Liotokitok Part 2

I wanted to post these few pictures that I took before I left Liotokitok that I missed in my recent post.  In this part of the country the folks are mainly of the Maasai tribe.  There are 42 tribes in this country (and we say its actually 43 if we count the deaf "tribe"), and historically, that was part of the problem in keeping the country united since they all have their own languages, customs, traditions, etc.  But they are getting there.  However there are still tribal issues out in the northeast parts of the country by the Somalia border.

Anyway, with the Massai tribe, they are known for their colorful clothing, enlarged ear lobes, colorful necklaces and earrings, and for men, 2 foot knives on their belts and a walking/herding stick.  They are also known for standing on one foot with another foot resting on the standing knee.

With my iPod, I found it almost impossible to take a good frontal picture of these folk without invading in their space and privacy.  I was not there long enough to make acquaintance with them so that they would be happy to pose with me.   Oh well.

Each town have their own markets.  I was hunting for Africian shirts, and was told that I should find them as they are made by the Maasai women.  I searched around the market for almost two hours without success.  Maybe I was there a little too early as I can see many shops are still being set up.  Oh well I will try my luck elsewhere.

Fruit and vegetable market.  Behind that green building is where the market is for all other non-food stuff.

Cabbage anybody?  There's plenty here!  Cabbage and spinach is used almost everyday anywhere in Kenya.

Liotokitok

For some training that is specific for secondary education, I was sent to Liotokitok to join the other 18 trainees that were part of my original group.  So, luckily the Peace Corps sent a driver to take two KSL interpreters, Davin (another secondary education in Deaf program like me) and myself for the three hour drive south.

Liotokitok is right by the border next to Tanzania (about 30 minutes away).  It is also home of the Africa's tallest and the world's tallest free standing mountain -- Mount Kilimanjaro at 19,400 feet high.  Mount Kenya, which is very close to my site, is Kenya's highest mountain, and second tallest mountain in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro.  So its cool that I will be among the mountains whose majestic energy always inspire me.

Anyway I learned some cool subjects: How to improvise (using anything we see around us and improvise them into labs, demonstrations, etc.), Science Congress (science fair), and some other stuff.

Heres' some photos of the trip...

There are several Peace Corps drivers around the country, and they arrange transportation for their staff, trainers, and sometimes volunteers and trainees.  Usually they have us travel ourselves using buses, matatus, etc., but in some cases, they will deliver us.  After about two hours drive south from Machakos, we met another Peace Corps vehicle and we transferred over and continued our way to Liotokitok.

The landscape had changed into something like a plains.  We looked hard for animals, but only saw two giraffes grazing at a distance and some impalas herds.  They reminded me of my beloved Chevy Impala that I left to Sami's good hands.  I hoped to see more animals besides cows, goats, donkeys, and matatus (I count them as animals as they drive crazy).

There are frequent police checkpoints throughout Kenya.  They check for safety and paperwork (insurance, etc.).  They let most cars through without much ado though.  All police (as well as store and bank security guards) carry AK-47s.

Wonderful to see our "old" friends that we have not seen in almost a month.  These trainers are also secondary education teachers, but for the hearing schools, while my group in Machakos are for the Deaf Education.

Mountains all around us.

King of the road. Do not mess with me.

Typical Liotokitok neighborhood.  All dirt, like everywhere else I see except for Nairobi.  The wooden house on the right is a bar that the Liotokitok crew frequents after their training -- pretty much on daily basis so it seems.  I went with them there both days I was here and had my first beers for the past 5 weeks.  I took the simple drinks -- Snapp (apple flavored beer).

See me in the back holding a Snapp?

As I should expect, we lost power in my "hotel" (more like a cottage).  So used candle and enjoy surfing.  See my favorite wallpaper on my laptop?  It was of Adree and me in Aruba.

Mount Kilimanjaro!

Mount Kilimanjaro has three "cones" and this is one of them.

Tomorrow morning, I will visit Liotokitok market (supposed to be a very large one) and hope to find some African shirts, before I find a matatu to take me back to Machakos.

Hakuna Matata my dear readers...