So National Geographic isn’t Full of it…
The General told me, “Nkirote, I think you need to see a wild animal before you leave Africa.”
On Wednesday, we drove to Isiolo to stay with The General’s daughter, the 6th born. Isiolo is in northwestern Kenya, about 2 hours from Meru, where I’m staying. About 80kms from there, there is a game park called “Samburu Lodge.” We sped past zebras and gazelles and monkeys because, “there are so many here. Let us keep moving and see the real animals.” Native Kenyans were a bit harder to impress with these “filler” animals.
Jojo Jessica, The General’s wife, also came along. In her eighty years living in Kenya, she had never seen a live elephant. So together we admired a large elephant family of ten. This may shock Americans who think that wild animals roam all over Africa. Most are now contained within National Parks, and a majority of Africans have never seen a lion or hippo. Monkeys are scattered throughout, however. I have yet to see a lion, but now I can check giraffes, buffalo, ostrich, dik dik, gazelles, antelopes, zebras, and elephants off the list.
It should be rain season right now, but Kenya is suffering from a drought. The last three years have not brought proper rain, and it is worrisome because people depend on their crops to feed their families. Climate change is a huge issue, and the animals were thirsty in the park with the dry river basins. Perhaps we should schedule a time for everyone who reads this blog to perform a collective rain dance.
We returned to Meru yesterday, and I drove part way. Think a race and gender-reversed “Driving Miss Daisy,” and you’ll picture me driving The General around Kenya (on the left side of the road). J
Today was back to work with The General at the tea farm. Tomorrow we will go to Jojo Jessica’s family reunion, where they expect some 500 family members to attend. On Sunday I go to church with The General for Easter services, where I should have plenty of time for self-meditation in the four-hour long Kimeru service. So check back soon for an update on these happenings…
Happy Easter and Happy Weekend!
Kwa u pendo (“with love” in Swahili) – Laura Lee/Nkirote