Chris Loehmer Kincaid's Blog, page 79
November 6, 2019
Sept 27 - Running Water
Friday morning dawned as beautiful as all mornings do out in the wilds of Kenya.
On any earlier post, I had mentioned that we had access to 30,000 gallons of fresh spring water while we were at the safari camp.
A while back, Izzo, our friend and business partner for this trip, was looking up into the hill past where he wanted to build his camp. A stream ran along the western edge of his piece of property and he wondered if he could find its origin. So he started walking, just like Denise, our guide Dann and I did that Friday morning.
Before we went too far, however, we stopped at the spot where the women from Dann’s village had been getting their water. Not much of a stream, huh?
We kept walking, though, following the river upstream.
Enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
And crossing the river. 
And walking just a little bit more.
Until we arrived at a lush, wooded thicket. And the origins of Izzo’s spring, which, with his engineering degree . . .
. . . he was able to capture so that the precious water could be transported to where it could benefit the most people.
November 4, 2019
Sept 26 – School and Clinic
After we visited with the Maasai women at Nkoirero village, we toured Oloolaimutia Primary School, which is practically next door.
I love all the inspirational signs they have throughout the school grounds.
The school has around one thousand students and is open to children from throughout the area in kindergarten through eighth grade. The same as when we were at St Dorcas school earlier in the week, the eighth graders were studying for the national exams to see which secondary schools they could get in to. Whether or not they go on depends on if their families can afford it and also how far they might have to go. There are no high schools within walking distance, so all students furthering their education go to boarding school.
In fact because this primary school serves such a wide area, 300 of these students board at the school. When Denise and I had toured the school in 2015, this is one of the rooms where the students slept who lived too far away to walk home every day.
Luckily, in the last year or two, they were able to build two dorms, one for the girls on the north side of the school and one for the boys on the south side. This is the boys’.
Here’s the girls’ dorm.
The school also offers a hot meal to the kids at lunch time.
That’s about the time we hit the school.
When we left the school, we walked across town to the medical clinic.
It had just been built around three years ago, I think.
It was clean, organized and smelled sterile.
Even if some of the supplies and equipment were fairly old and worn.
We got back to the Camp in time for a late lunch. Then took another walk around the Camp.
It was another full day and the next day was sure to be just as busy. November 1, 2019
Sept 26 – Finally starting our work
Denise and I woke up Thursday morning at the safari camp at the Mara, ready to finally get to work. Yes, we’d done a few things on the trip so far to help out, but here at the Mara was where we wanted to focus our time, attention, and hopefully, finances.
We had two days to do all of this: 1) meet with the women from Dann’s village to do a census 2) visit the school next to their village 3) tour the medical clinic in the town 4) walk to the origin of Izzo’s spring 5) meet with the women from the village across the road 6) drive to the Maasai village across the Sand River. All of these visits were so that we could write reports about the needs of the area to present to potential investors. I’ll be honest, it was daunting. I am basically shy and introverted and talking to so many people was stressful. I had my dear friend Denise for support and Dann as our wonderful guide. I would get through the next couple days.
Our first morning there, Dann took us to his village, Nkoirero. This little Maasai village is about three-quarters of a mile from Izzo’s safari camp.
I’d visited this village twice before. The first time was for the tourist tour when Denise and I were there in 2015 and went on safari. Last year Nick and I were there to each meet with the men and the women respectively to get a general idea of their lifestyle and their needs. This time, we were to complete more a census – writing down exactly how many women there were, how many kids, how many in school, etc.
Did I already say this was going to be daunting?
We did the best job we could to get the statistics we needed, Dann interpreting for us, as only one of the women knew English.
The women were good-natured, patient, and amiable. The children were all just ridiculously friendly and so happy. Every time I meet with the Maasai, I am more humbled.
Our amazing guide for our two days of work, with his brother Dennys.
One task down, five more to go.
