A Kiefer in Kenya: Into the wild (complete with wine, hippos and petite airplanes.)

Safarisafarisafarisafariiiiiiiii

Fun fact: Safari means journey in Kiswahili. (despite my ability to completely grasp the language, I do know a few things, or should I say kidogo [which means some])

Anyway,

Safari last weekend was amazing. Completely amazing. Kenya never ceases to amaze me with it’s indescribable beauty. Maasai Mara is breathtaking. I sat in awe at every turn because of the striking landscape. Nairobi is not an unattractive city – however I do not think it is a fair representation of the country.

Anyway, Abie, my parents (delightful) driver came to pick me up around 8 on Friday and we began our 5 hour drive. It was very foggy and rainy – so we couldn’t really see much while we left Nairobi, but once we began driving through the Rift Valley, the scenery became clearer.

The last 80 km of our carried was bumpy, to say the least. But we had been warned previously and it wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected. However, I think Mary and Jay were surprised at the beating these vans can take – cars are built for Africa. Extra suspension, nothing underneath the car (because it would be ripped off) and the vans can drive on anything.

Once we made it to the Simba Lodge, we had a delicious lunch (there was brie!! BRIE! you have no idea how much i miss cheese, it is actually painful how much i miss it)

After that, we rested for a bit, then went on our first safari!! We saw lions, impala, some awesome birds.

I wish i could write more eloquently about what we saw - but the pictures will bring it all to light.

Then we had dinner, where we were surrounded by a bunch of huge indian families and british tour groups (british people are interesting little ppl). While we ate, we were entertained by some Maasai dancers - very wazungu, but the dancing and singing was really cool to watch -- and they can jump outrageously high!

Our days were full of safari and relaxing, which is exactly what I needed. Sometimes when you are bombarded by never ending projects, walking away from them and getting some fresh air allows you to return to the papers with a renewed work-ethic.

My parents continued their trip through the bush on Monday and I was taken to the airport. I had this huge, open air land rover to myself, so I looked like a little princess being driven around the bush - but it happens. I got to see a leopard (completing the Big 5! lions, elephants, water buffalo, leopard and rhino). And then we ventured over to see the wild dogs - which hadn't been seen for 6 years! So that was very exciting. You know it is a big deal when the guide takes pictures.

Anyway, then I went to the airport - it was more an air strip. a dirt air strip. And apparently it was also the place for europeans on safari to go for a smoke. I flew on a very, very light, petite plane. but i survived. on the second leg - we picked up a bunch of Danes, and two of them threw up once we landed in Nairobi. Needless to say I was thrilled that I opted for lighter breakfast fare that morning.

Upon my return, I could no longer ignore the impending amount of school work that had to be done. and after 5 days of hell -- IT IS OVER!! YAY!!

We have been having constant rolling black outs, which is not conducive for paper writing or studying, but it all turned out okay. We went to bed super early a lot and then woke up early. When in Africa.

My parents came back Thursday afternoon - so we went out to dinner and caught up. They said they had a great time in the rest of the bush - and you'll have to ask them to fill you in on all of their fun adventures!

Now that we are done with our work - we are planning weekend trips, seeing that we only have three free weekends. I will be spending one in Rwanda and one in Uganda! I am beyond exciting - I am going to go white water rafting on the Nile - badass, right?

But on Tuesday, I leave for rural week. We go to western Kenya for three days and stay at home stays. I am staying with an older couple, I am very excited.

Picture time!!