Karibu Kenya
"Every time you take a risk or move out of your comfort zone,
you have a great opportunity to learn more about yourself
and your capacity."
Jack CanfieldI think it was one of the most challenging and definitely life-changing conference experiences for me. It was exciting, it was surprising, it was tough, it was fun, it was learning & giving back, stretching, accepting, appreciating small things, learning compassion, understanding, patience and.. yeah, again and again appreciation.
The congress itself and my role in it is a different story, and there were many interesting "self-awareness-reminder" moments.
But what is Kenya all about... it's really hard to explain. That's why I have just pieces, and yet need time to put them all together for smth one:
Stretching your comfort zone is too less to say.
"No rush in Africa"
Black children, constantly asking "how are you"
Jambo muzungu (or whatever spelling is supposed to be right)
Friendly smily people and a lot of stealing-robbing incidents at the same time (thanks to the universe, everything is fine with me)
Business center looking like European city and completely crazy contrast of buildings just 30 min drive away from it
Country of paradoxes
Dust. A looooooooot of dust.
Beautiful animals, giraffes especially
Be thankful for simple things like hot water
"Matatu" is something like a mini-bus with crazy driver and disco inside. Because it has strange blinking colorful lights and super-loud music all the time on.
And who knows, maybe if to replace 6-7 matatus with 1 city bus, it will indeed reduce the traffic in Nairobi :)
Masai market and fun of negotiation with "my brother" and "my sister"
and Masai sleeping under blankets (very warm btw!)
People making pictures with you just because you are white. Actually Lupo was so right about "I've never been so much self-aware about the fact that I am white"!
Incredibly low prices for many things
combination of AIESEC and couch serfing with unexpected effect...
...and many many other things which I still need to think over.
Thank you, Kenya, for all these memories. Because they made me think differently.