Blogs from Kenya, Africa - page 241

On the overnight train from Nairobi to Mombasa, we felt as if we’d stepped back to the days of British colonialism—black waiters in pristine white uniforms serving three-course meals to a car full of European travelers, while hundreds of Africans fought for elbow room on the crowded benches of third class. Supposedly the train once even featured a seat in the front from which men in khaki safari suits could shoot at passing game. But this time around, perhaps in a small belated act of retribution, the resources being plundered were our own: one of Randy’s bags was stolen out of our bunk while we were at breakfast. There was nothing of terrible importance—calculator, headlamp, rain poncho, among a dozen other practical things—and maybe the new owners will put them to better use. The coast of ... read more

We took a Matatu ride from Nakuru to reach the pick up point for the Masai Mara trip. The ride was horrendous as the 18 wheeler trucks were kicking up so much dust on the muddy road that everyone were using head lights to see through the dust in bright day light. When we landed at our destination, our bags and faces were covered with a layer of dust. On our trip to Masai Mara National Park, we joined four other tourists - two dutch, 1 Argentine and 1 Guatemalan guy. Over the next three days, we stayed in a Masai run Camp at the edge of the National Park and did plenty of game drives in the Park. The Masai are a nomadic tribe that still have grazing rights in the Park. The Masai warriors ... read more

Hamjambo, I'm writing cause we have some free time. After our Swahili class we were all partnered up and given a place in the city to find. I was partned up with Lia and we had to find the Ganjoni Health Center. All they told us was to take lots of water (it's scorching out here) and sunscreen with. We had to find people along the road and ask them how to get there. We have til 4 to be back at the office (We started at 11). Lia and I found it with few problems. Most everyone that we stopped to ask was very nice and helpful. We had to walk through some very very poor parts of the city. We were almost there, but wanted to make sure we were on the right road ... read more

Hi everyone, After a few very long flights I made it safely to Mombasa. This isn't going to be long, but I just wanted to let you all know that I made it here safely. It still doesn't seem real, except that I'm sweating buckets. It's quite hot and the buildings don't have ac. The group I'm with is great. We're staying in a couple houses just down the street from Fort Jesus (a fort built by the Portugues in the 1500s). The view of the Indian Ocean was breath taking. The sky is clear blue and the water is just like the blue in many post cards. Walking around this area though, you can tell it's poor. It's kid of weird. Gotta go now. ... we're going for a tour of the city. I'll write ... read more

Jambo Again! Knowing it has been a couple of days does not mean the fun has not continued! Saturday, we spent the day in Sweet Waters. Sweet Waters is a privatly owned game park that should not be missed. While we saw many animals (zebra, giraffe, wart hogs, and impala) there are two other major attractions to Sweet Waters. The beautiful Black Rhino, which I had an almost unfortunate incident of being charged by. While he was beautiful to look at and rather tame, Rhinos have very small brains. And I guess he forgot I was a human and not a tree. Freaked Karl out something fierce! I was calm, but he saw it happening much faster than I did. We have some GREAT photos of it though! The other really cool part of our day ... read more