For the last two days, we've been "oriented" in many, many different ways! Yesterday, we spent the day with the director who showed us around the compound and gave us the history of SIM in Kenya. He also introduced us to the SIM schedule: Prayers and/or Bible Study from 8:00 to 8:30 or sometimes 9:00. Work for an hour. Chai in the foyer at 10:00 to 10:15 or 10:30. Work to 12:15 or 12:30. Lunch until 2:00. Work until 4:30. Go home. Now, I'm sure that lunch won't always be that long..at least I hope not, or this girl won't get anything done!
We have also been oriented to food. Yesterday we were also introduced to authentic Indian food. Yummmmmmmm! Today was authentic Ethiopian food. Ashley really loved this, and even ate a bite of goat. Very chewy, but a pretty mild flavor. A couple days ago, we had lunch in the Nakumatt food court. Here, you sit at a table and a representative from each food booth in the food court brings you a menu and waits for you to order. You pick the menu you want to order from and the rest of the servers go away. At our table, we tried Kenyan, Indian, and American (pizza for Ashley.) Each server then brings your food and when you are done, the bill. Talk about service!!
Today, we were photographed, photocopied, and got the low down on finances and crisis procedures. Sort of scary to think we've got to have a crisis management team, but I'm glad that something is in place just in case of a problem. I also got the briefing on how to avoid assault. Look people in the eye, look confident, walk confidently. Hard to look people in the eye and walk confidently when you are walking on a road that has no flat surface in high heeled sandals! I could look them in the eye, but then they would have to catch me as I tripped and fell into them! :) I'm going to have to look like a dorky American making this daily walk to the office. Tennis shoes and socks with a dress/suit. Whatever. I guess I'll just have to come across as a confident dork!
The walk to work takes about 1/2 hr in sandals. I'm hoping to speed that up with the tennis shoe choice. Along the way are lots of guards sitting outside the compounds or homes they are watching. Word on the street is "make friends with the guards" so if any trouble comes, they know you and will be more likely to help. I'm good with that! Ashley made the walk today. That's the first time she's walked in Kenyan traffic. It's an experience for sure.
2 comments:
I'm a little surprised that they let you go somewhere where assault is a possibility without giving you some better options than "look confident" and "make friends with the guards."
Well actually, assault is a possibility anywhere, even in Denver. The same advice applies there too. During the daytime here, there's probably less possibility of assault than in Denver just because of the culture.
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