Monday, January 3, 2011

jan 3...transition day

Baby Giraffe
I feel like I have not written for awhile.  Roger has been blogging away but today is my turn.  I have enjoyed seeing his old stomping grounds and hearing stories of high school days.  Yesterday was Sunday and of course we went to church.  Sad to say its the first time we have been since leaving the states.  We had hoped to go in Turkey but it snowed to much and they cancelled it.  So we walked to the church in the cool blustery winds and went to the early English service.  The benches were wood and not quite fitting to my short legs and so I squirmed alot during the service ... worse then the kids.  The pastor was Kenyan and spoke English but I had to really concentrate to catch what he said since I am not used to the accent.  I loved the music .... I miss hearing and singing music ... don't have much opportunity on this trip.  Anyway it was good to be in a service again ... I am really looking forward to going next Sunday to our fellowship we used to go to in South Africa..very surreal that we are going to be there.
Watching the zebras with one rolling in the dust on the road
Direct Road down into Rift Valley
After fellowship we went to Lake Naivasha which is about an hour drive.  It is down in the valley and we took a direct road down the mountain ... amazingly rough and bumpy ( i videoed it).  Lisa and Doug said there is a paved road (just recently) in the valley to Tanzania where they used to live but they used to drive on roads like this for 16 hours!  Man you would be worn out from that!
We went to a place on the lake called Crescent Island.  It is a game reservation w/o big predators.  The ones we heard about were hyenas, pythons (which actually kill and eat a impala) and jackal and/or fox.  So there were quite a few Impala, Wildebeest, Waterbuck ... Buffalo ... Hippo.. Zebra ... Giraffe ... gazzelles.
Week Old Baby Giraffe
When we got there we had a picnic lunch and then with a guide we started walking.  We walked almost 3 hours. It was hottest time of the day but not to bad.  What is amazing is the difference in temps when you step into the shade.  The coolest thing I thought was being able to get within about 10 yards of a baby giraffe that was born Christmas day and the guide said they named it Jesus.  It was adorable and very curious about us.  The mom did not seem the least bit concerned that we were admiring her baby up close ... she was to busy trying to find food and eating bark cause the trees were so tall in that area.  Speaking of trees ... i love acacia trees ...they are so cool looking and i want one in my back yard ....

View from snack area with acacia trees in background
At the end of our "hike" we sat in the shade for while eating our cookies and chocolate bars and water and watching a group of impala and gazelle move past us...so cool...  It was a great afternoon.
Guess who with Mt. Longenot in the background
On the way home we went past Mt Longenot which we mentioned before was the mountain Roger and his friends hiked up in the middle of the night...I was amazed that they went that far and then had energy to hike up the mountain.  It is quite hilly and rough just to get there and they did not go on the road ...but cut across country taking the most direct route ...it would have been easier really to take the roads ...crazy guys!!  Many of the kids at the school now go hiking up the mountain...guess its just a challenge they figure they should not miss while they are here ...but most don't do it in the middle of the night.
So today is Monday ..Transition day ...i have not given much thought to it really.  At breakfast Lisa said "soooo its transition day, and how are you doing?"  I said "well I have not really thought about it much".... she went on to talk about how nice we are going to a familiar place to see good friends etc and I got teary eyed all of a sudden.  I said well that does not seem to help or make a difference cause look at me now getting all choked up...what is it about change and transition?  I will miss this beautiful place and our family here and knowing where things are for breakfast ....and now i know how to do the laundry and make my own chai etc ....But yes it will be good to move on and see friends in South Africa.  I have not been there for about 20 years!  It will be so nice to have tea with them and catch up.
Waterbuck with Impala in background
Roger and I have a long trip ahead..in that we are catching a ride to the airport (hour and half drive) on one of the school buses that will go pick up students coming in today (school starts here tomorrow and Lisa is preparing to welcome 19 Jr and Sr girls back...talk about transition).  So we are arriving at the airport about 5:30 PM and flying out at 3:30 AM...lay over in Addis Ababa for about 3 hours..and then Jo'burg and on to George arriving at 5Pm on Tues.  I guess its not THAT bad!!

1 comment:

  1. Just love the pictures and commmentary! Doug and I spent a few days at Lake Naivasha on our trip in 2000. The place we stayed had a resident Hippo who grazed in the front yard! We were taken out on the lake to "bird watch" in a john boat and were nervous at the large amount of hippo's in the water. Our guide was unflappable. We saw plenty of great blue herron's and one boa crossing the road. We both would love to go back to Africa and even if we don't we are thankful for the blessing of having been there.

    I pray for you both regularly especially that you will not have delays in travel or lost luggage. We miss you but with this communication we are more informed about your life than normal. Love and keep writing!!

    Susan

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