Today was our first weekend since arriving at our new Masai Homestay. We had the chance to have a slight sleep in (despite the loud goats!!) and then decided to take a walk to the nearby town of Saikeri. This was a nightmare – as the heat was insane! The hottest trek we have done on long dusty African roads! Remember to bring water!
Before we trekked off we had the chance to do some laundry for the first time since arriving. This turned into a family affair and everyone wanted there two cents on how the washing should be done. Jordan then tried to divert the attention of the family by starting up a game of football in the backyard – this then gave Jax the chance to do our washing….was I being helpful or cunning??!! Before long another volunteer visited on his way to Ngong – a LONG way away – by foot! He must have been mad in this heat!
After a early lunch we hit the road to Saikeri, on the way deciding to take the short cut – as the heat was pelting down on us. The cut went through local bush and rocks, not even the local rumors that a Masai had yesterday discovered a VERY protective 12 foot Python snake looking after some eggs had deterred us from this short cut – although our eyes were certainly peeled for the snake!!
The heat was nearly unbearable and all we could think of was the cold Coca Cola in the town. On arrival we found a real shanty town – home made shops and bad roads. The buildings were very dull, and the streets empty, the only sign of life was the local drunk Masai yelling at us from the small pub on the side of the road.
Finally we got our Cokes, despite them being warm and having to pay 50KSH for the two of them (about 50p) – we would soon regret buying these Cokes even more later that afternoon…..
We tried to get as many chores done as possible this afternoon- so popped into the local Phone Charging shop (yip they have a complete shop for that!) to get our phones charged and ready for the coming week – this once again made us realise how lucky we are to have power – organising a trip to town to charge your phone is a massive change!
Walking through the deserted streets of Saikeri – we headed to the home of Maggie, who is the local nurse and runs the clinic. She also hosts two fellow volunteers – by this stage we were knackered and ready for the cold juice she gave us on arrival. Maggies house was the most modern that we had seen so far – with one small lighbulb hanging from the bare ceiling, powered by a nearby car battery.
Soon enough it was time to leave, so we walked back through the local school and headed back to the lonely Phone Charging booth to pick up our phones – all charged and ready to go! It was still hot – and we were dreading the walk back home – until we saw a manure truck hurtling around the corner – so using the power of the white man we somehow managed to get a free ride home in the truck, saving a two and half hour walk! But just then the Cokes that we had earlier came back to haunt us – as a Masai man ran up to the side of the truck shouting ‘Muzungo, Muzungo’ which means ‘White Man, White Man’! He claimed that we had stolen the Cokes from his Nini- and a argument started – ending with me parting with 10 KSH (or about 10p!) for him to leave us alone!
We then sat in the truck and began the bumpy ride home….
