A SPECTACULAR DRIVE

So, last time I came to Kenya, I flew from Nairobi to Eldoret (the closest big city to Kapsowar) and then drove 2 hrs from there to Kapsowar. It is certainly the most expedient way to get here, but it didn't allow for me to see a lot of Kenya. So, this time, given the fact that I had 9 pieces of luggage, I opted for the drive. I had been told that it could take up to 8 hours, but I was excited about seeing more of this country.

So, this past Wednesday morning, we took off from the guesthouse I had been staying in. Getting out of Nairobi was like getting out of any big city in developing countries - completely crazy and leaving me marveling at their defensive driving skills. Once we were out of Nairobi, we were soon driving along the Great Rift Valley. What a< site! It looks like a vast crack in the earth with dry plains at the bottom of it - this is where the Massai Mara is (one of the best safari locations). I took a couple of pics, but they didn't turn out :(

After the Rift Valley, I saw zebras running in a field right next to the road, followed by a family of baboons just hanging out on the side of the road. We were on a highway, so we couldn't slow down for pictures. It was at that point that I really felt like I had arrived in Africa.

We stopped in Eldoret for a little bit more shopping and then went on to Iten (where all the famous marathon runners train). Here we went to a lookout that overlooked another valley - the Kerio valley. It was beautiful as well (pics below).

From there, we entered the forest/jungle you have to drive through to get to Kenya. Last time I was here, I had heard that there were monkeys in the trees there, but I never saw them. I was really hoping to see them this time, and I did! There's a picture below of one of them, but we saw a whole family of them. It certainly was a bright spot in the very bumpy drive from Iten to Kapsowar, which is all dirt roads and, I think, bumpier than a year ago.

I arrived safely in Kapsowar to a chorus of "Karibu"s (welcome). It seems everyone has been awaiting my arrival and I was happy to see so many familiar faces. I then got moved into my house (see pictures on previous blog). It is a very cute house and it is slowly but surely becoming mine.

So, thank you for all the prayers for safe travels. Not only was it a safe trip - it was a fun one as well!

Traffic in Nairobi

The Kerio Valley

The dark blue you see is the valley

The monkey in the forest -

I think he's trying to say "Welcome" :)

I think this is called an acacia tree.

Anyways, it seemed very African to me.