Adopting a baby, seriously

Day 2 and I'm already in love with this country. We spent the morning at an place called Nyumbani. It's an organization that takes in HIV positive children who have been abandoned by their mothers and gives them a new life. It was our first real experience with the dark side of African life, so it really impacted me. When we first arrived at the compound, we were greeted by a sister who showed us around and introduced us to some of the little kids who live there. Then, she brought us to a room where we got to hold and play with the most precious little babies I have ever seen. I spent most of my time there holding little Moses whom I fell in love with the instant I saw him. He cooed and laughed and smiled the sweetest smile and I was at a loss for words, thinking, "how in the world could anyone abandon this sweet, innocent, beautiful little baby?" Something about the way he looked at me, with his big brown eyes and toothless smile almost begged for affection... it broke my heart, but at the same time, made me happier than I can even put into words, knowing that I made that little boy smile and that he somehow managed to changed something in me, all in a matter of an hour. I'll never forget him, I swear it. The others were just a sweet and just as sad, or sadder. One little girl was about 7 months old and only weighed 8 pounds; her legs literally looked like toothpicks. I just wanted to take them all home with me! But really, the program is incredible and they have made such a HUGE improvement in SO MANY lives. (Here's a link to their website... http://www.nyumbani.org/) This is most definitely a place I would come back to in the future to volunteer/research.
After we left Nyumbani, we went into Karen (the suburb of Nairobi we're staying in, in case I didn't mention that before) and shopped around in the markets. This was also my first real experience with bargaining in the Kenyan markets and quite an experience at that! I have never seen anything like it and it was not what I was expecting at all... they're so agressive, yet very sly about it... excellent marketing skills. As soon as I walked up to one of the stands, a women grabbed me by the hand and pulled me over to see her hand-woven bags and try on her kangas (printed cloth wraps). She asked me where I was from and when I said the states she practically yelled, "Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Obama! He is my cousin!" in her thick Kenyan accent. The next place I want was a man named Anthony who was more than excited to lead me right to his hut where he was working on some beautiful oil paintings. I was just looking at them and he is going on an on about how I am his first customer and he will give me a great deal and calling me "sister" because of course that would make me less apt to refuse his offer hahaha. First he says, 2500 shillings (about $28) for one and tells me it is a GREAT deal because he normally sells them for 3000 (I called BS instantly). I said I would see and started to walk towards the rest of the markets. As soon as I took a step, he ran to grab my hand and pull me back and says, "okay, I give it to you for 2000". I told him I was just looking, again, and he went on about how his family and friends used to call him Picasso when he was little and that it is his heart and soul and if I bought one, it would promote his true love and make him so happy. He was a character and a half. Anyway, the bargaining and smooth talking went on for another 15 minutes, at which point the rest of the group met up with Lourine and I (we were bargaining to get a discount by buying them together). He said 8000 for 4 of them, I said 4000, he said we meet in the middle...6000, I said 5000, he said 5600 last offer, I said no sorry we have to go and got almost 10 feet down the street when he ran after us and pulled us back and says, "okay, you are my first customers and I cannot refuse for it would bring me bad luck... I take 4000 for them, but remember, I am doing you a great deal... it is a pleasure knowing you Elizabeth, we are now friends". Then he shook my hand and smiled and we were on our way! So overall, I would say I'm pretty good at the whole bargaining thing considering I paid 1500 shillings less for 2 paintings than he originally asked for 1. (1 shilling is approximately 85 US cents). I also learned a new phrase from one of the checkout boys at the store! Habari gani = how are you and Mzuri = I am fine.
After the market, we visited the Karen Blixen museum (think Meryl Streep in "Out of Africa"), whom the town we're staying in is named after. It was really interesting to see her actual house and learn her history and the history of the town. We also stopped at the Kazuri bead factory on our way back to the campus. Kazuri, in Swahili, means "small and beautiful" and that is exactly what these handmade beads are! The program was started by 2 women in 1975 and has grown into an organization which provides employment and opportunity for single women in Kenya. Every bead is made by hand and no 2 beads are the same; it's really amazing! (here's a link to the Kazuri website http://www.kazuri.com/pc/index.html)
Finally, it was time to come home, but the day wasn't over yet! We were greeted by Faith and Moses, our yoga instructors from the Africa Yoga Project (read more about the project... another amazing cause promoting peace, positivity and opportunities in the Kibera slums in Nairobi!  http://africayogaproject.org/). We did some seriously intense yoga in our front yard for an hour, and although I probably won't be able to move tomorrow, it was SO much fun! At the end of the session, Moses had us close our eyes and breathe and he gave a very empowering speech and thanked us for letting him share what he loves with us.
After yoga, we ate dinner and watched the movie, "Out of Africa" (which I think is about 2 hours too long) and I FINALLY got to Skype my family and Obi, which was the perfect end to a perfect day. I miss everyone, but I'm so incredibly excited and blessed to be here. Kwaheri! (Goodbye!)

Moses<3

Walkway up to Karen's house

Ngong Hills

Karen Blixen Museum