The Nile River and the Day I Spent in it

So this weekend (Oct 22^nd – Oct 24^th) I was in Uganda. Friday, Mary Anne, Pam (two other ICODEI inhabitants – a mother daughter pair of nurses from Canada, but we won't hold that against them) anyways Mary Anne, Pam and I head to Jinja, Uganda this weekend for White Water Rafting on the Nile....hold on...let that sink in for a minute. In short...it was amazing.

We went to this place called Adrift, definitely recommended if you plan on following in my footsteps. It was my first time rafting and I was in quite good hands actually. Our guides name was Tutu and he was one of the originals that got Adrift started. I think we probably did about about 7-9 rapids, I think 4-5 before lunch and then 3-4 after. They ranged from class 3 – class 5, and we got to choose between a Mild or Wild ride...obviously we choose the wild ride. On about our second or third rapid Tutu asked if we wanted to flip of stay in the boat. Pam and I were all for flipping, but this one English wanker was like “No, I've flipped plenty of times thank you very much, I'll stay in the boat thanks.” I was pretty bummed, but ah such is life.

However, I got my wish on the last rapid. Now although this last rapid only qualifies as a Class 4, I would chalk it up as about Class 7 in my book, (as far as I know, you really can only raft up to 5, but you get my point). So we head into the rapid and Tutu gives us the, “Okay, GET DOWN & HOLD ON command.” Shortly, I recall looking into what they refer to as a “washing machine” rapid and there was certainly an “oh shit” or two. Our boat flipped over and we were allll throw overboard. I found out why the English wanker felt the way he did about capsizing. I was trapped under water, and Tutu had told us to find the light and swim up. Unfortunately, up and down was a bit too much for my brain to handle. I make no joke when I say I literally fear for my life. I was not quite sure when I would be able to take my next breath. When I finally did reach the surface, which seemed like forever, but I'm was a matter of few seconds, I was met with yet another wave – TERRIFYING to say the least. After a quick intake I was under again...and again TERRIFIED. When I surfaced out of the worst of it I saw one of the rescue kayaks that follows the rafts through the course and waved, trying my hardest to covey, “GET THE HELL OVER HERE BEFORE I DIE.” He asked if I was okay, I replied, “I'm very scared, and I can't breath cause my life jacket.” (Always the drama queen when it comes to respiration.)

I eventually made it back to my original raft and made a half-hearted attempt to tell the English guy that I now understood why he didn't want to capsize. However, I still think he was lame. THAT EXPERIENCE WAS PHENOMENAL. I have never feared for my life like that...and although I'm sure I'm being quite dramatic, it was amazing to make it through all that fear and want to do it again in a different river. PLUS...had we capsized the first time, it would not have been nearly as scary on that first one because that one was only class 4... still...I'm very glad to have had the experience every single second of it was terrifying and right after I swore had it happened before the last rapid I would have demanded dry land. But if given the opportunity I think I would do it again...but I suppose we'll have to wait and see!

PS --- PICTURES UPDATE TO COME WHEN  I HAVE FASTER INTERNET!

THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, & WHY

Okay so this post is actually saved on my computer and is written out quite better there, but I think I killed my computer (hence the delay in updates) So excuse my hasty nature as I am in an internet cafe trying to update all of you, do my homework, check email, and of course browse facebook. ANNNYYWAYYYSSS.

So after reading the first few posts my mom pointed out to me that not everyone really knows what this blog is all about so here is the The who, what, when, where and why.

First, THE WHO. I'm Lydia. I go to Indiana University and I'm in the Transition to Teaching Program there. Basically that means that it took me all the way to my senior year in college to figure out what I was meant to do with my life, which is teach. And I truly mean it that way. I really think teaching has been my purpose all along, others seem to have known that --when I told my sister, Lauren I was going right back to school to be a teacher, she said “Oh I always knew you would do that.” – It just seemed to take me a while to realize it. But it was well worth the wait – I LOVE TEACHING AND I LOVE SCHOOL AND I LOVE LOVE LOVE HANGING OUT WITH KIDS ALL DAY (they think I'm funny)! So the Transition to Teaching program is for people who already have a bachelors degree and are seeking teacher certification. I am also doing the plus Master track, because I figure I just love school that much why not add another degree.!

