Kenya Part 4

On the final day of safaring we woke up at the crack of dawn and headed out for another 2 hours in the park ending our safari adventure. I will say the only let down of the whole trip was the blatant lie we were told. “You are guaranteed to see the big five. The big 5 include lion, cape buffalo, leopard, rhino and elephant." Ya’ll we did not see one dang leopard or rhino and the closest we got to an elephant was about a billion miles away. Ok, ok, slight exaggeration, but seriously I could only see the outline of the elephants. Still counts, but I would have preferred to be closer…and ridden one…but beggars can’t be choosers I suppose.

On a different note, and a little bonus, we got to take a tour through a local village. Now when most people think “Africa” this is more what they picture. In my opinion anyway. I could be wrong, but since that’s never happened before I’m probably not. (I kid.) 

The entire village is related to one another so if they wish to marry they must go out to another village to select a wife. They can either pay with a cow or trade a sister. Oh and they are a polygamist community aka those men have a whole lot to deal with. The chiefs son was our guide and told us the most he had ever seen was two guys and both had ten wives…….....................Ok I gave you some time to digest, you can pick your jaw off the floor now. 

Their houses were made of clay and cow dung. They have to patch it up about every couple of weeks and it takes roughly two months to build one from scratch. 

They did some tribal dancing for us. The higher you jump the more attractive you appear to the ladies. And that’s apparently a big deal to these guys.

They created this cage to keep the leopards (apparently they exist) cheetahs, and other animals from enjoying a free snack.

They also showed us how they make fire. Alison and I were able to give it a go but I'm pretty sure they thought I was going to break their tools since I had no idea what they were telling me to do so they made us stop.

After our tour we hopped back in our van and headed the 5 hours back to Nairobi. Luckily this time it really did only take 5 hours. Our last night in Nairobi included a trip to Carnivore. Pretty much these guys walk around with meat on swords and it’s all you can eat/all your stomach can handle before you feel like your going to explode +salad +a potato +dessert=Food heaven for this rice, beans and cabbage eater. They had normal meat like chicken, lamb, steak, sausage, and about 50 other choices, but they also had ostrich, crocodile, and bull ball. That’s right, a bull ball. And I ate it. The ostrich, crocodile and bull ball. Ostrich and crocodile, not too shabby, the later, well, I had to resist spitting it out onto my plate. I am a lady after all.

And that was Kenya! Until next time….

Kenya Part 3

This is the day that I went on a safari for ten hours, didn’t have to pee, and realized if I ever get married future husband must be adventurous because I couldn’t imagine ever taking a normal vacation again (not to say that I wont, because let’s be honest, I’m willing to go on any kind of vacation if it means getting out of work/school/whatever other responsibilities I may have, but over all adventure vacations kick relaxing vacations in the bee-hind.) Ok, now enjoy the picture overload. 

Kenya Part 2

After getting a couple hours of sleep the alarms sounded and the day began with a real shower and buffet breakfast. I may or may not have enjoyed 2 croissants with strawberry jam, yogurt, sausage, cereal, fruit, and a few other things. Hey, I'm not surrounded by delicious food on a daily basis so I might as well enjoy it while I can right? 

After stuffing my face, Alison, her mom and I grabbed our luggage, met our driver Daniel, hopped in our safari van and settled in for a 5 hour drive. Oh but wait, that 5 hour journey actually turned into a 10 hour journey. Let me break it down for you. A woman from a tribe was stepped on and killed by an elephant that was passing through the village. The tribe people wanted the police to come and kill the elephant, which they didn't do, and in retaliation the people created a blockade not allowing anyone past. This created a giant traffic jam of tourist. The police were brought in, than what looked like a swat team was brought in and than a helicopter was spotted. All of that for a negotiation...which took 5 hours...in the heat...with no food...and a hole in the ground for a toilet. Not ideal. I made the most of it though. Didn't drink anything and played an assortment of games with roughly 15 kids from the village. Some of the games included, tag, duck duck goose, red light green light, Elise says (I thought calling myself Simon might confuse them just a tad), among others.

Soon the situation was resolved and we were on our merry way. But it wasn't long before we pulled over to the side of the road and walked a few feet to where several of giraffe's were just chillin’. It was amazing to be that close with no fence or nothin’. And that was just a preview. 

We arrived at our destination a few hours later. We were going camping ya'll. Now I grew up camping and hiking thanks to my dad and much to the dismay of my older sister but I hadn't gone in years, so to say I was excited is a bit of understatement. Now there were real beds, toilet and shower connected to the tent, so it wasn't 100% true camping, but close enough. Sitting outside, sipping on hot chocolate, anticipating the next day, I was in vacation heaven.