One of the best things about working in the Suba district is the view of Lake Victoria. No matter where I am in the area, the Lake and its islands are always beautiful. I've tried to capture the beauty during the day and as well as sunset, but really nothing does it justice. The water looks dazzling from afar, which contrasts well with the lush greenery of the countryside and the nearby mountains. Up close, however, Lake Victoria does not seem to be the cleanest body of water around. Mostly, this is because of its daily use. It's water serves as a bathing spot for many families, an area to wash clothing and dinnerware and a source of hydration (for both people and animals!). Also, in many respects, it serves as the sewage system for the local villages. In addition, it does wonders for Suba's economy. The fisherman count on the lake's Talapia for their daily wages. The lake is huge, shared by several countries, of which Kenya has the smallest territory. However, this "small" volume of water harbors the most fish. Apparently, the fish LOVE the Kenyan coastline. This makes for many jealous Ugandan fisherman...

In addition to this coastal beauty, there is a preserved national park right next door to our residence. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, we travel through the park in order to reach some of our satellite clinics. Last week, I had the opportunity to see some giraffes wandering about aimlessly in the park. Our driver was kind enough to stop to allow me to take pictures. The locals are used to sharing their space with such exotic animals, but not I. The giraffe even cooperated so nicely -- she stopped eating and stood nice and tall for her five minutes of fame! Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to upload her beautiful image appropriately, but hopefully I'll figure out this technology before my safari in 9 days!!