Category: e

A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE IN AFRICA

We left Arusha heading towards the Simajiro game area when we spotted a small damed lake where several Masai women were collecting water. We drove down to the lake and our guide introduced our group to the women and delivered to them 4 of the 6 water filters that our group had donated enough funds to purchase. Our guide in conversation learned how they know the water gives them many different illnesses, some requiring a doctors care and costs but this murky lake is there only source of water for which they walk 3 kilometers each direction with jerry cans to collect. She then explained how the water filters work along with pictorial directions and give 4 of the women a complete water filter. This will drastically impact the lives of at least 40 members of their tribe as each woman had families of over 10 people. The organization behind these filters will follow up in the village in 3 months and again in 6 months to document health improvements. The women were so grateful and appreciative. The Masai tribes in Tanzania are clinging desperately to all their traditional ways of village life , in dress, education and family life style. They are polygamous, and have very large families. I will have more to say on that subject after we visit a Masai village and learn more. It was a beautiful but humbling experience.

Our guide explaining to the Masai women why we were there
Masai women with their newly acquired water filters
The lake where everyone drinks
Extra help in carrying water
Collecting the water

I thought she was a beautiful woman and she seemed quite happy

Signing off KO

SAFARI IN AFRICA

I am a novice world traveler and every day I learn more and more on how to manage traveling comfortably. The first thing I have learned is do not worry and stress over things. What every you are worrying about won’t happen instead something else you hadn’t even considered will happen. You can’t control the unexpected so just roll with it and cope the best you can.

My one and only bag went MIA on my trip to Africa. All I had with me was my medicine, makeup, purse cell phone,iPad and my kindle. My bag didn’t arrive until 4 days later. But a gentleman from the tour company volunteered to take me shopping for some essentials until my bag showed up, assuming it would show up.

I asked him to take me to a mall where I was sure I would be able to find all I need. After all Nairobi is a city of 5 million people. But since he was dropping folks off at a museum he decided that a down town shopping area would be just fine. It wasn’t to my way of thinking, but none the less after dozens of small shops and tiny stalls I managed to get a track suit , a pair of sweats, 2 T-shirts ,under pants and 2 sports bras which ended up being way to large for me to the point I was falling out of them. Any way that was my wardrobe for the next 4 days. At firsts it upset me as I don’t like dressing sloppy. But met the tour group and off on the safari we went and none of the animals seem to care how many days I wore the same T-shirt so all was good.

We travel in 8 passenger Land cruisers that have a pop top so you can stand up and take pictures with in the safety of the vehicle. They are four wheel drive vehicles as the trails and roads are really rough. My first time to go off roading! We had a driver and a Masai guide and both knew the landscape like the back of their hand made sure we saw all the animals that call the Masai Mara home with the exception of the leopard and the rhinoceros. They are both quite shy and elusive.”’

Our first 4 days in Kenya there were just 5 of us, now that we are in Tanzania we number 12. The weather has been cooler than I expected but this afternoon turned sunny and warmer. Today was a day learning more about the people and their culture, their problems and solutions. Clean water is a major issue throughout Tanzania and we visited a ceramic filter factory that has created a very unique water filtering jug that will service a family of up to 8 people. It actually remove mud and all other impurities from the water by filtering it through what looks like a clay pot. By mixing the clay with pine sawdust and then fireing at a very high temperature you end up with a layer of charcoal sandwiched between 2 layers of clay. We then visited a workshop that helps albino people. I never knew how ostracized and totally rejected albino people in Africa were and what is being done to re-educate people to not be afraid of them or harm them.

Two of the guys from our group made one of the clay filter pots
This muddy water was filtered to be perfectly clear drinking water. Absolutely amazing

Next we visited a cultural museum and huge gift shop to. Pick up some souvenirs and learn about tanzanite, the rarest gem stone on earth and only found in Tanzania. It’s been a busy day and a busy super fun week.

The big 5 to Totem Pole at the museum

A quick mention about our accommodations, the first 4 days we were at a lovely rustic lodge. My cabin was a stone platform with a a roof and canvas side walls that could be zipped off in hot weather with lots of mesh windows. Very comfortable in a wooded setting. Here in Tanzania it is a beautiful garden setting with cabins nestled privately off little paths complete with a fire place that the staff lit for me last night to warm up the room. I’m really getting spoiled on this trip and enjoying every minute of it.

