We're back from Safari

Here is an account of what we have been up to since Friday...

Friday morning we left Nairobi and crossed Great Rift Valley on our drive to the Masai Mara area. We arrived at the Mara Sopa Lodge (named for the Mara River, the site of annual animal migrations, and thus a really good location for a lodge to be near) and were greeted with towels and fresh juice. We checked into our rooms and relaxed briefly at the pool. At 4 p.m. we headed out for our first game drive, where we saw all sorts of animals. We’ll upload pictures that will speak for themselves. Ken’s prior posting gives you some of the details.

For those who have not been on a safari before, there are jeep-like vehicles that hold up to 8 people and allow passengers to stand up and see in all directions. When interesting animals are spotted, passengers pop up with their cameras and the vehicles move slowly (so as not to disturb the animals) and creep as close as they can to the animals. As you will see, we got quite a selection.

After dinner we relaxed and enjoyed the entertainment at the lodge.

Saturday, nine of us woke up early to go on a balloon safari (others went early Sunday morning), and then we met near where the balloon landed to go on a day-long game drive that included many more animals at close-up distances. We came back to the lodge in the late afternoon, showered, shared pictures, played cards and relaxed. After dinner, we talked about how we will bring the lessons we’ve learned on the trip back to our communities back in the US.

Sunday morning, six of us woke up early for the balloon safari. When we all met up, near where the balloon landed, we drove to Lake Nakuru where we checked in to the Lake Nakuru Lodge. We had a late lunch there and are about to head on a game drive where we will see rhinos and flamingos, and other animals as well.

Sunday evening we had dinner and went to bed. Monday, we got up, had breakfast, went on another brief game drive (this time up to the observation area that gives an overview of the whole lake), and then drove two hours back to Nairobi. We had lunch in a very neat mall near the United Nations building in Nairobi.

After that, we visited Salve Regina School, a school on the outskirts of Nairobi started by Greg's parents (Greg is the lawyer who spoke to us earlier in the trip -- he and Ken were deskmates at Starehe). Right now it houses pre-K through second grade and they are constructing a third grade class. The objective is to provide good education for kids who would not otherwise be able to afford the fees for the "free" public schools. After that visit, we checked back into our familiar quarters at Rosa Mystica, where we had dinner and are now putting the final touches on our lesson plans for tomorrow, when we will be teaching at Red Rose.