I know this is 2 weeks or so after the fact, but I just wanted to write a little bit summarizing my journey home and the last 2 days I spent in Kenya since people have been asking about it. Thursday was pretty low key. Melissa and her friends that stayed the night (one crashed on our couch) were already in the city to catch the morning train to Mombasa by the time I woke up. One of the women who works at a general store on the road that I walk by everyday called out "Wanjika, sa sa?" which I knew meant "how's it going?" but I just smiled as I didn't know the appropriate response. There weren't any testing kits when I got to the office because the DASCO office had apparently flaked out on the inspection (not surprising), but everything else was in order. It was fitting that my last day of work was spent at the internet cafe finishing up all the proposals, and we printed off three copies of the completed NACC application after I proofread everything. Then I worked on finishing everything except the financial information for the Virginia Gildersleeve application until around 12:30. After saying bye to Josephine, I walked to Junction and had lunch at Java House since I was running out of money and they take credit cards. The apricot white chocolate coffee I had was absolutely amazing.
Next, I went to Nakumatt and got the ingredients to make the hummingbird cake as well as some notebooks for the LocalAid office for keeping track of the testing kits when they finally get them. My last matatu ride home was unusually empty, but that didn't stop the crazy off-road driving from scaring me just a little. Baking the cake was a little difficult without measuring cups, but the batter tasted good and I finally figured out the oven's controls and Celcius scale. The icing, however, did not thicken up which was disappointing. Despite this, everyone enjoyed it and I left the recipe with Margaret. She had a surprise for me as well and presented me with Kenyan flag stickers that I had been looking for but unable to find in the area. I immediately put one on my nalgene and one on my journal. Patrick wasn't feeling very well, so I sat next to him and read before taking my last shower in Kenya and trying to get some sleep.
Friday didn't start off well, and I think I ate something that didn't agree with me or caught Patrick's stomach flu. Either way I was sick, and with no cash left and my flight leaving today I didn't think it was worth trying to see a doctor here to get more antibiotics. Instead I went to Josephine's house to drop off the notebooks, pick up some pins, and say our final goodbyes. She was on her way to check the P.O. box in the city for the letter she needed to open the bank account, and I asked her to keep me updated on how everything was going with the applications and testing. When I got home, I tried to go back to sleep, but instead ended up finishing Out of Africa by Karen Blixen. It was interesting to read about the nearby Ngong Hills area and the people there over 50 years ago. The rest of the afternoon was spent laying in bed and packing with a short break to eat a tiny bit of lunch with Margaret and her guest. Around 6pm, Margaret told me that instead of taking a taxi to the airport, her nephew would drive me for the same price and it would be a little safer. After washing my face, packing a few more little things, and taking a few last pictures, I said goodbye to Margaret and Maggie. Traffic was pretty bad on the way to the airport due to the ever-present construction, but just tried to listen to Margaret's sister and nephew's conversation in Swahili. I'm fairly certain it had something to do with directions. We made it to the airport a little before 8pm, and they walked me to the international departures where I spent a good 3 and a half hours. I browsed the souvenir shops (which thankfully took plastic) and tried to eat a little while I waited for the plane that was 30 minutes late for our 11:30pm departure. 
Apparently, I wasn't drinking enough though, because I actually fainted when I stood up to board the plane. Besides being super embarrassed, I was panicked that I would miss my plane, but luckily some airline officials riding in first class them wait for me. Since we were leaving from a country with malaria, they spray the plane down for mosquitoes once the door has been sealed which I found interesting but most people seemed used to. The lady next to me was apparently from West Africa because she asked me "Parlez-vous Francais?" I responded with "un petit peu" but apparently that wasn't good enough for her because she didn't speak to me again for the next 8 hours. Overall, the flight was pleasant and the food was decent with no more episodes of passing out. We touched down in Brussels a little before 7am, and I tried with little success to sleep in the airport since the plane was impossible. The plane to Newark was also half an hour late and they changed our gate and had to scramble to find everyone's luggage, but I was happy to be headed back to the States. This time I had a window seat and sat next to a young girl and her father. I would have enjoyed the flight more though if the movies-on-demand that I had been looking forward to wasn't broken on the my little tv screen. Oh well. The second 8-hour flight had me feeling a little better, and I had no problems from customs (or the CDC) when I got to Newark. The Newark airport was probably my favorite layover with all the restaurants they have, and in no time I was on the was back to Florida. The two and a half hour flight flew by, and I was very happy to see my near-hysterical mother when I got off the monorail. After assuring her I was fine and then asking her to take me to the ER to get some antibiotics and assuring her I was fine again, we got my one bag and headed out of the airport (which I will be happy to not see for a very long time). Having been settled in my new apartment in Gainseville for two weeks now, I've had time to reflect on all that happened when I was there, and I have to say that it was a very worthwhile and positive experience. While I wish I could have made more of a difference, I will continue to work on getting the school a website so the kids can have a chance of being sponsored. I also promised to go back once I finish medical school so I can volunteer in a clinic in the area, and I'm really looking forward to seeing Josephine and Margaret again. Hopefully, you all enjoyed reading, and if you want to buy some authentic Kenyan jewelry in bulk, let me know.
