THE SUMMER TRIP

The plan was to visit Kate on July 17th in San Francisco, Em’s parents on the way to Oregon, and hang for some time with some people (a community of small and important friends around here) in Colorado where they were hiking. I remember the days dragging themselves, especially the week before this date, even seconds turned into minutes. I could hardly listen to em or Michael telling me about the places they thought would be interesting to visit in both their places, Oregon, and Atlanta. Finally the big day was here right at our door.

San Francisco July 17 2009

At around 5:00pm, Kate, who is my friend from Kenya, picked me up. This was just like the plan. We drove to her husband mike’s place of work in Palo Alto, after which we met some of their friends. They were all Engineers, their language moved around teaching, engineering, devices and students. I found it interesting of what it means choosing a career. Kate and I drove to San Francisco, where their home is. By the time we reached the home, I had already started being sleepy. After she showed me my room, we chatted for some time, and then I slept.

On Saturday and Sunday I ran, we went to a gym, drove around visiting an aquarium and watching a movie, Harry Potter the 7th, on Sunday evening. These two days were more fun than I am able to write. I remember Kate, after looking at a bird flying on one of the tallest buildings in San Francisco, was wondering why people have not made a bird robot. Mike told her that they have made some, though they fly for some time and then crash. On Monday, Kate took me to the airport for my next flight.

Atlanta 20 July 2009

In Atlanta, the only similar things with San Francisco were the aquarium and having fun. Their way of doing things was a bit different. I noted that right when em’s sister picked me from the airport. On the way home, just like a true American, she talked a lot. She told me about the eastern history and showed me the high school em and the rest of the family attended. She spoke mostly of the eastern states and the country patriotism. Later she thought I might not be interested and asked what I thought. Though we didn’t share the same idea, I felt I was fond of her country. But I still have mine, and by that angle I was confident to say, “That is right.” The life in Atlanta was adventurous. I visited coca cola museum, aquarium, art museum and the Martin Luther King Junior museum. I was happy to have em’s mother’s care. Thanks Alex for sharing that with me. I had fun hanging around with Alex (em’s little brother) and his friends as well.I hard a chance to meet a kenya in atlanta and he invited me for a dinner it was fun talking my mother tongue for sometime and sharing story that i am more familiar with. Two weeks were over and I still had no idea of being bored, but I had to board another plane to Colorado. This time em’s mother gave me a ride and I felt like I was to run immediately when the car stopped or make myself forget saying good bye, but em’s mother told me she was to give me a hug. Cool!

Denver Colorado august 5 2009

At one time I was in the plane and the next I was in Colorado. Trent and Natalie picked me up from the airport. I was glad to see them, as they are my friends and part of a community I value very much here. The destination was the Foley’s family; I never talked that much because I fell asleep. The next morning all the community made it to the Foley’s, Jonathan Lipps, Jessica Howard, Dan Urban, Justin Smith and Eliza Kienitz. After two days, Michael joined, after a time that seemed to be long. Later Paul Schick, an American friend from Kenya, joined. I was happy to see him after a real long time. We had the type of fun that probably would occupy a couple of pages to explain. We hiked some of the taller mountains in Colorado. The fun of being together scrolled the days and before I realized it, I was in the airport thinking of how to say goodbye once again. Next was my trip to Michael’s parents in Oregon.

Portland Oregon august 9 2009

Oregon hoyee!.... Oregon hoyee!....

In Oregon, life was not different except new experiences, ideas and going to church as a family. Michael’s mom and his younger brother Bryan picked me up from the airport. We were excited to see each other.

After arriving home, all I wanted was a nap, not even food. If I try to cut the story short, special times and moments still remain prominent. They are times like playing card games with everyone in the O’Neil family in the evenings; I remember chatting, watching movies together, hanging around with Bryan’s friends and family friends. One day I was invited to a wedding with them. It was fun attending my second wedding in the US after Michael and em’s. With most of the people I chatted with, I could see and feel they were glad to have me and they proclaimed it “we are so glad to have you.” I felt God deserved that more. I also remember floating in the river and rock jumping, hiking to visit Crater Lake, the Pacific Ocean, water color painting and running with Jake, who is Bryan’s swim coach and friend, later my friend too.I also remember an important time with john ngigi and his family. Michael's father had known him through marathon running on the second day he told me of john that he just won portland marathon. later in the day patty Michael's mother phoned john's place of work. After talking for some time john asked whether he can talk to me. We agreed on meeting and patty agreed on driving me there. patty said she was exited since john was known to be a famous runner. It turned out that i was to spend the night with john's family. we spoke in kikuyu and sometime in swahili when we were together but switched to english when his wife came. another day we went hiking visit some beautiful fall in oregon . nice trip ending.Again, I would like to thank Bryan for sharing his family’s care and love with me.

Generally, I thank everyone who made this trip possible in any way. Michael and em, O’Neil family, Kate and her husband mike, Martha Abbott- Shim and the community here.