Family

Family

The main reason I came to Kenya was to volunteer. It's been a lifelong dream of mine. But, I also wanted to come to Kenya specifically, because I knew I would get to see family. One of my New Years resolutions his year was to connect more with extended family. I love that this trip has allowed me to do that.  

Mostly, I spend time with my cousin Ben and his wife Gladys. We always have such an amazing time. They are so welcoming even though I hadn't seen Ben in 6 years and I hadn't ever met Gladys. But I suppose, family is family no matter how long it's been!

We've been on scenic drives through tea and coffee fields and filled me in on some Kenyan history especially around colonization and tea. We reflected on the fact that our parents lived during colonization and independence and how that may have shaped their lives. I have talked to my father a little bit about Kenya's independence, but I think I'll keep asking! 

Ben also took me to the farm where my father grew up. I have been before, but the last time was 20 years ago. Some of the things were the same as I remember (or at least what I saw in pictures). It was so nice being in the place where my dad was raised. It's such a peaceful environment and all the people we passed along the way were so kind and welcoming. I could stay in those tea fields forever (not really), but a summer perhaps. 

We also visited my Tata (aunt) Margaret, Ben's mom, she made us food... I'm a mostly vegetarian and definitely not adventurous about animal products other than cheese. So, I scooped what I thought was greens onto my plate, then I noticed something unfamiliar in it, so I asked Ben what it was, and completely straight faced said, "intestines." Needless to say I didn't eat it. It's a traditional food, just not one my parents make! Maybe at another point in my life, I'll be more adventurous with food, but right now, I'll stick to other non culinary adventures! 

They've also welcomed me in to some comforts of home that I miss. Things like wifi and hot running water. When I was sick, they let me stay at their house snuggled up on their sofa while I recovered! Family is the best! 

I have also been out to see other cousins and an aunt and uncle. My cousin, Wairimu and her husband hosted many of us for lunch eve though though they have new twins at home. They live in a beautiful home in a suburb of Nairobi. It was so nice sinking my feet into grass for the first time being here! 

This past weekend, my uncle drove me out to visit another auntie, Tata Wambui. She's the aunt I'm named after. We had lunch and then she gave me a tour around 

her compound and introduced me to her cows! There are a few things that run in my family, teaching, a love of plants, studying human behavior (specifically child development), and cats. Well, at least Wambui's love cats. Tata Wambui has 3 cats and a tiny kitten. The oldest cat is 16! They are mostly outdoor cats, but they do get to come in the house on occasion. They love when the cows have milk. Currently the cows aren't milking because both are pregnant. But when they have milk again, Tata says the cats will follow her to milk the cows and will sit by her feet while she boils milk and then wait (almost) patiently until she puts some in a dish for them! 

I got about a dozen a avocados from her and her neighbors and have been eating avocado on everything for a week! We also picked yellow guavas. I have only ever had guava juice before. I love guava. It's sweet and tangy kinda like kumquats.  This was the first time I've ever spent time alone with Tata Wambui. I knew I liked her before, but she's even more fantastic than I realized. I hope in the near future I can spend more time talking to and learning from her

I'm looking forward to spending more time with my family. I think I could live here (don't worry, though, I will come home at the end of this trip).