Hamjambo Rafiki!
I am writing after many action packed days! On our day off we went on a hike to a waterfall which ended up  being dried out.  It was still a beautiful place although the baby baboons were a little confused with our arrival.  After we visited an AIDs clinic in Oloitokitok, the next town over from Kimana.  We were introduced to four local women that were HIV/AIDS positive.  They shared their stories which was such a powerful experience.  They were all forced to leave their family and were seen as outcasts in their communities. You could tell that their life was revolved around counseling other women who came to the center.  We were also able to buy jewelry that they made in order to support the center.  It was all so colorful I had a hard time not buying it all! I am going to see if I can maybe get some sent to the states so we can support them and spread awareness there too!
Later on that day we went to the Oloitokitok and the Kimana market.  Tuesdays are market days here and they get crazy!! There were people everywhere selling jewelry, fabric, basic needs, food, ect.  We were able to practice our ability to barter, although the Maasai mamas were soon following us with all of their jewelry.  They are quite relentless so we eventually got away to enjoy a Tusker at the local bar!

The next day we woke up for our first trip to Amboseli National Park for our first expedition! The ride there was quite bumpy but was totally worth it!  We saw huge herds of zebras and gazelles as soon as we entered.  There were scattered giraffes across the park grazing on their own.  As we neared Lake Amboseli we encountered many groups of elephants that were grazing and bathing.  I have never been so close to such a large animal! The babies are so cute as well and never leave their mother's sides.  We were even able to see two of the young males fight only a few meters away!

We are back to our regular schedule now of classes and schoolwork until next Tuesday! We get to have a community service day Tuesday, following with another Non Program Day (which means no work, just fun!) Lately everyone's immune systems seem to be having a hard time adjusting to the new area.  We all need a few days off to recuperate from our sicknesses, tiredness, and over excitement before Tuesday!

Until next time,
Kwaheii! (Goodbye!)

Jambo from Kenya!
I have safety arrived in Kenya and it is more beautiful then I imagined!  The landscape is very dusty and similar to Pride Rock ha.  It is warm during the day but sometimes freezing at night! Mount Kilimanjaro is right in my backyard although it is covered by clouds during the day.  We have at least 10 baboons who have decided to make our camp their home as well.  The babies are quite fun to watch bounce around!
I was able to see giraffes and zebras so far on the drive down, but I am looking forward to seeing lions and elephants on Wednesday during our first safari! The staff here are all from local tribes so we are surrounded with so much culture.  We are trying our hardest to learn Swahili so we can better integrate ourselves into this culture.  Our visit to the village, Kimana, proved to be difficult due to this language barrier.  I have also never felt so much like the outcast in a town full of Kenyans.  They all stared at us, proving it impossible to blend in here.   
We visited a Maasai "boma" (homestay) yesterday. They greeted us with a traditional song and dance and our professor told us it was rude not to perform one back to them. We of course decided to sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat and You are my Sunshine....I guess it is not as cultural but they were all dancing to it anyways! 
I will end for now since we have a student vs. staff soccer game! I will continue to update as I find time to! Love and miss you all!  

ps. focus on the important things....when you don't have much internet you would be amazed with what you find the time to do!

Hi Guys!!
I will try to update this as much as possible so I can keep everyone up to date on my travels! Miss you all already! Love to all!