Post Election Reflection

So it's the 21st of April and I know you are all DYING to know more about my post election life.
As far as the Kenyan 2013 elections went from my perspective there was ofcourse some finger pointing, some ballots ditched on the side of the road, and to every Kenyan's surprise, but not our's, technology failed when turning in regional polling result. My point of view for the whole two week period from March 1-14th, was that it was sunny, the pool was a bit to cold, I ate to much garlic naan and my beverage supply never ran low. Peace Corps Kenya locked its itty bitty chickies away for a whole two weeks in a pretty posh hotel where we were encouraged to continue our language tutoring, offered courses on CPR, crafts and dancing. Just when we didn't think it was possible for Peace Corps to be any more like camp.

The Peace Corps prepared for a situation that probably looked like this: Election results posted, no matter what the outcome, one large group would be extremely unhappy. Tire burning would start, bar room brawls would escalate into the streets, rallies would be held uniting people under a banner of hate, roads would be blocked and Peace Corps Volunteers would be unable to return to their sites with a guarantee of safety. Next step? Let's get the hell outta here.

This is what actually happened: A winner was announced. Kenyans reacted mildly with joy and disapproval. Kenyans who had things to do, went about doing those things.

And far away in the safe belly of Lukenya 100 Peace Corps Volunteers all got to finally meet each other face to face and not just on Facebook. We got fat, we got sunburned and we got fun.

Meanwhile back at site....
My community was extremely excited at the results of the election. Their candidate won. Woo hoo? My feeble attempts to assure my co-workers and friends that "No I was NOT scared of the elections, my company was" fell on deaf ears and once again I got to be the source of a good hearty Kenyan chuckle. Work continues uninterrupted. Uhuru Kenyatta got sworn in on a Tues, I also received Mon and Wed off because Gikuyus know how to get down.

16 months till home! That give me 16 months to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Woo hoo?

Runin' Around

On my last day of teaching classes for this term before the break, my school of choice Githima Primary, hosted a track competition for itself and five other schools. I got to stick around, root on some of my students, meet teachers from the other schools and take some cool pictures. I had to leave early cause I had a meeting so I missed the high jump but there is always next season. 

Our score board.

All of the Githima Primary School athletes that were competing.

The Male Javelin Competition.

See what I was saying about malnutrition?

The starting line of the Men's 10,000 meter.

Not a shoe to be seen.

This one is my student in class 7. He is such a bro. He always participates in class and regulates when the kids swarm me.

 "Teacher? Do you want us to make these girls stop disturbing you?"

My female body guards. When the kids from the other schools started swarming me and grabbing my hair my Class 7 students came to my rescue. 

The girl in front in maroon winning the Female 100 Yard Sprint is in one of my Class 8s.

This one is running in jeggings!!! We shall call her Heat Rash.

One of the few girl athletes not wearing a modesty skirt.

This one is as skinny as the javelin.

The one in pink is my student. This picture was actually a false start on his part, but he looks cool in the lead.