I am an adventurer at heart. This is why I love my job. Its about
going out there and discovering what is new what is exciting , what is fun and
what is affordable. At the same time am a mother. I don’t want to give others
what I cant give myself or my kids and yet I don’t want to limit what it is I can give
others. I like to push the limits a little.
I have waited a long time for this. It
is now time.
Today my lunch was packed early by my kids. Teaching them the art of the trade does not hurt. Two eggs, two bananas, four
slices of sandwich bread, a quarter chicken, a bottle of soda and half litre of
water.
I have already been informed that where am going the water comes out of
rocks, pure natural and beautiful…so no need to carry too much. By eight oclock
I am on my favorite ride (read motorbike). I use it sometimes because apart
from the dangerous bit it enables me to take short videos and I can stop
anywhere. Just slightly more expensive from the normal means by like 15%. I
also like to feel the wind in my face and apart from that it is the only thing
that will go with speed and I don’t panic.
Today I have opted to leave the kids behind (much to their disappointment). My son is
looking at me with daggers in his eyes. He loves traveling with me because
chances are he will see things he hasn’t seen before. I am proud to announce
that he has been doing well in sciences , geography and mathematics (I suppose
its from all the cost cutting to get a great deal…mommies). Cant blame me
everyone has some kind of budget in their heads.
Thankfully the sun is out and I am thanking my God for a
good day as I reach my destination. I find the village elder waiting for me. He
knows am a time keeper-its always better to be early you get so much more than
you had anticipated. I am sporting a pair of shorts, light rubber shoes, my faithful
back pack and am feeling….well…excited (who wouldn’t..) I know you are
wondering why I would want to work with the local authorities…here are two good
reasons..1) Today am alone and I know he would not give me someone who will
jump me in the middle of the bush 2) if anything happens out there he probably
knows how to get to the bottom of things …and it helps give the local community
jobs as guides.
My guide is finally here after like 30 minutes of waiting. He
is carrying a ‘panga’ (machete) and looks a little bloody and am terrified and
trying not to show it on my face. You see it must have come through because he
quickly explained they had to put down a cow which had fallen into a hole and
there was no way of doing that nicely…okay so I calm down and I have the reassurance
that my village elder once worked with the army…he is old but sharp and the guy
is his nephew.
Off we go then. I dare say and confess that I have been
eating a little too much and therefore after the first downhill trail gravity
has already done a number on me and I am shaking unnecessarily and trying to be
brave about it. I am here on a mission and I will do my best to complete it.
My
guide I totally understand why cutting down forests
is a crime. This water is coming out of bushes near me ..its got to be an
underground water source somewhere there.
notices the shaking and decides he will help me without talking about the
whole incident and therefore cuts off some really strong branch from a strong
tree and makes me what he has ‘lovingly’ nicknamed my third leg. I am so grateful
for my walking stick. So we are proceeding down this path where springs of
clear water keep criss crossing my path. You may not believe it but now.
The beautiful thing about today’s adventure is that I will
be going beyond the common every day I have seen the Zaina falls thingy to
exploring the forest myself….to be continued
