Throughout my whole journey, I have been thinking about trust. I had a lot of time to think while I was on that mountain, and I realized that trust is the big thing that every little thing I've done has in common. I thought about how much trust I've had in the pilots to get me here, in the guides on the mountain, in Patricia, and in the Dominicans. I've been flat-out amazed by the trust that the Kenyan people have in God.
I've seen a lot of Kenya since I've been here, and most of what I've driven through has been difficult to see. I thought I knew what poverty was, but poverty in the US and poverty in Kenya are completely different animals. The slums we've driven through are devastating- tiny little huts made of mud and sticks that house giant families. I got to meet a lot of families at mass this morning, and they were the kindest, most joyful and welcoming people I have ever met. They're all happy to meet Patricia and I, and I'm amazed by them. There is no other way to describe it.
We arrived in Kisumu last night, dirty and disheveled from four shower-less days on the mountain. Fr. Charles came to pick us up at the airport, bearing a sign that said Providence and a big picture of Fr. Shanley, which of course made us feel welcome. He drove us to the Dominican compound, about 40 minutes away from the airport (and right down the road from the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur!), and we then met Fr. Bert and Fr. Kevin. We had some dinner and settled into our rooms. There is a guard dog mom with three puppies who likes to sleep on the porch of the little house we're in, and she didn't really like us being there, so we stayed in our rooms the whole night.
This morning we got up and took showers, which was an experience in and of itself. The shower is currently only cold water, though it's working on getting fixed, and it's just really a few little drips from the showerhead. We were so dirty from the mountain that it was great anyway, and after we brainstormed I think we worked out a good system to use. After the showers, we went to mass.
It reminded me of mass in New Orleans- I was one of few white people there, and everyone was warm, welcoming, and joyful. They had amazing music that they knew by heart and harmonized to, and there was a lot of clapping and swaying, almost like a concert. Fr. Bert said mass and gave a great homily, and afterward Fr. Kevin gave us a tour of the Dominican compound here.
It's very big and absolutely beautiful! It's not too hot, and there is a nice breeze. There are a few little huts outside with tables in the middle (almost like gazebos) that are so nice to sit in. We went and saw the Sisters' compound, and we expect to go over to Our Lady of Grace School a little bit later today.
Our wireless is up and running, and it's nice to be back in contact with the US. We don't have a phone yet, but I'm available by email and by commenting on the blog- I'd love to hear from you!
That's all for now... I'll try and post some photos tonight.
Penda,
Julia
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Pole, Pole (pronounced po-lay, po-lay)... Slowly, Slowly.
Well, I hiked Mt. Kenya.
55 miles. (yes, miles, not kilometers...)
3 full days.
ouch.
Normally, a great day for me exercise-wise is 3 miles on the elliptical in the sea-level, air-conditioned gym while watching Real Housewives of New Jersey. This experience was far from it. We met our tour guide Robin after a four hour drive from Nairobi to Nanyuki, a small town at the base of the mountain. We had arrived in Nairobi the night before after two flights and spent the night in a hotel in the middle of the city. Here we learned that construction occurs at all times of day, specifically at midnight when you'd like to go to bed. There were also the biggest grasshoppers I have ever seen in my life ALL OVER the hotel. They jump really high, and freaked me out a lot, but I slept comfortably and was excited to start my adventure.
While eating with Robin, he told us we looked strong (ha), and explained the course of the hike. Then we got in his car and drove to the Sirimon gate, where we would start our hike. The drive to the gate took about 45 minutes, and the road was dirt. This was problematic when it started to rain- did I mention Robin drives a 1986 Toyota Corolla? It was a little muddy, to say the least. We got to the gate and started our trek up. We encountered a family of baboons, and 2 1/2 hours later we were at Old Moses Camp, where we stayed the first night. The first day was mostly uphill, and I know it sounds silly, but I expected it to be at least a little bit flat. It rarely plateaued at all, and it was a difficult first day. We ate dinner when we got to Old Moses- Tilappia, vegetables, and potatoes that were delicious! Soon after we ate we went right to sleep- with no problem, seeing as we were exhausted.
The next day was the hardest. We hiked for 8 hours to Shipton Camp- the altitude was tough, it was cold, rainy, windy, and muddy, and by the time we got there I was happy to just be sitting. My whole body hurt- I couldn't wait to be asleep. It was an absolutely beautiful view, which I discovered after I got up and was less cranky. We were cradled in the peaks of the mountain, and the stars were amazing. Unlike anything I've ever seen in my whole life. We went to bed early, because we got up at 2:30 am to go to the summit!
