Sunday was a very good day for me. I have been a little down due to some set backs with our projects. Nothing big but I needed a break. I went to Arusha and had a good time, spent the night and returned to the boma on sunday. The best way for me to return is by getting off the paved road at Namanga and making the last 25 kilometers on a dirt road (really a path). This is the shortest way but very difficult if there has been rain. Since we have had no rain in over two months I thought this path would be ok. I even asked a friend who lives in Namanga if there had been rain and he said no. Well the 25 kilometers usually takes an hour or so to drive. Sunday it took over three hours. There are several problem areas on this route if it rains. Oh I forgot it had rained and not a little. Good news for the livestock in the area but not for me. There are three stretches of black dirt road that are almost impassable when wet. The black dirt hold the water and creates a bog. The other is two washes that are steep but passable when dry. When wet they are a challenge. Well I was very fortunate to pick up two Maasai men who were wanting a ride to Mairowa. They would have walked the 50 kilometers but I helped them half way. They helped me from spending the night in the bush. My Land Cruiser made it through the black dirt in four wheel low low gear. It was interesting and the truck needs a new washing. The real challenge came at the washes. We slid down the first wash and when we tried to climb the way out we really had fun. The men cut many trees and covered the road with the branches. About one hour later the truck did it’s job and we made it out. Now we are too far in to turn around and when we got to the next wash it was even more of a challenge. There is a big ditch on the climb out that I drove into a few months back. That is when I needed many Maasai men to help pull the truck out as the front wheels were 3 feet off the ground. Not wanting to repeat that experience I was trying to be as careful as I could with the road dictating where the truck would go. Sliding from side to side was quite an experience. All ended well and I made it back to the boma, dirty truck and all. I think I needed the adventure as I am feeling very good the last two days.
Two more weeks until I return to the states to see family and friends. I am looking forward to this trip. There is still many challenges in front of our NGO but we are making more alliances with bigger NGO’s and our projects are starting to mature. I thought retirement was suppose to be relaxing. I am trying to relax and still get our work done. I really am enjoying this experience.