Okay onto THE WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN

IU's School of Education has this amazing program called the Cultural Immersions Project. They have three programs, Urban Development – where students teachers are placed in Chicago Public Schools, the Navajo Reservation – where student teachers go to teach on a reservation in the four corners region, and finally my choice The Overseas Project – where student teachers are placed in many different locations abroad. As soon as Dr. Stachowski presented the information to our class, I was like, “I'M IN...Where do you go in Africa?” She told me Kenya, and I have been preparing ever since fall of 2009. As for the when, I am here right now, typing this in an internet cafe in Bungoma (thats what you have to type into to google to find my local.) But my school and where I stay is actually in Kabula. I arrived in Kenya Oct. 17th and will take off on Dec 21st!

Nowwww...THE WHY

First of all – WHY THE HELL NOT? I'm 23 years old, as my dad would say, “Nobody relies on me to eat” and I have almost no obligations outside of cell phone bill I pay my mom. Clearly it is the perfect time in my life to hop on a plane and have some damn adventures (and believe its been a week and I already have).

But really, why did I choose to push my boundaries and break out of my comfort zone. I think...actually I'm sure the initial spark came from my Dad. When, Lauren and I were younger my dad talked to us about going backpacking after highschool before college, and later recommended doing something like the Peace Corps. He was always encouraging us, and now Brittany of course to have adventures while were still young and had nobody else to worry about and we could really learn something about ourselves.

For whatever, reason Africa has always stuck out in my mind when my dad talks about these things. Partly because when he talks about it, he mentions making a difference in the world, and be the naïve individual I am Africa was always that only place that occurred to me to make a difference (probably all those Feed the Children infomercials.)

So part of me is out here because I have this insatiable desire to make a difference and save the world. However, I also hate the idea of portraying myself as this amazing America who has come to save the poor people. The other part of me is here to be a little bit selfish, because I know that this experience and the people I meet will have a profoundly bigger impact on me than I will on them. I mean don't get me wrong, I'm going to help where ever I can, in schools, HIV/AIDS awareness etc. but I definitely don't consider my trip the “White Man's Burden.”

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Okay, so a lot of this was pretty stream of conscious, so if I made myself out to sound like a complete arse haha by all means let me know. Write a comment, send an email, or some hate mail, and let me explain myself.

Last but not least I like to extend a THANK YOU to all who have supported this trip. To my dad especially for giving me the initial desire to be the way I am and the push to be more adventurous. To my Momma for always being excited about each step of this journey and always helping me dicipher what Dad is saying when I think he is being mean but really he is trying to push me. To Brittany who thinks what I am doing makes me a super cool big sister (AND FOR WINNING REGIONALS). To Lauren, who even though she is not here I can hear her urging me to things like jump off tall platforms (more to come of that). To Johnathan for always being supportive and never once being that boyfriend who says, “I can't believe you are leaving me.” and instead is the boyfriend who says “Go find your 'Personal Legend'” And to alllllll my friends and family who when I said I was going to Kenya said “Lydia that is amazing, I can't wait to hear all about it!” instead of the often heard “What...that's crazy...why would you do that?' I LOVE ALL OF YOU!!!! Now I am done being cheesy and am going to try to write more posts to update all of you!!!

Addendum to The Gear Post

To pack before putting everything in the big backpack I put most of my clothes and personal stuff in my dad's stuffs sacks. However, the pictures show the sacks post-stuffing.

Here is a the break down of what is inside each one

Personal Green (BB Bottom)

8 Oz container of Shampoo

8 oz container of conditioner

8 oz container of soap

Tube of Noxzema

Body puff

Camp Towel (microfiber)

Tube of toothpaste

2 – extra toothbrushes

3 sticks of deodorant

2 – travel tissues

Bug spray – 1 -2oz bottle

Bug lotion

Nail polish

Nail polish remover

8 razors

Ziploc of q-tips

Clothes – Green (BB Main)

I-HOME SPEAKERS

Swim Suit

Neon YALL T-Shirt

Green Indiana T-Shirt

Gray Obama T-shirt

Gray Barack and Roll T-shirt

Gray Nice Shirt T – shirt

Purple – Hobart Shorts

IU – Long Pants

Clothes – Orange (BB Main)

Pink Stretchy tank top

Black Athletic tank top

Blue cotton tank top

Red crew neck top

Green crew neck top

Gray crew neck top

Purple crew neck top

Yellow v-neck top

Clothes – Blue (BB Bottom)

4 pairs of socks

2 Sports bras

6 Pairs of underwear

The Gear Post

As I was finishing up all my packing tonight, my dad mentioned that one of the things people are interested in when they read travel blogs are the gear you use on your trip. I had already made a list of everything I was taking and where it was in my bag, so all that was left to do was take some pictures. 

