Africa part 2- the animals of Lake Nakuru

I've watched my fair share of nature videos- heck I even lived in Tanzania when I was 7- but nothing can compare to actually being out on safari. So many animals- and they all want to eat! Talk about natural selection and evolution right in front of you- its a dog eat dog world and you don't want to be wearing the milk bone underwear. Each animal had some trick up its sleeve to find food or protect itself. Being just ordinary humans we didn't have any tricks and it was quite interesting to not be at the top of the food chain- this was especially apparent when we stopped for a bathroom break- you should have seen those Isoms jump out, wiz, and clamor back into the van like a bunch of vervet monkeys drinking esspressos. 

Our first stop was Lake Nakuru- enjoy! 

Giraffes are so cool- they eat the thorny trees which means they often prick their tongues- giraffe spit is a natural antiseptic- so if you ever have a cut- just let a giraffe lick you.

Getting licked sure feels funny- and that is strawberry fanta on his lips- not lip gloss

Zebras are the smart ones- they hang with the wildebeests- show them where to cross the river- then when the crocs are full- easy crossing! If I was a cowboy I think I would ride a zebra.

Survival trick: water bucks have coarse long hair and taste bad so the lions pretty much leave them alone.

Water buffalo:"alright here is how this is going to go: You stay on my back and eat the ticks and I'll make sure pretty much no one will ever mess with you."
Tick bird: "sounds like a deal, but you are on your own for getting that poop off your horn"

Water buffalos look like big dumb cows but they are one of the "big 5" because if they feel you are messing with them they get a little agro. I stared at one a little too long and I think he short sheeted my bed.

Lake Nakuru is known for having millions of flamingos that hang out together- this guy didn't get the memo. Some people think they are pink because of their diet- its actually because it makes them look FABULOUS!!

My favorite part: watching the animals- my second favorite part: watching the kids watch the animals. (3rd favorite part would be nachos)

That little gopher thing is called a rock hyrax- a fearsome deadly beast which should be one of the "big 5". (the big 5 are: elephant, water buffalo, rhino, leopard, and lion)

Lake Nakuru

Pelicans and flamingos

Charles is the man! If anyone needs his email to plan a safari let me know.

So this is what santa does in the off season.

You can't have too many giraffes- this one is a rothschild (sp?) a bit different than the Masai giraffe.

Jackal

The very rare to see (who knew?) striped hyena. This one really left an impression with Luca as he told people for days about the striped hyena we saw.

Who is second fastest after the cheetah? Ostrich you say? Correct, and they can kick you into next week.

Thankfully this hiding snake was the only snake we saw all week.

The white rhino- so named because of its wide mouth- when they were naming the animals no one could understand the dutch who kept saying "name it the wide rhino!"
Ahhh the dutch- thats why we don't let them name animals much

So that was lake Nakuru- we loaded up after this and drove to the Masai Mara- but you'll have to tune in next time for that- cheers

Africa part 1- the people

Just got back from Kenya- our first trip this year and I am still having a time trying to put words to it- it was a phenomenal trip. I'll start with the people and leave the animals for next time.

We arrived in Nairobi and met Charles a friend of my cousins who drove us around/ took care of us for the week. We drove to the Amisi's house (another aquaintance of cousin Steve and Ana's) and were immediately made to feel at home. They had just hosted a wedding the day before- I'm sure they were tired etc but found us a room and carried on like we were meant to be there- it was great. Of course seeing our kids pile out of the van and start playing with all the kids and goats was pretty cool too. I am always happy to see them just jump into new situations and carry on like its no big deal.

Keisha and Elan- our "hosts"

After two nights in Ngong (outskirts of Nairobi) we headed out to a Masai school. There had been a primary and secondary school in place but nothing for the pre-kindergarten kids. When we arrived we got to see "Castle Rock" preschool- so named because of the help Steve and Ana gave in getting it built.
It was a very humbling and powerful day- we had planned on bringing a few supplies with us to share- the few supplies became many as our friends in Qatar heard about what we were doing. Our neighbor Hannah told her 2nd grade class, Lisa told her director Tammy, and before we knew it had 3 giant duffel bags of classrom supplies and Qatar Academy sweatshirts to take- almost 150 pounds!

