Feb 2006 II

Mambo Vipi (What's up),
Hi all, right now I am sitting in a the Lamu post office right on the coast of this small island off the north coast of Kenya. The place is amazing, first the streets are so narrow that instead of cars people ride donkeys around the island. It is so funny, donkeys just hang out in groups on the side of the road or my the docks. Second, their are some amazing restaurants here, you can eat lunch for about 50 cents or splurge on fried fish for about 85 cents. I had an avocado shake today (thanks for the advice Leora) and it might have been one of the most amazing things I have ever tasted! The city also has some very interesting architecture, many of the old buildings have facades made from coral, and most of the roofs are coconut leaves.
We have been kept really busy, we start Swahili class at 7am, do that for 4 hours, get a lunch break, have a lecture at 2, and then meet with our Swahili tutors at 5 before dinner at 7. It is all a bit crazy and we don't really have time for the assignments we are responsible for, but it will all work out. I teachers are great and I am actually able to construct a few coherent sentences in Swahili!
Before Lamu we spent 3 days in Malindi which is on the Kenyan coast not far from Lamu. Bad news is we all got attacked by bed bugs and I am currently covered in red bits, good news is we got to play in the Indian ocean, go snorkeling (which was amazing, the fish are so varied and colorful), and I got to spend an afternoon with Masai warriors talking about the most interesting stuff, the highlights of which were their explanations of war and female circumcision. They life in
Northern Kenya are animal herders but come to town a few months a year to make money off the tourist industry, they dress in bright red cloth and wear lots of colorful handmade jewelry, so picture this. I am on a porch with about 10 dudes in robes and beads. They explained that they
fight with their neighbors over stolen cattle, mainly to prove to their women that they can fight! On the issue of female circumcision, they explained that it is a point of contention because of politics and outside pressure, and that those who support it do so because they believe in preserving tradition. But one dude that supports it explained that women who are circumcised tend not to cheat on their husbands, which he argued was a happy side effect. The only lone soul arguing against the practice said that he had been with circumcised and uncircumcised women and that he appreciated being able to please his partner! It sounds like this debate is about more than just politics.
There is more to tell but I will be late for my tutor if I say any more. I will try to write again soon. Ali- I hope you had a great birthday, I love you. Zack- congrats on the RA application, I am very proud of you! Jacqui- good work in the ice. Mom & Dad- I sent you a letter, and I really like getting your e-mails, Ressies- that goes for you too, your notes put such smiles on my face! I hope Hew-X is holding up well. OK, I miss you all, keep in touch.
-Gabi

PS. if you want to write me a letter send it to SIT, PO Box 41656, Mombasa Kenya