We had two days to do all of this: 1) meet with the women from Dann’s village to do a census 2) visit the school next to their village 3) tour the medical clinic in the town 4) walk to the origin of Izzo’s spring 5) meet with the women from the village across the road 6) drive to the Maasai village across the Sand River. All of these visits were so that we could write reports about the needs of the area to present to potential investors. I’ll be honest, it was daunting. I am basically shy and introverted and talking to so many people was stressful. I had my dear friend Denise for support and Dann as our wonderful guide. I would get through the next couple days.
Our first morning there, Dann took us to his village, Nkoirero. This little Maasai village is about three-quarters of a mile from Izzo’s safari camp.
I’d visited this village twice before. The first time was for the tourist tour when Denise and I were there in 2015 and went on safari. Last year Nick and I were there to each meet with the men and the women respectively to get a general idea of their lifestyle and their needs. This time, we were to complete more a census – writing down exactly how many women there were, how many kids, how many in school, etc.
Did I already say this was going to be daunting?
We did the best job we could to get the statistics we needed, Dann interpreting for us, as only one of the women knew English.
The women were good-natured, patient, and amiable. The children were all just ridiculously friendly and so happy. Every time I meet with the Maasai, I am more humbled. 
Our amazing guide for our two days of work, with his brother Dennys.
One task down, five more to go.
October 30, 2019
Sept 25, Again - Finally to Camp
Finally, by mid-afternoon, we arrived at our friend Izzo’s safari camp. We weren’t sure what to expect. The last time I was there, in May of 2018, the camp was only a series of foundations and somewhat random walls. When my kids were there this past January, there hadn’t been a lot of progress.
This trip, however, we were greeted with a young Kenyan woman carrying a tray of glasses of fresh pineapple juice for everyone. As well as three nearly completed bungalows.
The configuration is that each building will have three units in it – two larger rooms for families or groups and a smaller upper unit for couples.
Of course each unit will have its own en suite bathroom, with as much hot water as needed, thanks to the 30,000 gallons of water these tanks hold (more on that on a future post).
The upper story is the couple’s suite. They have amazing views into the Masa Mara.
The remaining three bungalows waiting for funds to be finished.
Our room.
Plenty of space to spread out and fresh, clean linens. Comfy beds too.
Our bathroom.
The current dining room for guests.
Eventually it will be turned into one of the family units, after the dining hall is finished.
If you use your imagination you can see this as an amazing dining room, can’t you?
The current outside dining space when weather permits.
Our breakfast one morning. Nothing fancy, but tasted great and filled us up.
In case you wonder what other safari camps in the area have to offer, I thought I’d share pictures from a few of the others I’ve been to.
This is Fig Tree Camp, where we stayed the first time, I was in Kenya in 2006. It was very nice, I thought, almost too nice. Like, it didn’t feel like I was in Africa, far from any cities or towns.
Manyatta Camp where I stayed the last two times I was at the Mara. A little run down and rough around the edges.
But now, here is really rough. An abandoned camp we walked passed one day. Seems like such a waste.
Our last afternoon at the Mara, we toured another luxury camp, Explore Nature Masa Lodge. Way too nice.
All I need is a clean bed and to wake up to this view in the morning.
Next time, I’ll finally start sharing the stories of the many people we met while out there.
This trip, however, we were greeted with a young Kenyan woman carrying a tray of glasses of fresh pineapple juice for everyone. As well as three nearly completed bungalows.
The configuration is that each building will have three units in it – two larger rooms for families or groups and a smaller upper unit for couples.
Of course each unit will have its own en suite bathroom, with as much hot water as needed, thanks to the 30,000 gallons of water these tanks hold (more on that on a future post).
The upper story is the couple’s suite. They have amazing views into the Masa Mara.
The remaining three bungalows waiting for funds to be finished.
Our room.
Plenty of space to spread out and fresh, clean linens. Comfy beds too.
Our bathroom.
The current dining room for guests.
Eventually it will be turned into one of the family units, after the dining hall is finished.
If you use your imagination you can see this as an amazing dining room, can’t you?
The current outside dining space when weather permits.
Our breakfast one morning. Nothing fancy, but tasted great and filled us up.
