Changes
Over the past six weeks, I’ve mainly used this blog as a platform for communication. I’ve detailed some of the minutia of our trip, letting “Shajara” serve mainly as a travel-log of our experience in coastal Kenya. And, honestly, that’s OK - I know that many of you reading are people like my mom (hi momma!) and are just trying to keep up with our crazy adventures. However, despite being the main focus of this blog, the details of this trip aren’t what I find myself wrapped up in. They aren’t what I lay awake at night thinking about.
So, as we swiftly approach the halfway mark of this semester abroad, I’d like to propose a change in the focus of this blog. Most of the trips we were scheduled to go on are behind us (most of us will be in Mombasa for the remainder of our time in Kenya, except for a two week stay in Zanzibar and any independent study traveling we’ll have to do), and as such, I’d like to start focusing on my thoughts regarding Kenya, East Africa, Swahili culture and language, foreign aid/US foreign policy, technology - basically, the things that interest me.
Why announce the change? Well, I just figure it’s a good idea to let people know what they’re getting themselves into by keeping up with this blog (and with me). Over the past month and a half, I’ve seen a lot, talked a lot, listened a lot, and read a lot, and I’d be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t reflect deeply on my experiences. I’d love to share those reflections with those interested in them.
So, anyway, that’s all I’ve got today. This subtle change is something I’m excited about, and I hope that some of you will enjoy the thoughts of a twenty-one year old American college student in Kenya.
Hm. When I write it like that, it doesn’t sound very interesting at all.
with sarcasm and blind optimism for all,
-Worth
