Wired to Wonder

Monday June 22

Early this morning Olivia and I headed out for a sunrise stroll. It was refreshing to have some quiet time together. When we returned it was time for breakfast and one last cold shower. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the next time so I figured it was better to shower before we left. We headed out into the Kenyan bush after presentation and a tour of the property. It’s much more dry and barren than the other sites we’ve visited. 

I was sleepy on our bus ride so I tried to nap for a while. I woke up to Hannah saying “elephant on the left!” I looked up as a herd of elephants walking away from the road. We also saw some giraffes grazing along the road. I couldn’t help but wonder “where the heck are they taking us!” Just a day before Holly had told me “that would not be running in the morning or evening due to the risk of Lions.” As we approached the sight, it immediately felt different. We didn’t go through a town as we arrived or ride on a smooth paved road. We were in the bush with nothing more than what was provided. 

After tea, settling in, and lunch we set out to visit the town. We walked on a path but in reality is was just a stripe of dirt that was winding through thorny acacia. Without a guide I would not be able to identify a path. The living conditions were scarce. Community members had limited crops and had limited water available. The clinic had one nurse on staff but apparently the nurse was on strike. It’s certainly a different life to live. 

Before heading back to base we went to an abandoned farm nestled in between two rivers. The walk there was surreal. We were walking down a barren ridge with nothing but rolling hills covered in acacia trees on either side as far as the eye can see. As the sun began to set we listened to the flowing water overlooking the wild, barren landscape. Like Cinderella, we were told to return to base by 6pm to avoid being cat food so the bus came to pick us up. 

The sunset was gorgeous and peaceful. Different than the ones we’ve experienced in Kenya so far. It feel like a new world within the same place. I finally feel like I can let my guard down and sit down comfortably. No where to be, nothing to see, and no more responsibilities.