Yesterday we had a very adventurous day. It started bright and early, as does every day here. We are gentle awoken by screaming dogs outside our window. Amy firmily believes that one even got killed this morning. From the noise it was making if it is not already dead than I promise you it will be soon...
Our first stop was in a little village where we met a man who makes batik art. He is coming to our house on Monday to teach us how to make our own. Then we stopped at a very small village to look at a big tree... we don't know why, but just in case you also wanted to see a big tree we posted a picture.
So after this we went to a blacksmith, which you can also see in the picture! This was more just a selling point for the blacksmiths. Neither of us particularly wanted an African spear so we didnt help them out much. From here we took a short hike to a locals home where there was a historical underground cave. The cave was meant for the chagga people to hide in for weeks at a time when the masai people would attack their villages.
The cave was dug out and had many rooms. It went miles all the way to a connecting point at the river. It was incredible to think that they could actually build this with little access to tools. We actually went in the cave, five people at a time, and it was an adventure. Tiny little tunnels, we both came out with dirt splotches...pretty awesome though.
Next we stopped at a local maranga market where the guy we were with wouldnt let us leave his side so it was a pointless stop but I guess we can say that we stood in a maranga market while we watched our friends buy kangas.
At the stop the older woman on our trip got extremely cranky so we had to find her a "nice bathroom" Both Kasey and I fodn this hilarious because if you are traveling to Africa you really shouldnt have such high standards for bathrooms. A lot of times it will just be a hole in the ground (which I still cant really get the hang of) but oh well...
After the market we went to the waterfall. It was AWESOME, best part of the day. We hiked down a "hiking trail" that would be completely unacceptable in the states. It was more like stumbling down a steep dirt hill and the only reason we didnt tumble was the weak bamboo stick fences for stability. Still great though.
Once we got to the fall Kasey and I with two of the guys treked across the crazy rapids created by the water fall and made it to the base. It was cool because the water was hitting us so hard we couldnt even open our eyes!
On the way off the base back into the rapids...it was a bit difficult to find your footing to get down. Andy, a funny awkward guy that gets easily flusterd, is tryign to tell me where to put me feet to get down. In the process he just gets annoyed and then he straight up picks me up and plops me into the river. Hilarious. I was like a little rag doll to him.
The other funny part of the hiking trail was the continuous string of painted arrows showing us where the water fall was. It was like rocks under the water even had arrows. We were cracking up everytime we saw a random arrow guiding us...as if we couldnt find it without the painted arrows.
So we ended the day at a very rural bar near the falls. They served banana beer which I believe is the equivalant of moonshine. See picture above. It was not great and it was a bit sketchy but hey, you only get to be in Africa once.
Other highlights of the past few days include a random ride to an Italian restaurant (delicious food) in the back of a truck-it was free! Multiple times when we were positive we maybe getting sold to the sex trade industry-dont worry we havent gotten sold..yet! And we still have lost no weight or gotten any tanner...that is to come.
Also to Daddy Boston-the biggest bully, worst student at Bridge is named Ithan and he is our favorite BY FAR!
More later. Enjoy for now.
-A and K
So after this we went to a blacksmith, which you can also see in the picture! This was more just a selling point for the blacksmiths. Neither of us particularly wanted an African spear so we didnt help them out much. From here we took a short hike to a locals home where there was a historical underground cave. The cave was meant for the chagga people to hide in for weeks at a time when the masai people would attack their villages.
The cave was dug out and had many rooms. It went miles all the way to a connecting point at the river. It was incredible to think that they could actually build this with little access to tools. We actually went in the cave, five people at a time, and it was an adventure. Tiny little tunnels, we both came out with dirt splotches...pretty awesome though.
Next we stopped at a local maranga market where the guy we were with wouldnt let us leave his side so it was a pointless stop but I guess we can say that we stood in a maranga market while we watched our friends buy kangas.
At the stop the older woman on our trip got extremely cranky so we had to find her a "nice bathroom" Both Kasey and I fodn this hilarious because if you are traveling to Africa you really shouldnt have such high standards for bathrooms. A lot of times it will just be a hole in the ground (which I still cant really get the hang of) but oh well...
After the market we went to the waterfall. It was AWESOME, best part of the day. We hiked down a "hiking trail" that would be completely unacceptable in the states. It was more like stumbling down a steep dirt hill and the only reason we didnt tumble was the weak bamboo stick fences for stability. Still great though.
Once we got to the fall Kasey and I with two of the guys treked across the crazy rapids created by the water fall and made it to the base. It was cool because the water was hitting us so hard we couldnt even open our eyes!
On the way off the base back into the rapids...it was a bit difficult to find your footing to get down. Andy, a funny awkward guy that gets easily flusterd, is tryign to tell me where to put me feet to get down. In the process he just gets annoyed and then he straight up picks me up and plops me into the river. Hilarious. I was like a little rag doll to him.
The other funny part of the hiking trail was the continuous string of painted arrows showing us where the water fall was. It was like rocks under the water even had arrows. We were cracking up everytime we saw a random arrow guiding us...as if we couldnt find it without the painted arrows.
So we ended the day at a very rural bar near the falls. They served banana beer which I believe is the equivalant of moonshine. See picture above. It was not great and it was a bit sketchy but hey, you only get to be in Africa once.
Other highlights of the past few days include a random ride to an Italian restaurant (delicious food) in the back of a truck-it was free! Multiple times when we were positive we maybe getting sold to the sex trade industry-dont worry we havent gotten sold..yet! And we still have lost no weight or gotten any tanner...that is to come.
Also to Daddy Boston-the biggest bully, worst student at Bridge is named Ithan and he is our favorite BY FAR!
More later. Enjoy for now.
-A and K
Oh, my gosh, you two are having some REAL ADVENTURES! Your pictures are great, and your descriptions make us feel like we are there with you. I just read the addition to your previous blog. I hadn't read about the python. Your heart had to be in your throat. Kasey handled the situation extremely well. She could have panicked you, but she kept cool, and kept you cool.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read your next blog.
Love to you both,
Grandma and Grandpa
Hay K & A.......It sounds like U2 r having a blast. Your memories will last a lifetime, which reminds me, when your Dad was young Grandma & I took him and his brothers to a small zoo. We saw a goat and some sheep! Love you both, Grandpa ( Daddy Boston.......I like that )
ReplyDeleteCan you feel me going green, wishing I was on a similar adventure in mama-Afrika??? Instead I'm alone in the cold LifeWorks cave sipping microwave-heated stale coffee from yesterday and listening to the hum of our computers and flourescent lights because that is the only sound on campus these days!!! Thanks for the window on the OTHER world out there:)Give my love to all the wild creepy crawlies and large beasts...noisy dogs too!
ReplyDeleteSo you are saying that even though Ithan is the exact opposite of me you still like him as much as you like me. That is weird. Love you two knuckleheads!
ReplyDeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteWe are loving the posts! Sounds like you may be drinking too much though - does every meal you have include liquor?? Just kiddin! Stay away from pythons - remember the boys still need a babysitter. Haha - Take care and enjoy, enjoy!
Love, Rachel and Family