Flying Kites

Friday May 20th
Nairobi then Njabini

Today instead of going to the university we went to the  Education-USA Kenya Advising Center.  We got there a bit early.  While we waited I met a student who aspired to study in the U.S and he was describing the long process ahead of him.  He was at the center to get more information on the tests that he needed to take.  He also asked me about the process for myself and the school I attended.  Finally, we were able to enter.  Other visitors were there as well, students entering their last year of secondary school from an all girls school.  True to the title of our program Dialogue of Civilization our professor had us introduce ourselves, the program, and our school.  The girls then asked some really great questions.
We were there for an hour or so before we head out to our next destination Njabini to visit the staff of Flying Kites and the school.  We drove for about an hour and a half to two hours.  Per the suggestion of our host Mike Behan who would be meeting us we stopped at Lebanon Hotel which is actually a restaurant.  The food was ok, I didn't eat much.  Mike, who is a Northeastern student on co-op at Flying Kites is doing awesome things there.  He arrived in style on a Boda Boda or Bike Taxi so of course we asked of we could ride one. We got on a Boda Boda for a tn minute ride through the hills.  It was awesome ride...many of the drivers had on protective gears.
As we got off the bikes a group of students were gathered in their blue uniforms and some had on these precious winterhats.  The school was beautiful all white building.  The students opened in song for us and once they were done like an assembly line they shook each and everyone of our hands and introduced themselves. they introduced us to the group and then we broke up into smaller groups 4-5 children per NU student.  They were so respectful.  They called us Aunty and Uncle never calling us by our first names. It shows the respect for people older than them.  We read together, they showed me their classes on a tour of the school, we played games like red light green light, tag, football, and something like dodgeball with their rolled up socks. Aww I love kids.
We had to head back.  On our way we made  a few stops in the market because we were having a cook-in.  Despite the exhaustion everyone chipped in and prepared an excellent meal.  Johnothan, Sam, the IS guy from Northeastern and I made the fried chicken and beef stew.  We had tons and tons of food. I had chapati, salad, rice, and so much other food.  The mandazi were not frying so Hellen decided to take them home. After eating everyone scattered as it was really late and we had an awesome day ahead plus it was basically midnight by then.