Safari- which means "Long Journey" (#2 Africa-working on the rest)

pre-script =) I know this blog is crazy, but I don't know how to fix it. I've tried, but posting can't consume my life so just go with it and like the Kenya's would say~ Hakuna Matata my friends!!

We started our Safari with an African massage. This is a sarcastic, yet endearing term for what occurs when you drive in Kenya. The "roads" that were once paved, probably should be un-paved because they have so many potholes that , in my opinion, paving made it worse. Those that are not paved...well...they are rocky to put it nicely. In spite of this, I overcame the jostling and was able to take another mini nap for about 2 hours during our 4ish hour drive out to Masai Mara Reserve (of awesomeness!). 


Our four drivers and some
random, yet good lookin'
 white guys =)

We had 4 different vans for our group and I rotated between them so I could get to know different people and have different drivers. The vans were awesome with the tops coming off so you could stand and look at the animals. Can I also just say that I really loved and enjoyed our safari drivers?! Ashton and Rafo were my favorites. They were so kind and knowledgeable. They were also a lot of fun and we spent time getting to know them personally. They also taught us some of the important kiswahili words like "Sawa sawa", which means "good good- like it's all good" and the names of the animals (if you've seen the Lion King you DO know kiswahili- simba really is lion, rafiki means friend etc etc).

They also taught different things about the animals ears (yes...i did ask...it's just in me what can i say?!). Did you know that lions have big black spots on the back of their ears to help them communicate during hunting (in very cool ways) and that African elephant ears are unlike Indian elephants ears?! Well that's all true (inquire w/i for more details if you really want to know). I also discovered one reason why Africans put those big holes in their ears. First let's be clear that they don't put holes in their ears if they are going to go to school (strict dress codes), but if they aren't, then the men put holes in their ears to practice "pain tolerance". For what you might ask? Well..they get circumcised at 13. They have to be able to know what's going on- kinda like making the choice to become a man (I wouldn't then hahah!). They are not allowed to cry or flinch or they (and their families) are shamed. To prepare for this most painful process, they yank out teeth and punch holes in their ears! The women do it for beauty. Kios, our Masai travel buddy, would wrap his lobes around his pinna sometimes. He also would put his phone in his lobe hole and go 'hands free' sooo sooo funny Kios!

 

We also got to stop at a Masai tribal village. The men greeted us and we all had to pay $20USD, which is the equivalent of almost 2,000 Kenya Shillings. The men then did a dance for us and the women did a dance for us. The men do big jumping contests and  apparently pay less of a dowry if they can jump higher than a man in his future brides family. Our SHe guys jumped too- soo soo funny. I danced with the Masai women, and it was a lot of fun.

We then went into the village where they showed us their homes. It’s humbling! The women actually build their huts out of mud, dung and sticks. The family I visited had 3 children and 2 adults living in their hut as well as several animals staying one side of it. I kept thinking of my almost 2000 square foot home just for me and that their entire village could probably live in it just as content as could be. One little guy just kept looking at me, but didn’t come over with the rest. I could tell he wasn’t feeling well (by his nose alone) so I walked over to him and took his picture. More children ran over and wanted theirs taken as well so I would snap one, show them, and snap another. Some turned out really blurry because I wasn’t quite done before they would move. I'll probably say it several times on this blog and about Africa, but it's especially meant to be mentioned here...I'm so thankful for all my blessings! I'm grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me so much- even the things I consider "basics"....I hope to never have a spirit of ingratitude because I am well aware that my life could be very different! The Masai village reminded me more and more of that...I don't even want to forget their homes and situation and yet how HAPPY they were! I hope I can be more patient, content, and appreciative of the daily blessings that I'm given.



                                                                   I think this woman is beautiful!

The drivers also made sure we went out to different location sites and at different times of the day so we could see different animals and different events (like them eating, hunting etc). I loved loved loved watching the sunrise in Africa. There were no "worldly" distractions- like traffic noises, big buildings blocking your view or even seen in the distance. It was just calm, quiet and beautiful. It was even perfect weather sheesh. I even filmed it...not going to post that =) but....it was a few moments of reflection. Amazing!



Thousands of wildebeest...aka the Great Wildebeest migration
 this picture in no way does it justice!

We also went to Lake Nakuru and we stood at the border between Kenya and Tanzania (they said it Tan-zay-knee-a not Tan-za-knee-ah like we do). I honestly didn't expect to see as much as we did! We saw lions everyday- and watched one stalking some wildebeests (it gave up after a weak try in my opinion). The Wildebeest are currently migrating so we saw thousands of them roaming and running all around us. We saw gazelles, elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos (33 at one watering hole- HOLY HUGE!), rhinos, baboons, flamingos, water buffalo, wildebeests, a variety of beautiful birds, monkeys, vultures, ostriches (yes...who would think) one hyena and one cheetah. We did not get to see a leopard, but I am not complaining! It was incredible! The animals are so beautiful and I swear some of them like having their photo taken. I swear one giraffe just walked right up to each van and posed (opening picture of this entry)! We did see some crocodiles, but never at a place where I could touch one. I did touch a "sand castle croc" and touched on in a photo =p (see above..me sticking my finger at something).

