Arrival

I have arrived safely. I can’t express how thankful I am for all the well wishes, goodbye cards and love I received at home. Leaving home was a lot harder than I thought it would be… even though I am doing something I am passionate about. I can’t even begin to imagine how hard it will be to leave Kenya.

I left Thanksgiving at 10:15am. My flight left from Washington Dulles International and flew into Addis Ababa (airport in Ethiopia). I have never really thought much about Ethiopia, but, flying into Ethiopia was beautiful. As I flew above the incredible rocky terrain, I finally had the realization I would be living in Africa for a year.

Navigating my way through the airport was an interesting experience, I would say it was comparable to herding cattle. Walking on the tarmac, busses, busses and more tarmac. I had to go through security again. One line for males, one line for females. Too bad I didn’t realize that until about an hour after waiting in the men’s line. Lucky for me they didn’t make me go to the back of the female line.  After waiting my flight left 10:30am, (Ethiopian time) for Nairobi. When I arrived in Nairobi, there were more busses and tarmac. While on the tarmac you could see a section of the airport had been burnt down. A whole terminal gone! I would have taken a picture, but, after my traumatic experiences of taking photos at the Rwandan Congo border, the Mexico USA border and an Indian airport, I have finally learned my lesson not to take photos at places such as these. Gate to gate it took me about a day to get to Kenya.

I was picked up by a very nice man at the airport. He was to drive me to the CMMB office. I wanted to sit in the front so we could talk. Immediately I walked to the passenger side. Confused, I then realized the driver’s side and the side of the road they drive on, is backwards from the US. We made it to the CMMB office but not without excitement. We got stuck is HORRIBLE traffic, by far the worst I have ever been in! There were also people running across the highway as cars passed. Finally, we made it to the CMMB office, exhausted I met several CMMB employees and the country coordinator, Damaris. They were all very nice but I was so tired, it was hard to stay focused. Good thing I will be seeing them again Monday.

Finally I made it to my hotel, equipped with a toilet, internet, and a HOT shower!!! It’s almost romantic. Too bad I will be leaving this place soon. I took a shower and forced myself to stay up till 8. I guess being a night owl is officially over. No more staying up well past midnight.

First night in Kenya I would say was a success. I can’t wait to get to my placement. But, for now I will be taking full advantage of the internet and hot showers.

Kenya it is

Oh my goodness, so much has happened since I lasted blogged. First, my final placement has been selected. I will be spending the next year of my life at Tabaka Mission Hospital located in Western Kenya. Second, I leave Thanksgiving Day!

 

I have so many mixed emotions. I’m more than ready to start my career as a nurse. I’m also ready to pursue my dreams of working towards improving international health care. Finally I’m excited to be engulfed in a new culture and meet amazing people.

 

As Thanksgiving Day approaches it becomes more real that I will be leaving the people I so deeply love and the comforts of my own country. In fact, the other day I stood under my shower watching the water flow out of my shower head and through my fingers. Honestly, running water is the least of my worries. As a new nurse I worry that I will not be good enough or experienced enough. I won’t be what they need. But then I think about how much I loved my past experiences with international health care. I also think about where I’m going and the lack of health workers and resources. Because of that I need to push aside my worries and be confident in my education, for there is a reason I have been lead down this path.

See you in Kenya.