All in an Afternoon

Jambo

Jambo, jambo Bwana

Habari gani, Mzuri Sana

Wageni, Mwakaribishwa,

Kenya Yetu...Hakuna matata

(hello, hello Sir,

How are you, very well

visitors, you are welcome

To our country Kenya

No worries, No problem)

This is the welcome song of Kenya, haven't figured out where it originated, but if you visit you'll be blessed with a very warm welcome and song - and you can now join in!!

I've been reading other things I've written and have decided its time to give you some proper news of what I get up to round here. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I go up to Emurutoto Primary school and teach grade 7 english for an hour. As its right in the middle of Kawai village, where we have a number of community projects I often have a manager, or two or 4 joining me on my adventure. When they dont I love the freedom of being able to bumble up the hill in one of the landies (very karen blixen dont you think)...causing some amusement as the only Mzungu chick that has been seen leaving the Kichwa gate at the wheel.

Front Left - James the Kichwa Ops manager, The "Senior Coordinators" wife, The "Senior coordinator, me, stanley the Deputy GM and George the Chef in charge at Kichwa - all the the SC's hut

One of the local landlords, who calls himself the Senior Coordinator of the district (he owns a piece of prime property in the Masai mara) needed to get to another town down the road, but his vehicle, a rather clapped out sedan type of car that no doubt gets driven at 160km/hr on what can only be described as less than desireable roads (basically I drive at about 40k's per hour on these roads in a landrover) wasn't starting. Off we went with a fundi - yes this is a real person...someone who is a specialist in their field, ie Bii the mechanic to assist the man get to Cilgouris. We left Bii with the car and went to look at a piece of his property with the most exquisite view that he'd like us to use for guest cocktails and things. Unfortunately due to Mara politics (challenges that of the ANC and COPE) and the fact that the last cocktail was invaded by dogs and children from the village, it looks like an unlikely spot for now, with a promising future!

The Senior coordinator showing the managers the site - the Masai Mara in the background

With one white car fixed, a prayer and a beautiful beaded necklace gift (always a bit embarrassing to accept), and a relief that we weren't offered delicious masai chai (sweet tea, with a lot of milk...wish may be fresh, or may be a few days old, I haven't decided which is worse). We headed down the mountain in time for a run.

Our runs follow exactly the same route on the road behind the camp, the only thing that we can vary is the length of the run. That said it is quite surreal running along the road with ellie's, giraffes, zebras in the distance and at least 3 small groups of masai cattle walking past. We usually run at about 5.30, but with the weather getting colder the elephants come up the mountain earlier in the evenings, so looks like we'll have to make an earlier start.

No guests in the camp last night, an unusual event, and sign of the slow down of tourism in kenya this year - hoping and praying it picks up again. But that said it gave the management an opportunity to celebrate a job well done with one of the departments...this means NYAMA CHOMA...mmm...mmm. Braaied goat, with ugali (pap) and Mtumbu (excuse spelling) soup. This is an absolute delicacy and treat. Mtumbu soup is basically boiled tripe soup, I have tried it, so didn't feel obliged to have any for dinner. But fun to get the staff together for a bit of a razzle.

More news from the Mara coming shortly - its where its all happening!