So... very sad news to you all (if you ask me at least).
As I was uploading all the photos from my camera to the computer I was borroing at the lodge I am staying, they were sent to My Pictures which is located under the administrator profile of any computer. After that they were automatically deleted from my camera. Then, when all was said and done, I find out that they do not have any username or password to the administrator profile.
Summarized, all my 476 photos from my 6 week stay here in Namibia are now officially lost in cyber space... Nah, not really, just on a computer in a place they cannot access.
It is not very often I use emoticons, but now I really feel the need to share my sadness :(
FML...
Until next time,
//Nick
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Saturday, 16 June 2012
My internet free world
I am very sorry for not updating for a month. Where I am currently staying there is very little access to phones and even less to internet. But now I am in town, and finally I have the possibility to show you where I am and what I am doing... and clarify that I have not been eaten by a Lion or such.
I am in Namibia!!! Awesomeness x 100. I am staying at N/a'an ku se Wildlife Sanctuary which is really famous due to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt having stayed here and donated something like $2m., so you can always check it out if you want to via Google. Actually I dropped by their house last week. Rather amusing little event. We were doing a Game Count (which obviously means counting the game (animals) at the sanctuary) and all of a sudden we see an ostrich chilling right next to their bedroom window.
Also, as I have little time here at this internet cafe, I won't be able to mention it all... but as a preview: THIS IS AWESOME HERE!!!!
I am okay, eating well, and I'm sort of safe... to those who needed to know that. I mean, I am living next to two Cheetahs and just around the corner is Meatball and his girl Gobelinas enclosure (two of the Lions here). Sleeping is rather limited though, when you are woken up 100 times in the middle of the night due to peacocks running on top of the roof, or when the rooster decides to chuckles from the bottom of his lungs in accapella with his mates in other enclosures at 4 o'clock in the morning. But such is okay, time here is great anyways!
I can assure you that this is far from the case. The only reason I could do what I did was firstly because I was under the supervision of trained staff, and secondly because this and a few other Cheetahs were raised closely to humans only due to the reason that they would not survive on their own, for example in cases where they were orphaned by their mum, or if their parents were killed. The animals are then raised under the supervision of the sanctuary so as to give them a life where they would survive.
On a side-note, a subordinate clause if you wish, even though I was able to pet them I can also assure you that they are still wild animals. The purring is not like that of your little domestic cat at home; Kiki here had a purring that resembles a cat on steroids perhaps. These are killing machines, and I can assure you of this; they run their own show - and piss them off you get this (below).
A night without sleep
Yesterday I was so lucky as to have a little friend sleeping in my room. Bobby, the youngest of a bunch of baby baboons, most days of the week is allowed to sleep together with the volunteers. Now, this might seem easy enough; but I assure you: no. Let me tell you about some of the fun he brought with him. At around, what, 8 o'clock it was time for his nappie to be changed (yes, a nappie is needed when the baby shits and pees uncontrollably as he sees fit). Some how he at this point went bananas (oh, the irony) and, I was told, he decided to give his compliments to me in a way only baboons can. He jumped over to my bed, peed at the two corners of my duvet closest to my head. "No worries" I thought, "I can deal with this. I'll just flip it around and sleep with that end at my feet". But oh no, Bobby made sure to leave his second type of 'trace' a second place. At the other end of my duvet I found a nicely placed set of excrement so as to have no place unmarked by Bobby.
Don't misunderstand, time here is great... when you are not peed or shat on (excuse my language). I have been working with Lions and Cheetahs, Meercats and Baboons, Wild Dogs and Caracals. Helping with monitoring health, tracking and searching, enclosure patrols and feeding and on it goes. It is fantastic, and I recommend everyone to follow me!
I wish I could tell you more, and I will, but for now my timeline approaches zero. Next update should be expected next Sunday.
Until next time,
//Nick
I am in Namibia!!! Awesomeness x 100. I am staying at N/a'an ku se Wildlife Sanctuary which is really famous due to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt having stayed here and donated something like $2m., so you can always check it out if you want to via Google. Actually I dropped by their house last week. Rather amusing little event. We were doing a Game Count (which obviously means counting the game (animals) at the sanctuary) and all of a sudden we see an ostrich chilling right next to their bedroom window.
Also, as I have little time here at this internet cafe, I won't be able to mention it all... but as a preview: THIS IS AWESOME HERE!!!!
- During the Cheetah tracking in NamibRand we got the time to chill for a bit at the dunes
I am okay, eating well, and I'm sort of safe... to those who needed to know that. I mean, I am living next to two Cheetahs and just around the corner is Meatball and his girl Gobelinas enclosure (two of the Lions here). Sleeping is rather limited though, when you are woken up 100 times in the middle of the night due to peacocks running on top of the roof, or when the rooster decides to chuckles from the bottom of his lungs in accapella with his mates in other enclosures at 4 o'clock in the morning. But such is okay, time here is great anyways!
- Me chilling with the Cheetah KikiI am expecting that most people will look at this picture and have one out of two different responses to it. The first would be that it is a nice picture and bla bla bla... The second, and probably more likely response, would be that I am simply at a zoo where the animals are not wild, and only bread for the entertainment of tourists.
I can assure you that this is far from the case. The only reason I could do what I did was firstly because I was under the supervision of trained staff, and secondly because this and a few other Cheetahs were raised closely to humans only due to the reason that they would not survive on their own, for example in cases where they were orphaned by their mum, or if their parents were killed. The animals are then raised under the supervision of the sanctuary so as to give them a life where they would survive.
