These last two weeks have been unforgettable. After a tough weekend climbing the Machakos hills, I only spent three days at school. Once school finished on Wednesday, mid-term break began.

I spent 10 hours on the road to Mombasa on a bus with 30 other students. Our final destination was Turtle Bay Beach Club in Malindi. That afternoon my friends and I had already met a couple of teenagers from Britain, and we still keep in touch with them now. The first morning there, we travelled another hour to “Wild Waters,” a water park in Nyali. Most of the older boys thought it would be childish, but to our surprise, we had even more fun than the younger students! There were over a dozen water slides, an arcade, a food-court, and even bumper-cars. It took a while for us to leave. The next morning we checked out what the beach-venders had to sell. Bargaining was the game we had to play, and we played well… I think.

That afternoon we were taken out on a glass-bottomed boat to the marine park. We were able to throw on some goggles and jump in the water with the friendly fish. If you were brave enough, you could go in with some bread, and have the fish swarm you. It was really an amazing site. I was also able to witness my teacher “swim” for the first time.

The next day was a relaxing day for everyone, except me. I woke up early to go scuba diving. After I prepared all of my equipment, the dive master and I set out to Mooch Reef. At this point the ocean floor dropped into the deep blue sea. It was like nothing I had seen before. I spent that day valentines-less, but at least I got a good sleep!

Once I was back at school, it was all about spending the most time possible with all of my friends. I couldn’t imagine never seeing them again. But, the safari in Nairobi National Park (on Thursday) made me feel a lot better. I was able to see giraffe, zebra, buffalo, gazelle, impala, bushbuck, waterbuck, hartebeest, crocodiles, and even some ferocious lions!
The next morning, my P.E. class and I travelled another 4 hours to Mt. Kenya’s “10to4” bike race. We camped for the night and woke up at 5 a.m. to get ready. While everyone else participated in the 35 km race, I participated in Africa’s most distinguished 50 km race. The race was a journey itself and I now believe that if I put my mind to it, I can accomplish anything. This race pushed me to the limit, exploring my boundaries almost like this exchange. As I said before, I wish I didn’t have to leave so soon. Even though I live so far away, Kenya will always have a place in my heart. –Jesse Mikelberg ’11