my life) I got o go business class-- only because there was space. So I started off with some celebratory champagne that I made the flight and then opened my little travel bag with my favorite lotion in it, took a deep breath and thought about my next few days. I always love listening to music on planes because they have all different great stations. I usually listen to country but it does get a little repetitive. After a little tortellini I thought I would try some port since they offered- um gross!!! too strong, I am not a fan. 4.5 hours to DC and 12 hours later we descend into the United Arab Emerites. As I look across the row of sleepy white men (mostly at least since they seem to be the only ones whos business account paid for their expensive seats) I see a very hazy skyline, but not smoggy or foggy but just unclear. You can almost feel the humidity and thickness in the air just from the sign of the brown haze.
This is the tallest building in the world!
I always heard that the Dubai airport was beautifully elegant because of all the oil money the country has. It is nice. A lot of moving walkways, some fake really tall palm trees, high high ceilings, interesting almost alienlike light fixtures, and most noticeably the women are in black coverings from hear to toe (only with their eyes peeping out) and the men are in white clothes with drapings over their heads usually with a little red crown holding it up top. Now, not everyone is dressed like this but it is hugely eye catching watching people speak Arabic and walk in the traditional dress. Of course there are many Europeans and others wearing their skinny jeans and tank tops but I do have to say I have also not really seen anyone foreign or domestic showing too much skin. Which takes me to the metro, which is super easy to get around and only about 6 dirham for a round trip ticket to the Deira center. So in the metro there are designated train cars for women and children and for men. These lovely asian women are usually the monitors and peep in each car to make sure the rules are abided by. In addition to that, the monitors speak English and make sure the cars stay pristine by telling poor little girls that they cannot eat chocolate on the metro (that only happened once).
Taking the metro at night, there is really not much to see. There are a lot of comercialized centers and tall tall buildings all next to each other but there was nothing super attractive to me. Though I read about souks, old traditional markets that sell goods which are supposed to be interesting to see. I spoke with one of the American flight attendants and she gave me pretty grim picture of Dubai based on her experience, but to me, it was interesting. Who knows if I will come back. Well, I would love to do a camel ride! Something unappealing to me is how much Western Culture is influencing this area. All the advertisements and retails stores from Cold Stone to Claire's to H and M are here which just seem out of place given the history and conservative culture....also it is interesting how all the ads, signs, store names and whatnot are in English and right beside it in Arabic.
This is the tallest and supposedly most luxurious hotel in the shape of a sail on a fake island!
Well, there is a little taste of Dubai for you. Next, I am off to Istanbul to spend the day and then see my brother in Odessa!!!!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Devon to Kenya!
I have had such a good send off!!
From Sunday morning watching the world cup final and celebrating Spain's win at my supervisor's baby shower in Alameda it was a great start to the day. I got to hang out with a friend and coworker Beth and then meet other friends for a glorious day at Dolores Park- Cecily who just moved back from Kuwait and Tini who I have not seen in ages...good times catching up. Then I met Kate for and Indian dinner at Dosa's on Valencia and 21st.
Monday was great as well I went to Frijtz and had a yummy tuna salad with two coworkers and then dinner with my former supervisor Veronica from when I was a Resident Advisor- we had pupusas at La Oxaquena, mmmmm. So good to catch up with these people. Then Today I had lunch with Beth at Cha-Ya a Japanese Vegetarian place with yummy sushi and seaweed salad (but no onions right beth!) and worked late with Corey in our office and came home to pack for such an exciting trip.
People- I AM GOING TO KENYA AND THE UKRAINE!!!
I am so excited so see my brother for a couple days after one and a half years! Then I will be participating in the strategic planning conference with Akili Dada, an organization I have been interning for since september that funds secondary education for impoverished brilliant girls in Kenya!
I have my converter, my flip camera, my passport, immunization (I won't be getting Polio in this lifetime), undies, malaria pills and I AM SET!!
more to come...
From Sunday morning watching the world cup final and celebrating Spain's win at my supervisor's baby shower in Alameda it was a great start to the day. I got to hang out with a friend and coworker Beth and then meet other friends for a glorious day at Dolores Park- Cecily who just moved back from Kuwait and Tini who I have not seen in ages...good times catching up. Then I met Kate for and Indian dinner at Dosa's on Valencia and 21st.
Monday was great as well I went to Frijtz and had a yummy tuna salad with two coworkers and then dinner with my former supervisor Veronica from when I was a Resident Advisor- we had pupusas at La Oxaquena, mmmmm. So good to catch up with these people. Then Today I had lunch with Beth at Cha-Ya a Japanese Vegetarian place with yummy sushi and seaweed salad (but no onions right beth!) and worked late with Corey in our office and came home to pack for such an exciting trip.
People- I AM GOING TO KENYA AND THE UKRAINE!!!
I am so excited so see my brother for a couple days after one and a half years! Then I will be participating in the strategic planning conference with Akili Dada, an organization I have been interning for since september that funds secondary education for impoverished brilliant girls in Kenya!
I have my converter, my flip camera, my passport, immunization (I won't be getting Polio in this lifetime), undies, malaria pills and I AM SET!!
more to come...
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy Freedom!
Surprisingly this holiday weekend has turned out pretty well, despite a few key factors. Let us begin with a horrible day for me on public transportation starting Friday morning with a 2 hour, 4 transfer ride, and door jam on Caltrain and Bart to get to 16th and Mission for work. Then once at work I left early to catch a flight that I did not make. Since I fly standby, there is a chance that I cannot get a seat. So trying to fly out to Kansas for the long weekend to see my Aunt, Uncle, and cousin sadly enough did not happen- who knew all these people were flying to Kansas!? After waiting 3 hours and 2 flights that i missed later, I took Caltrain home once again. I thought to call my aunt and uncle in redwood city to see what they were up to this weekend since my parents are out of town in Montana with my Aunt and Dad's brother. So lickity split invited me over for veggie pizza and a movie (based in Sweden called As It Is In Heaven- it's really good!) and that was the start to a good weekend. Saturday I got up and went for an hour long hilly hike around the dish in the hills north of Stanford (man am I sore today!) and then did stuff everyone catches up on during the weekend...emails, calls, tv you know, then had a date Saturday night which was fun! OMGosh I watched the Spain Paraguay game too which was FABULOUS!! Go Spain!! Sunday morning, today, I went to the Glide Celebration (the multi-service organization in the tenderloin I worked for last year) where they preach unconditional love and acceptance. Love it! I am going to do a little work watch some fireworks and probably venture our into nature again tomorrow! Definitely a good weekend so far, but I cannot help missing my family! Especially you john!
As a side note you all know the song America the Beautiful right (it has been proposed many a time to replace the Star Spangled Banner)!? They will be playing it across American in churches today, some churches that ironically don't believe in gay rights, but Katharine Lee Bates, an English Professor at Wellesley College, in 1895 wrote the song and she was actually gay!!
So yay to the song American the beautiful!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiHS1M-FVbs&feature=related
As a side note you all know the song America the Beautiful right (it has been proposed many a time to replace the Star Spangled Banner)!? They will be playing it across American in churches today, some churches that ironically don't believe in gay rights, but Katharine Lee Bates, an English Professor at Wellesley College, in 1895 wrote the song and she was actually gay!!
So yay to the song American the beautiful!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiHS1M-FVbs&feature=related
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