School is cool!!!

Weetabix

 

 
 

 

With great appreciation, we were able to spend another wonderful morning at the Nairobi National Park skulking around sneaking up on innocent creatures going about their daily business. Jake, Yvonne, Essie and I had a terrific few hours with 2 particular highlights. 

 

The first was watching a couple lions walking away from a Hartebeest breaky. Delicious!!

And the second was watching a herd of Wildebeests which Jake's decided were more aptly named Weetabix. Close enough 😂

 

 

I should also note watching a Mama Rhino with a cheeky little Rhinette who was scampering playfully around Mumsey. The photo is pretty poor - sorry about that but it was pretty cool and a privilege to sit up on the ridge and watch another of Mother nature's magical moments. 

Below is a video of a part of the skulking in the Park and disturbing a perfectly peaceful group of Zebras. Why the long faces guys?? (couldn't resist)

 

 

 

Speaking of young Jake

 

  

And here's Jake!!  - the future President of Kenya - no pressure kiddo.

Over the past 3 years, many of the readers have sent a bit of money my way to help Jake & Yvonne. In what feels like a seminal moment - Jake took a seat at his desk at Le Pic school where he will begin his education. How amazing is that!!

Kids start early here at the tender age of 3 years and go to school from 7am to 4pm each day. Yikes!!  Nevertheless, we have selected a very good private school for Jake that is likely 2x the cost of schools in the area where they live. That said - the local schools have a reputation that is anything but enticing. The cost includes transportation to and from - lunchie, uniform - and lots of fun with other kids. Just maybe there will be a bit of learning as well - who knows. I was particularly impressed with the cleanliness and organization of the school.

The cost for the first year will be about 700 CAD dollars (with the biggest financial hit coming in the first term with the admin costs and other fees like uniforms. It's roughly $200 per term.

Winnie smiling and efficient gets Jake all signed up.

Just outside the walls of Le Pic school - things are not quite as pretty.

Jake in his new school uniform - looking very proud indeed.

Very tidy and fresh looking school. Impressive!!!

And a big Hello to the Malezi school kids at Majengo

Grace above accepts the food that we sent into the slum for the month. Green grams, wheat flour, corn flour, beans, rice cooking oil and a few candies I threw in for good measure. A big thank you to Peter at Marketways (again) who matched a competitors price on cooking oil (from $34 down to $27) and threw in some freebies which oddly enough were Weetabix. That darned universe ... bizarre.

Andrew steadies  the Mkokoteni as we load up.

 

As always- if you would like to part with a couple dollars -- I firmly commit to ethical use of your heard-earned funds and promise not to buy Single Malt Scotch with it.

E-interact laynemahon@live.com or Paypal laynegmahon@gmail.com

New Adventures for "Men with Scarves"

 

 

Some readers may recall "Men with Scarves" blog as Andy, Chris and I summited at Mount Kenya. Looking at this picture of the Mount Kenya climb again - it still looks more like the Village People than hard core mountaineering dudes. Though, decidedly -- the quest and thirst for adventure doesn't stop at the summit of Mount Kenya. Oh no - this tough and hardy band of men will now attempt to summit Mount Elgon situated on the Kenya Uganda border.

Now at 4300 meters, it's a bit less than the now conquered Mount Kenya (5200) and Kilimanjaro  (5900)  but still a challenge as my advancing age and declining fitness could stand between me and another spectacular gobsmacking sunrise summit from one of Africa's most amazing peaks. Time to get off the couch as the departure date if Feb 21st, a scant few weeks away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading ....Layno at Le Pic

But what about Witchcraft?

 

As luck would have it

 

 

Over the Christmas break the General Manager of our rental accommodation on the coast asked for a bit of time with his family. The nerve!!!! I -- having familied  many times in the past agreed to the near insufferable duties associated with managing this quintessential seaside resort on the Indian Ocean. What a burden!! What a task!!! The 30 degree temperatures, the sweet smell of flowers and the ocean all around. So tough!! 

