Last night my mind strained and resisted sleep. Rather, I laid absorbing the sounds of a very lively community of crickets, as well as the barking and howling of dogs roaming the streets.
I awoke, walking straight to the window to take a look at Kenya by day. Lush. Bright. Earthy. Is any one else up yet? I ran down the stairs to see if any one else sat in the dining room. Nope, but at the time I was pretty proud of myself for being first up and ready. That is as scarce as hen's teeth.
The garden outside enticed me out the door. African plants are truly incredible - trees of the deepest, richest emerald hues laced with sashes of violet and magenta blossoms; banana trees with their vast green blades, spry bushes thrusting their branches into a dense, intertwined void. The soil here is rich and earthy-red in color, staining the puddles in the road. Palm tree shadows weave over the rust road. Light purple blossoms roll in the soundless wind. The air smells like growth, and coats my skin in a thin layer of moisture. I hope I smell like the air now.
After breakfast, I continued exploring the gardens and structures of the property. A stint later, we set out in our safari bus on the flooded road to the Karen Market. I was totally consumed by the street by day. So many people walking, driving, manning stands, conversing. First, we went to the ATM to take out money before we went to the Market to buy what we need. I sparingly bought a handful of shampoo, conditioner, Emergen-C, and a tiny 6-pack box of coconut crackers. Some people bought for 5,000 Kenyan shillings, or $50.00 (325 NOK). Don't really understand the necessity when we receive 3 meals a day...
Well well, we went to the Kazuri bead and pottery workshop and witnessed the making in process. Starting with the draining and crimping of clay, to shaping, molding, throwing, drying, burning, and hand-glazing. So many beautiful products and talented craftsmen.
We came back for lunch before driving to the Giraffe park. There, we were told we would get the chance to kiss a giraffe, but unfortunately the robust rain scared every last beast to the depths of the park. Rain check on the giraffe smooch. So we jumped to another plan on our agenda - the UniquEco Flip-Flop Recycling Co. What a neat company. Flip-flops are harvested out of the ocean (and general litter), and are cleaned to be glued together and carved into animal sculptures - elephants, rhinos, giraffes, wildebeest, boars, lions, turtles. Any leftover flip-flop plastic is ground up and donated as footing for playgrounds. Creative!
After we came home, I swam in the pool with four other girls. There was a group of Norwegians here on a bible study who were playing football, so I joined them after swimming. What a total blast! The field was super-duper muddy after all the rain, so everyone was covered in red sludge by the end. These guys were good. But I was actually (a bit to my surprise) able to hang with them - must be that playin' with the Wallowa Co. Haymaker's! My toenails are still stained after my shower (I opted bare-foot over heavy Chaco's).
Kazuri Pottery & Bead Workshop
UniquEco FlipFlop Recycling Co. - carving animals
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