Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
This morning we left camp first thing after breakfast. As the slow moving cloud cover approached the summit of Kili we were in our Land Cruisers on our way to climb Olosoito (Rocky Mountain). It was amazing, out of almost nowhere on the red scrubby bush, a huge rock formation emerged. The hill was covered with tree sized cacti, plenty of thorny trees and hyena scat. The view from the top was incredible. You could see for miles, to the East were the Chyulu Hills, to the west Kimana Group Ranch (We were in Kuku Group Ranch), and all across the landscape you could see the emerging horticultural and agricultural lands and goats being led by their fearless leaders. It was basically a birds eye view of the clash of all the issues we will be discussing over the course of the semester. Not to mention the drive in and out in which we saw dozens of zebra, giraffe, elands, gazelles and a suspected ostrich.The other striking feature that we see with every drive we take in the Cruisers is the endless amount of smiles and waves by watoto (children). Whether they're on their way to school, out herding goats and cattle, or just playing, they never fail to crack a smile. Sometimes they ask for pens or candy since they've come accustom to wazungu (white people) giving them whatever is in their mifuko (pockets). It renders me speechless to encounter such happiness from such simple acts like a friendly wave. It's inspiring and it will be one of things that I hope to carry with me forever, even when I have to leave Kenya behind. If only we all could simplify our lives that much. Why let things like deadlines, assignments, and meetings stress us out? These children are able to crack a smile despite the fact that they have to spend all afternoon in the hot sun herding goats or despite the fact that their parents may not have more than ugali (corn flour paste) for dinner. It's this type of experience that makes me really grateful for my opportunity to study in Kenya. Sure we can all sit at home in the States and read all about the ills of poverty in Kenya and other places across the globe, but you can never understand it completely until you're put face to face with it. In just five days in Kenya I already feel a new gratitude for what I have back home.
- comments