More of a "journey" than a vacation.

Maasai Mara safari.

twiga-giraffe

simba-lion

Even though we saw some very cool animals, talking with the people who worked at David Livingstone resort was the highlight of the safari for me. They even taught us some Maasi words and about their culture. Learning and trying to speak the language breaks down many barriers and helps me feel less like a tourist. (Oh and I must say that the wide selection of food that the resort was really nice- bring on the vegetables that are not tomatoes, cabbage or onions)

Our Maasi friends.

Lake Naivasha. Our home for a little longer than planned. But we tired to make the most of it by...

searching for cheap food (which we found for 50 cents-but we paid more for it in other ways :~), heating our food with solar power-but watch out for hungry birds, helping the local weaver make table coasters, biking 40km around Hell's Gate park (do they call it because of the steeps hills and bikes that lack tread and brakes), walking through the gorge with hot springs, chatting with the local people...

Lake Naivasha

Searching for the "panya" routes -"local trails" to cheap food!

Adventureous Taya on our long and very steep bike ride.

Please continue to remember Kenya at this time- that peace would be in the hearts of the people and that each person would not see a tribe, the other political party or an enemy but see the other person as a Kenyan that wants the same freedom and peace for their beautiful and diverse country.

Teresa

Not to Worry!!!

I am safe and sound in Kenya, so not to worry!

I know that media likes to focus on only the "news worthy" dramatic situations and thus many people in the west are left thinking that the whole country of Kenya is worse than the reality on the ground. There were days when we would not venture out but things are back to normal- people are out going about their regular life.
It has been cool to see how all our plans have been directed right from the time we were planning our Christmas adventures- (I will post pictures of our trip when I return to the coast). We decided to be dropped off at a small town North of Nairobi after our safari in a game park. It was here that we were perfectly situated in between the things happening in Nairobi and another city further north. So while things were happening in Mombasa, where we normally stay and in Nairobi, where we were planning on visiting, we were safely by the lake. And to add to the experience, we unknowingly stayed at the same place I stayed when I was here last year and I was re-acquainted with my Maasi friend who was very kind and hospitable to us during our stay. So we were good!

Thank you to everyone for your concern and for checking in with me during this time.
You can continue to remember Kenya during this time.
As I try to wrap my head around the actions of people acting violently during this election and as I talk with people here- I am beginning to get a small glimpse of the build up tension, hurt and oppression Kenyans and Africans have felt for many years. So when you finally have been given a chance to have your voice heard through the opportunity to vote and then elections are faulty; it is an injustice and a cause for anger. A good reminder to people in the West who take our freedom and independence for granted. But Kenyans are hopeful and desire to restore peace. They have faith in bigger things then their leaders.

Amani (peace),
Teresa