Day 5: Yes, I Sunday nap in Africa…
June 30, 2008
I met Aquinas last night. Aquinas is the pastor of the Church I went to today. I think I’m going to save this story for later. It is too complicated.
I spent today at rest. I realized that I’ve been doing about 470% more social activity than I am comfortable with and that I needed a few hours to chill. I ate a protein bar for lunch and came back to my room after Church to nap and read. I’m sawing my way through “Sound and the Fury.” I’m close, but I have struggled much of the way. For those who have read it, I’m on Dilsey’s section and so glad to be away from that jerk-off Jason. I am thinking about rereading the first part now that I have some idea of what in the world is going on.
Observation: The last two mission’s classes I’ve taken required spending a collection of hours with non-western ethnic groups. I think those projects may have been what made this week doable. I’ve noticed that I am able to connect easily with the people I’m meeting, but I don’t have a good category for what to do with the emotions that the connection stirs. I thought I had it figured out when I was falling asleep at nap today, but that was sleep induced delirium.
Basic Report:
I’m eating. Everything has bones or some other abnormality, but I’m not visibly losing weight any more. I still take tylenol PM before I fall asleep to stay asleep all night. (If anyone knows of the active ingredient that makes you sleepy in tylenol PM, please comment it. I’m almost out and they have never heard of it here.)
The weather has been perfect. Today was the first day I sweated. 50-70 degrees. The Kenyans are freezing. It is such a hoot to see them wearing Northeast looking puffy jackets and complain of the chill. I tell them that this weather is perfect. You don’t sweat or shiver. It makes being outside almost nice. I hear that Mombassa is a tropical, hot and humid place. I have ten days there. I don’t think it will be as comfortable AND they have sand.
Irony:
I met two American graduates from James Madison University in Virginia. They got a small grant to build their “stairmaster” water pump project for a village in Western Kenya. They were late to dinner tonight. Mama Bear (housekeeper) said it best, “Boys and a ball. You know?” Coincidentally, there is a European Soccer tournament that has everyone excited tonight. I am just as useless in African sports conversations as American ones.
Tomorrow I go back to Kibera to visit a different school.
Active Ingredient: Acetaminophen
Purpose: Pain reliever
Active Ingredient: Diphenhydramine HCl
Purpose: Nighttime sleep aid
I’m glad you got a little down time.
my search said diphenhydramine is an antihistamine, but when taken with acetaminophen, causes drowsiness
one of the evangelator skits mentioned sand and I thought of you… huntertx said “Sand is sooooo… (shudders) sandy!”
we went to hawaiian falls today, soaked up some rays in the lazy river. i thought of your travels and how the people there have no concept of a place like that
Eric,
After being in Ghana, I find your thoughts very poignant. What I experienced in Ghana was life-changeing for me. From what I’ve read, you are different already too. Keep digging into yourself and what God had planned for you during your trip. Keep looking for meaning. I’m so proud of what you are doing… Rest… you will need energy for next week. Dad and I pray for you everyday. Love you..Barb
Dr. Doomy says it’s Benadryl, basically.
That was your wife speaking btw.
Benadryl. You should be able to find that–aka diphenhydramine. 25mg is *probably* what is in the tylenol PM, ie, one little pink pill.
Good luck
Hi!
I was in my office today reading your blog. My intern for the summer walked in. The first thing she was was the bold title with “Kibera” She immediately stopped.
“Why are you reading about Kibera?”
Karey is Kenyan. She knows all about Kibera. She said there is talk of reconstructing the whole area and cleaning it up. But the problem that would cause is that it would completely displace all of the people who live there. Kibera is all they can afford. What would happen to “the people” if you change “the place?”
Karey hopes to finish her education and go back home to teach women and children about living free of oppression. She is already teaching me so much. And so are you.
You can ask for any antihistamine and get the same result… it’ll knock you out. Whatever the dosage, half it if you’re not breaking out in strange rashes or hives and just want a solid sleep.
Tylenol also makes a pure sleep aid (whose active ingredient is Diphenhydramine HCl Purpose: Nighttime sleep aid) but others have already told you all about that.
Peace to you, King, on your Sabbath.
Hearing about your adventures has been great. It makes me remember my time in Africa and brings back so many great moments. Kind of makes me want to go back…..kind of. Tell us more……
I can only imagine how so much of the “socialness” can tire you. Just the incredible emotional assault and sensory overload that you are reeling from.
Thank you for sharing your travels and describing them so well. Thank you for letting us into your heart and feel a miniscule of what you are feeling.
Peace and rest my friend.