It is not a discovery channel
Trip Start
Jun 20, 2008
1
7
19
Trip End
Jul 16, 2008
Masai Mara National Reserve,
Kenya
Friday, June 27, 2008
But to be so close to wild animals, observe them in their natural environment, it is a difference.
Just after the tasty image of lion breaking bones of baby zebras leg, we came across the elephant bull. Mongie, our safari driver, a profound joker all the way through, very seriously told that the only animal that could be harmful even while you in vehicle is actually elephant. And couple minutes later, I see it coming. Maybe I am better in reading human faces, but it was more than obvious - the animal didn't like to be interrupted to his morning drink. "Go!" Go! GOO!! Adrenalin boosted into my face. "I was in control of situation. Mongie explained. I saw the path where you can get out when situation is ambigous."
I fell in love with elephants though. When we approached another herd, we passed very close, as they are not so dangerous when they together. Is the sole bull you should be aware of.
Oh, those cute little baby elephants sucking milk. Elegance and pease they walk with. And that eternal smile they wear...
Gracefull giraffes and bubbling hippos. Thousands of buffalos. And one just gave birth... Birds dressed in vivid colorful coats. Warthogs that reminds of a pig, but not very successful one. And vast savannas. Just going through the fields - what a food for soul.
I don't want to go to zoo. keeping the animals behind the bars...
After adventurous day Masai village was proposed. Of course, for a certain fee to rip off white mzungus.
Even now I am thinking, whether it was good to go into that village.
The songs and dances sounded a little artificial. The bit I enjoyed most, when we were sitting in the hut, where you cannot see anything. Just hear conversing masai about how do they live, what do they like, what problems they have.
Interesting tribe is Masai. Brave one not to loose their authenticity even all the other were quicker to submerse into colonial civilization. Even though the kids now go to school, some of them still shepherd the goats and oxen. And around 15 go to the bush that was taken from them and converted into national reserve. They always were worriors and British were using them. Its an aggressive tribe, and somehow I feel it when looking at them.
For me they look like angry tribe. Angry with themselves. Probably restrictions make them feel trapped and they love freedom as those animals they lived next to for ages. On the other hand, they are the only ones who are not arrested for carrying knife at their site. As it is illegal in Kenya.
So they ingnore civilization, but need it for money. Therefore they trade their culture. The sell it and humilliate themselves. And then angry about it.
