Kenyan VS Mzungu Soccer Match

The game was tight. The crowd, anticipating a "mzungu" win, roared with each goal scored upon the Kenyan team. Actually, to be really honest there were only 3 mzungus - Greg, Libby and myself, of which two of us made up the team along with some "honorary mzungus" (a.k.a. our Kenyan staff and some of the best players in camp), while Libby cheered us on from the sidelines. Strategically this was in our favour as she did enthusiastically guide Greg's every move as goalie. Thank goodness I was goalie # 1.5! It can be quite intimidating, to say the least, to have staff members who I'm sure practice "football", soccer for North Americans, in their sleep come at you with the full force of a tidal wave intent on only one thing...getting that ball through the goal line. I must say that when I did eventually catch that incoming ball everyone including myself stood wide eyed at what had just been accomplished. I had prevented a tie and in the end I had won the game. Although I'm sure there are those on my team who would dispute this fact. Then again, this is my blog. Only a few things to note if you should ever organize an impromptu football game out on the plains. First off, playing barefoot only makes it easier for the thorns to wreak havoc with the feet. Secondly, the ball is just as susceptible to punctures when playing near thorny acacia trees and thirdly, the inevitable tall tales are bound to surface around the camp fire. Now this isn't to say its all fun and games in camp. The respite from work however is always appreciated and when I'm not out on the football field, I can usually be found working away in the camp office. Work is never far away and if you can't find it, it will surely find you... as will most other things around here!

The Green Grocery Cart

All good things have a beginning and end. Our 3 hour trek to Narok began in the early hours of the morning, 5AM to be exact. The stars had yet to give way to the sun. Nevertheless, bright eyed and bushy tailed, we headed out in our trusty green pick-up truck for a much needed grocery run. As the sun crept over the mountains, illuminating both the landscape and the grazing wildlife, I hunkered down in the front seat, warmed by James our driver on the right and Douglas, my office mate on the left. Whoever said being stuck in the middle wasn't a good thing needs to reconsider its benefits.

The washboard effect on the roads combined with the pot holes that lead to oblivion gave one a true sense of the word "Kenyan massage". May I be bold enough to suggest a spa in its stead. After 3.5 hours of being jostled around in the truck like a ping pong ball, we pulled into the Kenol gas station for our first order of business, a round of chai. By mid-morning we had purchased only 1/4 of the required items as the sun began to heat up the city streets. With the realization that we would not be returning to camp by late afternoon, we shopped on. As the day progressed, our pick-up finally began to show signs of its heavy cargo. Only two more stops and we could breathe a sigh of relief. At the Nakumatt, Douglas and I each grabbed a grocery cart and proceeded down the narrow aisles of the store with our lists in hand. As each cart filled, another empty one took its place. In the end, four carts, brimming with goods, were neatly lined at the cash register and with as much time as it took to load them, they were processed and marched out to the truck. 

Finally, our last stop, the Narok outdoor market. Douglas had the foresight to call ahead with our order and when we pulled in, Patricia was waiting for us with the last items on our list, the veggies. This proved to be our stalemate. With the truck leaning precariously to one side, we realized a few things would have to be reshuffled at the back. At first,only a few items were removed, however, the puzzle proved to be a little more complex, for the men that is, then previously thought and in the end the entire truck was unloaded, reloaded with some female guidance and secured. Patricia returned a few moments later to reward each of us with 2 bananas and for this, we were extremely grateful.

Rumps bruised and my hair tousled into a virtual birds nest, our 14 hour journey ended as we rolled into camp, our green grocery cart heavy laden with goods. Although weary eyed, I was elated to have arrived safely with everything in tack including all my senses. Plus, who wouldn't be overjoyed to be greeted by Libby with a cold Tusker in hand.