Just words

Alrighty-a real blog update! I am officially one third of the way done here, and I've only updated my blog twice. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

First, my 16-35 is still not here-its been held up in customs for over a week. I promise as soon as it gets here, I'll post all sorts of scene-setting shots for everybody.

I'm suffering from these strange pangs of homesickness-I've never been homesick in my life, but now I find myself craving being able to sit on my own couch, and watch television that isn't poorly dubbed over Spanish soap-operas, WWF or absurdly low-budget homegrown Kenyan dramadies (I would maybe kill for one episode starring Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin). I would love a super-egg everything bacon/egg/cheddar sandwich from Gotham Bagels, or a butternut squash omelet from Sophie's. I miss my house mates, and everyone that has a key to my house despite not paying rent. Basically, I miss a lot of little things, just a little bit.

Having said that, life here continues to blow me away. It's weird to think that I have been here for a month. There are certain things that seemed so alien to me a month ago and now seem familiar, even boring(like the public transportation, pictures soon). Then there are the things that surprise me every single time I see them, like the (many) goats eating trash, while small fires burn a couple feet away. Or the view of Nairobi streets from above, and the seeming chaos and lack of crosswalks, or any semblance of working traffic signals.

These descriptions feel really clumsy, not good enough. I wish I had some photos to share, and starting this week I'm going to be shooting a lot more than I have been.

Luckily for me, Jama brings Newsweek, Time and the Economist(my new love) to class every week, and I have felt reassured by the fairly constant flow of great journalism (I'm a junky, what can I say).

I met with a photojournalist named Felix Masi, who used to work for the Nairobi Star and now shoots freelance for a bunch of wires. He's Kenyan and was packed with energy. We're going to be shooting together in the coming weeks. I'm also psyched cause I'll be meeting with Kate Holt (check her stuff out, its really great!) in a week or so. Also, biggest thing on the horizon for me-I just got the go-ahead from Alterra's green-buyer, so I'm going to be visiting a coffee farm, doing a tour, tasting, the whole nine yards. Being the huge coffee nut that I am, I'm pumped!

There's a ton more I'd love to talk about, but the post is long and I'm not feeling the words thing right now. Back soon.