Thunderstorms, Lorry Rides and Stomach Bugs

OK...I apologize for being off the grid for so long. Internet is quite sporadic in the bush.

Thunderstorms, lorry ride, and stomach bugs....oh!my!

After days of predictions, the heavens have opened up. Our drivers’ incessant complaints about dust on the roads will abate for the time being only to be replaced further on by complaints of being stuck in Kenya’s slick black cotton or mud as we foreigners call it. It is a relentless deluge of rain, wind and thunder. The evenings are no less spectacular with a veritable light show in the cumulus.  I am currently tucked away in my office, the refreshing smell of rain, strong in my nostrils. My Canadian jumper and my pot of Kenyan chai, offer me the only relief from the damp air. Everything is at a standstill. This is the best work break one could ask for after days of stifling heat. After months of anticipation by the locals, one can safely say, the short rains have arrived.

If anything, the rains have made me grateful that I am now safely settled at Cottars 1920’s Camp. Weeks ago, I found myself the only white female passenger on a large delivery truck heading to camp.  So that you are better able to understand my predicament (that is my long journey into the night), imagine being advised of an early departure time of 7am from Cottars Nairobi office, arriving at said time, only to wait the 7.5hrs for the arrival and loading of the lorry. My lesson for that particular day, never skip breakfast. My one reprieve throughout that particular road trip was a quick stop over in Narok, the halfway mark to the Cottars Camp, for “nyoma choma” or bbq’d meat, a local and favourite dish of mine. My truck mates, two burly Kenyans with a great sense of humour, my only other saving grace for the 8.5hr trek.  The Spanish Inquisition could not have prepared the sanest individual from the barrage of questions I endured. The main topic of conservation, much to my chagrin, was my love life. By the end of the road trip, I had secured a would-be husband and would-be boyfriend, not of my own choosing of course.

It’s safe to say that I have had many suitors in camp. Kenyans are lacking neither charm nor determination when it comes to wooing this Canadian short stop. To be aggressively pursued is somewhat unnerving at times but the guys in camp mean well and graciously accept defeat. Pests in camp are a different matter altogether. The rats, fleas, ants, wall spiders that frequent my new home are unwelcome visitors in the bed, shower and room and unfortunately do not comprehend rejection. I am a lover of all things great and small but even this lady has her limits. Case in point, as I prepared for bed one evening, a rat migrated up the shower drain and scampered across the bathroom floor as I stood in awe at its brazenness; my only weapon, a soft bristled tooth brush and a tube of Colgate.  Such happenings are a common occurrence and make for great dinner time conversation when tourists are NOT in camp.

And now for our top story - the stomach bugs. Yuck! Pests come in all shapes and sizes but these bugs are by far, in my opinion, THE worst. One can hope for an iron stomach and proper hygiene practices in the kitchen but in the end, it is a daily game of Russian roulette. No matter how many times I wash my hands and only drink bottled water, I have come down with the stomach bug twice. Both occurrences have lasted well over three days which in truth is a quarter of the time I already have spent in camp. Unfortunately, work schedules do not allow for time off and one must eventually muster the strength and will power to carry on with the daily tasks.  I am glad to say I have an ample supply of both.

 Angele Rouillard

Special Assignment, Cottars 1920's Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya

Volunteer Placement

I apologize for the long absence but TIA (this is Africa) afterall. I am currently in Nairobi enjoying the last vestiges of my holiday with Roxanne. I will be returning to the Mara on Friday morning (GASP!!!!). Yes, it is true and really not surprising for those of you who know me well enough to know that Africa is in my blood. I will be staying in Kenya until December 25th, working back of house for Cottar's 1920's Camp. I am looking forward to working with staff and volunteers again. Luckily, I will have internet access on this portion of the journey which will hopefully mean better correspondence. I hope to share many stories and adventures with you.

A Superkalafragilisticexpealidotious Experience

Wow, wow, wow!!! I am at a loss for words for where to begin. There are so many stories begging to be shared that I fear some will be lost in translation. There was this time when wild dogs chased a leopard up the tree, then this other time when an elephant charged our vehicle, or when hyenas ran by our vehicle as we all stood around waiting for our driver to change a flat tire, and then this other time we followed a lone male lion through a dry riverbed 4x4ing through sand and over boulders, or our tracker leaving our vehicle to track a leopard and guide us to her, and I can't forget when 1,000 cape buffalo converged on a water hole only to be frightened into a stampede by a demure heron, and also another time we walked up to three rhinos only 5m from us.....and then, we were never heard from again - hahaha! With no internet access, how could I share my adventures with the outside world? Never fear for pictures are worth a 1,000 words. 

I wish everyone could experience the thrill of their first wildlife sighting or safari drive into the bush! There is nothing quite like the feeling of having wind, dust and sun seep into the skin. The smell of the bush is as intoxicating for me as a T-Bone steak grilling on the barbecue. I could stay out for hours on end gazing, listening, studying, photographing this familiar world. I feel I may have passed on the "Africa bug" to my fellow traveler but I don't think she'll mind. 

Until next time.....

Senses Alert

My senses are overwhelmed!  What better way to start the day then to head out into the bush veld in dawn’s early morning light while a gentle breeze carries the scent of flora and fauna, and a promise of the great safari to come. In a few moments time, our vehicle is surrounded by the over 800 cape buffalo that a few of us in camp had the pleasure of hearing throughout the night. I'm sure they are just as amused to have their morning interrupted by the endless clicking of shutter buttons as we were to have had our sleep interrupted and our senses assaulted by grunting sounds and the acrid smell of cow dung. Giraffe, impala, kudu, cape buffalo, elephants, rhinoceros, zebra, monkeys, bush babies, warthogs, leopard, wild dog ....I fear I may become cross eyed from looking every which way. One can’t resist the giddiness that inevitably follows a sighting. I am in my happy place – perhaps, like Peter Pan, this will help me fly!?

Hot Destinations

Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

The mercury is rising! I did not anticipate this veritable inferno, a whopping 43C. The camp pool is a welcome relief from the sun’s endless beating both for the tourists and the wildlife (the elephants emptied the pool the night prior). Endless pairs of foreign feet splash about in the water, while introductions are made and the drinks poured. My friend Roxanna and I are welcomed into the fold of seasoned and newbie safari goers. 

A Long Haul Flight Into The Night

People watching is a wonderful way to pass the time in any of the world’s airports. It begs to wonder where are people going, who are they meeting, what is their story. I wager there are many sad, wonderful and thrilling tales to be heard. Once seated on the airplane, your fellow passengers become your fellow travellers, confidants, friends, etc. all with a common goal - arriving safely at a final destination. It is amazing how much we are willing to tell, how much of our life story we are willing to share with a perfect stranger or in my experience, to the person luckily or unluckily seated beside me. Having travelled as much as I have and having exchanged dialogues with many fellow passengers, I could either have written a book by now or acquired a degree in psychology, and in some rare cases, could have gone to the loony house. Even with the endless chatter, announcement interruptions, food service, drink service, pee breaks, etc., I still find time for quiet contemplation gazing out at the endless sky to the point of imagining myself floating through the cumulus clouds. Flying still holds endless wonder for me whether we’re soaring through a lightning storm, parallel to a full moon, having the cabin filled with a new day’s morning rays, or being dazzled by a brilliant array of city lights announcing our final destination. 20hrs of flight time, 8hrs of layovers, thousands of kilometres travelled, I have arrived safely in Africa.