Halloween means November, which means it is nearly Christmas!

Halloween was a special time at Icaciri School. I dressed up in my orange skirt, black shirt and Halloween socks for work, and insisted that all of the teachers Trick-or-Treat at my desk. We spent lots of time learning the rhyme, but in the end, had a lot of fun. I also read “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” to my students, which they found to be horrifying and confusing. On second thought, yes – a ghost dressed in black with a pumpkin for a head is both horrifying and confusing!

Although there are many moments like that where I am very aware of cultural differences, there are also times when the two cultures mesh. For example, mornings in Gatundu feel so much like Fall in the mountains of North Carolina that my senses are almost tricked. And then the hot sun comes out of the clouds, followed by the long, life-bringing rains and I snap out of my daydreams. My “Oh yeah, I'm in Kenya!” moments still happen, though they are becoming less frequent.

Routine has definitely set in, and I now have days when I go to the market, days that I play Frisbee in the field, and days that I clean (okay, those days aren't routine, yet!). I still very much enjoy walking into town. Saying “Habari!” to the children and farmers along the road is something I have come to crave, so much so that when I do not go into town, I miss the many, tiny faces I have begun to recognize. My favorite part of the trip always occurs as I start down the long hill that separates the town from the beautiful shambas and banana fields of Gatundu. She must recognize our steps, for every single time my roommate and I round that last corner, the same little girl comes running out behind us, screaming “Muzungu, Muzungu!” She shakes our hands at least twice, smiles, and runs away before we have time to ask her name. Although she knows that we are different, there is something about her smile that let’s me know that she’s a dear friend.

And I have made so many similar dear friends in and around Icaciri that I almost forget that I am only a temporary resident of the town. Making chapati, removing mud from my shoes, and giving out candy to the little ones on the road to Gatundu have all become crucial parts of my life now, and I am very thankful for that!

Three more things:

1. The Kenya YAVs have now entered what is known formally as "Beard-vember" aka'd "Leg-vember" and/or "No-Shave-Month." November is supposed to be the hardest month of the entire YAV experience, so what else would we do to bond and keep our spirits up than not shave?

2. I am very sad to say that my dear family member and friend, Shadow, had to be put down last week. He was a good dog who lived a very long life -- 14 years, to be exact! I will always remember the way he would sled with my sister when it snowed, chase rolling logs down our neighbor's hill, and run with me up and down the road, until his last days! He will surely be missed.

3. If you are reading this blog, and haven't begun to sing Christmas songs yet, today is your day! I started in October, and have been happy ever since. Here is one to start you all off: "Silver bells, silver bells! It's Christmas time in the city!"

God bless!