Made it to Kenya

Jambo everyone! This is Ryan writing to say that I have officially made it to Nairobi in one piece. The flight was long and very uncomfortable. I am staying in a hostel that has hot showers, indoor toilets, and INTERNET! The food is good and I slept for the first time under my mosquito net. The weather is beautiful, a little chilly in the mornings and then it turns sunny and hot. I had my first day of training. I got some vaccinations and my malaria meds. I am taking doxycycline, which is NOT the one that causes hallucinations. I am a little disappointed, it was going to be a great adventure. I love my fellow PCTs, by the way. We are already like a little family and I am having a great time. There are 38 of us and not one is unpleasant. One of the current PVCs commented that she was very surprised to see how close we have gotten already. It is a nice feeling, having so many people who feel the exact same as you. Tomorrow is the last day we all have together, we are getting split in half and I will be going to Loitokitok with the science education people. I am sad to be leaving some of my new friends (I might cry!). On the bright side, I heard there were elephants there! I can't believe I have been in Africa for almost a whole day and I have yet to see a giraffe. Hopefully that will change tomorrow. I would love to write more, but I am starving and I have a hankering for a large bowl of spaghetti. I will settle for rice, beans, and some chicken or beef chunks. It is actually quite delicious. Bye!

Kenya: Home Sweet Home??

Hi everyone!! I made it to Kenya safe and sound! I am exhausted and jet lagged and I am finally off the planes, out of airports, and in a hostel in Nairobi. So far it looks just like the US. Gas stations, restaurants, Abercrombies, and everything in English. I don't yet have any more details about my training or my host family but I love my fellow Peace Corps Volunteer's. They are all so friendly and we are all going through the same emotions! I love them already!   I will be in Nairobi til tomorrow and I have no idea when and how much I will be able to contact everyone once I leave here. I'll keep posting as much as possible! Love ya! xooxox

Ryan is off to Kenya

Alright. Okay. I am officially done packing for my Peace Corps service. If I haven't stuffed it into my bag, I will have to live without it for the next two years. I am pretty confident I will be fine with what I have. What I really will miss is my wonderful friends and family. And Sushi Studio. Saying goodbye has been impossibly hard. Some days I wonder what in the world I was thinking in applying to the Peace Corps. And more often I wonder, what were they thinking in accepting me! This will be the hardest thing I have ever done. Yet, I know it will also be the best thing I have ever done.
Tomorrow I leave for Philadelphia, then Wednesday I will depart for Kenya. Goodbye America, goodbye Starbucks, goodbye Kate, Caroline, Mom, Dad, Ev, Harris, Jasmine, Julie, Amanda, Lindsey, Bobbi, everyone at VESH, McDonalds fish sandwiches, Millys, Gin n Tonics, Twix bars, and Glee!

Please send me letters and packages. My address for the next 9 weeks will be:
Ryan Keith, Peace Corps Trainee
P.O. Box 698-00621
Nairobi, Kenya

If you send me letters, I will love you forever. Good luck with everything and thanks for everything. I will certainly miss you more than you miss me. My next post will be from Africa and maybe by then I will have realized my dream and seen a real-live lion (I didn't want you to forget how dorky I am :) )

Miss you, Love you, Bye!!