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Published: September 17th 2016
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This morning was an earlier departure than we've had previously as it was time to pack up and leave Camp Kikoti. To leave we basically had no choice but to drive through the park which was fine by us as it meant another morning game drive. Unfortunately we didn't see a whole lot but it was still enjoyable. I do want to note that you cannot help but break a big smile when you see a Warthog run with its little tail straight up in the air! They are just too cute! Our last stop before exiting the park was the watering hole that we first saw on day one with the lion kill. The zebra carcass was just bare bones and we got to see a rare "spook" and all the animals go charging out for no reason!
We left the park and stopped at a village shop where their specialty was wood carvings using ebony and rosewood. Ebony wood is really amazing in how heavy it is and how unique it makes each piece look! Matt was "hired" as a helper for the duration of our overview and then of course we went to their gift
shop where we got to see a full assortment of their great work!
We were then on our way to visit a Maasai village. The Maasai are a tribe of people who live in parts of Tanzania and Kenya and are known as tall and fierce warriors. They wear a special red/blue/purple cloth called a Shuka. Their lives revolve around their cattle...they believe that all cows in the world belong to them from God. This means that yes, they will "steal" your cattle but they believe they are bringing them home. They often have the baby cows sleeping in their homes and butcher them for food only on special occasions. They rely on the milk and blood (often mixed) for nourishment as they believe it makes you stronger! Men herd cattle and carry spears to protect their cattle from wild animals such as lions. Here's where it gets rough...the life of a woman. Women are responsible for everything to do with the home including building it....yes, you heard me...women build the houses. They also do all of the cooking and collect all of the firewood needed for the day. We saw several women walking with big branches
strapped to their back along the road. Female circumcision is still happening (I can't derail the blog with more on this) and we learned that when men are circumcised, once every 7 years between the ages of 15-18, they form a "generation" within the Maasai. Now the more cows you have as a man, the richer you are and the more wives you can have (I believe up to 7) but here is the CRAZY part!!! The first wife is like free game for any man from that generation. Meaning that if a guy (any guy) is from your generation and wanders into your village he then goes to the chief to identify himself. Once that chief knows what generation he is from he will send him to the home of another man from that same generation. He is automatically welcomed and then....can sleep with that man's wife?!?!? But let's be clear that it is only wife #1...not #2-7. It's so hard for us as Americans to even comprehend this type of deep set traditions. This way of life is just so foreign to us!
So we arrived at the village which is a real village, but
intended for tourism. The Maasai have agreed, and are making money off of showing the rest of the world their culture and traditions. We learned they rotate families/groups in and out of these locations so that many can benefit from this profit. We were greeted with a welcome song and then Matt & Tom were invited to join them in their "jumping dance," which is for the boys/men. The one that can jump the highest will get the most girlfriends they say. All I have to say is "White Men Can't Jump" and I think they're both out of luck!!! They showed us how they make fire the old fashioned way and then we were invited into the son of the chief's home for him to explain a bit more about their life. Their homes are made of wood, straw, mud and are round. They are about the size of our typical American bathroom with 2 sleeping areas and a small fire pit to cook breakfast. They had some crafts for sale made by the women, but they were asking crazy prices and wouldn't bargain so we ended up passing.
Next up was Mto wa Mbu village
Maasai can jump
Look at Matt's facial expression. Priceless!!!! that inhabits people from more than 120 tribes. The word Mto wa Mbu literally means "Mosquito River" and it was our lunch destination. Again this is a village that the government invested in once upon a time to introduce people to the culture of Tanzania. It has been since run by the community for years. They are hugely agricultural and grow over 30 kinds of bananas, avocados, and papaya for profit. We were given a tour by a nice young man and then escorted to lunch. The women of the town prepare a buffet of traditional African dishes, and some of the other villagers play music and put on a small "show." We all agreed that it was the best food of the trip so far....lots of wonderful flavors and dishes. I think Matt went back for thirds!!! On the way back to the car Tom started getting harassed by some "hawkers" as Babenga called them with bracelets and necklaces. He was "no, no, no" and then all of a sudden we get to the car and realize he isn't with us....Matt goes back and Tom had bought like 3 bracelets and 10 necklaces????? LOL. I think Abby and her
Pride Rock!
Here you go Heidi! friends have something to look forward to!
After lunch we made the hour or so drive to our lodge for the next two nights. The terrain completely changed from dry, dry, dry to green and lush. It's like we are in a whole different world. There is a lot of water sources where we are and heavy agriculture for the country. Plantation Lodge was our destination and it is literally a gated oasis in the middle of nowhere. Incredible place for sure! We enjoyed having an Internet connection again and just relaxed and had dinner before turning in to rest up for Ngorogoro Crater
tomorrow.
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