On a side-note, a subordinate clause if you wish, even though I was able to pet them I can also assure you that they are still wild animals. The purring is not like that of your little domestic cat at home; Kiki here had a purring that resembles a cat on steroids perhaps. These are killing machines, and I can assure you of this; they run their own show - and piss them off you get this (below).
- Not so happy anymore, are we?
- And you know, there is also a reason these fences are fitted with 10 000 volts protection lines.
A night without sleep
Yesterday I was so lucky as to have a little friend sleeping in my room. Bobby, the youngest of a bunch of baby baboons, most days of the week is allowed to sleep together with the volunteers. Now, this might seem easy enough; but I assure you: no. Let me tell you about some of the fun he brought with him. At around, what, 8 o'clock it was time for his nappie to be changed (yes, a nappie is needed when the baby shits and pees uncontrollably as he sees fit). Some how he at this point went bananas (oh, the irony) and, I was told, he decided to give his compliments to me in a way only baboons can. He jumped over to my bed, peed at the two corners of my duvet closest to my head. "No worries" I thought, "I can deal with this. I'll just flip it around and sleep with that end at my feet". But oh no, Bobby made sure to leave his second type of 'trace' a second place. At the other end of my duvet I found a nicely placed set of excrement so as to have no place unmarked by Bobby.
- Lauren with Bobby before bedtime
Don't misunderstand, time here is great... when you are not peed or shat on (excuse my language). I have been working with Lions and Cheetahs, Meercats and Baboons, Wild Dogs and Caracals. Helping with monitoring health, tracking and searching, enclosure patrols and feeding and on it goes. It is fantastic, and I recommend everyone to follow me!
I wish I could tell you more, and I will, but for now my timeline approaches zero. Next update should be expected next Sunday.
Until next time,
//Nick
Saturday, 12 May 2012
My final days in Kenya
A little goodbye
So yeah, six weeks have already passed. It seems like it has all gone in a flash, which is of course very sad! I have made so many new friends, and experienced some great things that I could never have expected. It feels strange to have to leave it all. But I think it is important to focus on the positive outcome of my stay here, and know that I am not leaving it behind, I am merely travelling on to a new project. I will always remember all the great things that came from my stay here, both the good and bad aspects, the sunny and rainy days. And, as I wrote in an earlier post, 'My starfish', I hope that, even though I might not have changed the life of all the people in the world, I have at least made a slight difference to the few people that I have met, that my efforts have at least meant something to them.
Through my stay here in Kenya I have changed more than I have ever expected I would. It surprised me quite a lot how seeing the lower standards of life of the people here in Kenya has changed not only my view upon my own life as what I appreciate and value, but also the people I interact with and share a daily life with back 'home'.
Why do I think that is? I have seen countless documentaries and commercials about how there millions of people who suffer every day, and that struggle with their lives in ways others couldn't even slightly imagine. Is it because I have seen it up close, seeing kids with HIV and AIDS, seeing people who drink and eat in the mud, seeing the true suffering of the people I have set my efforts to help?
No, I don't believe that it is the suffering that has made my paradigm shift towards a greater appreciation. I believe it is all the happiness and smiles I have seen that is the cause of this. Wherever I have gone, whoever I have talked to or helped, I have noticed a common denominator, namely a carefree smile. No matter if all they had to drink was muddy water, no matter if their breakfast consisted of only tea, no matter if their dinner was a small portion of beans and maize, they all had the energy to smile with a truthfulness that cannot be compared. They all had the energy to run around with shoes with holes in them, play with a football with no air, and smile with a stomach with no food in it.
Can you show me your smile?
First delivery every witnessed
This was, as you might have noticed, my last week here in Kenya, and the last stop on my programme at the hospital was the obsgyn/maternity department (obstetrics and gynaecology). Yes........... wow..........
It was truly a league of its own. And, as the title tells, I have now witnessed my first ever delivery! Both an all natural birth, one elective and one emergency Caesarean section. The three women were between 19 and 26, so a shout out to them who managed extremely well!
About the actual deliveries, oh wow... during the first one I watched, for a few seconds I honestly believed I was about to faint, puke and die, all at the same time. But I pulled myself together, and witnessed something that was incredible, a baby coming to life (and please don't hassle me with saying that life is made at conception and what not, I am simply stating that seeing the baby taking its first breath of air, screaming for the first time, was incredible). Though, I am amazed how quickly the actual delivery was performed. The women were most likely in labour for hours and hours, but once the nurses and obstetricians were ready, the baby was out within minutes. Those small fingers, the small mouth grasping for air, lying in the nursing bed curiously gazing at the world and its colours and shapes. Astonishing!
During the delivery of the elective Caesarean section the obstetrician noticed something abnormal with the baby. Her left leg was dislocated and bent towards her chest, rather than her back. It was one of the strangest things I have ever beheld, seeing the leg flop around, while the baby, seemingly unaware and unharmed of the situation, calmly looked at the nurses and me. Luckily the obstetrician said that it was a simple orthopaedic fix and that the baby would be fine.
A different approach
And on Friday we all went together to A.I.C. Mukeu School for mentally challenged learners, a special needs school. This is the first time I have ever been with such a great amount of special needs kids at once. The school had around 30 students in the age range 5 years to 15 years old, and around 20 more would come to the school as they would come home from their holidays. The students presented with challenges like various autism spectrum disorders (ASD), downs syndrome and mental disorders. This forced me to approach the kids in a very different way than that of with other kids.
Someone that really helped me with this was my fantastic mother, who is a special educator in Norway. Before I left for Africa she came down to Copenhagen for a weekend where she prepared me with several valuable pointers, like how one should visualise what one wants to communicate. She showed me how using very simple sign language can benefit the communication between you and a child. And so it did. We had a great time, and I believe that the kids did too. Here are some pictures from the stay.