It was very cold, the air was very thin, and I was having a very difficult time breathing. I gave up about 500 m from the top- I just couldn't do it anymore knowing that once I got down I'd need to hike all the way back to Old Moses Camp. I climbed back down with Robin, whose frequent calls of "Hi Julie..." to which I responded "Hi Robin..." in a singsong manner reminded me of the movie Cool Runnings: "Ya dead?" "No, man...". We went through area that apparently had "many hyena," which I wish Robin had told me after we got through it. But I made it back to Shipton and went back to sleep to wait for Patricia to make it down. She made it all the way to the summit with another guide, Nicholas! I was happy for her, but from what she tells me, I'm glad I chose to turn around when I did. It was very hard!
We made it back to Old Moses Camp in 5 hours- we learned that I do much better going down than I do going up, so I didn't slow the group down any longer. The next day was just 2 hours down to Sirimon Gate, and I have never been happier to see a big stone wall than I was that day. Right before we reached the gate, we saw a family of elephants accross the mountain! There were three of them, and they looked like giant rocks with tusks until they started moving. Apparently they're pretty dangerous, so we were lucky not to be close to them. We also encountered some more baboons, other monkeys, and zebras on our way down. At the top of the mountain there were these funny little animals like groundhogs called Cape Hyrax, they're pretty friendly and definitely wanted our food. I got some good pictures, which I will try to post later.
My mantra on the mountain was "Pole, pole," which in Kiswahili means "slowly, slowly." I made it up and back, slowly but surely.
55 miles. (yes, miles, not kilometers...)
3 full days.
ouch.
Normally, a great day for me exercise-wise is 3 miles on the elliptical in the sea-level, air-conditioned gym while watching Real Housewives of New Jersey. This experience was far from it. We met our tour guide Robin after a four hour drive from Nairobi to Nanyuki, a small town at the base of the mountain. We had arrived in Nairobi the night before after two flights and spent the night in a hotel in the middle of the city. Here we learned that construction occurs at all times of day, specifically at midnight when you'd like to go to bed. There were also the biggest grasshoppers I have ever seen in my life ALL OVER the hotel. They jump really high, and freaked me out a lot, but I slept comfortably and was excited to start my adventure.
While eating with Robin, he told us we looked strong (ha), and explained the course of the hike. Then we got in his car and drove to the Sirimon gate, where we would start our hike. The drive to the gate took about 45 minutes, and the road was dirt. This was problematic when it started to rain- did I mention Robin drives a 1986 Toyota Corolla? It was a little muddy, to say the least. We got to the gate and started our trek up. We encountered a family of baboons, and 2 1/2 hours later we were at Old Moses Camp, where we stayed the first night. The first day was mostly uphill, and I know it sounds silly, but I expected it to be at least a little bit flat. It rarely plateaued at all, and it was a difficult first day. We ate dinner when we got to Old Moses- Tilappia, vegetables, and potatoes that were delicious! Soon after we ate we went right to sleep- with no problem, seeing as we were exhausted.
The next day was the hardest. We hiked for 8 hours to Shipton Camp- the altitude was tough, it was cold, rainy, windy, and muddy, and by the time we got there I was happy to just be sitting. My whole body hurt- I couldn't wait to be asleep. It was an absolutely beautiful view, which I discovered after I got up and was less cranky. We were cradled in the peaks of the mountain, and the stars were amazing. Unlike anything I've ever seen in my whole life. We went to bed early, because we got up at 2:30 am to go to the summit!
It was very cold, the air was very thin, and I was having a very difficult time breathing. I gave up about 500 m from the top- I just couldn't do it anymore knowing that once I got down I'd need to hike all the way back to Old Moses Camp. I climbed back down with Robin, whose frequent calls of "Hi Julie..." to which I responded "Hi Robin..." in a singsong manner reminded me of the movie Cool Runnings: "Ya dead?" "No, man...". We went through area that apparently had "many hyena," which I wish Robin had told me after we got through it. But I made it back to Shipton and went back to sleep to wait for Patricia to make it down. She made it all the way to the summit with another guide, Nicholas! I was happy for her, but from what she tells me, I'm glad I chose to turn around when I did. It was very hard!
We made it back to Old Moses Camp in 5 hours- we learned that I do much better going down than I do going up, so I didn't slow the group down any longer. The next day was just 2 hours down to Sirimon Gate, and I have never been happier to see a big stone wall than I was that day. Right before we reached the gate, we saw a family of elephants accross the mountain! There were three of them, and they looked like giant rocks with tusks until they started moving. Apparently they're pretty dangerous, so we were lucky not to be close to them. We also encountered some more baboons, other monkeys, and zebras on our way down. At the top of the mountain there were these funny little animals like groundhogs called Cape Hyrax, they're pretty friendly and definitely wanted our food. I got some good pictures, which I will try to post later.