My cabin in the garden
The fireplace

Remember to tap the little pictures to make them big. Signing off KO

The Good and the Bad in the Ugly Season of Covid

I am enjoying the smaller crowds and folks being spaced apart at the beaches and restaurants. But my heart goes out to those who have lost their jobs or have had their wages reduced as a result. Right now Zihuatanejo has moved back to “red” until the numbers drop. Every bar is closed up tight, eliminating more jobs, beaches are closed at night. They say masks are mandatory but while most folks wear them, some don’t, and I don’t see any signs of enforcement.

Plenty of “enforcers”, but little enforcement

Sailfest made a valiant effort to spread some fun and raise money, but it was a very scaled down version of all the usual fun activities. The organizers did find clever ways to do it both virtually and visibly. Kudos to them.

Masks are an entire subject of theirs own. I wear a mask faithfully, I believe in the protection they provide. But wearing a mask when walking or hiking of any distance, I find miserable. I have a bit of trouble breathing and find my self gasping for air like a fish out of water. My mask becomes drippy wet from perspiration, clammy and uncomfortable. But still I wear it and carry a spare. The down side of wearing the mask is I don’t drink as much water as I should as I’m no longer carrying a water bottle to sip along the way. And I sure miss strolling through the streets of Zihuatanejo with an ice cream cone, I really miss that.

What I don’t miss at all are the sidewalks being tented over to form a stuffy, crowded temporary bazaars to sell tacky stuff around 3 Kings and Valentines Days.

What I miss most is friends that didn’t feel comfortable traveling this year and Canadian friends that are leaving much earlier than planned to avoid the possibilities of the high cost of government fines or enforced quarantines.

My favorite view of Zihuatanejo

Signing off KO

Zihuatanejo in the time of Covid 19

My earliest observations are that Zihuatanejo is quieter than normal, less street traffic, both auto and pedestrian. Many, many locals are wearing masks, and there aren’t many children out and about. Many of the restaurants are open, Don Memo’s Daniels, Los Braceros, Mediteranio and a half dozen others that I don’t know names of. I believe most beach side restaurants are open, but many restrictions on how the beach can be utilized. As I venture forth I’ll keep you informed.

I intend to live my life here just as I have at home, wearing a mask in public, no greeting friends with hugs, kisses or handshakes. Wash and sanitize hands frequently, spend time outdoors with social distance between people. At home in Washing state I had to quarantine 3 times, 14 days upon returning home from Mexico, 7 days prior to surgery in a hospital, and 3 days prior to a procedure in a hospital. The last time I really questioned what was meant by quarantine as I did have another medical appointment during that short quarantine period. I was told to keep the appointment and just be carefully and reasonable. So that is what I am doing here in Mexico, being reasonable and careful just like I was at home.

So with all that being said I have ventured out to Sorianos for groceries, everything looks the same in the store only far less people shopping and no baggers. I really miss the baggers as I am lousy at it.

I did go to the beach to buy fish from the fishermen. I knew exactly what I wanted made my purchase quickly as it was quite busy and came home sanitized and repackaged it into meal size servings and now I am set for 2 weeks of great fish meals. Still will need to pick up fresh produce every few days.

From my balcony viewpoint of a busy street most cab drivers wear masks. Me personally I wouldn’t get into a cab with a driver who wasn’t wearing a mask.

I’m planning to go to the beach soon, but as it is Friday this is the days that large buses deliver large groups of nationals for a fun weekend at the beach so I think I will wait until Monday for a beach trip. For someone who used to swim a mile a day regularly for years, I haven’t been in the water since March, I’m hoping I can still swim and haven’t lost too much endurance.

I’m operating on my new, well new to me Ipad. I have a lot to learn about it, Not sure yet on how to get pictures in. But I have all winter to practice, just bear with me. Signing off KO@zihuathyme

THE LITTLE SATURDAY MORNING MARKET

It’s official name is Ecco Tianquis Sanka ( hope I have spelled it right) and it is a market of local artist, bakers, craftsmen. Here you can purchase interesting organic foods, healthy baked goods and many home made crafts made from recycled materials.  It is a visual feast of bright colors, pleasant sounds and smells and friendly local  folks selling their wares. Sometimes there are farm fresh eggs, heirloom tomatoes, garden plants, herbs and spices. Their are also hand made clothing, embroidered blouses, paintings. You will find jewelry made from nature and also recycled CD”s. You can be sure of finding a one of a kind item to bring back as a gift for a friend that is truly Mexican. The coffee is good, come to the little plaza

across from the museum and nest to the school to get your breakfast served on a banana leaf and enjoy some local music and color and socialize with friends new and old. And also drop off your recyclable items help keep Zihuatanejo clean. Signing off KOIMG_0211