My stay in Kenya
Undoubtedly, this has been six weeks filled with new experiences, and I cannot emphasise enough on how great my stay has been here. Of course there has been downs and ups, but I wanted there to be downs... this is not a holiday to me, this is a trip where I wish to help and experience. And that is what I got to.
I would also like to take the time to send all my wishes to my friends back 'home', some of who are about to finish a quite important part of their life. I hope you all will do great in your final exams, that you get into the schools you have applied to, that what you have worked for will succeed. I cannot tell you guys enough how I miss you.
And lastly, as it is the 12th of May today I would like to wish my dad a happy birthday! I hope you'll have a great day.
While I was writing all of this a song started to play on the radio. I found it rather suitable for the occasion, so here you go, Coldplay with Paradise!
Until next time,
//Nick
So yeah, six weeks have already passed. It seems like it has all gone in a flash, which is of course very sad! I have made so many new friends, and experienced some great things that I could never have expected. It feels strange to have to leave it all. But I think it is important to focus on the positive outcome of my stay here, and know that I am not leaving it behind, I am merely travelling on to a new project. I will always remember all the great things that came from my stay here, both the good and bad aspects, the sunny and rainy days. And, as I wrote in an earlier post, 'My starfish', I hope that, even though I might not have changed the life of all the people in the world, I have at least made a slight difference to the few people that I have met, that my efforts have at least meant something to them.
Through my stay here in Kenya I have changed more than I have ever expected I would. It surprised me quite a lot how seeing the lower standards of life of the people here in Kenya has changed not only my view upon my own life as what I appreciate and value, but also the people I interact with and share a daily life with back 'home'.
Why do I think that is? I have seen countless documentaries and commercials about how there millions of people who suffer every day, and that struggle with their lives in ways others couldn't even slightly imagine. Is it because I have seen it up close, seeing kids with HIV and AIDS, seeing people who drink and eat in the mud, seeing the true suffering of the people I have set my efforts to help?
No, I don't believe that it is the suffering that has made my paradigm shift towards a greater appreciation. I believe it is all the happiness and smiles I have seen that is the cause of this. Wherever I have gone, whoever I have talked to or helped, I have noticed a common denominator, namely a carefree smile. No matter if all they had to drink was muddy water, no matter if their breakfast consisted of only tea, no matter if their dinner was a small portion of beans and maize, they all had the energy to smile with a truthfulness that cannot be compared. They all had the energy to run around with shoes with holes in them, play with a football with no air, and smile with a stomach with no food in it.
- Body of Christ Childens Home
- Body of Christ Childens Home
- AIC Mukeu School
- Wajibu Wetu Childens Home
- Wajibu Wetu Childens Home
- Wajibu Wetu Childens Home
Can you show me your smile?
First delivery every witnessed
This was, as you might have noticed, my last week here in Kenya, and the last stop on my programme at the hospital was the obsgyn/maternity department (obstetrics and gynaecology). Yes........... wow..........
It was truly a league of its own. And, as the title tells, I have now witnessed my first ever delivery! Both an all natural birth, one elective and one emergency Caesarean section. The three women were between 19 and 26, so a shout out to them who managed extremely well!
About the actual deliveries, oh wow... during the first one I watched, for a few seconds I honestly believed I was about to faint, puke and die, all at the same time. But I pulled myself together, and witnessed something that was incredible, a baby coming to life (and please don't hassle me with saying that life is made at conception and what not, I am simply stating that seeing the baby taking its first breath of air, screaming for the first time, was incredible). Though, I am amazed how quickly the actual delivery was performed. The women were most likely in labour for hours and hours, but once the nurses and obstetricians were ready, the baby was out within minutes. Those small fingers, the small mouth grasping for air, lying in the nursing bed curiously gazing at the world and its colours and shapes. Astonishing!
During the delivery of the elective Caesarean section the obstetrician noticed something abnormal with the baby. Her left leg was dislocated and bent towards her chest, rather than her back. It was one of the strangest things I have ever beheld, seeing the leg flop around, while the baby, seemingly unaware and unharmed of the situation, calmly looked at the nurses and me. Luckily the obstetrician said that it was a simple orthopaedic fix and that the baby would be fine.
A different approach
And on Friday we all went together to A.I.C. Mukeu School for mentally challenged learners, a special needs school. This is the first time I have ever been with such a great amount of special needs kids at once. The school had around 30 students in the age range 5 years to 15 years old, and around 20 more would come to the school as they would come home from their holidays. The students presented with challenges like various autism spectrum disorders (ASD), downs syndrome and mental disorders. This forced me to approach the kids in a very different way than that of with other kids.
Someone that really helped me with this was my fantastic mother, who is a special educator in Norway. Before I left for Africa she came down to Copenhagen for a weekend where she prepared me with several valuable pointers, like how one should visualise what one wants to communicate. She showed me how using very simple sign language can benefit the communication between you and a child. And so it did. We had a great time, and I believe that the kids did too. Here are some pictures from the stay.
My stay in Kenya
Undoubtedly, this has been six weeks filled with new experiences, and I cannot emphasise enough on how great my stay has been here. Of course there has been downs and ups, but I wanted there to be downs... this is not a holiday to me, this is a trip where I wish to help and experience. And that is what I got to.
I would also like to take the time to send all my wishes to my friends back 'home', some of who are about to finish a quite important part of their life. I hope you all will do great in your final exams, that you get into the schools you have applied to, that what you have worked for will succeed. I cannot tell you guys enough how I miss you.