In case you wonder what other safari camps in the area have to offer, I thought I’d share pictures from a few of the others I’ve been to.This is Fig Tree Camp, where we stayed the first time, I was in Kenya in 2006. It was very nice, I thought, almost too nice. Like, it didn’t feel like I was in Africa, far from any cities or towns.
Manyatta Camp where I stayed the last two times I was at the Mara. A little run down and rough around the edges.
But now, here is really rough. An abandoned camp we walked passed one day. Seems like such a waste.
Our last afternoon at the Mara, we toured another luxury camp, Explore Nature Masa Lodge. Way too nice.
All I need is a clean bed and to wake up to this view in the morning.
Next time, I’ll finally start sharing the stories of the many people we met while out there.
October 28, 2019
Sept 25 - Another Stop Along the Way
After my last two posts, where I shared the harrowing trip to the Mara, this post may seem a bit anticlimactic. Yet, it is a more important story than any sort of drama I have going on.
I believe it was four years ago, that our host Izzo, while driving out to safari one day, passed a tree similar to this one. Under it sat an adult and a group of children. When Izzo was driving back down this road, heading home from safari, he noticed the same group.
He stopped the van, and he and the group traveling with him got out to see what was going on. This was an improvised classroom. There are no schools close enough for any of the area children to attend, so a caring adult gathered together whoever he could and started teaching them under that tree.
Izzo’s heart went out to them, and he started raising funds to build them a school. First it was just a three-walled tin shelter, but it eventually grew into Ripoi School.
Denise and I had the opportunity to visit it on our way to the Mara.
Third Grade
Second Grade
First Grade
Kindergarten
Nursery
You may notice that each grade has fewer and fewer supplies, until the nursery class has nothing but rocks to sit on. But look at how many children there are in that classroom?
It’s all about hope. Sharing hope and keeping hope in your heart.
I believe it was four years ago, that our host Izzo, while driving out to safari one day, passed a tree similar to this one. Under it sat an adult and a group of children. When Izzo was driving back down this road, heading home from safari, he noticed the same group.
He stopped the van, and he and the group traveling with him got out to see what was going on. This was an improvised classroom. There are no schools close enough for any of the area children to attend, so a caring adult gathered together whoever he could and started teaching them under that tree.
Izzo’s heart went out to them, and he started raising funds to build them a school. First it was just a three-walled tin shelter, but it eventually grew into Ripoi School.
Denise and I had the opportunity to visit it on our way to the Mara.Third Grade
Second Grade
First Grade
Kindergarten
Nursery
You may notice that each grade has fewer and fewer supplies, until the nursery class has nothing but rocks to sit on. But look at how many children there are in that classroom?
It’s all about hope. Sharing hope and keeping hope in your heart.
October 25, 2019
Sept 25 - Drive to the Mara, part 2
Shortly after I posted Wednesday’s blog, I rather regretted it. I love sharing all my pictures from my trip to Kenya, but I feel that I am doing a disservice to you as well as to the overall trip by not going more into detail. I just didn’t have time last time.
So here it is, the story in words instead of in pictures. (Ok, just a few pictures.)
As mentioned Wednesday, we left our Kenyan home promptly at seven a.m. to ride out to the Mara. Bonny and Dann picked us up, and Denise, Izzo and I jumped in the safari van with them. There was another woman (or more of a girl) in the van already also; I won’t mention her again, so if you forget she was there, that’s ok.
We stopped once in Kikuyu town for gas and to pick up one young man. Then a few blocks later we picked up another one. These are all people who work for Izzo in one capacity or another at one of his various endeavors. Oh, and there was also a quick stop at the police station in between.
It’s only 18 miles or so to our first real stop, but because of the short stops and because it is mostly city driving up to that point, it took close to an hour. (Well, there was that stop at the police station, but that only took a minute.)
You may be tired of hearing about the Rift Valley, but I will never get tired of it. So, I do have to share another picture of it.
