Uganda & Kenya

[Compry]

Re: Uganda & Kenya

Here are the videos of the stakeout for dinner

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[Marielle]

Re: Uganda &amp; Kenya

Fabulous photos, they bring tears to my eyes....

the orphanage ones,

and Masai Mara cos I was there are wonderful to see....

Amazing photos!

[Compry]

Re: Uganda &amp; Kenya

Thanks Marielle. I have lots more pics to come. I took over 700 pics...I'm weeding through.

[Compry]

Re: Uganda &amp; Kenya

After the exciting episode of almost seeing a kill it was time to move on as it was about to get dark.

Way over yonder we spotted of heard of wilder beasts &quot;migrating to the Serengeti&quot;.



These were numerous...despite them being on the lions' menu





Then I spotted this

[Compry]

Re: Uganda &amp; Kenya

We went back to our &quot;huts&quot; had dinner and was quickly in bed before the lights went out at 10:00 p.m. They turn the electricity off at 10:00 p.m. so the animals are not attracted to the premises. It was pitch black and it was the best sleep I had since landing in Africa.

Early next morning before breakfast we were off to the Safari, this time determined to see the giraffes. Should be a difficult task to see a giraffe, right? Wrong.

The previous evening we had spotted several lionesses but the king of the jungle was no where to be found. This would be our lucky morning.

There he was in all his glory.



The antelopes where not afraid. I guess they are more afraid of the ladies.

[Compry]

Re: Uganda &amp; Kenya

Uganda's National Bird, the Crested Crane...taken on the safari in Kenya



More Wilder Beasts...





I liked this tree



Couple foxes





That a vulture way up there...again, maximum zoom.

[Compry]

Re: Uganda &amp; Kenya

Way off over on yonder hills...we spotted the Buffaloes. The little specks you see are actually Buffaloes.



Maximum zoom



I was not expecting to see one of these in Africa



Let alone two

[Compry]

Re: Uganda &amp; Kenya

The landscape was just absolutely beautiful



The umbrella tree aka Acacia



Beautiful

[Compry]

Re: Uganda &amp; Kenya

Since arriving at the safari, one of the animals that everyone wanted to see was the giraffe but we just could not stop them. We drove around for several hours that morning hoping to spot one or two. Finally as we were leaving the reserve somewhat disappointed, we spotted these.













I may have gotten a little carried away with the number of pictures I took of these majestic animals.

[Compry]

Re: Uganda &amp; Kenya

Back at the lodge for breakfast



where we would finish our packing, load the vehicles up and started on our journey to Nairobi where we would spend the night and head back to North America the following day.





However we would make one more stop...this time at a Masai village.

[Compry]

Re: Uganda &amp; Kenya

Our final stop was at the Masai village before hitting the road to Nairobi and I must say it was an interesting experience.

Some facts about the Masai Tribe from http://www.maasai-association.org/maasai.html

Subsistence economy

Livestock such as cattle, goats and sheep are the primary source of income for the Maasai. Livestock serves as a social utility and plays an important role in the Maasai economy. Livestock are traded for other livestock, cash or livestock products such as milk and siege. Individual, families, and clans established close ties through giving or exchange of cattle.&quot;Meishoo iyiook enkai inkishu o-nkera&quot;- so goes a Maasai prayer. The English translation of this praye is: &quot;May Creator give us cattle and children. Cattle and children are the most important aspect of the Maasai people.

Maasai economy with outsiders

The Maasai economy is increasingly dependent on the market economy. Livestock products are sold to other groups in Kenya for the purchase of beads, clothing and grains. Cows and goats are also sold for uniform and school fees for children. It is now common to see young Maasai men and women in major towns and cities of Kenya selling, not just goats and cows, but also beads, cell phones, chacoal, grain among other items. The entrepreneurial spirit is something new in our society.
It was not until the early 1980s with the Group Ranch project that we became much more entrenched in a market economy and, hence, more impoverished generally speaking.

Maasai diet

Traditionally, the Maasai rely on meat, milk and blood from cattle for protein and caloric needs. People drink blood on special occasions. It is given to a circumcised person (o/esipolioi), a woman who has given birth (entomononi) and the sick (oltamueyiai). Also, on a regular basis drunk elders, ilamerak, use the blood to alleviate intoxication and hangovers. Blood is very rich in protein and is good for the immune system. However, its use in the traditional diet is waning due to the reduction of livestock numbers.

More recently, the Maasai have grown dependent on food produced in other areas such as maize meal (unga wa mahindi), rice, potatoes, cabbage (known to the Maasai as goat leaves), etc. The Maasai who live near crop farmers have engaged in cultivation as their primary mode of subsistence. In these areas, plot sizes are generally not large enough to accommodate herds of animals; thus the Maasai are forced to farm. Our people traditionally frown upon this. Maasai believe that tilizing the land for crop farming is a crime against nature. Once you cultivate the land, it is no longer suitable for grazing.

[Compry]

Re: Uganda &amp; Kenya

Upon entering the village, the smell of manure of so overwhelming and we were about to discover why. We were met by the chief of the village. He spoke fluent English and I had to ask about his command of the English language to which he replied that he went to school. &amp;#61514; Interestingly enough, there’s no electricity in the village however he has a cell phone and an email address.

The chief



There were many children around the same age group. I’m assuming the older children were in school.





I found it very troubling that these children were literally sitting in animal poop. The Masai people use cow manure also to build their homes. Here’s a typical Masai house. It’s made from mud, manure, sticks and straws.

[Compry]

Re: Uganda &amp; Kenya

When you enter into their compound, you pass through two houses. The one of the right belongs to wife no. 1 and the one of the left belongs to wife no. 2. Yes they practice polygamy.

Wife no. 2 getting ready to dance for us



A better view of the houses



That is pure manure she’s walking on



Big chunks of fresh manure. I did not get used to the smell.

[Compry]

Re: Uganda &amp; Kenya

Notice the Jamaicans.com t-shirt?



I was wearing flip flops so I forgot my grandmother’s words of wisdom that I should always hold my head up high.

[Compry]

Re: Uganda &amp; Kenya

Wherever we go, we must offer Christ...they accepted.





Pray for the sick



This little boy received a miracle right in front of our eyes. Glory to God.



Our team members wanted to look like Masai warriors