I know, I know, it is nearly 2 months since our last post.....wow 2 months since we left Kenya! Time is definitely slower there......

2  months removed from our experience I would like to reflect on some of the things I miss most.

Time

Time has always been such a strange thing to me. Even growing up, as my parents can tell you, I have really been obsessed with the time. Keeping things running on schedule. Making sure I make it from point A to point B. I've noticed since we've gotten home that even though I can complete so much more in 24 hours in the US I get so much less of it. When we were in Kenya, Jen and I had what seemed like an infinite amount of time. We woke up together, ate together, experienced Kenya together. I found myself coming home and being frustrated that she didn't already know the back story of all of my experiences for that day. Quality time is definitely something that all Americans lack. I wonder what Americans would do if we had more time..... although I suppose I already know. Everything is on schedule, rain or shine. You can time your commute to the minute and baring some sort of alien attack or simultaneous accidents on every route to your place of work you will make it on time. For example, my days now are planned to the minute. Nothing ever changes so you can squeeze the "goody" out of every minute. Even if that "goody" isn't even what you want most. As anyone looking at my schedule can tell, I was an American when I left and an American when I returned, but America's obsession over time will always confuse me.

Friends

I think time and friends are directly related. Everyone you met in Africa could make time to build a friendship. There are genuine people in the US that I want to build a friendship with, but physically can't make the time to build it. Even if I made the time to build that friendship, chances are they wouldn't have the time to build it either. I don't necessarily think that the US is lacking genuine people, it's just the fact that all of the genuine people are doing genuine things and have a hard time running into each other.

Coca Cola and Sugar Cane

All of the soda in Kenya is made with locally grown sugar cane. I came home and tasted a soda and almost poured it out. I couldn't believe how awful it tasted. Sugar cane is sold on the side of the road in Kenya, so you just have the guy selling it chop it into bite sized pieces and you have a delicious snack for your walk home.

The Kids

You will never find a more loving person than someone in need. Even those kids just desperate for attention scream out for help. They changed my outlook on the world, and laid a burden on my heart that will never go away.


With all of those things I am still glad to be home. Our house, our routine, and our food are all American things that Americans love and I don't think any length of time away could change those. Our trip was the trip of a life time, but we have to assure you it won't be our last.