 

My sarcasm and annoyingly smug attitude were somewhat mitigated by my encounter with this pretty little fellow pictured on the left.  Don't be fooled by the pretty colors floating gently on the waves. 

The previous day walking along the beach I met a super friendly fella who told me (among other things) about the dangers of the Portuguese Man - of - war. 

 

 

 

 

He pointed out a few dead ones along the shore as we walked explaining that the change in wind was bringing them down from India. I feigned trepidation thinking that I had had enough encounters with Jelly Fish to know what it was all about. "You'll really feel it" he warned ...... I smiled feigning appreciation and changed the subject. Mr. know - it - all here.

 

So under the water a PMOW looks a bit like this .... and as one of these bastards lovingly wrapped itself around me the following day - I can now attest to the friendly guys warning that "you'll really feel it". It's likely more the surprise than the pain as it is immediate and excruciating. It's not a pain I have felt before -- biting and intense -- but likely not something I'll forget soon. I stayed out of the water for the rest of the days secretly plotting my revenge against these purple bastards. I came up empty on the plan but will get back at them someday!!

Introducing Max

 

 

 

 

What to say about a puppy other than Awwwww. I mounted up on the big BMW and headed off to an area called Naivasha to meet up with this little fella. Max is a Yellow Lab and at just a couple weeks not quite ready to take home to hang with Lucky and Sonny. Sonny will be leaving to the USA soon so a buddy for both myself and Lucky is certainly required.  

 

They were both pretty excited when I shared the news. Well - Lucky less so .... 

Coming back from Naivasha I chose a small back road that was about 3 hours of wonderful. Twists, and turns, breathtaking mountain vistas and almost no traffic. Of course there were potholes the size of Pluto to avoid but that is Kenyan roads for ya. I stopped in the field shown below for a break enjoying the open off road experience -- when I dropped the damned bike. To my surprise - I couldn't get the cursed machine back on it's wheels. As I pondered and cursed my stupidity an old fella walked up from out of the blue and smiled. No English was needed to explain my predicament which is fortunate as he didn't speak any. Hmm I thought - He's an old fella  - this may be a bit much for him. The bike quickly back on it's wheels I was humbled by his strength and generosity. We smiled and wished one another well and I returned to the road - which is a better place to be when cycling alone.

Rubber side down again

A lifetime of Learning

Throughout my life I have always enjoyed taking courses and learning more about the world around me. In particular -- my vocation which is managing people. With some time on my hands, as I managed the seaside Villa, I signed up for an online course in Leadership and Management.  The program is through EdX  --a highly regarded platform with great schools and where even greater instructors explain the complexities of this and that. 

In this course, a very well spoken and engaging professor from Harvard University delivers the material. He's really smart and I found it very helpful other than the fact that witch craft is never discussed -- completely overlooked.

You see  - in Africa, witch craft is a real thing and people are frightened - no terrified - of those who are able to cast spells. In my work here in Africa, I've come across it numerous times and it's at that moment when the clash of cultures becomes so evident. While the prof explained the intricacies of team dynamics as related to technical vs. adaptive capacity, I wondered how that model changes when one team member can cast a spell on the others. 😂

Jake's Education

A thank you to all those who chose to send donations to Jake & Yvonne for Jake's education and day to day. Thanks to Paul Gail Cliff Barry Fergus Bob and Mom for sending. None of those funds (to date) have gone to the Layno Single Malt Appreciation fund -- but a I drained the last of the 10 year old Laproaig on New Years Eve -- clearly I have a dilemma ahead of me. More seriously - we re making a difference in these people's lives with daily support and over $700 in the Education kitty. Next weekend Jake Yvonne and I are back to the National Park to enjoy the Flora and Fauna  .... and some time getting to know young Jake a bit better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading ...... Layno on a beach on a bike!!