Nairobi Touristing

1.4.14


Elephants and Giraffes.

My grandma and cousin are visiting us in Kenya right now. So of course we have taken some time to see a few African animals. We went to the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage where they orphan baby elephants are taken in. They are fed and played with right in front of us. Each of the baby elephants drank from the biggest baby bottle I have ever seen! My favorite part was listening to the guide talk about the individual elephants and their stories. Right after that we went to the Giraffe Centre where I kissed a giraffe named Ed! It was a wonderfully big and wet one. Blech!

Maasai.

Then straight after the giraffe business we met up with Pastor Francis, a Maasai man who introduced us to some Maasai people at a Maasai resort where we took pictures with them. On the way there, I decided to ride in his car along with his family. I am so glad I decided to ride with them. I loved getting to know this family to get reacquainted with the Maasai people and culture, even as we were squished in the car. 7 of us fit in a 5 seat car. I love their bright red colors they wear and vibrant personality with their strong traditions they still keep. They are such a caring, hospitable people.

It was amazing getting to know Pastor Francis. I loved hearing all the occupations he has in order to care for him and his family. He runs a printing and copying shop. He also has a small school where his wife teaches. He also pastors a church in Maasailand. I loved Pastor Francis had such a passion for all the work he does.

Evelyn, Pastor Francis’s wife, taught me some Maasai words and phrases. She even wrote them down for me so I could remember them. I was surprised how well educated they were. I also got to know few of their children riding with us, Mary and Peggy. They were the cutest little girls!

When we got to the Maasai resort, Pastor Francis presented me with a Maasai blanked in exchange for the time I spent with them in the car getting to know them. It was a reminder of how important spending good quality time is to their culture.


Nikki Hyodo