For all of the travel junkies out there 

(and perhaps future Cultural Immersions participants) 

here is everything (almost) that I am taking.

Big Bag Front

Flash Light

2 – Cans of Instant Coffee

10 – Cliff Bars

IU Hat

Cubs Hat

Roll of Red Duct Tape

Leather Man-y type tool

Big Bag Right

Binoculars

Head strap/tiny flash light

Batteries 20AAA, 16AA

Water Purifier

2 – 15 counts wipes

1 – 60 count Facial wipes

Big Bag Left

Flash Cards

Thank you cards

The Golden Compass Book

Three Cups of Tea Book

Pencils

Erasers

Glue Sticks

2 – 24 Count Crayons

Pencil Sharpener

Big Bag H20 Pouch

2 – Color Books

Lined Paper

Printer Paper

Itinerary

ID Copies

Flip Flops

Extra Memory Card

This picture also contains the letter that Tim Callahan sent
back with the First Aid Kit. This is the First Aid Kit my dad
created for his trip to India, and although he did not make
the trip, the kit did. Callahan returned the kit for me to
take on my adventure and has welcomed me to the
"Campfire of travel stories." I look forward to my official initiation
where I will surely share my tales and perform some sort of
Chaingolian rite of passage ritual.

Big Bag Bottom

First Aid Kit

Clothes Blue

Personal Green

Sleeping Bag

Thank you Lauren for the
AWESOME JACKET!
&
Thanks Barb for the ton-o-gum!   

Big Bag Main

Extra Eddie Bauer Bag

Ziploc of extra wipes

Green Rain Jacket

Ziploc of Candy

Tennis Shoes

Green Clothes Bag

Orange Clothes Bag

Tons of Gum

Carry On
Computer	Toothbrush	Journal
Camera	Ziploc of 2 Toothpaste	Pens
Ipod	1 stick of deodorant	Gum
Harry Potter Book	1 – 2oz bug spray	Chapstick
Yellow Sunglasses	1 – travel tissues	Converter and Adapter
IU Water bottle	Individual wipe packets	Poncho
2 – Decks of Cards	Hair ties	Ziploc of Phone/Modem
1 Deck of UNO cards	3 headbands	Folders
4 underwear	Head lamp	Envelopes I’m Shuttling
Slip	4 Cliff Bars	Roll of Red Duct Tape
Skirt	Medications	Money Belt/Passport&Visa
1 – Pair of socks	Cultural Immersions Papers

FINAL PRODUCTS

My life for the next 9 weeks!!! 

Did I overpack? Yes, probably. But much of it was intentional. I am taking a lot stuff with the intention of giving it away. In addition, I am sure, even after all that is stuffed in each bag, and all the lists, that somehow I will still get to Kenya and say, 
"Oh my god, I can't believe I forgot_________"




Now it is officially exactly 34 hours and 56 minutes until my first plane leaves!

Which is both amazing and means I should be in bed!

9 Days and 14 Cows

1 - OH MY GOODNESS!
I leave for Kenya in 9 days!!! I am getting so excited, and of course un-surprisingly I haven't packed anything. All the stuff I plan on taking is sitting on a table in room, but who knows if it will all fit, soon I will solve that problem. Tomorrow, I will go to Bloomington for the Cultural Immersions send-off meeting, and hopefully meet my travel buddy from Iowa. Aaaahhhhh, I CAN'T WAIT!

 2 - Today while my students (from student teaching) were in the library for book exchange I came across an amazing find, a book called 14 Cows for America. The books is the story of a gift given to America by the Massai people of Kenya. It is a beautiful book from its pictures to its message. A definite must read and I am so glad I found it before my trip. I plan on reading it to my students next week as a way to say goodbye and help them make a connection to where I am headed.

http://14cowsforamerica.com/