So, at this stop, some of the guys got out for their hot beverages and also to gab with whoever else was there. Mostly other safari vans. All the nervous tourists on their first safari sitting anxiously in the vans waiting for their drivers, as the drivers were all getting their morning drinks and bull-shit sessions. Sometimes I get it, and sometimes I don’t. But most of the time, you just have to experience it or you won’t have a clue what I’m talking about.Once we got back on the road, it was about a two-hour, 70-mile drive to our next stop. Narok. Last potty break for the day and last chance to buy anything at a good-size store. That store would be Tusky’s, a small version of a Wal-mart. I bought snacks and Denise bought a book to read and if I remember right, a charger.
Here’s something crazy I just noticed. The receipt from Tusky’s reads “Tusker Mattresses Ltd”. What exactly does that mean, do you suppose. I could just scan you a copy of the receipt, but I’ll just tell you instead that I bought a juice, a bag of mints, bag of chips and package of cookies for three dollars.
Back on the road, we drove a few more blocks, when Dann had to jump out to get something. No idea what that was. Or maybe I just don’t remember….Once again back on the road, and I’m not going to be able to tell you much about time or distance. Google maps doesn’t show me the route we always take. Oh, probably because Google thinks we drive on actual roads. The route Google has from Narok to the town of Ololaimutiek is 62 miles. That kind of blows my mind. Google also says it should take two hours and 22 minutes. Hmm? Don’t I wish.
After around two and a half hours, we made a short stop at Ripoi school. I want to tell you all about that, but that will have to wait until next time.
As we were leaving the school, we could see the rain clouds gathering in the west. Only a few minutes later, it started raining, and 15 minutes later we got stuck for the first time. We barely got unstuck, when the van got stuck again.
Dann, Bonny and the other two boys jumped out and admirably pushed and rocked the van for a long time, as herds of cattle, sheep and goats were herded passed us. Denise and I had no idea how we could possibly ever get out of the mire. As the rain continued to fall.
Finally, they decided someone had to walk for help, so Dann and Bonny started down the road. Izzo thought it would be about a ten-minute walk to the next point of civilization. It may have only been twenty minutes or so before they came back with someone in this safari van.
Denise and I looked at each, as the new van spun its wheels turning around next to us. We thought, there is no way he can pull us out.Somehow or other, maybe another ten minutes later, we were moving. Granted, we were slipping and sliding, but we were moving.
Just as a side note, in discussing the weather with Izzo, he mentioned the Katabatic rains. On Google, they are actually winds, which are a drainage wind, that carries high-density air from a higher elevation down a slope under the force of gravity. Which makes very little sense to me.October 23, 2019
Sept 25 - the drive to the Mara
Finally, at seven o’clock, Wednesday morning, Denise and I jumped in the van to head out to the Mara. Our goal for the whole trip was to meet with the Maasai women who live next to the Masa Mara Game Preserve, to see what their needs are and find ways to improve their lives.
The drive into the Rift Valley never gets old.
Dann and Bonny, two of our companions for the trip.
Took too many pictures out the window.
I’ve been riding through Narok for thirteen years and it really never changes much.
Just gets more congested.
Random, yet fascinating sites along the way.
Such as this river bed.
And the washed-out bridge.
All was well until it started to rain and we got to this spot.
Then we ended up here for over an hour.
The various herds of livestock walking by didn’t help much.
Even Dann the Maasai couldn’t get the cattle to get out of the road.
We were shocked that this guy was able to pull us out.
But we were finally on our way to the safari camp. . . Stay tuned.
The drive into the Rift Valley never gets old.
Dann and Bonny, two of our companions for the trip.
Took too many pictures out the window.
I’ve been riding through Narok for thirteen years and it really never changes much.
Just gets more congested.
Random, yet fascinating sites along the way.
Such as this river bed.
And the washed-out bridge.
All was well until it started to rain and we got to this spot.
Then we ended up here for over an hour.
The various herds of livestock walking by didn’t help much.
Even Dann the Maasai couldn’t get the cattle to get out of the road.
We were shocked that this guy was able to pull us out.
But we were finally on our way to the safari camp. . . Stay tuned.
October 21, 2019
Sept 24 - St Dorcas and Toothbrushes
Today we delivered Denise’s toothbrushes to St Dorcas School and Orphanage.
