February 1st
Boy did it get hot today. It hit 102 degrees today during
the afternoon. I didn’t know it was that hot but I totally
believe it. I felt really faint in the middle of class. I was
sweating badly so I thought maybe I was getting sick
again. Classes were ok other than that. But after I got
home and got some water after classes and I started to
feel much better. I did go on rounds today, I miss going
on rounds everyday because I really enjoy it but it’s not
why I’m here so I can’t let it interfere with teaching and
any preparations that go along with that. After classes at
around 5 I got to have another lesson on the bike. I went
all the way to Kamakwie 3 and back, and went around
Kamakwie 1 a little bit. I think I’m getting better at
starting the bike and getting going without stalling. The
clutch is very touchy so as you try to let it go to get
moving you have to release it very slowly or you stall. As
I was passing a roundabout this guy comes flying down a
hill on a bicycle and he sort of just stared at me shortly
before slamming into a cement retaining wall. He flew off
the bike, over the wall and between two metal signs. He
got very lucky overall I would say. The wall was short so
the crash didn’t throw him into it and there could have
been serious injury if he had hit one of the signs. As it was
his knee got messed up and his bike was totaled (the front
fork bent back so far the tire actually touches the frame
of the bike. Plus the front wheel is mangled. At first I felt
bad thinking I had distracted him (not that that would be
my fault anyway. It’s not my responsibility to keep people
from staring at me just for being white). But I found out he
hit the wall because his breaks gave out (poor planning on
his part so I didn’t really feel like I was at fault anymore.
Solomon took him to the hospital and then gave him a ride
home. He’s a really nice guy to do that. After that fiasco I
returned to the house for dinner. After dinner I was in my
room reading when I heard a “whack” sound several times.
I came to investigate and found that Abdul had just
finished killing a black mamba in the back yard. That was a
real comforting thought. Black mamba in the back yard,
great… Anyway, that’s about all for my evening. Hope you
all have a great night.

Blessings from Kamakwie,
Ryan Brooks