I can't think of a clever title.

     I have been given a Bukusu name, Nekesa. It means harvest, because it is harvest season right now. The chairman of Nacope, the organization I'm working for, gave it to me saying "Because we hope to reap so much from you". I'm not so sure about all that, but it's a pretty name isn't it? This week has been pretty uneventful over all. Monday I threw a little hissy fit about waiting for my coworkers again (patience is not my strongest virtue) and fled to Eldoret to try and figure out my banking issues, but had no luck so really I just ended up spending 400 shillings on the trip. So I'm just going to come to terms with the fact that somehow someone managed to steal 15,000 shillings from me... but I don't know where or how and the bank holds no responsibility. Kenya wins again! However, in Eldoret I got to visit Nakumatt- my very first time! It was heavenly. I found goat cheese and all of the Asian spices I could ever need- they even have lemongrass! The only thing I didn't see was water chesnuts. Would it be weird to ask for those in a package? Also I do not understand what it is with this country and biscuits. Shortbread biscuits everywhere. Real crackers do not exsist. I would cry if someone sent me 5 boxes of triscuits right now.
     Speaking of, I think I forgot to post my new address on my blog so here it is; I got my own PO Box and so far it has been super fast! I've already received letters and it only took about a week!

Rachel Wilson

PO Box 474-30200

Kitale, Kenya

     Pretty easy right! I'm excited to go check it tomorrow because I think I might have mail. Yay mail! So anyway, Tuesday, hakuna kazi (no work). Wednesday I went with the Chief of Namanjalala, my Public Health Officer, and the Chairman of Nacope to meet a bunch of people. Basically I just signed a bunch of visitor's books and formally introduced myself. W ended up stuck in the mud in Endebess for about an hour then made it home. Thursday, again hakuna kazi. I kind of foresaw that though and filled it with mostly nothing. Wait, no, I did make some fries and put some vinegar on them in honor of all of the fair food that I missed out on.
     So Wednesday was my brother Peter's birthday. He is my favorite person here that I've met, besides Humphrey in Loitokitok, but he's one of the nicest most badass people I've met ever. Anyway, Peter turned 28. He is awesome. He is a teacher at a private school, but unfortunately he just told me his school is being affected by the public teacher's strike and he doesn't have to work the rest of the week. He's not happy because he loves his kids. It was so adorable; in Kenya birthdays aren't really celebrated or even acknowledged, but Peter's kids marked his birthday in their calendar in school and every class he had sang to him! He was so excited. I told him he must be an awesome teacher. I was asking him the other day what the curse words were in Kiswahili and he explained that in school they are caned for using them so his initial reaction was that he couldn't say them because his brain has hid them because subconsciously he still thinks he will get in trouble! Haha he's so funny.
     I have killed three spiders this week. I know it's inhumane, but I'm hoping to make an example of them so other spiders know not to mess with me. I also sprinkled this dust around my house to keep out buggies. Doesn't keep out the damn chickens though. My family owns like 400 and this one half-feathered little rascal keeps creeping into my living room when I'm not looking. I just keep chasing him out, dummy. Also it was my dad's birthday this week! He turned 50! I was bummed to miss such a big one, but I know that we will celebrate when I get back. Maybe this time with more than one keg of Chimay... keeping in mind how that worked out last time.. *cough cough* Pat...

     I've been meaning to post about packing for any prospective volunteers reading, so here it is. Overall I am pretty happy with how I packed. But here are a few tips you can take with a grain of salt.

- One fairly heavy jacket/fleece (I brought a few sweatshirts, but sometimes one warmer jacket would be nice, it can get pretty chilly in most of the parts of Kenya volunteers are placed)
- A few plain t-shirts (I brought one and wish I had brought more just monochromatic t-shirts, they're business casual enough for Peace Corps most of the time)
- Close-toed sandals (i.e. Keens, tevas, etc. Maybe don't hvae to be close-toed, but I brought my keens and they're very practical I think. Just think outdoorsy)
- More pants (Girls are generally seen and encouraged to wear long skirts most places, but khakis, linen pants, or just semi-business trousers are totally acceptable in training, and most big-ish cities/while not at work. If they're a little baggier, the better off you'll be)
- Lots of socks and undies (Especially socks for guys because they wear shoes more than sandals, but socks get dirty so fast here and multiple use before washing is rarely an option. I think both are annoying to wash so I brought a lot and only have to wash like every two weeks) (P.S. I'm lazy)
- Envelopes (If you expect to write any letters bring some. They take up no space so why pay for them here?)
- Specialty Deodorant/Toothpaste (Some people have the brands they like, so bring 3 or 4 to last you awhile and then family can send more when needed. Deodorant especially because spray is the predominant form of deodorant in Kenya)
- Face Wash/Baby Wipes (Or both. My face always feels grimy here and a good wash is refreshing)
- Reusable Shopping Bags (I packed one and my mom sent me 2, they actually come in handy for grocery shopping and moving all of my crap that I accumulated during training to site)
- Sauces (You might not be too into sauces, but if you like cooking EVER with say; Sweet Baby Rays, Ranch, or Frank's Hot Sauce, bring one. Most of us have dreamt of having sauces and they aren't too bad to pack) *also applies to spices
- Entertainment (I brought my laptop, Canon 5D Mark II, iPhone, a few books, and a few sketching supplies and I'm happy. I can get the Kindle app on my laptop and exchange books at the Peace Corps office, but a lot of people have a Kindle and that's a good bet too. Just bring things to do during down time)
- Flashlight/headlamp (Unless you know you have electricity at both your homestay and at site. Which you don't, and won't know until like, the day you get there so just bring one)
- Pictures (Just print outs or a photo album. You'll want them to show people and put up in your house)
- Extra hair ties and bobby pins (You'll lose them, they'll break; either way you're SOL so bring like 50)

I think that covers most of the stuff I'm really picky about. Some people might say not to waste the space on some of this stuff if you can buy it here, because you can find pretty much anything you need in Kenya in big enough cities. However, if you're like me, I don't want to spend a bunch of money on stuff here if I can just bring it with me. While things aren't expensive here compared to the U.S., they are in relation to how much we get each month. And while you could just have your family send you everything you need packages from home and more fun when they're filled with goodies rather than a bunch of practical stuff ;) Anyway, that's all I've got for now. I'm going to put up some pictures from my trip to the deformed animal farm on Facebook (yes, it's exactly what it sounds like) so keep an eye out for those :)