We were instructed to walk over to the volunteer house (which I may have already mentioned is about a ten-minute walk). We got there plenty early enough, just as the guy who was taking us there was leaving with someone else. He said he’d be back in just a few minutes, but we knew better.
A few of the other volunteers came through the house as we waited, and we got to visit with them a little bit. Plus, there was also mandazi left over from breakfast. We waited until we were asked to try some before I plowed into a couple of them.
Then we waited and waited some more. I think it was over an hour. But it’s Kenya. No worries. We did ask the house mom to call him, and she came back to say his phone was turned off.
Finally, our escort returned, full of apologies and saying that his phone battery had died. And here I need to apologize because I do know his name but have no idea how to spell it. I can’t even venture a guess. He’d been taking us around for five days already; someone had spelled it for us the first day, but think I could remember?
We finally arrived at the school and met up with the three volunteers who were working there. I sometimes feel like a bit of a slacker as most of the volunteers have permanent placements. They are in Kenya between one and six months, so go to the same place every day, just like a regular job, with regular responsibilities. Being as I’ve only ever been there for two weeks at a time, I end up in a different place every day, doing what is needed and sadly, not connecting with the children and adults in any of these places.
Anyway, but our task for the day was those toothbrushes. Denise’s dentist had once again generously donated a hundred toothbrushes, and we needed to deliver them and be sure the kids knew how to use them and how important it was to use them.
We went from one classroom to the next, introducing ourselves, handing out the toothbrushes and giving our spiel.
I wish we had taken more pictures, one in every classroom, but we were loaded down with our gifts.
And then after we handed them out, the kids were moving so much to show us how to use them, that everything was a blur anyway.
The classrooms, as well as the school grounds, were pretty typical for Kenya. Dirty, old supplies, shared supplies, but the kids were all happy to see us.
Can you imagine?
Here’s my random picture for the day. That’s artificial grass on the dashboard of the matatu we took in the morning. Interesting, huh?
Sometimes I wish I would have taken more pictures (like the 1,200 I took wasn’t enough), but there was a lot of randomness every day. Every Single Day. Just like I am missing Kenya Every Single Day.
We were instructed to walk over to the volunteer house (which I may have already mentioned is about a ten-minute walk). We got there plenty early enough, just as the guy who was taking us there was leaving with someone else. He said he’d be back in just a few minutes, but we knew better.
A few of the other volunteers came through the house as we waited, and we got to visit with them a little bit. Plus, there was also mandazi left over from breakfast. We waited until we were asked to try some before I plowed into a couple of them.
Then we waited and waited some more. I think it was over an hour. But it’s Kenya. No worries. We did ask the house mom to call him, and she came back to say his phone was turned off.
Finally, our escort returned, full of apologies and saying that his phone battery had died. And here I need to apologize because I do know his name but have no idea how to spell it. I can’t even venture a guess. He’d been taking us around for five days already; someone had spelled it for us the first day, but think I could remember?
We finally arrived at the school and met up with the three volunteers who were working there. I sometimes feel like a bit of a slacker as most of the volunteers have permanent placements. They are in Kenya between one and six months, so go to the same place every day, just like a regular job, with regular responsibilities. Being as I’ve only ever been there for two weeks at a time, I end up in a different place every day, doing what is needed and sadly, not connecting with the children and adults in any of these places.
Anyway, but our task for the day was those toothbrushes. Denise’s dentist had once again generously donated a hundred toothbrushes, and we needed to deliver them and be sure the kids knew how to use them and how important it was to use them.
We went from one classroom to the next, introducing ourselves, handing out the toothbrushes and giving our spiel.
I wish we had taken more pictures, one in every classroom, but we were loaded down with our gifts.
And then after we handed them out, the kids were moving so much to show us how to use them, that everything was a blur anyway.
The classrooms, as well as the school grounds, were pretty typical for Kenya. Dirty, old supplies, shared supplies, but the kids were all happy to see us.
Can you imagine?
