jambo from kenya!

Day 5 (9/10)
This morning I was on breakfast crew, which is a group of 5 that get up early and help Susan cook breakfast and it rotates through the group. Susan is Maasai and the main cook; she sings and talks about how the food says that it is ready to eat. I had to butter bread and then fry it in oil to make it toast…it was semi successful. First class we learned about wildlife policy and why it’s failing and how you have to understand the people and their culture to make policy successful. A lot of people played soccer today and I am not even close to agile enough for the type of competitive soccer they play-it’s intense. We learned a lot of Swahili words today I’m gunna try to post new words that we learn. AND we went into a Boma in the afternoon (traditional Maasai village). OH MY GOD it was so cool. When we got there the mamas sang and jumped to greet us and I took a video of it but I can’t post any pictures or video till I get back into the States. And to greet them back we sung Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, it was hilarious and I’m not sure they understood the song but nevertheless…priceless. And we got to go into a traditional mud huts.
Picture this…they are about 5 feet tall, almost completely dark with about 4 3x5 inch windows that are just openings and it smells like smoke because that’s where they cook and they have no ventilation. And they have two beds, the frame made of sticks and vegetation and twigs for a mattress and that is covered with a piece of hide, one bed for the mother and children, one for the father. These beds are maybe 4x4 feet.
After that all the mamas sat in a huge circle and laid out their jewelry, carvings and fabric for all of us to buy. They are not nearly as pushy in that setting and it was nice to see all the things laid out. I love the beaded bracelets that are so many different colors and sizes and variations.
We also took some pictures of the kids and then would show them the pictures and they all got the biggest kick out of seeing themselves and their friends on the camera. Most amazing thing ever I hope we can go back soon. We also learned we are allowed to buy “1.5 sheep and a baby and a goat” for 2500 each shillings, which is 73 shillings to the dollar…do the math but it’s definitely worth it. Bond fires going! Gots to go.

MOD-mwanafunzi of the day, student of the day (rings the bell, turns the solar panel, writes up the board, and RAP (reflection, announcements, presentation)
Askari-guard carry big sticks and chase away animals (ah-scar-ee)
Asante-thank you (a-saant-eh)
Karibou-welcome (care-i-boo)
Rafiki-friend (Rah-fee-key)
Pole-sorry (poll-eh)