Life in Kenya (Sep. 2. 2007 ~ Sep. 20. 2007)

I went to Kenya as a volunteer to participate "Walking with Rhinos". This expedition was a project of Earthwatch and to protect Black Rhinos. This was my first foreign travel.
Driving from Nairobi airport to Fairview Hotel was surprising for me. There were many guards who had big guns. Our taxi was very old. There were many Japanese used cars and many walking people who may not have a job. Fairview Hotel has very heavy security and is very beautiful.

Unfortunately, I found that I left my dictionary and my pen case at Nairobi airport. I asked a store keeper at Fairview to sell a dictionary. But I couldn't get it because there was not a dictionary in a big bookstore in Nairobi. I said to myself "Take it easy." Now I think I didn’t have to be so anxious then because my team members and staff in Kenya were very kind to me. It was too busy to use a dictionary because you explained me with easier English and body language as soon as I was unable to understand. You are my good English teachers! I could have a good time. I appreciate you.

We left Fairview hotel to Sweetwaters by microbus Sep. 3. 2007. Then I thought the way to Sweetwaters was very bad and had many holes but I think it very well in Kenya now. Some people didn’t wear shoes. Many children looked at us and waved their hands. They were very cute. In Nanyuki we met Geoff who is our principal investigator. We bought something there. It was very first time that I negotiated with Kenyan salesmen. They were very aggressive. It was interesting that they negotiated each other to take me their shops.

I appreciate Geoff because he was very friendly. For this expedition I was able to ask him about conservancy of wildlife and Kenyan culture. Then he answered me kindly with easy and slow English. Other staff was also friendly, kind and funny!

Dickson is a head of our kitchen staff. He and I drank in his house every night. He is Massai tribe. So he told me about his family, Kenyan people and Masai culture and gossiped about other members. These were very fun. One night he said me. "Be happy all the time!" I want to keep these words in my mind when no matter how hard I am.
Chris is one of our staff. He likes wildlife. He seems to want to be an expert of wildlife. He taught me very nice English words when I picked a trash behind main building. It was "Thank you for care environment." I like this one.

Vincent is one of our guards. He seems to like talking and laugh all the time. I asked him about Kenyan or his adulteries. These were same it in Japan. By the way, I can’t say whether he is right or not!

James is another guard. He was so kind and friendly that he explained me about wildlife in the field. His body language was very nice.

In Sweetwaters Tented Camp, Chris invited me to a bar for staff. Beer is very sheep there! Bruce is one of Uganda guys. He can open a cap of beer by his teeth. He was very strong. Then Chris introduced his cousin to me. She was very cute. Regretfully, I could say "Nice to meet you." only. I was shy boy.

Masai village was the most imposing for Community day. Especially, Masai children were very cute and looked happy but no shoes, no pens, no note. I think we have to avoid the case that they can't choose in future. Their mom said me "Give me 10 dollars". This may be current condition in Kenya. There seem to be a lot of things we can do. I gave a girl a pen and note. She wrote something with a happy look as soon as I did.

About field works, I like measuring tree! Height! Diameter! Ants, red red black! Next bearing! I like this rhythm and to find tags which were lost. Tank you, Judy! Your help made me free. So I could take a movie! I will make a movie from now.

I was able to enjoy this project with you so much as well as go through rare experience. This experience must have influenced me. Thank you everyone!