Formal handshakes and a lot more

We'll we've arrived at our final destination: Labao, Kenya. It was only 250 mile or so trip from Nairobi, but the road here are horrendous and the trip took ten hours. There are no lines on the highway, and the bus goes back and forth over the whole road trying to avoid potholes. We're staying at the peace center in Labao, where we just went though a three day alternative to violence program with 8 westerners and 20 Kenyans. It was a really interesting experience, hearing especially from the Kenyans about the violence here at the beginning of the year. One of our facilitators actually had to be hidden underground for a few days before being flow to Tanzania because of his tribal identity. Passing through the city of Kisumu you could see the burned out building that still haven't been reclaimed by the owners, since most are still in displacement camps. On a happier note the people here are some of the friendliest I've ever met, and the kids are amazingly curious. When they see a 'muzungu' (white person) they will follow you around trying to practice their English. If you have a digital camera, they want nothing more to have their picture taken and shown to them. We walked down to the river last night after the alternative to violence sessions, and we managed to pick up about fifty children under 10. Amazing! Tomorrow we start the actual work at the center, building and plastering a new administrative building that servery need. The work done at the center was acutally highlighted in one of the national papers, so the demand is greater then ever. Once again, I'll promise to try and get pictures up soon. All the best.

Ahh right, the tittle speaks to formal handshakes. Here, if you really want to express respect to someone, you place your left hand right below your right elbow when you shake. Try it out!