I can smell the U.S.!

Hey guys thought I would write a blog since it has been a while. I have been busy with my projects, the clinic, and having fun before I go. So I think I told you all I am done with Peace Corps Dec 23. Then the traveling will begin! I have still not put it all together but soon.. I can't wait to really have a date when I will come home. It is going to be unreal..

Lately I have been doing alot of hiking. This last weekend I climbed MT. Kasigu. It was not that big(1600 m) but a good warm up for Mt Kenya which is a big Mt. The climb was super tough bc the whole way was pretty steep, then having a tent, water, blanket, mat and binoculars on your back makes it 5 times worse. I was so happy to see the top. It was a nice view too. We (a friend from Voi, his friend, and a guide) camped at the top. In the morning the rain started for pretty much the 1st time this season. With the trail being steep I fell like 20 times. I think I could have brought a better pair of shoes(Jenny you taught me better). The climb up I think took like 6 hours and down like less then 4. I feel bad bc I was having the hardest time climbing(which I did not think would be the case living in the hills) and slowing the group down but we were all super tired at the end of the day!
The next day I went the forest and look out point by were I stay. Even though I had 7 Liters of water on my water it was so much easier that Mt Kasigu. The point of the walk was to teach the community about the eco tourism project by show them the trail. Most people who live here have never been to the forest. We wanted 125 people to come but got 25 but I still thought it went well. People really had a goodtime. We sold food, drinks, and pictures to raise money for the project. The only problem when you make food for 125 but get 25 it is hard to make a profit. It think we will have done that but a very little one. I was the one taking the pictures so many people wanted one they were proud they had done. The way back I was leading 2 people from a different village than me. It was funny they were kind of embarrass that the white guy was leading them through their land. The one guy was like,"I have lived here for 45 years and you have for 2 this should not be the case" The way back it started raining again and the trails filling up with water making them look like a stream! I was sore after all this but not as bad as I thought I would be!

I really want to help get the eco tourism project running before I go. I think it can go well if people can really commit to it. It is off to a good start. Well. It is getting late. I have a 45min walk home so I should get going. Thanks for reading!