Where to begin…. There is so much that has happened, that I have begun to lose track of my days here. As most of you are aware, I have been given a new name. I cannot deny that when the Maasai call out “Naserian”, I beam
with pride as I know it is my name, and in my heart I am humbled by its meaning – holy name. What more could I ever hope for in this experience than what I have already been given.

Angele has been welcomed into the Massai tribe.

Every day brings with it a new adventure. No nights, no mornings, and certainly, no days are the same. As I write, a particular incident comes to mind… I was in search of a bucket when I stumbled into the staff kitchen (not to be mistaken with the client kitchen which I frequent often). As it was nearing 5 o’clock, several Maasai had begun to queue at the counter with cups in hands. My curiosity must have been written all over my face for Douglas (my office counterpart) gave me his cup and suggested I try the “ugi” or porridge. A little apprehensive at first, as I was not sure what to expect, I decided to give it a try. What I tasted was not only hot, thick and sweet but oh! soooo good that I drank every last drop. The Maasai thought my routine of cooling down my ugi by blowing on it quite comical. With hand gestures and “ummm” sounds, they knew I was enjoying my experience. Thus began my first lessons in Ma.

Don't look too long... The siyafu ants are real opportunists!

This same day was also a lesson in speed and endurance. As my taste buds were being treated to a savoury experience, Greg and Libby were being dazzled by a stunning double rainbow over the African landscape. Natually, Greg called to request a photo. While I was racing to my tent to retrieve my photo gear, I temporarily stopped to gaze upwards and that’s when the siyafu (nasty little ants) started running up my legs. These ants are merciless. Their crawling causes your legs to tingle which creates a chain reaction of your itching and their biting. What had begun as a race to fetch my camera ended in a mad dash to my tent to strip off my pants. Of course the story didn’t end here. The staff eventually gathered on the front lawn of the main tent for a photo op under the rainbow. I had returned with new pants, set up my tripod and camera and had begun to click away. And then, if you guessed right, during the photo shoot, the siyafu had run up the legs of all the staff. There was alot of swatting and beating of pants and a slight chuckle behind the lense although no click of the shutter…after all I did sympathize.

Needless to say, I have countless more stories like these…most of which make me laugh out loud!