Early Morning Writing

It is so strange to be here in our little room imagining everyone back home going to bed, in their personal havens, as I am hearing the roosters crow and cows moan. The sun begins it’s ascent. We are now two weeks in, with the bulk of the interns leaving for a three day safari. It is a much-needed break for them. Let the Kenyan veld and her array of wildlife stun and restore them. We have had days packed full with emotional as well as physical challenges, as well as rewards beyond description.Every system of your being is so shocked by being here. Even after coming here for 6 years, I still  have such a hard time doing something as basic as sleeping in these foreign conditions. About 4 AM this morning, Brent and I found ourselves in conversation, which is not really unusual. Brent, who is “comfortable” virtually anywhere, anytime, asked with his sweet, gentle voice, “Are you comfortable, Sweetheart?” For once I was speechless, then I burst out laughing (in the mildly hysterical way I do when over tired).   Comfortable? Are you kidding? I have  mosquitos buzzing around my head (despite the net). I can hear our neighbor, Mr. Nyae, snoring through our paper-thin wall. I’m sticky and hot (the low last night was 75) and I can feel every slat in my bed. I have an itchy rash in my armpits and we have a rat that has become increasingly more active (despite the traps). Somehow the total effect of it, set against his sincere question, just struck me as being so funny, which is good. Laughter is a much-needed antidote.