Nov 6 - Exploring Machakos

Sunday was my first day with no planned agenda in more than two weeks. Luxury!  Our only idea was to go for an afternoon hike in the hills around Machakos.  We went for a lovely long walk through the rural parts of town. Everywhere we went, we attracted attention. How could we not? We are a group of 12 “Muzungus” (White people)!  We were greeted with handshakes, hugs and smiles. It was really humbling to be strangers in town and to be so nicely treated where ever we went.

Many kids came running out to see us and they got the biggest kick from shaking our hands and having their photos taken. Thanks to the digital cameras, we could show them pictures of themselves right away. Their reaction was hilarious – they’d shriek and scream and point at the screen and laugh real belly-laughs.  Although they were obviously very poor (most had old dirty clothes and no shoes) they were the happiest kids I have seen in awhile!

There was one little boy who stole my heart. He was wearing patched jeans and a red plaid shirt with a crocheted cap on his head. He was more solemn than the others and winning a smile from him was a real treat. He followed behind us at a distance for a few hundred meters, before becoming brave enough to shake hands and say Jambo.

Here he is with some of his friends.

There was another little boy who had a home-made toy. It was a hoop and stick toy with a twist. The hoop was a brake disc from a truck and his stick was a bent coat hanger. He was a wizard with his toy and ran circles around us with it. Several of us tried to see if we could get it to go, but none had much success.

We saw coffee and bananas and maize growing behind these shacks in small terraced plots all the way up and down the hillside – it was beautiful. Here is a picture of a coffee plant with it's white flowers, and behind is a banana tree with a load of fruit.  

All along the road were goats that had been tethered there by their owners. The goats were eating and bleating, and nibbling at the sparse grass around them.

 






We ended up downtown after our walk in the hills, and then we made our way back to the hotel. What a wonderful, eye-opening yet relaxing day!