While nature everywhere demonstrates the work of His hands, there's something special about exposure to a new and different aspect of His creation. And, Africa certainly has plenty of unique sights.
Before I share some photos, let me tell you of God's kindness even in this little venture. The staff at Tenwek who arrange these weekend trips like to have as many people go at a time as possible to make transportation more affordable. So, I was originally scheduled to go my last weekend here since that was the only time anyone had asked to go. I was scheduled to go to the Fairmont (yes, THE Fairmont Masi Safari Club) for only one night, to be dropped off as the family was going to another spot. I asked to be put on a list to go an earlier weekend if someone else signed up.
Well, last Tue. I passed, Carter Harsh, a neurosurgeon from Birmingham who was finishing his last week and told me the Tenwek staff had signed me up to go with him and his son, Taylor, a soph at UAB, to a different spot this past weekend. This was a blessing on several levels. First, I got to spend the weekend with two great Brothers in Christ (attend Briarwood). Second, I roomed with them at a less expensive place so I got to stay two nights for what one would have cost being alone at the Fairmont.
And, the real blessing was this change in schedule prevented me from missing the opportunity to go at all. What, you ask? Well, I was originally scheduled to leave here 8/1. There was not going to be any GI coverage until 8/20. The day I left for safari, I learned a GI had recently committed to be here on 7/28. So, had I not been signed up for last weekend, I would have had to make a choice to come home early or stay an extra four days just to go on safari and to be at the hospital, completely underutilized, for two days with another attending here. Trust me, I would have passed on the safari and missed the opportunity of a lifetime. (Have me tell you about the time I went to Australia for 36 hrs to give a medical presentation and saw nothing but the Sydney zoo!) Anyway, got the safari and am coming home early, arriving Sun. afternoon the 29th.
Well, now a little show and tell. I'll really try to give you a few pictures every day or two. The internet is so slow here it takes a long time to transfer photos so will have to do it in small chunks.
First, a little description about our camp, the Amani Mari. It's owned by a third generation Kenyan whose roots are in India (just can't get away from India, no matter where I go). His family owns a trucking business which includes many of the over 80 camps on the Mari. Over the years he developed a passion for this place so decided to start his own camp. He got 50 acres and opened the site a year ago. There are only 9 huts. He feels his niche is his attention to the ecology. I'll share some of the things he has done along with the pictures.
You're not going to believe this but I can't get the icon up to add pictures. So, I'm going to send this and figure out what I've done wrong.
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