Sunday, June 15, 2008

Kenya - April 18th, 2008

Our last day in Kenya;

Breakfast and time to pack up for the trip to Nairobi to catch our flights.

We get one last game drive on the way out of Amboseli.
Elephants galore, several large herds are on the move. We get a last look at Kilimanjaro. A stork glides past a herd, unimpressed with their size. Flocks of storks and crested cranes peck at the ground. They all look well fed. We stop to drop the pop up roof and bid our last park farewell.

At the gate leaving the park we stop for a quick break and are greeted by the vendors. I thought that I could barter a multi-tool for a Kenyan knife. I proudly showcased the Chinese made tool’s many functions, a pair of pliers, scissors, two knife blades, a small saw and a leather punch. The vendor patiently watched my demonstration and pronounced that he had no use for it, he need cash to feed his family. The tool went into my pocket and the negotiations began in earnest for the rose wood handled knife with sheath and spear with detachable points at both ends. 5000 KSH was the open,
“Are you crazy, that is almost $100.00”
It went back and forth in Shillings and Dollars, I finally said “No Way”, and turned away, the van was loading up to leave.
The deal closed at $30.00 U.S. about 1800 ksh. I sent the spear to a friend in Charlotte when we got back. I am keeping the knife.

We brace for the bone jarring ride to Nairobi, each of us in their on thoughts reflecting on the trip.

We pass some ostriches, The African Wild Asses (AWA) gave us a parting glance, A reticulated giraffe paces us for a few steps. The mud huts wiz by, We did not have time to check out the Fairdeal Electricals and Hardware store. The bicycle shop that we passed did not appear to stock Trek Bikes. The Hunter's Pub was doing a steady business.
We stop at our last rest stop/gift shop out side of Nairobi. This place was low key and relaxing. I check out the cantina, they advertise "cold beer" and order a Tusker. The bar keep pulls one out of the ancient refrigerator, opens it and hands it to me. It is only one or two degrees cooler that ambient temperature but it did not matter.

More to come....