My mantra on the mountain was "Pole, pole," which in Kiswahili means "slowly, slowly." I made it up and back, slowly but surely.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Mailing Address
Hi Friends!
Some of you have asked about my mailing address while in Kenya. I don't know how reliable or quick Kenyan mail is, but I found the address of the community I'll be staying in!
Julia Tully
c/o St. Martin de Porres Community
P.O. Box 2566
40100 Kisumu
KENYA
40100 Kisumu
KENYA
Tomorrow!
Hi everyone!
Well, tomorrow is the big day... after months of waiting and preparing, I'll get on board Swiss Air to Zurich, then another flight from Zurich to Nairobi! Each is about 8 hours. Once we get to Nairobi, we're staying at a hotel for the night. Then we're off to start our four day hike up Mt. Kenya!
I'm not sure when the next time we'll have internet access will be, but once I have it, I'll keep you updated! Thank you for the love, support, and prayers of everyone during this whole process. I couldn't have done it alone, especially without Patricia! Check her blog out too: pcinkenya.blogspot.com!
Next post from Kenya!
Penda,
Julia
Monday, May 24, 2010
TWO WEEKS!
So today marks two weeks until we leave! I'm starting to get a little nervous, but I'm really excited too :). I've been doing some more research into what I still need to get that I have to pack, and my list for the Mt. Kenya trek requires a few things that I honestly never thought I'd be buying.
Anyone have an extra headlamp? or gaiters? I am going to get my hiking boots today, and I'll look for that type of stuff at EMS and The North Face, I guess!
I have also been looking at the itinerary for the Mt. Kenya trek, and it looks really cool! One day we leave our camp at 3 am to trek for 3 hours, see the sun rise, and then start the trek back down. The last day is two hours through the rainforest!
I'll be sure to take lots of photos, and if I can post them here while I'm there, I definitely will! Also, Lia Santilli, another Fr. Smith Fellow, has a blog! It's talesofasummerdownunder.blogspot.com. Check it out!
Hopefully I'll post once more before I leave, but if not, see you in Kenya!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
DONE!
Done with Civ, Done with Classes, Done with sophomore year, HALFWAY DONE WITH COLLEGE?
Well, the important thing is that I finally have a month to focus on getting ready for Kenya. I picked up my check from Fr. Robb today and I'm mid-packing my room up, now I just need to head home, unpack, and start packing again.
Well, the important thing is that I finally have a month to focus on getting ready for Kenya. I picked up my check from Fr. Robb today and I'm mid-packing my room up, now I just need to head home, unpack, and start packing again.
Monday, May 3, 2010
It's getting closer...
Hi friends :).
I realize that creating this in February was a little excessive... but hey, I was excited. Now that I'm officially done with Civ (hooray!) and am three finals away from summer, I figured I'd update.
Flights are booked, travel plans are confirmed, and Patricia and I are ready to go! I don't know if I mentioned before that I'm traveling with Patricia Carroll, a PC rising senior. As we went through this whole process together, I was so happy to have her to figure things out with! I don't know what I would do without her.
We leave from JFK on June 7th, and arrive in Nairobi via Zurich on the 8th. Then we're off to hike Mt. Kenya for 4 days (eek!), then a short flight to Kisumu, where we'll be staying for the majority of our time. We'll be with the St. Martin de Porres community of Dominican Friars, and I have been in contact with them for a few months now- I can't wait to meet them! After our time in Kisumu is over, we'll be going back to Nairobi, staying with Steve Walsh, a PC alum for a night, and then leaving for a Masai Mara safari.
Needless to say, I'm really really REALLY excited. Now to get through these finals...
Penda,
Julia
I realize that creating this in February was a little excessive... but hey, I was excited. Now that I'm officially done with Civ (hooray!) and am three finals away from summer, I figured I'd update.
Flights are booked, travel plans are confirmed, and Patricia and I are ready to go! I don't know if I mentioned before that I'm traveling with Patricia Carroll, a PC rising senior. As we went through this whole process together, I was so happy to have her to figure things out with! I don't know what I would do without her.
We leave from JFK on June 7th, and arrive in Nairobi via Zurich on the 8th. Then we're off to hike Mt. Kenya for 4 days (eek!), then a short flight to Kisumu, where we'll be staying for the majority of our time. We'll be with the St. Martin de Porres community of Dominican Friars, and I have been in contact with them for a few months now- I can't wait to meet them! After our time in Kisumu is over, we'll be going back to Nairobi, staying with Steve Walsh, a PC alum for a night, and then leaving for a Masai Mara safari.
Needless to say, I'm really really REALLY excited. Now to get through these finals...
Penda,
Julia
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