While it is still a full month before we arrive back in Springfield, Missouri, it feels as though things are on the downward slide here. MCDC closes for August Holiday on July 31st so we only have two more weeks to work with those students. We are taking a long layover in Paris on the way home and travel eats two days. So we will be leaving Africa in 3 weeks. Our thoughts are starting to turn to how home plays into how we have grown here.
Today we made our journey to MCDC as usual. We walked 1.5 miles to the bus stop. We crammed in the bus as usual with 4 more people than seats. At the first stop we bought our morning chipati(African tortilla), fried right on the side of the road. Then we went to our next bus and arrived at MCDC no worse for wear and ready for the day to begin.
Shortly after arrival we made a realization. None of us had commented on the length of the walk, the herd of goats that impeded traffic, or the hogs and homeless men rummaging through the trash. We realized that our two hour journey has become normal. The things we see, the people we interact with, and riding in clown cars has become normal. Then we started to think about what it will be like when we go home; people obeying traffic laws, no one walking on the road, driving in our cars and traveling ALONE.
All of this made me think. Our biggest concern coming to Kenya was transportation. We didn’t know how to get anywhere or how long it would take. When we thought of riding matatus and walking we thought about how inconvenient it was to not have our own car. Then I thought about how lonely my car will be when I’m driving home from work down Chestnut expressway with no one to share the thoughts of my day with.
What we thought was going to be our biggest inconvenience has turned into our biggest blessing. Sure it would be easier and more “convenient” to jump in our car, pull out of our “garage” and drive to MCDC every day. It would take 25 minutes and we wouldn’t have to rub elbows with anyone. But the most exciting, enjoyable and cultural experiences on this trip have come while we were walking or riding matatus. This time allows us to share what happens with our interactions with kids, brain storm and give suggestions on possible strategies on how to approach those kids the next day. We get to discuss cultural differences with Kate and the other Kenyans that travel with us. We get to interact with the locals by buying their homemade goods. I wouldn't ever want to travel in Nairobi any other way!
We still don’t have the answer to the question, “How does this trip play into our everyday lives in Springfield, Missouri,” but we do know that part of our heart will always be In Kenya!
“The dust of Africa will never leave the soles of your feet.”
-Dusty Feet
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