And lastly, as it is the 12th of May today I would like to wish my dad a happy birthday! I hope you'll have a great day.
While I was writing all of this a song started to play on the radio. I found it rather suitable for the occasion, so here you go, Coldplay with Paradise!
Until next time,
//Nick
Monday, 30 April 2012
My first surgical experience
Pre-warning for reading this post: There will be pictures that for some will be hard to watch, and it is therefor recommended to read with caution.
Surgery
.
.
.
Okay...
.
.
.
No wait, give me a second to gather myself...
.
.
.
There we go. Okay, so last week I was in the surgical department. This is the first time I have ever been in an OR...not being under...and it was awesome!!! Together with the CEO, Dr.Patrick, and one of the other general surgeons, Dr. Julia, I was allowed to observe some really interesting operations; including the repair of two hernias, an above the knee amputation, and a case of bilateral elephantiasis.Weeeeee...
And that was only some of what I was allowed to watch...
But what amazed me even more was the fact that the CEO said it was no problem if I wished to take pictures or video the procedures. What did I do? D'uh, course I documented my first ever surgical experience!
As some people do not enjoy seeing blood I now warn you: beyond this point there might be some pictures your abdominal area will not be pleased with witnessing.
Here you can see me watching the final part of an amputation of a leg. Yum much?
And here is a little close up...
Awesomeness if you ask me. About the actual procedure, it was really different from what I had expected. I am not sure whether or not it was due to all the blood floating around, or the fact that the surgeons were rather rough, but watching a leg getting sawed off with a wire was definitely a first time. I do also have some videos, but I will spare you from those for now.
But yeah, as I mentioned earlier (okay, I didn't, but what ever), the doctors and interns are a great bunch of people! They talk me through all of what they do, they explain to me why they do things, when on ward-rounds they try to bring me up-to-date on patient history etc., and really include me in the diagnostics and interaction. Time of my life.
And for those who wanted to know what Elephantiasis is, here you go! It is a disease where the skin and underlying tissue, in this case - the lower legs, is thickened. It is often misheard as Elephantisis, though this only refers to inflammation of the area of disease. The pictures from this operation were quite gross and I therefor choose to leave them out. If you wish to see them you can always just message me, the operation was quite interesting to watch!
A little side-note
A quick funny thing to mention, as Dr. Patrick (sorry Patrick, I wasn't sure how you spell your surname so I thought I better leave it unwritten) is amputating a leg he asks me whether or not I have a girlfriend.
Yeah... well, at least they sound friendly!
And to maintain awesomeness, this week I am in the orthopaedic and paediatric department where I also will be allowed to join in on the diagnostics and surgeries. I have been allowed to observe some really interesting cases, and it seems like there are more to come!!! Worth every penny...
When I'm not working
Oh well, work aside - the weather here is horrible. It rains EVERY SINGLE DAY, and I'm not talking about some drizzle now and then, I am talking about hard-core thunder and lightning that strikes as if Thor has some bad ass flatulence going on. The power goes several times a day, and we are left in the darkness of our living room and in the presence of bugs and creatures unknown to mankind.
Amusement?
Luckily I live with some cool people though. Recently, I have been living with a bunch of girls, which comes in hand when hungry or the house is in need of cleaning (I am joking -.- I'll leave my sexist comments), together with the only other guy in the house - my German, awesome friend, Andi.
Sadly, both him and several of the other people have left for now, as I am the unusual one - staying there for 6 weeks, whilst the rest of the bunch I have lived with, with one exception, only booked a two week stay. But I guess this has its pros and cons; I will get to meet a lot more people and get a lot more friends, though it would be nice to develop a bit deeper of a friendship rather than of that you obtain from sharing a house for only two weeks. Oh well, I will visit some of the English people when I get home from Africa, so that's at least something - stop worrying Nick.
It is rather strange to think about the fact that I have been away for a month already. Being away from wherever "home" would be, only having to pay 3DKK for 0,5 l of soda (don't worry, I am eating really healthily! Drinking almost only water every day, solid meals with chicken or beef... bla bla bla - have to satisfy people who worry about my diet as well, you know) being stared at as if I have a mole with the size of my left butt-cheek on my nose. I am on a foreign continent I have never set foot on before, all alone - no family, relatives or old friends from school. No Facebook, yup - I tell you, no Facebook (I am really trying to distance myself from this consumerism - being a bi-product of a lifestyle obsession) Hm.
Two weeks more and I am leaving Kenya. Namibia here I come! Soon.
Well, I think I should call it a day, I am really dragging this out with way too long sentences. Hope to hear feedback from people soon, though I cannot expect many people will read all the way to the bottom of such a long post. I do miss you guys though. This really makes one appreciate what one has. FYI.
Until next time,
//Nick
Surgery
.
.
.
Okay...
.
.
.
No wait, give me a second to gather myself...
.
.
.
There we go. Okay, so last week I was in the surgical department. This is the first time I have ever been in an OR...not being under...and it was awesome!!! Together with the CEO, Dr.Patrick, and one of the other general surgeons, Dr. Julia, I was allowed to observe some really interesting operations; including the repair of two hernias, an above the knee amputation, and a case of bilateral elephantiasis.Weeeeee...
And that was only some of what I was allowed to watch...
But what amazed me even more was the fact that the CEO said it was no problem if I wished to take pictures or video the procedures. What did I do? D'uh, course I documented my first ever surgical experience!
As some people do not enjoy seeing blood I now warn you: beyond this point there might be some pictures your abdominal area will not be pleased with witnessing.