Watching these shy children smile as Wilder gave them a tshirt or Luca handed them a toy was just incredible. I'll be curious as to what Wilder and Luca remember from this in a few years time. Whatever it is- I was so proud of how they shared and accepted these little kids.

kids, we have some guests today

we had these silly smileyface buttons- they were stoked! I wonder what they thought they meant?

I love that smile

Wilder handing out pencils.

These were the class school supplies- the whole class! May my kids never complain about not having enough!

This is Cheif Joseph- very very kind man. (and he kind of looks like Steve B. and myself)

The kid in the middle was just staring at me the whole time- then right before we left he came up and felt my arm, then smiled- I believe he had never before seen a hairy white man arm before!

We had so much stuff that Cheif Joseph had us go to the other school house as well- they were all very grateful- didn't even mind that the maps we had were out of date!

These boys loved Luca- touching his skin, his hair- guess not too many Luca's pass through here.

8th graders

So be grateful for what you have- your family and your friends- all the rest is just stuff and it doesn't really matter- to all of our friend out there: we love you- sure do think of y'all often. and thanks Steve Baroch for making this connection for us- I can't say enough

Happy Birthday Mom

 I think the hardest part of living overseas is being away from family and friends- and since today is my mom's birthday- I'll talk specificaly about being away from her. Email, facebook, skype are all great and do keep us in contact but just aren't the same as being in the same room. Now I've been lucky to have family in the same county my whole life and I realised this when our kids were born. Having Mom there to take Wilder out for crepes, or french lessons, or both kids to gingerbread house shows has been great for the kids- and huge for Lisa and I as we ran around trying to work and silly things like that. But more than helping us out it was the times we could all just be together that I miss the most- so thanks mom- and happy birthday. We wish we could be there to have some cake with you! Here are some shots to look over before then.

So there are some shots of your little world travellers- Luca loves languages and Wilder is learning french- thanks to you- have a great birthday. think of you all the time

Questions that maybe I don't want to ask... or know the answer to

Some questions you know right away you shouldn't ask- or answer, like "what is in McDonald chicken Nuggets?" Or "Sir do you know why I pulled you over?" or even the "do these pants make my butt look big?"Even with that in mind I still had to go and ask one day- "why does that sweet orange mercedes truck come to our compound 1-2 times a week? Is it delivering something?" Well- I asked so here is the answer:

if nate richter lived here with me we would lift this ornament and wear it like flavor flav

not a car you want to be in an accident with.

ohhh- sewage water- they aren't delivering anything at all. But it gets you thinking, especially since Lisa and I like to head out in the desert to ride and run. This country is flat, gets about 1cm of rain a year, and well... sometimes smells like cat pee.
Now maybe that last one is my imagination but as both Lisa and I have been out cruising and see the orange trucks driving out into the wide empty expanse. Part of me is very nervous that I will someday come across a giant poo lagoon (especially troubling as I sometimes ride at night)- the other part of me thinks that they have to have a system to take care of it all...right?

Luca- don't ride thru the puddles- it's not rain!

Culturally they just do not drink recycled water over here- they do reclaim some of the water to use for agriculture but none of it goes into the drinking supply! All of the drinking water comes from huge desalination plants that take lots of energy to run (good thing they have a source on that one). The problem with desalination is that it pumps saltier/warmer water back in the gulf- there has to be a point of no return there somewhere(sorry marine wildlife). But there are sewage treatment centers- at least thats what google says- I just still get a bit sceptical seeing those trucks driving out of town- maybe they are going out to the "recycling center" but don't even get me started about recycling.

and as always we just do what we can- save water as best as possible, hand wash dishes, not wash the car that often,  shower with lisa, you know- same as at home.

Who knows- maybe this is an actual bedouin bidet?

It still kills me that this is a picture of our trash can AND recycle container.