Post-ISP stuff

This is the second of two posts today...the first is down below.

After printing and binding my final paper, I hit the town with Martin Mumo, older brother to my friend John Mumo (nice little Kenyan connection at school) from Lafayette. A fun night, unfortunately, also ended in the pickpocketation (my own word) of my phone, a deep slumber, and me nearly missing the bus to Mt. Kenya, where all 26 of us plus academic directors converged for ISP Presentations. But hey, no harm no foul right? I made it to presentations on time and, since the majority of the group has already headed back to the states, my friend Mollie generously allowed me to take over her phone. Plus, a Kenyan somewhere is now happily enjoying my phone. He/she probably considered that I would be unable to use the phone back in the states before raiding my pocket.

Presentations were a blast. We stayed at a beautiful resort called Naru Moro, typically used as a base camp for people climbing Mt. Kenya. While the majority of us originally wanted to go to a slightly less posh place than this, I think our Directors Odoch and Jamal forgot about democracy for a minute and chose the place where they could play pool and darts to their hearts’ content. So that’s what we did….about 7 hours of presentations for each of 2 days with a swimming pool, billiards, darts, great meals, and even some squash, in the spare time. A good way to end our time in Kenya as a group. And now I have decided that squash will be my new athletic passion back in the states. Which, for people who know me well, means saving up to buy the best equipment. And then, of course, dominating (I kid).

Back in Nairobi after presentations, we had a final group dinner at, of all types, a Chinese Restaurant. It was delicious. The following day a few of us visited our Academic Director Odoch in the hospital, where he was undergoing one of his final rounds of chemotherapy for colon cancer. Thankfully he’s going to be fine after all the treatment. As always, he was in incredible spirits...a jovial, all-around fun guy to be around.

I’ll miss Odoch and Jamal a ton. Odoch never really seemed to have any idea what was going on, but was always easy to talk to and unbelievably helpful. Jamal, on the other hand, was Captain Organization, and while very reliable, was slightly less warm and friendly. A great pair of Academic Directors and friends to us all. Luckily, the two are coming to the states in August for an SIT conference in Vermont. They’re planning on spending some time in Boston, which will undoubtedly draw me there also. Jon, James, and I are planning on taking the dynamic duo to a Sox game. Thinking of two Kenyans (who don’t even know what baseball is) sitting in the stands, drinking beers, wearing Sox caps, and eating hot dogs makes me happy. The Sox in general make me happy, but that’s another story.

Last Saturday, the 20^th, was peace-out day for most of the students on our program. See you later, not goodbye, right?

A few of us, myself included, are staying after for a little bit of independent travel. My travels include a short stint back in Bodo and a short stint back in Kisumu. Without Kyle, with whom I would have confidently tackled any new territory, I’ve decided to keep my travels to places I know well. And to the people I’ve come to know and love (and, in Becky’s case, those who would murder me if I didn’t return before leaving the country).

I'll be back in the states on Thursday 5/31! Kinda hard to believe. And kinda overwhelming, both leaving Kenya and going back to normal life in the states. Definitely pumped to see family and friends, though.

More to come! Maybe from America, but rest assured that you’ll have at least one more look into the depths of my soul. You know how much I love reflection…