Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my

Nakuru, Kenya Oct. 1, 2008

Me, Jac, and Glenn went on a really wonderful, long weekend trip to Nakuru, Kenya this past weekend. I had forgotten how much fun it is to travel with friends. Seeing as things are much cheaper to go public means, we decided that our best budget plan would be to ride a public bus the 5 hours into Kenya’s borders. Our journey began early Thursday morning, as we rode with the staff of LCH and then continued the 45 minutes to the border at Malaba town. Like in most situations here, we were told that the bus would arrive from Kampala to the border at 10am, but African time allowed for the arrival of the bus at noon. After loading on the bus, we were off, all 8 of us who filled the bus.

About an hour into our journey, there was an obvious jolting too and fro caused by the road. I have never seen such a thing, but somehow the big cargo trucks had made indentions in the asphalt, causing distinct tracks in the road. Then, about 3 hours into the journey we hit the worst road in all of Kenya, I am sure. How would I describe it? Maybe like being on the wooden roller coaster at Six Flags? It was not so much potholes as it was just like we were offroading on a stoney mountain trail… in a huge bus. We were bouncing up and down, doing everything we could to hold on and keep from biting our tongues as we laughed. But, at about 5 we safely arrived in Nakuru.

We stayed with Glenn’s uncle and Auntie, so from the bus station we were to meet them in town to go to their home. We called a taxi guy who ran to go get his “taxi” car. But after about 5 minutes of not returning we were beginning to wonder. Finally this old, small, sunshine yellow car rolled up next to us. In all honesty, we couldn’t help but laugh. The driver heard us and as we got inside, with a big grin on his face, he just kept repeating, “Old is Gold. Old is gold” Well, we didn’t get to test that theory because as soon as we had shut the doors another car rolls up, smaller and more rickety, and the drivers begin to bicker. Oops, we were not even in the right taxi of the first man that ran away. Ha. So ‘Old is gold” told us we should go with the other man so he would not quarrel more and we got into the right taxi.

The truth be told, this weekend I rode in the most unusual forms of transportation I can ever claim. After Old is gold, we met up with Glenn’s relatives, in which the Uncle is a Doctor and the Auntie the Nurse Matron of the hospital. So, after greeting them with a warm friendly welcome, they take our luggage and put it in an ambulance. The rest of the weekend, our transport to and from town to home was this old ambulance, fully equipped with sirens, curtains (for privacy) and even a bed bolted down. Needless to say, every time we got in we giggle a bit. Later that weekend we also rode around town in a Tuki tuki- which is like a 3 wheeled motor bike taxi with a little covered carriage for the passengers in the back.
The weekend was filled with lots of food, great conversations with the Dr. and Auntie, touring town, and the national park. Auntie was very funny and always urging us to eat 4 servings of food at each meal by saying, “ You are on holiday, it is time to enjoy. Add some more food.” Oh and did we eat!

We got to go shopping 2 times in downtown Nakuru. In the middle of town they have this little craft market. Seeing as Jac has not yet gotten to stock up on African artisans she was very excited to be shopping. AND they were very excited to have her there. Somehow one seller heard one of us say her name and within minutes, ever stand owner was shouting, “Jackie, Jackie. Look here. I have a special price for you!” This was very amusing, one- because literally every shop she went to there were at least 5 guys calling her name and two- because she strongly dislikes being called Jackie. Glenn and I just sat back for advice as to prices.

One of the highlights of the trip was Lake Nakuru National Park. I had been there once before, over Christmas holiday with the family, but it was still so enjoyable. We were in a little car and able to request the driver to stop to take pictures any time. He was so patient. There were even a few times when I would sit in the window of the car, on lion patrol, as Jac jumped out to get the “best national geographic angle” to capture animals like rhinos, wildebeest, flamingos, zebras, and giraffes. Oh, how creatively and beautifully God has made this world! Truly my heart sung out, “The splendor of the King!” At lunch we made our way to this fancy hotel in the middle of the park. We dropped off at the from breezeway and were greeted by a friendly man with a damp cool towel to wipe off our dusty faces and arms. As we proceeded up to the front counter we heard, “You are most welcome!” and handed a glass of passion fruit juice. Feeling a bit like royalty, the hosts then asked, “Are you staying with us tonight.” After our negative response, the bubble of royalty burst. Not really. They were still very welcoming and many people come just for lunch. We had a great lunch and relaxed a bit, then hit the bush again to be great explorers and animal tamers. Well, really the animals tamed us, especially when Jac realized how tricky the monkeys could be as one grabbed a banana from her and the other came to try to snatch her camera from her hands. Luckily he didn’t succeed.

All in all, it was a great trip with great friends. Who knows where the next destination will be?!?