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Published: March 31st 2011
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Last Week of Volunteering and Safari
Last week of Volunteering was much of the same. Started work at a few other schools, doing more plastering and Painting. With a couple of days to go we starting digging the 20ft deep toilet drop which was a frigging mission. It felt like a grave, and our building manager Ken had mentioned something about them caving in. We got to about 15ft in 2 days, which ken said was a record. I wasn't surprised, we were the best diggers the world has ever seen, it’s a shame there isn't more money in it.
Had a few nights out in the last week, the owners kept on giving us free bottles of Tequila which went down swimmingly. He was Australian, I think it was some sort of reward for being the only white people in there. Our last night out with everyone was good, it started with a bottle of southern comfort and ended with another hotel we would not be welcomed back to.
Some stuff.....
* During a cab ride, noticing the truck in front was not just carrying luggage, but also stacks of people pilled on top of each
other.
* Learning Taxis take ten, and Motorbikes take 4.
* Too many dance off's to remember, and very unimpressed Kenyans'.
* Turning a Hanging Mosquito net into a bee keeping costume.
*Sprinting through the red light and mugging district at Night, to avoid robbery. I now consider the Kenyan people’s slightly better reputation for running than my own. A taxi may have been a better defence.
*Seeing a man bound to a tree by his hands and feet and crying with people shouting at him. Ken said he couldn't have been a thief otherwise they would have killed him on the spot. And that’s fine by the way.
*Kenyan people can not pronounce R's. Got used to this and just introduced myself as Loly. It’s as close as they will ever get.
*We refuse to accept the concept of any other currency other than pounds. Its 130 pounds for a beer here, we complain allot about this.
Safari
Arrived at our home stay after a painfully long wait in Nairobi. It started with the Nairobi safari walk, which was like a zoo but better. Found a guide that
took us through a gate and round the back of the enclosure so we could see the Leopard closer. It kept jumping up and trying to bite us through the flimsy chain link that separated us, the guide hadn't even told us not to put our fingers through. I would have opened with that. Was pretty cool. He did the same thing with the lions too, and said for a 3000ksh (25 quid) tip we could stroke a cheetah. We decided to keep our cash, and our fingers too. Also went to a giraffe sanctuary where they eat out of our hands, was pretty cool but a little bit rank. There tongues are massive. Matt bloody loved it.
The next day we went on a hike through hells gate, a big gorge thing. It was amazing, but knackering. Our massai guide floated over the rough terrain, as me and matt stumbled behind in our Vans. He carried with him a long stick, this was to keep away sand snakes, and also a short wooden stick with a big metal ball on the end. He told us this was his weapon, and insisted he was very well trained. Can't help
but wonder how long that training took. There were hot springs dripping from the rocks all the way, which some of the Massai people use to shower. He told us that some geologists think the hot water is caused by magma that the water passes on its way through the rock, but the massai believe it is a gift from the mountains. The Massai people are wrong, it’s definitely the magma.
The drive into the Massai Mara was long and ridiculous. It took about 6 hours, we had to drive at about 30 the whole way because the roads are so bad, we spent half the time driving along side the tarmac at what felt like a 45 degree angle. The roads are bad, but the speed bumps somehow remain in perfect condition, so we had to stop for those every 15 seconds. We got a tour round the local Massai village, into their huts and were given a private dance. Matt is used to a very different sort of private dance, but he enjoyed this one just as much. We got a chance to put on their gear, dance, and do the jumping thing. They jump on the spot as high as they can, the highest jumper gets to pay the lowest dowry on their wife, and gets the lowest price on cows. A system in which I can genuinely see no flaw.
We went into the Massai that afternoon, and again the morning after to see the sun rise. Saw loads of giraffes and elephants at the beginning but no Lions. Me and matt remained optimistic, almost as optimistic as our tour guides fuel meter, which had remained on full since the start of our 10 hour trip. Eventually got to see a lioness with her kill beside her, and a pack of lions further on which was pretty sweet.
We got stuck in the mud twice and had to be rescued by another tour van. Lucky for us, the other tour van contained the most beautiful woman on the planet. Despite our best efforts of looking cool and playing hard to get she was not wooed. The one that got away.
Back in Nairobi tonight waiting for our flight at 11. Swapped my tattered shoes at a local shop for some souvenirs, they love anything branded. Our flight is 5 hours to Dubai, a 4 hours stop over, then 21 hours to Christchurch to meet the other guys. Can't wait but have to get through the journey first.
Cheerio,
Matt and Loly
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Jacquie
non-member comment
Hey Loly! Sounds .Ike you're having an amazing time! Very envious of giraffes and phump phumps (Harri's name for elephants) Safe journey to Christchurch honey! Look forward to the next installment! Big hug xxx