Here’s my random picture for the day. That’s artificial grass on the dashboard of the matatu we took in the morning. Interesting, huh?
Sometimes I wish I would have taken more pictures (like the 1,200 I took wasn’t enough), but there was a lot of randomness every day. Every Single Day. Just like I am missing Kenya Every Single Day.
October 18, 2019
Sept 23 - The Nursing Home
Today we visited the Senior Citizen’s Nursing Home in Kikuyu. One of the boys who works for the volunteer organization we work with took us on the single short matatu ride from our house.
We were stunned when we arrived. Both Denise and I had braced ourselves for the very worst, having been to Kenya enough to realize what bad can really mean. Instead, the home was in a very nice suburban type house, three bedrooms and two bathrooms, kitchen, dining area and living room, completely fenced in.
There were only six residents there, three men and three women, that Denise and I can remember. Even though we were told that we could take pictures of them, that just didn’t feel right.
The home is run by Helen, a retired school teacher who is supplementing the home with her pension. (It was news to me that anyone in Kenya received a pension after they retired.)
Behind the house sat a very large garden plot, which looked to be growing peppers, lettuce, and cabbage.
In the middle was a Loquat tree, which bears a small, delicious yellow fruit, it reminded Denise of a pear. I wasn’t sure, but it was good. We ate quite a few, but I was afraid too many would give me a tummy ache.
(Do you see the boy in the tree?)
The residents? I wish I could remember. One of the men was a retired pastor and teacher, another was a retired police officer, who had lived and worked in Chicago at one time. One of the women looked like she might have Down’s. The others I really can’t recall.
Helen’s three grown children were all there that day, and after our tour of the building and grounds, we spent the next hour or two visiting with them. Great kids, who were very supportive of their mother’s work.
It’s Helen’s dream to buy a piece of property and build a larger home so that they can accommodate more residents, as well as continue with a garden and raise some livestock to support the home. What an amazing woman.
When it was time to leave, Denise and I were once again confident that we could catch the correct matatu back on our own, as our earlier escort had left for other business. Helen’s kids were just going to run to Kikuyu town to do some shopping, so they offered to give us a ride. I have to say one more time, they were great kids.
We were stunned when we arrived. Both Denise and I had braced ourselves for the very worst, having been to Kenya enough to realize what bad can really mean. Instead, the home was in a very nice suburban type house, three bedrooms and two bathrooms, kitchen, dining area and living room, completely fenced in.There were only six residents there, three men and three women, that Denise and I can remember. Even though we were told that we could take pictures of them, that just didn’t feel right.
The home is run by Helen, a retired school teacher who is supplementing the home with her pension. (It was news to me that anyone in Kenya received a pension after they retired.)Behind the house sat a very large garden plot, which looked to be growing peppers, lettuce, and cabbage.
In the middle was a Loquat tree, which bears a small, delicious yellow fruit, it reminded Denise of a pear. I wasn’t sure, but it was good. We ate quite a few, but I was afraid too many would give me a tummy ache.
(Do you see the boy in the tree?)
The residents? I wish I could remember. One of the men was a retired pastor and teacher, another was a retired police officer, who had lived and worked in Chicago at one time. One of the women looked like she might have Down’s. The others I really can’t recall.Helen’s three grown children were all there that day, and after our tour of the building and grounds, we spent the next hour or two visiting with them. Great kids, who were very supportive of their mother’s work.
It’s Helen’s dream to buy a piece of property and build a larger home so that they can accommodate more residents, as well as continue with a garden and raise some livestock to support the home. What an amazing woman.
When it was time to leave, Denise and I were once again confident that we could catch the correct matatu back on our own, as our earlier escort had left for other business. Helen’s kids were just going to run to Kikuyu town to do some shopping, so they offered to give us a ride. I have to say one more time, they were great kids.
October 16, 2019
Sept 22 - Mugumo Park
Today, we truly did take the day off. We didn’t have to worry about where we were going or how we were going to get there. Instead, our hostess Marta was in charge of us, as well as her two little boys, as we walked to Mugumo Park for the day.
