Today was my
last day in Kakamega Forest, and we leave for Lake Nakuru Sunday. I was able to
finish my research to the best of my ability and I said goodbye to some
wonderful people. It was a bit of a bittersweet moment, because while it was
sad to say goodbye, I also remember that I have 1 week left in Kenya, and I
should enjoy it to the fullest!
I was able
to take part in a colony extraction from a building. The species Hypotrigona
gribodoi is everywhere in this area, particularly in their mud walls and wooden
doors. One house can have probably 100 hives. Mark and his team went to a house that was
soon to be torn down to remove some colonies. They chiseled out some of the mud
wall until they found the brood. They slowly removed parts of the hive then,
putting them in a hive they brought, until they found the queen. After removing
what you want, you drill a stick or two into the wall as a shelf for your hive,
and fill in the hole with some mud. This makes the bees go into your hive and
not back to theirs. The colonies in the doors are left alone, since to get to
them you have to destroy the door.
During my
time in Kakamega, I feel as though I have learned a lot, grown up a bit, and
been humbled. I have also become much more grateful for my lifestyle I live and
for my parents.
People here
lead very simple lives, but they are happy! Everybody always had a smile for me
and waved, and they accepted me into their homes. I felt like I became part of
a family much bigger than I could imagine. Kakamega has welcomed me with open
arms, and I happily joined. I shook hands with barefoot, mud stained children,
laughed with farmers I met while walking, and learned the shortcuts and foot
trails only the natives know. I became part of a lifestyle, that before I had
only read about in books. A lifestyle where we stay in mud huts with thatched
roofs, where sweets are less than a penny and a family plants and raises what
they eat.
People are
always asking about the US. They want to come with me, to see the place where
you can “hit it rich”. To experience the American Dream. They ask about
everything from crops we have, taxes, politics, schooling, and my personal
lifestyle. I showed them pictures of my family, my pets, my town, and my school
and church. They looked at the little pile of pictures for so long. They asked
about my family, their jobs and ages, and declared my parents to look very very
young, while my sister and I look older!
I have also
come to really appreciate my dad. When I was younger, I was always his little
helper. I even had nicknames he would call me. But he taught me how to live if
I wasn’t always in the comforts of my house. I guess he toughened me up a bit.
I was proudly able to tell people yes, I can start a fire, that I go hunting
with my dad and his buddies, and that I can fish! I think I surprised a few
people. By the end of my first week, it was decided I was a “survivor”. So
Daddy, Thank you. J
While here
however, I also had to take a sick day. I think my body was just tired of
working so hard, especially with having to adapt to a new diet also. I was in
very good care while ill though. The staff at the hotel checked on me often to
make sure I hadn’t gotten worse, that I was drinking fluids and taking medicine,
and even making sure I wasn’t battling malaria. I was offered numerous times to
be taken to a doctor or hospital, and also offered a masseuse for my aches. (I
declined both by the way) After a day of rest, I was back to my normal self the
next day!
Today, I
went to Kisumu (a town near Kakamega). I stood on the muddy banks of Lake
Victoria. It is the largest lake in Eastern African, but I only saw a small
part of it. My friends ate a whole fish that was fried intact. Head and fins
included. I had to pass on the one. It was staring at me and that just wouldn’t
do. There was a dancing/DJ group that was based out of Nairobi there for some
entertainment and marketing. I was walking towards the stand to get a picture,
when the lead dancer said hi to me, the only mzungu in the crowd. He told
everybody to wave at his Mzungu friend and I had the whole beach waving and
smiling at me! I can only imagine my blush. The dancers dance Congolese style
dancing, which involves lots of hips. He asked if I would like to dance with
his group. I declined though. My hips can’t move like that and I really didn’t
want to embarrass myself. If ever offered Congolese lessons though, I will
definitely accept them!!
Tomorrow I
head for Lake Nakuru to hopefully see some wildlife! If not, perhaps just a
nice quiet beach.