And here is a little close up...Awesomeness if you ask me. About the actual procedure, it was really different from what I had expected. I am not sure whether or not it was due to all the blood floating around, or the fact that the surgeons were rather rough, but watching a leg getting sawed off with a wire was definitely a first time. I do also have some videos, but I will spare you from those for now.
But yeah, as I mentioned earlier (okay, I didn't, but what ever), the doctors and interns are a great bunch of people! They talk me through all of what they do, they explain to me why they do things, when on ward-rounds they try to bring me up-to-date on patient history etc., and really include me in the diagnostics and interaction. Time of my life.
And for those who wanted to know what Elephantiasis is, here you go! It is a disease where the skin and underlying tissue, in this case - the lower legs, is thickened. It is often misheard as Elephantisis, though this only refers to inflammation of the area of disease. The pictures from this operation were quite gross and I therefor choose to leave them out. If you wish to see them you can always just message me, the operation was quite interesting to watch!
A little side-note
A quick funny thing to mention, as Dr. Patrick (sorry Patrick, I wasn't sure how you spell your surname so I thought I better leave it unwritten) is amputating a leg he asks me whether or not I have a girlfriend.
- No, I do not. I respond
- Well, you know Dr. Waigumo (an intern at the surgical department) is a very nice and happy woman. She is only a few years older than you and you should definitely check that out.
- ... Uhm... huh?Later that day, while in surgery with Dr. Julia (sorry to you too Julia, these Kenyan surnames are difficult to catch when thrown five of them at you with a quick pace) she bursts out while repairing a hernia:
- So, I hear you are single, Nick.
- Yup, that is true ma'm.
- So is Dr. Waigumo in fact. You should go out clubbing with her. We'll take you out.
- ?
Yeah... well, at least they sound friendly!
And to maintain awesomeness, this week I am in the orthopaedic and paediatric department where I also will be allowed to join in on the diagnostics and surgeries. I have been allowed to observe some really interesting cases, and it seems like there are more to come!!! Worth every penny...
When I'm not working
Oh well, work aside - the weather here is horrible. It rains EVERY SINGLE DAY, and I'm not talking about some drizzle now and then, I am talking about hard-core thunder and lightning that strikes as if Thor has some bad ass flatulence going on. The power goes several times a day, and we are left in the darkness of our living room and in the presence of bugs and creatures unknown to mankind.
Amusement?
Luckily I live with some cool people though. Recently, I have been living with a bunch of girls, which comes in hand when hungry or the house is in need of cleaning (I am joking -.- I'll leave my sexist comments), together with the only other guy in the house - my German, awesome friend, Andi.
Sadly, both him and several of the other people have left for now, as I am the unusual one - staying there for 6 weeks, whilst the rest of the bunch I have lived with, with one exception, only booked a two week stay. But I guess this has its pros and cons; I will get to meet a lot more people and get a lot more friends, though it would be nice to develop a bit deeper of a friendship rather than of that you obtain from sharing a house for only two weeks. Oh well, I will visit some of the English people when I get home from Africa, so that's at least something - stop worrying Nick.
It is rather strange to think about the fact that I have been away for a month already. Being away from wherever "home" would be, only having to pay 3DKK for 0,5 l of soda (don't worry, I am eating really healthily! Drinking almost only water every day, solid meals with chicken or beef... bla bla bla - have to satisfy people who worry about my diet as well, you know) being stared at as if I have a mole with the size of my left butt-cheek on my nose. I am on a foreign continent I have never set foot on before, all alone - no family, relatives or old friends from school. No Facebook, yup - I tell you, no Facebook (I am really trying to distance myself from this consumerism - being a bi-product of a lifestyle obsession) Hm.
Two weeks more and I am leaving Kenya. Namibia here I come! Soon.
Well, I think I should call it a day, I am really dragging this out with way too long sentences. Hope to hear feedback from people soon, though I cannot expect many people will read all the way to the bottom of such a long post. I do miss you guys though. This really makes one appreciate what one has. FYI.
Until next time,
//Nick
Saturday, 21 April 2012
My instagram
Just as a little notification: instagram is a very nice app that works both for Android and iOS that let's you blog with photos. I tend to upload stuff there too, so catch me with the profile name nikolaikleftas if interested. :-)
//Nick
My new work experience
So, I'm Nikolai L Kleftas, I am 20 years old and I'm a Pre-Med student.................
Recently I talked to one of the heads for African Impact, the people who organise my work here in Kenya, about if it was possible for me to get some medical experience while I am here. And they said I could. The day after I travelled to P.C.E.A. Kikuyu Mission Hospital, and I was introduced to the Chief Executive Officer who bombarded me with questions concerning my education. But, if there is one thing IB teaches you for sure, is to handle a stressful situation with a reasonable amount of bullshit! Okay, calm down, they don't think I am the Chief of Surgery from a Norwegian hospital or something... I just needed to make sure I would get at least some of what I payed for on this trip, some medical experience.
I was handed over to one of the GPs at the hospital who furthermore passed me on to four of the interns at Kikuyu Hospital. I joined them on a ward round for diagnostics and examinations, including two rectal examination (yes, it was quite weird watching a 69 year old getting his number II checked out), an ECG (Electrocardiogram - a transthroacic interpretation of the electrical activity of the heart) and a man with abnormal bone growth. It was a very exciting day, and the interns could not have been better! Explaining why they did what they did, being interested in my education and future plans, they really made my stay better than anticipated.
They also decided to make a plan for me to rotate between all the different departments of the hospital, including the medical departments, surgery and theater department, paediatrics, ICU and on it goes. I hope that my next few weeks will show me a different side of medicine, which I think will be very interesting to behold.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention... while on ward rounds, checking up on a patient, I looked out of the window for a second and noticed a monkey strolling around the hospital grounds, with everyone around being completely oblivious to its presence. Amusing...
