There were many times along this journey when I just couldn't wait to get to a place where there was water with which to bathe. My face was brittle and felt like someone had just stuck me in an oven from using wet wipes alcohol based cleansers. And finally, we were heading to Marsabit where they had water!!!! Just the thought. We headed out from Gatab in our Land Rover listening to country music and rocking our way down the craters and crevices of Mt. Korr smiling and happy to be moving along the way on our trip.
Passing some camels, we did a small detour of sorts enroute to Marsabit near where Josie's Uncle lived so her brother could go get his school books as he had forgotten them earlier.
This meant we got to stop in a dusty patch of sand where children were playing with their ball in the mid-day sun.
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Tom Shakes Hands with the Children
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But the gentle hand shaking soon turned into a mob when Sherri tried to hand out whistles to the kids. The headmaster had to intervene and calm the children (and Sherri) down! It was utter chaos as hands reached up for the whistles. All the while, a samburu warrior passes by with his herd of donkeys kicking up very peaceful dust right next to all the commotion.
After Josie discovers bats in the choo (toilet), she decided to use the bush and risk discovery by the children rather than have bats fly up at her while squatting. I did not have to use this choo as I did not drink any water this day!!!
Alas--on our way we go! Driving through the dusty plains, we arrive at Marsabit--land of opportunity, shopping, and water! Stephen allows us to stay at his home in Marsabit. It's quite lovely. But alas, during the night prior to our arrival, his in-laws have absconded with all the stored water in his tank! We have no water again! This detracts from our anticipation for only a bit. Tom, Josie, her sister, and I decide to go shopping. We stop at an internet cafe to send out the latest news to folks back home. These amenities are super even if there is no water! We have an honest to goodness restaurant at which to eat real food like samosas, mandazis, chai and nyama (meat) that is cooked.
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The main drag of Marsabit! All you see up here are bit Loris for transportation
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| Sunburned me enjoying a mandazi! Sweet Bread! |
The absolute dearth of water in the area is evidenced by this next picture where they are unloading an empty "clean water" tank. By hand, they pried this tank loose and eventually had it seated atop the tires which served as a cushion as it dropped down as the truck finally pulled away. The tank will soon be filled with water, but for now, it is empty as a poor man's pocket.
We stopped at another duka for a soda! We saw a little baby being fed glucosa! It's marketed as providing needed energy for your children. Honey it's pure sugar!!!! Put a tsp in your baby's milk for maximum energy the box said!
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The baby being fed at the shop where we stopped for a soda.
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| Yes, we're back in civilization where crazier things happen than in the desert! |
One more family photo for Josie before we sleep and get ready to depart the next day back for Kenya. Often in the northern lands, the residents say, "how is it in Kenya" as they themselves feel very removed from the down-country residents of Kenya. It's been a great day however in Marsabit--shopping, eating, and just enjoying being with lots of people bustling around the small town.
