Last Day

I had thought I was finished but 2 extraordinary things happened yesterday. One was what is called “Gratitude’s” and the other involves our game dinner in the bush. On the last day of most training, a summary and/or a conclusion is conducted. So on the last day each discipline had the Kenyan teachers present on what they had learned. It was heart-warming to see the impact of the educational training. The teachers fully embrace the training and promise that they will work diligently to use the techniques and technology they have learned.

After the teacher presentations, we went into “Gratitude’s”. Mary Margaret started out but then the program shifted to the Kenyans expressing their appreciation to the entire American team. It was so overwhelming. There was singing of African songs while forming a line around all the tables and dancing while moving the line around the room. Lots of African singing including some solo’s. The presentation of personalized gifts for each person was a day for them and all to cherish forever. We ended up with 3 Masai blankets, 2 grain sorting baskets, an Africa skirt(quite colorful) for Chris, a beautiful necklace for Chris and many post-it notes necklaces. The post-it notes all have words of appreciation. We only have read a few of the words due to a lack of time. Masai blankets seemed to be the norm for the men so even Marcos was adorned with a Masai blankets. Here people wear blankets as an outer garment. The Baringo teachers went way out of the norm to insure that we knew how much we were appreciated. What makes gifts in Africa so special is that you know that they are truly giving from their heart and the gifts are expensive in terms of African economic standards. The gratitude’s went on and on and even though people were told to speak 2 minutes, nor more, most of the Africans used much more. It was obvious that they had prepared carefully worded speeches and memorized them in advance What was supposed to be 1 hour turned into 2 hours. Mary Margaret and Kevin cooked up a massive sing along and we all sang, “We are the World, We are the children”. Remember when all the celebrities got together to sing it. We sang along with the celebrities being played on a computer and the building was vibrating from all the singing and music. There were a lot of teary eyes. Very emotional and an unforgettable experience.  

The game dinner was much different than I had been told. We had been told that vehicles surrounded you and the drivers cooked a meal for you. Turns out that Salt Lick Lodge has built some stone picnic shelters on the top of the highest hill in the park. We got a late start as it took much longer than expected to distribute all the respective equipment and supplies. So we got what is known as a night game drive. Saw rabbits, birds, a porcupine and a number of other critters. Our vehicle struggled up the steep hill and we got the full washboard treatment on the dirt roads. But when we arrived, there were African dancers colorfully adorned, drummers and lots of singing. Chris and I had bought champagne for everyone since we were celebrating our anniversary. So there was a waiter with a tray of champagne glasses awaiting us. Turns out that they had a full service line of food similar to what we got in the lodge. So you sit on concrete ledge in a round, thatched, picnic shelter type building It is open to the view and you can see the lodge down below. The eating shelters and a fence form a barrier on one side of the compound and the downhill side is steep acting as a natural barrier. So after an excellent meal, Chris and I were serenaded by the staff including the cook, the dancing ladies, the waiters, etc. It was like being on stage of the “Lion King”. Chris and I were celebrated and toasts of champagne were made. Another humbling and emotional event. Africans are so hospitable and engaging. If you have the time, the money and want an experience quite different than the typical tourist agenda, I highly recommend a trip to Africa.

I have learned that some of you could not open my photos. Not sure why this is happening. It works for some and not for others. I plan on retransmitting the photos so if you want to see the photos, please let me know.

Lastly, I would like to ask you to consider donating on the GoFundMe site we set up for Peter, the polio survivor. Our goal of $2,000 was enough to build a house for Peter and his family plus setting up an animal medicine business. We have fallen considerably less than the goal. The donation link is: Donation link: https://www.gofundme.com/support-peter-polio-survivor. 

We are now on the Chinese train headed toward Nairobi. We have a bunch of waiting before we board that metal tube that flies. We are hoping that the airplane has empty seats so we can spread out and lay down and sleep. Can’t wait to sleep in my own bed.