I couldn't dance with another...
Ola Hombres,
Well, first things first. As any good international correspondent, I went and examined the Kenyan health care system first hand. I went to the hospital on Sunday night for dehydration. On one hand, no waiting line (advantage Kenya) but the next day when I checked out, I had to pay cash (advantage Canada).
I was hooked up to an IV on Sunday, which believe it or not is something of which I've dreamed. Of course, the rest of the dream is that I'm hooked up to the IV b/c I just raced 80 yards downfield to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl. So really, this wasn't such a dream come true.
While the equipment used in the hospital is sterile - I saw them take the needles out of the packets, the service by the nurses, isn't exactly up to par. I'm talking about more non-medical aspects of service. Case in point: the rehydration formula that was being prepared for me had instructions in English to boil water and mix the packet in COOLED water. The water the nurse brought to me was still steaming. I know it's been a while since I participated in any science fairs, but I'm pretty sure that water that is still steaming is not cooled. Big perk, is that the drugs (legal ones people) here are so much cheaper than even Canada. I don't know why the seniors from the US just don't come to Africa instead of going to Canada? The drugs here are soooo much cheaper in Kenya than even Canada. Someone might want to tell the Matlock lovin' crowd that they're really barking up the wrong tree. I'm much better now. Drinking a lot more water and black teas (they make all their teas here with milk) juices and eating soups. I eat the soups straight out of the can - the instructions say to heat them in a saucepan. If anyone knows of any health risks of what I'm doing (besides the obvious of being in Africa), please let me know. Speaking of soup, when I had the hotel where I live heat up the soup, I gave the waitress the instructions and pointed out the instructions on the can. What she brought me well over an hour later was a warmed can. Apparently, they put the can in the saucepan (I think) and heated it up. No way was I opening up a heated can of soup. What if exploded on me? What an embarrassing way to go!
My first two trips overseas in 21 years, and I get sick on both (India in June 2006). This may be a sign to go to places where are less dangerous. So I guess a trip to Detroit is definitely out.So I'm alive and kickin'. For those of whom I've left something in my will, you'll just have to hold out a little longer.
Down on the farm
I do have some bad news - I apparently missed the National Ploughing Contest in Kenya that was held in November. I only found out about it last week as I was searching for information on the Agricultural shows of Kenya. I'm obviously doing this as part of my job and not b/c I have a new found interest in agriculture. Believe me, I do not. I'm just looking for ways for the organic fertilizer to reach the maximum number of farmers as part of my recommendations in my marketing plan.
I got shaken down by one of the farmers I've met this past week. I took a bunch of farmers on a field trip, to, well, a field (Where else would you take a field trip?) to see the trial plots of crops being grown with the organic fertilizer. I called up the chairman of the farmers' networking group that saw the trials to arrange another meeting with him, and the next day he calls me to say he's in town and will come to my office. Well, there was a meeting with him, my boss and me, and he's trying to get free fertilizer out of us (and free seeds too I think). My boss leaves, and the farmer is getting ready to leave when he goes "there's just the matter of my bus fare". I offered him 35 kenyan shillings and he says that it was over 100 and that 200 will do. I was schocked. I mean I didn't tell him to come into town - we could've arranged the Monday trip to his farm over the phone which would not have cost me 200 ksh.
Amusing site of the week: valentine's day cards for sale on the street with a "TO" at the top and "FROM" at the bottom. These were not the kind with some sort of fluffy cartoon character on them that pre-schoolers give one another. I think they were legitimately aimed at the adult market. Did you know? The NBA sends an all-star dance pack to the all-star game? Each teams' fans vote on which of their dance pack members they want to send to the all-star game. It's good that the girls are being recognized for their hard work on the court. Till next time...Jacob
Well, first things first. As any good international correspondent, I went and examined the Kenyan health care system first hand. I went to the hospital on Sunday night for dehydration. On one hand, no waiting line (advantage Kenya) but the next day when I checked out, I had to pay cash (advantage Canada).
I was hooked up to an IV on Sunday, which believe it or not is something of which I've dreamed. Of course, the rest of the dream is that I'm hooked up to the IV b/c I just raced 80 yards downfield to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl. So really, this wasn't such a dream come true.
While the equipment used in the hospital is sterile - I saw them take the needles out of the packets, the service by the nurses, isn't exactly up to par. I'm talking about more non-medical aspects of service. Case in point: the rehydration formula that was being prepared for me had instructions in English to boil water and mix the packet in COOLED water. The water the nurse brought to me was still steaming. I know it's been a while since I participated in any science fairs, but I'm pretty sure that water that is still steaming is not cooled. Big perk, is that the drugs (legal ones people) here are so much cheaper than even Canada. I don't know why the seniors from the US just don't come to Africa instead of going to Canada? The drugs here are soooo much cheaper in Kenya than even Canada. Someone might want to tell the Matlock lovin' crowd that they're really barking up the wrong tree. I'm much better now. Drinking a lot more water and black teas (they make all their teas here with milk) juices and eating soups. I eat the soups straight out of the can - the instructions say to heat them in a saucepan. If anyone knows of any health risks of what I'm doing (besides the obvious of being in Africa), please let me know. Speaking of soup, when I had the hotel where I live heat up the soup, I gave the waitress the instructions and pointed out the instructions on the can. What she brought me well over an hour later was a warmed can. Apparently, they put the can in the saucepan (I think) and heated it up. No way was I opening up a heated can of soup. What if exploded on me? What an embarrassing way to go!
My first two trips overseas in 21 years, and I get sick on both (India in June 2006). This may be a sign to go to places where are less dangerous. So I guess a trip to Detroit is definitely out.So I'm alive and kickin'. For those of whom I've left something in my will, you'll just have to hold out a little longer.
Down on the farm
I do have some bad news - I apparently missed the National Ploughing Contest in Kenya that was held in November. I only found out about it last week as I was searching for information on the Agricultural shows of Kenya. I'm obviously doing this as part of my job and not b/c I have a new found interest in agriculture. Believe me, I do not. I'm just looking for ways for the organic fertilizer to reach the maximum number of farmers as part of my recommendations in my marketing plan.
I got shaken down by one of the farmers I've met this past week. I took a bunch of farmers on a field trip, to, well, a field (Where else would you take a field trip?) to see the trial plots of crops being grown with the organic fertilizer. I called up the chairman of the farmers' networking group that saw the trials to arrange another meeting with him, and the next day he calls me to say he's in town and will come to my office. Well, there was a meeting with him, my boss and me, and he's trying to get free fertilizer out of us (and free seeds too I think). My boss leaves, and the farmer is getting ready to leave when he goes "there's just the matter of my bus fare". I offered him 35 kenyan shillings and he says that it was over 100 and that 200 will do. I was schocked. I mean I didn't tell him to come into town - we could've arranged the Monday trip to his farm over the phone which would not have cost me 200 ksh.
Amusing site of the week: valentine's day cards for sale on the street with a "TO" at the top and "FROM" at the bottom. These were not the kind with some sort of fluffy cartoon character on them that pre-schoolers give one another. I think they were legitimately aimed at the adult market. Did you know? The NBA sends an all-star dance pack to the all-star game? Each teams' fans vote on which of their dance pack members they want to send to the all-star game. It's good that the girls are being recognized for their hard work on the court. Till next time...Jacob
posted by kacob at 8:59 PM
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