Are we really in Kenya?

There are times I feel like I am in Kenya and then there are moments when I have to ask myself – am I really in Africa? For example, last Saturday night we enjoyed a sushi dinner at a super hipster Japanese Restaurant in WestGate (a high end shopping mall with many name brand stores – almost felt like I was at the Cherry Creek Mall or Short Hills Mall). We walked in and I just chuckled, turned to Madison and said, “Really, we are in Kenya? “ This place is trendier than a restaurant in Denver. As I sit in the comfort of Sach’s home watching TV on a flat screen the same thoughts run through my head. But then as I glance out the windows and see the metal bars covering the windows and the gated entrance with a guard, it brings me back to realize we are in Kenya. When we leave Sach’s home and drive along the main roads with the many, many Kenyans walking by foot at all hours of the night and day, the children begging for money at our car window, the police with machine guns strapped across their chest controlling traffic, and I am rolling up my car window while clutching my purse for fear of someone reaching into the window and snatching it (yes, it does happen) I am brought back to reality of where we are. I am sure this journey will come with a fair balance of experiencing true Kenyan life and having the necessary comfort tools (hot showers, bed to sleep in, internet access) to sustain us. Tomorrow I am going to use the public transportation system, a matatu, to get to the Fairmile school. It seems like it will be similar to the transportation I used while in the Dominican Republic - I will be sure to keep you all posted:)