And lastly, there are some new photos uploaded under "Kenya". Check them out... FULL SCREEN! by pressing on the pictures.
Until next time,
//Nick
Recently I talked to one of the heads for African Impact, the people who organise my work here in Kenya, about if it was possible for me to get some medical experience while I am here. And they said I could. The day after I travelled to P.C.E.A. Kikuyu Mission Hospital, and I was introduced to the Chief Executive Officer who bombarded me with questions concerning my education. But, if there is one thing IB teaches you for sure, is to handle a stressful situation with a reasonable amount of bullshit! Okay, calm down, they don't think I am the Chief of Surgery from a Norwegian hospital or something... I just needed to make sure I would get at least some of what I payed for on this trip, some medical experience.
I was handed over to one of the GPs at the hospital who furthermore passed me on to four of the interns at Kikuyu Hospital. I joined them on a ward round for diagnostics and examinations, including two rectal examination (yes, it was quite weird watching a 69 year old getting his number II checked out), an ECG (Electrocardiogram - a transthroacic interpretation of the electrical activity of the heart) and a man with abnormal bone growth. It was a very exciting day, and the interns could not have been better! Explaining why they did what they did, being interested in my education and future plans, they really made my stay better than anticipated.
They also decided to make a plan for me to rotate between all the different departments of the hospital, including the medical departments, surgery and theater department, paediatrics, ICU and on it goes. I hope that my next few weeks will show me a different side of medicine, which I think will be very interesting to behold.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention... while on ward rounds, checking up on a patient, I looked out of the window for a second and noticed a monkey strolling around the hospital grounds, with everyone around being completely oblivious to its presence. Amusing...
And lastly, there are some new photos uploaded under "Kenya". Check them out... FULL SCREEN! by pressing on the pictures.
Until next time,
//Nick
Sunday, 15 April 2012
My trip to BOC
On last Friday we were to organize a FUN-day for all the kids at BOC - Body of Christ Childrens Centre, a school/orphanage for the local kids. So what we did was to buy in fruit, balloons, beads and paint and we planned out several fun activities for the kids to try!
BOC is a very poor local school and orphanage, and it was very difficult seeing how the kids lived, and at what standard. It was therefore very important to us all that we would make a fantastic day for the kids, so they could have fun and forget, at least for a few hours, the hard life they have and enjoy some fun activities!
After their lunch we started off with some games like Tag, Stuck in the Mud and other childhood games. We then painted a board with the hand prints of all the kids for them to hang up on the wall. The kids had a great deal of fun playing around with the paint, coloring not only the board, but also the pavement and stones surrounding the school... and all the volunteers' clothes! Hehe...
We also had balloon races, a stand where they could make bracelets, and the guys organized some small football games with some of the children. In all it was a great success, the kids had a lot of fun, and we all left with a bunch of great memories!
If you want to see more pictures simply go under "Kenya" and they should be on the top!
//Nick
BOC is a very poor local school and orphanage, and it was very difficult seeing how the kids lived, and at what standard. It was therefore very important to us all that we would make a fantastic day for the kids, so they could have fun and forget, at least for a few hours, the hard life they have and enjoy some fun activities!
After their lunch we started off with some games like Tag, Stuck in the Mud and other childhood games. We then painted a board with the hand prints of all the kids for them to hang up on the wall. The kids had a great deal of fun playing around with the paint, coloring not only the board, but also the pavement and stones surrounding the school... and all the volunteers' clothes! Hehe...
We also had balloon races, a stand where they could make bracelets, and the guys organized some small football games with some of the children. In all it was a great success, the kids had a lot of fun, and we all left with a bunch of great memories!
If you want to see more pictures simply go under "Kenya" and they should be on the top!
//Nick
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
My first safari
I just got back from my first safari ever, and it was as far from disappointing as you can ever imagine. During the two-night stay at Mara Naiboisho Concervancy with some of the other volunteers I was basically crashing the back yard of the most amazing animal kingdom one could imagine. While on the game drives I saw animals in their true habitats. There were game drives both at 6 o'clock in the morning, and afternoon/night drives in the pitch black.
I witnessed almost all of the Big 5, animals like Lions and Gazelles, Elephants and Hyenas, Giraffes and Baboons. All of this in the scorching sun from a massive Land Rover. Check out some of the pictures under "Kenya".
Our camp was also incredible, with three course dinners, big beds, electricity, hot water and showers, flushing toilets (YES!!!) and on it goes. It was, as I mentioned under the pictures, the second best experience in my life, and I recommend everyone to try it out at least once!
//Nick
I witnessed almost all of the Big 5, animals like Lions and Gazelles, Elephants and Hyenas, Giraffes and Baboons. All of this in the scorching sun from a massive Land Rover. Check out some of the pictures under "Kenya".
Our camp was also incredible, with three course dinners, big beds, electricity, hot water and showers, flushing toilets (YES!!!) and on it goes. It was, as I mentioned under the pictures, the second best experience in my life, and I recommend everyone to try it out at least once!
//Nick
Monday, 9 April 2012
My starfish
An old man walked across the beach until he came across a young boy throwing something into the breaking waves. Upon closer inspection, the old man could see that the boy was tossing stranded starfish from the sandy beach, back into the ocean.
It matters to this one.
//Nick
"What are you doing, young man?" He asked.
"If the starfish are still on the beach when the sun rises, they will die," the boy answered.
"That is ridiculous. There are thousands of miles of beach and millions of starfish. It doesn't matter how many you throw in; you can't make a difference."
