Last
time I posted here, we had visited the Kibera Slum, where it is believed that
the largest concentration of people in the world may live. The very next day we drove down through the Ngong Hills out
to the Maasai village of Saikeri. What a contrast between the two days!
My
daughter Val volunteered here for a month when she was in Kenya for six months
in 2010. She dragged me out there for several days in 2013 to stay with her
friend Maggie and I immediately understood the draw. Maggie’s home has no
electricity, but she has a few solar panels on the roof, enough to light a few
lights in the house in the evening. She also has a nifty portable solar panel
packet, the size of a tablet, which she uses to charge her cell phone and a
flashlight. Her water comes from the large tanks which collect rain water from
the roof, during the rainy season. The rest of the time, a water tanker truck
makes the trek out to her home to fill her tanks.
Oh, but first I should describe the ride there. Another typical Kenyan road filled with potholes, ruts, rocks and boulders, but worth it for the view.
And
cattle who know that they have the right of way.
When we got to Maggie's house, the goats also seemed to think they had the run of the place.
As does Maggie’s son LeShan, but isn't he adorable.
Though
he is only three and a half and doesn’t know any English, he took us on a walk
down the road and even visited with the neighbors.
Downtown
Saikeri, not exactly hopping that afternoon, but there were Maasai behind those
doors watching us pass.
It was hard to leave.
3 comments:
Nancy had asked if I was nervous at any point during our trip. The honest truth is No! I wasn't nervous on our little street by the volunteer house (at least during the day), not on the Matatus (just kept my backpack protected) but I kind of forgot our little journey while waiting for Tony to pick us up. I sure it was hysterical listening to me tell everyone that we knew Maggie and that Tony would be picking us up soon. I don't really think I was nervous I just was being cautious. I have decided that our silent tree sitter was watching over us, knowing all those young boys were coming around to check us out.
I noticed that, Denise. I didn't think you were nervous, I thought you were just more out of your element. The middle of nowhere and not knowing if anyone spoke English, attracting more than a few curious stares. And all those polite boys that just wanted to talk to the white chicks.
I will never be able to watch The Ten Commandments without thinking of these goats and their little bells.
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