Back from Kenya

4/3/10 10:40
Uganda; day 95

We’re back in Uganda. The trip to Kenya was one of the best trips we’ve ever had. Meeting Paul and his family turned into a whole cultural experience because his family is Maasai, so they live in a Maasai village. We went to the Compassion project center first and were welcomed by all the staff, some of the kids, and a very shy Paul. We spent some time there touring the small compound, talking to the staff and hearing what they do, and looking through Paul’s folder. It was really cool to see his church, and school, and get a feel for what he does during the day. Once we were done at the project we went to his home, where we were welcomed by many Maasai people singing and doing their Maasai dance, they escorted us into the families small home where we got to meet the rest of Paul’s family, and exchange some gifts. They gave Kurt and I Maasai bead necklaces. We gave them the gifts we brought for the whole family, and then I gave Paul his soccer ball, after that he didn’t seem to care much what else we had for him. He held onto it for the rest of the time we were there. After spending some time in their home talking to the family they took us outside to show us the animals that Paul has because of the special gift money we were able to send to them. He has a heifer that he named Moosa and five sheep. The Maasai measure wealth by how many cows they have, so that Paul already has his first cow at six is pretty cool. After seeing the animals we headed back to the project center and had lunch, and then it was time to say our goodbyes. After thanking everyone and giving Paul a hug we got back in the car and started our 4-5 hour trip back to Kisii. We found out we were the first sponsors they’ve had visit that project, I hope that they continue to welcome people like they did us, because it was an unforgettable experience.

The next day our safari adventures began. Edwin, our driver picked us up at 7:30 in the morning to start our trip to Maasai Mara. We ended up going on the same very bad, long dirt road we’d taken to Paul’s home, just a little past his village is the west side of the Mara. We entered the Mara there and drove across it for a couple hours to get to our camp. It was an awesome drive, we saw so many animals right away, including a whole family of lions with nine cubs walking around. Edwin couldn’t believe it, he said it’s not unusual to see one or two lions but to see all of them together in the open is very rare.

Our camp was basic but nice. It didn’t have any of the luxuries of the larger lodges, or luxury camps, but we had warm showers and flush toilets, and the food was really good. We got to the Mara on Wednesday and left on Friday. We had so much fun watching all the animals, and the only ones we missed seeing were Rhinos and Leopards. We even saw a cheetah, which is also rare. On Friday we started our trip back home at 6:30, it had rained the night before which didn’t seem to be a problem until we got to one of the small rivers on the Mara that had flooded the road. We sat there for a few minutes while Edwin talked to another driver and then a park ranger, I figured he was probably asking how to go to get around it. After he was done talking he looked back and said “there is no other way” I thought for sure that meant we were going back to the camp and would miss our bus home but just as I came to that conclusion he said “do you want to try it?” I didn’t even think that was an option, but it’s his van, if he’s ok with it I’m all for it. So with everyone watching us, cameras ready we went for it. The water came almost all the way to the window on the van, and once we were in the middle it seemed even more impossible then it had from the road but the van just kept right on going and we made it out. Everyone got really excited, including the people from the other side watching us, I’d love to have the pictures they took. We were almost out of the Mara when we passed another safari group and they pointed at the grill on the van with very confused expressions, turned out to be a casualty from the river crossing, we hit a catfish. Out of all the possible animals you could hit on a safari, a catfish would be the furthest from my mind.
After we left the Mara we were back on the horrible dirt road, which was now a mud road. After some pushing, making new roads, and praying we finally emerged onto pavement 2-3 hours later. All of the problems only added to the adventure of the trip. I loved the Mara, the land is beautiful, the animals are awesome, and I hope we get to go again sometime.

-Brandi