When I was in Kenya with my daughter Val in 2017, she and I had walked there for the day when we had a “day off”. It’s a simple little kid’s park with a little essence of Africa. On my previous visit, there weren’t a lot of people around, it was very quiet and had just a few games and rides for children.
On this Sunday last month, we packed up the kids around eleven and made the hike there from the house. It’s only a little over a mile and a half away, but carrying one baby and dragging along a 3-year-old, we took longer than usual, but that’s okay.
There weren’t too many people or kids around when we first arrived. We ordered drinks and turned the boys loose.
Slowly more and more families with their kids showed up. Some in quite spectacular attire, like the two sisters in tutus or the mom and maybe 6-year-old daughter in matching dresses. I wish I could have taken pictures of all of them, but I kept snapping them of Caleb and King instead (plus I feel like a stalker taking pictures of total strangers' kids).
Eventually, for lunch, Marta ordered chips (which are really basically French fries), sausages and chicken for them, and I ordered 2 samosas, and Denise ordered her own chips.
I can’t remember what time we finally left (according to the time stamp on the pictures I took, we had to have been there over four hours). It was a long, but happy day.
Supposedly, the park is named after this tree - the Mugumo tree.
On one of the rides.
Our table, where we camped out for the day.
Into the bouncy house the boys go.
It took a while for Caleb to get his sea legs.
But soon he was flirting with some girls.
On the Merry-Go-Round.
The view looking back up the hill, into the area where adults without kids hang out and eat in peace and quiet.
Think there are kids terrified by this statue?
And yet, they are willing to go into the pond he is guarding.
What do you think? Topiary?
Trying to get a nice family picture.
Or not.
So this is the statue at the entrance of the park. See the blood dripping off the cat's fangs? Is that kid-friendly or not?
Here’s the best story. As we were at the entrance getting ready to leave, a couple kids stopped to check out this hyena. Their dad came up behind them and went, “Roarrr”. The kids screamed in terror. Totally something that my dad would do. I guess it doesn’t matter where you live. Dads will be Dads.
When I was in Kenya with my daughter Val in 2017, she and I had walked there for the day when we had a “day off”. It’s a simple little kid’s park with a little essence of Africa. On my previous visit, there weren’t a lot of people around, it was very quiet and had just a few games and rides for children.
On this Sunday last month, we packed up the kids around eleven and made the hike there from the house. It’s only a little over a mile and a half away, but carrying one baby and dragging along a 3-year-old, we took longer than usual, but that’s okay.
There weren’t too many people or kids around when we first arrived. We ordered drinks and turned the boys loose.
Slowly more and more families with their kids showed up. Some in quite spectacular attire, like the two sisters in tutus or the mom and maybe 6-year-old daughter in matching dresses. I wish I could have taken pictures of all of them, but I kept snapping them of Caleb and King instead (plus I feel like a stalker taking pictures of total strangers' kids).
Eventually, for lunch, Marta ordered chips (which are really basically French fries), sausages and chicken for them, and I ordered 2 samosas, and Denise ordered her own chips.
I can’t remember what time we finally left (according to the time stamp on the pictures I took, we had to have been there over four hours). It was a long, but happy day.
Supposedly, the park is named after this tree - the Mugumo tree.
On one of the rides.
Our table, where we camped out for the day.
Into the bouncy house the boys go.
It took a while for Caleb to get his sea legs.
But soon he was flirting with some girls.
On the Merry-Go-Round.
The view looking back up the hill, into the area where adults without kids hang out and eat in peace and quiet.
Think there are kids terrified by this statue?
And yet, they are willing to go into the pond he is guarding.
What do you think? Topiary?
Trying to get a nice family picture.
Or not.
So this is the statue at the entrance of the park. See the blood dripping off the cat's fangs? Is that kid-friendly or not?
Here’s the best story. As we were at the entrance getting ready to leave, a couple kids stopped to check out this hyena. Their dad came up behind them and went, “Roarrr”. The kids screamed in terror. Totally something that my dad would do. I guess it doesn’t matter where you live. Dads will be Dads.
