2 juillet 2006, 16:35
where are the hummers when you need them (other than the texan prairies, of course, where they are rather useless)?
All those who say that SUVs are gas-guzzling, environment-polluting, wastes of money have never been to Mount Kenya. I used to feel the same way, but now know that we never would've even made it to the park entrance without our Transit Motel Land Rover, circa 1945. The truck supposedly sat 14 in the back (we were squished with 8), and came complete with a bar welded to the roof to keep us from falling on top of each other (only midly effective and an excellent tricep workout).
About halfway through the 32km, 3 hour ride, after we were high and giddy from the leaking exhaust and propane fumes, we got stuck in the mud. We all scrambled out to push, when along came a lone male elephant, just strolling casually across the field. I couldn't believe it. I spend most of my life staring through the lens of a camera, but while everyone dug their's out of their pockets, I could only stare (mind you, I thought i was hallucinating from all the fumes).
When we finally got to the park entrance, we spent 45min negotiating our park fees (everything is negotiable, especially when you've got a multi-lingual, obnoxious Kenyan in your group), before starting the trek. The maximum altitude we reached was 4200m, which is rather non-impressive considering that we started at 2950m and walked consistently for nearly 6 hours (it's very steep).
Needless to say, other than my right ass and my collar bone (both of which I blame on the equally adventurous truck ride down), I am not sore. I would love to go back to Mt Kneya one day and spend a few days hiking and camping. It is so green and tropical here. And the contrast with the red soil is amazing.
I don't actually want to come back. I love the people here and the view and eat three kinds of starch at every meal. Internet access is next to impossible though - and yesterday was the first day we were in a school that even had a computer.
Love, me.