Time is flying over here on the other side of the earth. The missionary measles work is basically finished, except for some last phone calls that are still coming in for more Church financial support. That's been one of the interesting, and sometimes disappointing, parts of the work. In this country so poor for just the simple things of life, like a job or even food for the next day, many are desperate for any possible source of assistance.
The Church is always so generous, but has to be very careful to guard against corruption in the country's government it is assisting and also be fair to all, whether in gov't, Church members, or elsewhere. It takes being here and seeing it firsthand to really understand that...for example, a dollar will feed a big family for several days in the poorer areas.
We drove the 6 hour drive from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara today through the Great Rift for our last safari and game drives. Greatly differing from the trip to Lake Nakaru, we at first drove the top cliffs of the Great Rift, and then went down into the vast valley floor and drove it for miles and miles. The Great Rift is world famous, running north and south through Africa. It was created by a huge volcanic upheaval that created high cliffs on its sides and a long, wide valley in the middle. Volcano cones are everywhere in this almost magical geological marvel. Big, candelabra trees and beautiful, flat-topped Acacia trees were everywhere, which, besides the fat Baobab trees, are landmarks in Africa. We took many pictures of them all, silhouetted against beautiful African sunsets and sunrises, which are different than anywhere else in the world. 
Masai cattle herds were everywhere, big and small, being herded and guarded by Masai warriors in their brightly colored robes and carrying their herding & walking sticks.
Their colorful robes and blankets stand vividly out like bright jewels amid the tans, reds, browns, and greens of the valley and the beautiful vast blue sky and white clouds. Masai villages, with their round huts and surrounding stick & brush fences and corrals, spot the huge valley floor in every direction. These tall, proud people are nomadic as they maintain their age-old fascinating culture...herding their prized cattle, killing lions to qualify for manhood & marriage (now outlawed), dancing their strange, jumping dance, etc.
To them, cattle is like gold, their most prized possessions and a symbol of their wealth and ability. The bigger the herd, the richer the warrior...and, the more wives he gets! These intriguing, tall, straight men rest by standing with their legs crossed at the ankle and sleep at night on the ground guarding their cattle with their heads resting on a carved, wooden little stand that acts somehow as a pillow. This unique pillow also acts as an elbow rest when they are laying and chatting around the fire.
This is the first time we've not driven the Church truck, so Corwin, especially, enjoyed sitting back and letting our safari guide fight the traffic, pot holes, goat & cattle herds, etc. We again saw a big semi-truck flipped on it's side with it's contents scattered down the hillside. We've seen around a dozen like that so far. It happens because the roads are so narrow, with little shoulder space on the sides and many times falling off into steep dropoffs, especially in the hills.
No markings, no lights, no traffic signs and very fast speeds in heavy traffic. Much swerving and weaving in and out. The big trucks, with their high, heavy loads, easily tip over as they weave in and out around others ,as they all race down the highway. Very scary as little cars, scooters, bicycles, and trucks like ours try to speed along with them. You can't go too slow or they simply push you off the road...very scary!
All along both sides people are selling stacks of charcoal bags, sticks, and sugar cane and little carts, piled high, are being pulled by one, two, or three donkeys amid the small herds of goats, cattle, and even camels. And, even along the narrow sides of the so-called highways, carts are being pulled by men with shirtless, straining backs and legs, just as they so commonly do in the towns.
Many car washers earn a few shillings at the dirty, busy truck stops, frequently getting their water from muddy puddles to do the washing. Corwin & Peggy laughed with genuine empathy and concern as they talked about the new missionary couple, soon to take over their missionary truck, and what their first few days driving these roads will be like.
Despite the driving conditions, which believe it or not, were much better than those on the Mombasa Highway, it was a wonderfully beautiful drive, especially as we caught our first glance of the Great Rift Valley from it's high cliffs at the top.
It seemed to go on forever and forever. As we climbed to the top and then began descending to the valley floor, there were green terraces, smaller valleys and streams, little farms and orchards and gardens. Big forested areas and intriguing roads breaking off the highway made us want to take side trips, but there was no time for that.
As we descended onto the valley floor, it became drier and then more arid as we approached the Maasai Mara. We began seeing wild animals even before we entered the park!
After going through the park gate and being surrounded by little, brightly clothed Maasai women selling Maasai things, we drove another 2 hours over very rough roads before finally arriving at our destination, the Intrepids Safari Tent Lodge. It is one of the premier places for lodging and wild animals in the Maasai Mara, the most famous park for animals, especially big cats, in Kenya and all of Africa. It has 26 luxurious tents overlooking a beautiful river with a slate-like, big-bouldered river bottom, especially in low water times and just before the Spring rains.
Each tent has a balcony overlooking the river. Beautiful hunting lodge with slate walkways through the bush to the tents, swimming pool, restaurant, swinging bridge across the gorge and over the river, firepits. Airstrip with small planes coming frequently in & out. Our tent is like a palace in the bush.
Large, 4 poster, king-sized bed with surrounding mosquito netting, exotic African wood furniture & floor, tiled shower heated by burning charcoal & wood outside, and separate bathroom.
We arrived around 2 PM, had a great late lunch, and excitedly headed out on our first safari. We all wondered how it could be any better than what we had already experienced in Tsavo East and Tsavo West and at Lake Nararu. We quickly found out. More on that to come!
Love to you all. We are too exhausted to continue on. But, stay tuned...especially if you like big predator cats and other wild animals!
From one of the wildest places on earth...the Maasai Mara,
Dick & Lawana
NOTE: To continue reading the African Blogs, scroll down or click on the "older post" on the right.
No comments:
Post a Comment