Day 3
If given the choice, I would refer to myself as the African Queen. However, seeing as Greg is my boss, I have been appropriately dubbed the "newbie". Perhaps my moments of absent mindedness upon on first meeting have given him justification but let's not delve into these.
I may be the new kid in camp, but in the last few days, I have come to realize that even throughout my unpredictable work day, there are moments, even at Muthaiga Camp, that can draw my attention away to leave a permanent impression on my mind such as...
1. the glow of the kerosene lanterns as they silhouette the "Askari" against a darkening sky while they go about delivering the lanterns throughout camp;
2. the crunching of zebra hooves on the quartz paths as they meander through camp in the early morning hours;
3. the sweet sound of Maasai adornements as metal chimes against metal;
4. the sound of the rolling thunder across the savannah heralding an impending storm followed by a spectacular light show;
5. the way the early morning sun highlights the yellow acacia trees;
6. the way a cold shower rejuvenates me in the morning and would in reality take anyone's breath away;
7. the nightly hot water bottle tucked into the sheets that is still warm enough in the morning to work wonders after #6
I appreciate the complexities of camp affairs but at the same time, it is the simplicity of camp life that has reaffirmed my decision to have travelled to Africa once again. Tomorrow's market day will reveal whether or net I have romanticized my placement.
--------------
Day 4
I have been anticipating this day since my arrival. With crates, bags, check-lists and money in hand, James (my trusty driver) and I made our way through a maze of mud holes to the Oloolaimutia market. Everywhere I looked, I was greeted by a sea of smiling faces. Maasai men and women, draped in an array of vibrant fabrics and adorned with their finest bead work made me seem out of place in my dusty khakis. My fascination with these people was also equalled by the amount of stares I received. However dressed, I still felt as though I belonged. After a few hours of shopping and a quick stop for some sodas, James and I returned to camp. The breeze we created as we raced home was a much welcomed relief from the midday sun. 
Crazy James, as he likes to be called, decided that as we had not seen wildlife on the way to the market, that the herds of cattle would become our zebra, the sheep our impala and the goats our gazelles. Luckily, on the return journey, we were rewarded with actual zebra, impala and gazelle sightings.
Upon our return to Muthaiga camp, we proceeded to unload our stock, and although sweaty and stinky, James declared that I looked to be the happiest person in camp today. In that moment, I knew that I could rival Hepburn's role as the African Queen.