"It matters to this one," the boy said as he threw another starfish into the waves.
It matters to this one.
//Nick
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
My encounter with gratefulness
I feel disgusted and sickened, appalled and demoralised.
At Limuru Children Centre, a local orphanage taking care of over 130 kids from the age of 5 till 18, the Easter holiday is creeping on and approximately 40 children are present. While preparing their food I hear the energetic shouts of prayer and as they run in to the dining area they give me some of the most honest, touching smiles I have seen, saying with a hint of embarrassment; 'hooww aaa yooouu?'. Forty kids run into a room made for ten, without complaint sit closely together quietly and eat their food, without cutlery, and when finished they bring their plates out, wash their plate and mouth, and comes over to 'the mother' (the local volunteer making food) and me to thank us. They then left for school again with a smile on their mouth, waved at me and said; 'kwa heri' (goodbye in Kiswahili).
I am well aware that children most often appreciate what they receive and are offered, but seeing this up close, witnessing it firsthand how truly grateful they are is emotional.
It disgusts me, those spoilt, ungrateful brats of the modern world. We eat with our eyes whilst they eat with their stomachs.
It is amazing seeing their happy faces, their outgoing personalities, spite noticing their obvious undernourishment. They play and talk like they have no worries in the world. The thin legs of the mothers and their wobbling walk firmly confirms that they consider their younglings before themselves - yet they have this energy to laugh and joke, and to take the effort to talk to me and tell me about their lives struggles. 'Asante'.
It is admirable beyond any recognition.
//Nick
At Limuru Children Centre, a local orphanage taking care of over 130 kids from the age of 5 till 18, the Easter holiday is creeping on and approximately 40 children are present. While preparing their food I hear the energetic shouts of prayer and as they run in to the dining area they give me some of the most honest, touching smiles I have seen, saying with a hint of embarrassment; 'hooww aaa yooouu?'. Forty kids run into a room made for ten, without complaint sit closely together quietly and eat their food, without cutlery, and when finished they bring their plates out, wash their plate and mouth, and comes over to 'the mother' (the local volunteer making food) and me to thank us. They then left for school again with a smile on their mouth, waved at me and said; 'kwa heri' (goodbye in Kiswahili).
- Limuru Children Centre
I am well aware that children most often appreciate what they receive and are offered, but seeing this up close, witnessing it firsthand how truly grateful they are is emotional.
It disgusts me, those spoilt, ungrateful brats of the modern world. We eat with our eyes whilst they eat with their stomachs.
It is amazing seeing their happy faces, their outgoing personalities, spite noticing their obvious undernourishment. They play and talk like they have no worries in the world. The thin legs of the mothers and their wobbling walk firmly confirms that they consider their younglings before themselves - yet they have this energy to laugh and joke, and to take the effort to talk to me and tell me about their lives struggles. 'Asante'.
It is admirable beyond any recognition.
//Nick
My arrival
After a dashing two day travel and zero hours of sleep I arrived at Jomo international airport, and it took less than 35 seconds of driving before I saw a beautiful Sabel Antelope. Clearly this was Kenya. The humid conditions plastered the clothes to my body, and while opening the window in the car for a breath of fresh air I got a taste of the Nairobi smog. Cough cough...
Ben, the local African Impact worker that picked me up from the airport, luckily assured me that malaria wasn't as prominent in Limuru as in other parts of Kenya. Brackenhaust, the conference centre in Limuru which I am hosted at, lies on the 'mountain tops' amongst vast tea farms, and I can remark with the utmost truthfulness; it's stunning, it's beautiful, and surprisingly - my lodge is luxurious!
You might judge my being at a luxurious conference centre while in Africa to do volunteer work, but I would like to justify my situation. I payed an immense amount of money for this trip, and this mainly to I did to assure my security (as I have been notified that both Nairobi and Limuru are quite dangerous areas at the moment) and for some form of living standard as I prefer not having runs.
Now, about the actual place; there is a tennis court, a gym, a restaurant, a personal chef and personal guards for the volunteer workers, a standard bed and bedroom and on it goes. Food is great and weather is humid but enjoyable. But don't worry - my living standards will fade as I will travel to rural, poor areas for the actual volunteer work tomorrow. I will start on one out of two projects: work with special needs kids; or hospital and clinic work, and this I will do for some weeks, where I then will be offered to change projects if I wanted to experience something different.
My first choice would obviously be to get work experience in the hospitals and clinics, so fingers crossed for that! But nevertheless, I would of course accept any work experience. My wonderful mum has been so kind as to teach me some basic things I could use when interacting with kids where communication is challenging on several levels, so in fact - fingers crossed for what ever tomorrow will bring!
Until next time...
//Nick
Ben, the local African Impact worker that picked me up from the airport, luckily assured me that malaria wasn't as prominent in Limuru as in other parts of Kenya. Brackenhaust, the conference centre in Limuru which I am hosted at, lies on the 'mountain tops' amongst vast tea farms, and I can remark with the utmost truthfulness; it's stunning, it's beautiful, and surprisingly - my lodge is luxurious!
You might judge my being at a luxurious conference centre while in Africa to do volunteer work, but I would like to justify my situation. I payed an immense amount of money for this trip, and this mainly to I did to assure my security (as I have been notified that both Nairobi and Limuru are quite dangerous areas at the moment) and for some form of living standard as I prefer not having runs.
Now, about the actual place; there is a tennis court, a gym, a restaurant, a personal chef and personal guards for the volunteer workers, a standard bed and bedroom and on it goes. Food is great and weather is humid but enjoyable. But don't worry - my living standards will fade as I will travel to rural, poor areas for the actual volunteer work tomorrow. I will start on one out of two projects: work with special needs kids; or hospital and clinic work, and this I will do for some weeks, where I then will be offered to change projects if I wanted to experience something different.
