It was a magical day from start to end. Maji Moto is a peaceful and beautiful place. Our day started with open-air showers fed from the hot springs and a leisurely breakfast. No need to wake early for a game drive! Showers need to planned in advance here so they can pump the water.
A long walk took us around the Loita Hills. Near the start Koila showed us how to use the bow and arrow and we had some more practice with the spear. Our attempts at the bow were rather pathetic, but it was fun. Koila could shoot the arrows so far I lost track of them.
On our walk we learned about some of the local plants. There is one called the chewing gum tree, which emits a tough sap-like substance that is chewy and tastes like eucalyptus. There were also versions of sage and mint, which have many local uses, including bedding and deodorant, but they aren’t used for food seasoning in this area.
We also stumbled across a small tortoise, many grazing sheep, and saw the Kenyan version of mountain goats way up high. I was surprised to learn that on occasion elephants come through the hills seeking the water from Maji Moto (as shown by some dried elephant dung near the path).
Back at camp we had lunch and relaxed while making some beaded bracelets. It has been nice to chat with Narenik, who was born in Maji Moto, attended boarding schools on scholarship from Salaton, and returned to live at camp. She has visited Nairobi and Mombasa but prefers the quiet, relaxed way of living here. That said, it’s not as though people living a more traditional Maasai life are disconnected from the rest of Kenya; everyone uses phones, and the younger people like Narenik use social media like Tik Tok.
Night was spent in the bush. We packed light and hiked back to the Loita Hills. The entire evening was memorable. We met the goat that would become our dinner, witnessed its death, shared some of its blood, and observed some of its butchering. It was my first time seeing a whole animal be butchered, and Narenik said that was quite common with the guests.
We sat around the fire while the goat cooked. The meal was delicious. After eating, the Maasai sang blessings and we shared some of their local brew, made from aloe vera roots, something I don’t remember, and honey comb. To me it tasted like a mix of wine and mead.
The moon is exceptionally bright here, so we easily settled in to our beds.
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