I asked a driver which animal was "good luck" over there. He told me that they don't have anything like a rabbit's foot or horseshoe thing for luck. He says people pick their own "good luck" animal for different reasons- whichever one speaks to them. He said his is the cheetah. He likes it because it does not eat humans, it's quick, and strong. I think that's neat. They also don't eat a lot of the animals (even the tribal people and you think they would but for some reason it's taboo to eat a zebra...hum..) 
Funny snippets on safari-

messy matt's in white

~One of the vans got stuck in the mud. Let me just say no one really wants to get out of the van when a huge animals are surrounding you (some that you may not even be aware of) and when you have to get in the water that  has all sorts of who knows what bacteria/bugs etc in it (we had to take malaria pills the whole time we were there, boil all our water even to brush our teeth, and I stopped eating the meat - though i did try goat- so I wouldn't get sick). Watching everyone try to push the van out was entertaining and, thankfully, no one would let the girls help. One of the safari drivers had to actually driving the van while some of our SHe guys pushed it. When the van was finally freed, Matt, a SHe guy, was covered in mud. A different safari driver commented, "Safari worker (pointing at Matt). Office worker (pointing to safari driver)". Way to go guys!

~I was riding with a really fun group, and we were all facing inward (not looking out the windows though hello we were on safari) when one of the guys yells "Hyena! Hyena!GUYS THERE'S A HYENA!" We were all having such a fun time talking and laughing (and singing a lot at this point) that we had stopped looking outside during some 'between site transitions' and were just socializing! We all started laughing that we had stopped paying attention to the 'common zebra/ wildebeest' out the windows. I was so grateful though that we all got along and enjoyed each other's company that much!

This video is of Susan, who specifically said I could not facebook this video...she said nothing of blogging and there's no way I'm leaving her mad skills out! And no, I usually don't stink that badly at filming. Remember me defining African massage at the beginning of this post? That's what's happening here.

~While at Lake Nakuru, we stopped to taking photos at a lookout site (and use the squatty pottys...there are levels of squatty pottys my friends and these were nicer!). A school bus of children also stopped. They started taking pictures with us. Well, one girl asked to take a picture with me, so the photographer accompanying them them snapped one. Well then the next kid wanted to have his picture with me, then the next and the next. There was a line! I literally stood in the same spot for maybe 5 minutes just letting kids rotate through having their picture taken with me. It was random that I was kinda picked as this Santa-like/ poster child stand in! This happened a few times on the trips to other people as well- I guess it's because we're white hahah=p . The kids really really love having their picture taken and getting to see it afterward. The group decided, while in Kenya, that we would come home and get our 'old' cameras (I put that word in ' quote' for a reason that will come in another story) and send them back to Kenya for the kids.

Since we didn't have luggage, we borrowed clothes. I had been blessed (inspired I think- so so so grateful to Heavenly Father seriously) to pack enough underwear for the entire safari and a day, in my carry on. I also had a completely different set of clothes besides what I wore on the plane and one extra shirt. Some of the others were not so lucky and had to laundry more often. We we lucky to borrow a clothesline from Ben, but it took a long time for things to dry, and I know the other St. George girls (who I roomed with for this leg of the journey) had to wear damp underwear (side note of repentance: sorry ladies! I never once thought to offer to share my underwear. Here I was with great people totally willing to share with me, and it didn't think to share my extra personals! Admittedly, normally that's not something that I do or would think of, but I feel badly that in this situation it didn't even cross my mind. Sharing other stuff did, but minus my underwear being too short for the ladies, it probably would've/could've fit...at least while they were waiting for a pair to dry...this is my biggest regret of the whole trip. Had they asked, I totally would've shared, but who's gonna ask to borrow your personals? No one probably! So they didn't....sorry! If I ever have a chance where I have more clothing than others, even underwear, I WILL share it!). I borrowed pj's from Matt and a jacket from Ben. Everyone was more than willing to share their DEET, sunscreen and whatever else we needed. I am so grateful to all of them! I honestly felt like I lacked nothing (the entire trip even when I had my luggage) and was inspired by every one's generous attitudes. I never even had to ask, people just simply offered and provided!

The following video is for my sister, Holly...inside joke. I couldn't resist! =) Yes they are water buffalo.

This next video is Ben demonstrating how to play a prank while on safari

This is a video at Lake Nakuru, starring Amman, Rinda and baboons (there was also an unseen crazy elk like animal that was agitated yet close to us....)

Yes yes...we all love the Toto song & listened, sang and danced to it often while actually in Africa...or...some would work out to it =p This clip stars "Curt Cannon good dancer"

The following is a clip of Dallin, who I thought was the best narrator. He served his mission in Australia so that helped him acquire this skill (though he can also rap pretty well- I didn't get that filmed though)

The following is self explanatory (and yes we were very close to the animals!)

What can I say about the two following...there was some down time? Starring me and Matt (no love interest people though i seemed to have mentioned him a couple times on here alright?! I'm rooting for him and Heidi!)

Starring Rinda  =)

Welcome to the Masai village! I had a very long video that just won't upload so this is a shorter version but enough for you to get the point

The SHe guys and Masai jumping