Accounted

09/28/05

Couldn't sleep again last night. But I dragged myself out of bed anyway and went jogging just before 7am into the back trails. The sun was just up; dew was on the leaves and grass. It was tough at first, I'm out of shape. But I got past that and I ran far. I recognized newly planted fields of maize and sugar cane, mango and guava trees. I passed some girls walking to school, they started skipping, trying to keep up ("Habari?" "Nzuri. Habari Yako?" "Nzuri!") I was sweating in the cool morning breeze. Careful not to roll my ankle (again) I bounded over rocky paths. I felt good to have my blood flow fast, my lungs burn, my body sweat.

We are going to Kisii, Robert, Shikuku, and Mama Liz, to try and open the KCHEP account at Barclays. Bouncing on a big bus.

Sitting in a photoshop next to Mama, waiting for the passport photos they had to take to print. It was a digital system, and there was a strobe light with a reflector umbrella for an overhead key. I wanted to tell the guy that he'd get more interesting shots if he brought the key around to the side and let it fall off a little on one side, and then I remembered that I was in a photo shop in Kisii Kenya, getting passport photos taken of three villagers to open a bank account. I did however, enroll the photo guy to get set up so I can come and print all my digital photos to give to people as gifts before I leave, so I don't need to worry about sending full-res files home and have someone print them and send them back. I honestly never thought about doing it this way, but I think it will be cheaper and easier.

Sitting in Barclays, trying to process our account. I just cashed the end of my travelers checks, which should be exactly enough to get me to Zanzibar, where Ma will have the rest of my money. Things are working out well. There is a lot left to do, but just enough time to do it.

Slow progress. Everything in Africa takes so long.

So long…

So long! Mama et al are starting to get a little pissed I think. This guy is a novice at opening group accounts. He keeps having to call for help and run and get new forms… I think the three of them have signed like 20 forms… Its ridiculous. We've been sitting here almost 2hrs trying to get this done.

3hrs. Man, that was ugly. Robert, Shikuku and Mama went back to Kanga, I stayed on to come to the internet. I found a new café, this one doesn't smell nearly as bad as the others and costs less, but the server just went down.

I bought boots for 600/= (they asked for 1500/=) and a fan for 1500/= (originally marked at 2500/=) I am extremely pleased with both. Othiees just came in and I showed him the boots. He felt the soles, listened to the boot (no joke) and then declared them a good purchase. The fan makes the room livable. My gift to any future volunteers that may end up living in this tin oven.

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