Comments on: Redefining Kenya

By: centrine

centrine — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:39:49 +0000

The whole story is very true.I come from kenya and i know what you are saying.
thanks God at last you knew how to handle them.They hate anybody who ignore them…but the moment you try to make jokes with them ,the you become friends.
keep up the good work-anyway that was a culture-schock….am glad you overcame.
bless you.

By: JoAnna

JoAnna — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:23:12 +0000

Hi Turner ~

It can be sobering to come to that realization, but once I did, it changed my entire outlook on the experience and has altered the way I’ve traveled since.

Thanks for stopping by!

By: Turner Wright

Turner Wright — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:18:31 +0000

“We tried desperately to act culturally like Kenyans but were treated culturally like the Westerners we are.”

Exactly. We travel to countries expecting to find equality after having lived abroad for so long, but in many places, you will never be a local; you may be able to speak the language, know the customs, even marry a native, but in the end, you can’t change your face.

By: JoAnna

JoAnna — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:53:56 +0000

Hi Traceplace,

I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my piece. No hard feelings. We all have different experiences, as you say, and much of my time in Kenya was very positive (I lived there for nearly nine months). I hope to go back again sometime soon when I can afford it so that I can visit the friends I made and my host family, which became a seconde family to me.

If you are interested in following my travels, I have set up a travel blog since having this piece published here. You can find me online at http://www.kaleidoscopicwandering.wordpress.com.

Cheers,
JoAnna

By: Traceplace

Traceplace — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 06:44:40 +0000

I have to admit that until I read through the last 2 paragraphs…I was feeling hurt. I don’t know at what- that the post seemed anti-Kenya, that such an amazing place was painted in a really negative light (gets too much of this kind of light), that the people who were so nice/loving/sincere to me weren’t the same to you, that you had a challenging experience with viscous situations-not at all okay…I don’t know exactly why. I’m sorry I felt that way reading the post…so weird!

I spent 2 months in Nyeri and Nairobi (also visitng the rest of the country) volunteering with children similar to the children you encountered. I studied the country’s history and recent cultural differences before leaving. I didn’t have a shocking adjustment period that most people encounter-other than a run in with a Nairobi police officer. I found the people, even an amazing random taxi driver, to be incredibly concerned for my well being and genuine.

All experiences are different. I understand this on many levels.

Sorry for my odd reaction. I truly am. The post just hit a nerve for some reason. I haven’t read any other posts on the blog yet as I am a *young blogger and new reader of yours.

I look forward to checking out the rest of the posts and getting to know your travels.

And…I am going back to Kenya with my Masters program this December while my husband does mobile clinics in western, rural Kenya.

Long comment…won’t do this again, promise.

By: Hostel Barcelona

Hostel Barcelona — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:36:32 +0000

I am helping NO HUNGER, but i think any help is not enough, give them work, give them better quality live and we would be a greater planet to live

By: JoAnna

JoAnna — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:36:42 +0000

Hi Leah and Rich ~

Thanks for stopping by! Kenya is so rich in culture and beauty … truly an outstanding place. I, too, can’t wait to visit again one of these days.

Cheers,
JoAnna

By: Rich Cook

Rich Cook — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:57:06 +0000

Wow! That really moved me. I grew up in Kenya (my parents were missionaries) and witnessed much of what you talked about, although not directly since I was 13 when we left. Thank you for the accurate, heartbreaking and thoroughly wonderful picture of Kenya. I can’t wait to go back!

By: leah

leah — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:43:07 +0000

I will be heading to Kenya for 2 months this summer. One of the months I will be working in Kibera in an orphanage. It was nice to get a taste of what part of Kenya I will be seeing. Thanks.