Kenya: Day 9

This is the view of the sunset over Lake Victoria from my hotel. There are plenty of buildings in front to obscure the view, but with a little zoom they can be avoided. This was one of my first nights here in Kisumu - I haven't been back to the hotel by sunset since.

Yesterday we saw a terrible accident where a motorbike (piki piki) got hit by a car. The entire windshield was smashed and you could even see where the piki piki rider's head went through the windshield into the car. We got there some time after it had happened so we only saw the car, thankfully. Point of fact, I'd say about 85% of the motorcyclists don't wear helmets, even though I think John said it was a law.

The driving here is definitely scary. We've taken as much precaution as possible not to be driving from anywhere far after it gets dark. The roads are littered with bicyclists who transport people from place to place via a cushion over the rear wheel instead of a rack (boda bodas) and the drivers of the cars and matatus (minivan-like buses) don't care much for their safety and barely honk when they pass them. At least once I've seen a guy on a boda boda drive off into the ditch to get out of the way.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Author: Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
Category: purchases

So, this book was pretty fun. Part of me thinks I might have liked it a little more if I hadn't read the original so recently. The second half was better than the first where I feel like he deviated from the original a little more and made it like a new story for me. Perhaps if I was a crazy Jane Austen fan I would have been offended but I think both versions merit some praise.

Kenya: Day 7?

I’m now around my 7th day here is Kisumu. It’s supposed to be the dry season right now but it has rained ridiculously hard for the last four days in a row. While people in Atlanta are dealing with crazy flooding, it is not lost upon me while I’m here in Kenya.

Sunday night we went out to dinner at Mon Ami restaurant in Mega City. Mega City is a giant mall with a super market (Nakamutt) and then across the parking lot is Mon Ami which has a huge covered patio where we were trying to eat.

It started to rain while we were waiting for our bitings (starters for you non-Africans) and all of a sudden it felt like we were caught in a hurricane. The wind was spraying the rain at least 25 feet – there was nowhere safe on the patio. All of us patrons were crammed up against the wall by the pass thru to the kitchen until it let up enough for us to sit back down at our damp tables and chairs.

The picture is not that great but this was taken from the car as we were stuck in traffic to get out of the parking lot and onto Nairobi Road, which was a complete river. The car in the picture has stalled in the middle of the road creating all sorts of problems in addition to the massive amounts of water flowing. You can see how high the water is on the wheel of the bicycle on the left of the shot.

The craziest part of the night, though, happened when the lot adjacent to the patio flooded and two monitor lizards came flying across the road to go swimming. John actually thought they were trying to get away from the water but got kind of stuck in the wading pool. And then there were at least 2 cars that tried to drive through 3+ feet of water and got stuck. Every time someone attempted to make it through, all 10 people in the restaurant got up and ran over to the side of the patio to watch the debacle.

Kenya: Day 2

Here's the picture I tried to post the other day of the Kisumu airport.

Kenya: Days 1 & 2

I can't promise how long I'll be able to keep up posting...I've only got internet access while I'm at the field station, which I suppose shouldn't really be a surprise. But hey, at least I've got a cell phone...

So after two longs flights we arrived safely in Nairobi on Wednesday evening. After skipping through customs (special passports at least get you to the front of the line) and turning in our H1N1 health forms to an empty and dark desk under the Ministry of Health sign, we got in a cab to head to the hotel.

Those of you who went on the Italy trip, and I guess anyone who's been to Rome, will understand me when I say that driving in Nairobi (at night) is like like driving in Roma (at rush hour), and having to dodge bicyclists as well as motorcylists. Holy crap. Bags, that close call in Roma that you got on video was like the Easter Parade compared to the navigating the Death Race last night. People ride their BIKES on the highway. And it appears that you can pass anyone anytime you want - even when there's oncoming traffic as long as you can squeeze between the two vehicles.

I tried to post a picture of the airport in Kisumu where we arrived at this morning but my computer is having some trouble with that. It reminded me of landing in Belize when I was in high school. There was no baggage claim, just you getting your bag that the plane guys (I really don't have a name for them) tossed to the ground from the cart they brought it in across the fifty yards of asphalt between you and the runway. Brilliant. But I'm thankful that we got here safely and with all of ours bags - that was certainly an unexpected bonus.

The Help

Author: Kathryn Stockett

Category: book club

For a little while now the book club had been tossing around the idea of reading some southern lit but no one had really offered up any suggestions. Shelley read about The Help somewhere and we all agreed that would work.

This story was really well told, with each chapter from a different character's perspective a la Poisonwood Bible. It takes place in the early 60's in Mississippi and focuses on the black women who care for the white babies in the midst of the racial turmoil. It was enlightening and sad to know that such a time and such behavior is not a myth.

My only complaint is that the end seemed a little rushed and almost a little too happy ending-ish but other than that I really enjoyed it and think it will make for a good discussion for book club.

The Penultimate Truth

Author: Philip K. Dick

Category: Cheats

I know, two cheats in a row. Doug-e-fresh passed this on to me a while ago and it's been sitting in my pile for months. Since I already started on the path of cheating why stop now? If you're not cheatin you're not tryin, right Bags?

But on to the book.

Dad, please, don't do this to me again. Books that use made-up words and define them at some later date in the story (if at all) infuriate me. It was almost like Neuromancer all over again. Ok, not THAT bad, but not good.

Once I understood the vocab list, or didn't care anymore, the story got interesting. But I felt like his humor was a weak attempt to emulate my favorite, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Anyway, it's done. Sorry I didn't like it as much as you, Daddy.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Author: Stieg Larsson

Category: Cheats

So, yeah, I got a little of course with this one. When I was at the bookstore buying Wuthering Heights for my sister I just couldn't leave without buying myself a book. I figured the odds were pretty good that I was going to meet my goal this year so I gave in. I'm lucky I made it out of there with just one...

As soon as the two stories meshed into one this became a good book. I'm sure all the separate background was necessary but still kind of annoying. But I did totally enjoy it after it finally came together and loved the two main characters. I don't normally do mystery/detective novels but this was sufficiently entertaining that it worked for me - so much so that I'll probably read the sequel.

The Road

Author: Cormac McCarthy

Category: Purchases

You might think I've disappeared. Well, sort of. It's been a rough last 4 weeks being on vacation 97% of the time. So I'm a little behind on posting my reads, but believe me, there have been plenty.

I started reading Cormac McCarthy several years ago when I picked up Child of God. I then became mildly obsessed with him and read four other books which led me to All The Pretty Horses. But after that one I lost interest and haven't picked him up until now.

As one of my friend's remarked, The Road was his most universally accessible book. It frightened me and broke my heart. His sparse language was a reflection of the world he so successfully portrayed. And I believed it - I truly believed this world he described could exist in our future. Like I said, scary. Very well done. Recommended. Sad.