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Name: Hannah
Project: Maasai Lion and Maasai Elephant Project
Jambo (Hello in Kiswahili)!!
Have learnt a little bit of the language while I've been here especially after listening to the world cup matches from the car radio in Swahili!!
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I'm now back in Nairobi after 4 weeks on the project. It's really hard to put into words the experience I've had over the past month and thinking about, is really hard to believe it's me who has been doing these things! Am really quite proud of myself. Am more chilled out which is just as well because everything in Africa is not rushed. It's a fantastic country and the people are so nice and extremely polite and can't do enough for you. The 2 British guys who have been on the project with me are brilliant and the guide and other staff have been some of the funniest people I've met in my life. I really did not expect to laugh as much as I have been and it's fantastic. |
Three weeks ago just before we left, the local Maasai (tribe) came to the camp and gave us a Maasai dance. Think of the BBC advert where they are jumping up and down with spears and you will get the idea! It was excellent sat round the bonfire watching them. Got dragged up at one point to shake about a bit!!
The next day, we went to their village. They live in huts that are made out of cows dung, mud and sticks, went in one and was a bit claustrophobic. Just another world. The men greeted us by jumping some more, then the women and children sang. |
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We shake hands and put our hands on the heads of the children as they are the younger. As soon as they came up to us, a swarm of flies surrounded us. I've never had it like that before and was a bit like an advert. Really good to see how they live and the girls get married and have children as young as 13. The men buy them for cows and goats. They also drink yoghurt which is cows blood and milk!
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On the last, having not seen any elephants, we finally saw 42. They ran away but shouldn't have worried as we have seen hundreds in the last 2 weeks getting as close as 8 feet away from our truck. There were lots of dust tornados and we got very dirty. Thought I was getting a nice tan but no, just the dust! The first day in Amboseli, we saw a cheetah with it's prey a Thomson Gazelle. We've seen 8 cheetahs and are really lucky, as they haven't been seen there for nearly a year.
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Have to mention the toilet seats or lack of them (sorry)!! I should say that I never thought I would think of a toilet seat as a luxury!! Had to deal with holes in the ground! Certainly not like home that's for sure! Think I can cope with anything now, cold showers too!
Have eaten lots of goat meat and also seen a goats head! They had it for soup although it took them 2 attempts as a hyena came into the camp and ate the first one!! Was scared of the hyenas to start with but got used to them creeping about the camp looking for food when we'd gone to bed. I tried some of the goats head soup. Quite interesting but think I won't try it again!!! Also loads of monkeys around the camp which were cool to start with but the novelty quickly wore off when they started throwing things at us and trying to take our food!!!!!! One weed on Adam, which was funny!! They certainly know how to annoy!
Also everyone's been laughing at me! I can't think why! Maybe it's the bugs that are about or that I nearly cried when a one eyed bird flew into my neck and flapped about there for ages while I was screaming. Think I will have nightmares about that for a while. Wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't seen the eye missing! Don't like eyes!
Have to mention the truck. We have had some problems with the battery and oil etc. In 4 weeks, we broke down in front of 3 of the most potentially dangerous animals in the world!!! First time was by a group of 32 elephants, a couple of who were in Musth so very unpredictable. I had to stay in the car to help Matai the driver!!!! Second time, on Monday we went into Amboseli National Park and saw 8 lions who walked right by the car.
It was amazing, got carried away with taking pictures and my backside pushed the gear stick causing the car to stall!!! Again I had to stay in the car while the others pushed started it!! Third time was by an African Cape Buffalo, this time I pushed the car all by myself!! The guys would say we were on a slope downhill but still I did it on my own!!!! |
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The experience has been so amazing especially being so close to the elephants, will miss getting so close. They are my favourite animals and are very intelligent. Also the females are the leaders!!!
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David the guide who knows everything has just made us cry with laughter and the other members of staff have been priceless too. Have learnt a lot, can tell how old an elephant poo is and a zebra's urine is white!!!!!! I have enjoyed every minute of it and it has flown by.
Going to Carnivore tonight, which is one of the top 50 restaurants in the world. Hoping to try zebra, although I do like them, among other weird and wonderful food.
Asante Sana (Thank you very much)!!!!
Hannah xxxxxxxxx |
 Further information on the Maasai Lion Programme
Further information on the Maasai Elephant Programme
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