My first choice would obviously be to get work experience in the hospitals and clinics, so fingers crossed for that! But nevertheless, I would of course accept any work experience. My wonderful mum has been so kind as to teach me some basic things I could use when interacting with kids where communication is challenging on several levels, so in fact - fingers crossed for what ever tomorrow will bring!
Until next time...
//Nick
My trip has begun
So this is the first post... Yesterday I flew from Copenhagen to London Heathrow, where I have spent the night on a very cosy bench. Now I only have to wait 12 hours for my flight to Kenya -.-
Must say it's strange. I have never been away from everyone like this before. Travelling alone I have done tons of times, but not to a completely unfamiliar continent where I will be on my own so to speak for almost five months. Wow! I think I'm finally starting to let it sink in, the whole situation.
I have had a thought though, that I might have brought too much baggage. One massive Norwegian mountain bag, two shoulder bags and one small backpack. One day in and my shoulders are killing me. Hehe... But then again, I can't really say that I have been the most active person lately, so I think I just need to give it some time. :-)
Until next time...
//Nick
Must say it's strange. I have never been away from everyone like this before. Travelling alone I have done tons of times, but not to a completely unfamiliar continent where I will be on my own so to speak for almost five months. Wow! I think I'm finally starting to let it sink in, the whole situation.
I have had a thought though, that I might have brought too much baggage. One massive Norwegian mountain bag, two shoulder bags and one small backpack. One day in and my shoulders are killing me. Hehe... But then again, I can't really say that I have been the most active person lately, so I think I just need to give it some time. :-)
Until next time...
//Nick
Thursday, 29 March 2012
My last preparations
So I am now finally done with all the medical preparations, and everything seems to be clear now. I just bought the malaria tablets, and OH MY GOD it's expensive! And for what, okay - I won't get malaria, but I'll feel like a donkeys ass - shit (pardon my language). Oh well, I presume I have to take it. All that stands is packing and leaving to Africa!
While I was reading through my to-do list I stumbled around this song and it is truly a great one, and I must say it inspires me even more to travel and work for some reason.
Enjoy! Until next time,
//Nick
While I was reading through my to-do list I stumbled around this song and it is truly a great one, and I must say it inspires me even more to travel and work for some reason.
//Nick
Friday, 23 March 2012
My last vaccination
Okay, you might find it strange, but I just wanted to document it for the sake of... nothing. But yeah. Actually it's more because I have my last day at work for Nokia today, and I was bored for a minute - so what the heck. Here I'm getting my last vaccination. Funny colour...
- Rabies vaccination. Awesome
//Nick
Monday, 19 March 2012
My final day is getting closer
Yes, it isn't long now till my trip will start. On Wednesday I will take the last of a long list of vaccinations - this being the third one against Rabies. Just for fun I will upload a video of me getting the shot taken as I enjoy needles that much. Also, I find the pink/purple liquid kind of pretty, so just to record the incident I will record it.
By the way, I recently got an interview to Collegium Medicum in Poland for their MD course! This means I will have to travel to their Norwegian representative next week where they most likely will bombard me with questions on my scholarly life, experiences and my personality.
My application to University of Latvia should also on the way, and they told me that I should receive a final decision on whether I'd be accepted or not in the beginning of May.
So fingers crossed guys!
And then there are the last preparations for the trip, getting my Malaria medicine, mosquito repellent and so on... Let's hope I won't forget anything - which I most probably will. Derp.
Until next time...
//Nick
By the way, I recently got an interview to Collegium Medicum in Poland for their MD course! This means I will have to travel to their Norwegian representative next week where they most likely will bombard me with questions on my scholarly life, experiences and my personality.
My application to University of Latvia should also on the way, and they told me that I should receive a final decision on whether I'd be accepted or not in the beginning of May.
So fingers crossed guys!
And then there are the last preparations for the trip, getting my Malaria medicine, mosquito repellent and so on... Let's hope I won't forget anything - which I most probably will. Derp.
Until next time...
//Nick
Friday, 16 March 2012
My little introduction
So guys, in 15 days I will be embarking on my almost five months long travel to Africa. I will be visiting six different countries.
This is the chronological plan (Sorry, it's the IB student in me that told me to make it this way):
This is the chronological plan (Sorry, it's the IB student in me that told me to make it this way):
- 31st of March I will travel from Copenhagen Airport to London, Heathrow and spend the night in the airport.
- 1st of April I will travel take an 8 hour long flight to Kenya, Nairobi.
- 14th of May I will then travel on to Namibia, Windhoek by South Africa, Johannesburg to a wildlife sanctuary.
- 2nd of July my travel continues through Johannesburg to Swaziland, Manzini.
This is the part of the trip that is called Kruger to Coast Adventure, where I will be coasting in between Swaziland, South Africa and Mozambique. I will be doing community work at schools and smaller villages, and I'm crossing my fingers for some really "out there" ones where they barely meet white people. Also, I will be visiting the second largest national park in the world, namely the Kruger National Park, where I hopefully will see the Big Game. I might also be able to swim with sharks and whale sharks, and learn Swahili as well!
- 30th of July I will travel to my final destination, by plane to Kenya, then shuttle bus to Tanzania for my ultimate climb.
- 7th of August I will take the shuttle back to Kenya and fly to London, Heathrow where my trip will then be finished!
And for all the trips - don't worry - I will photo shoot the hell out of Africa! The pictures will be found under the respective projects.
//Nick
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