First: The Great Rift Valley ....
Dissecting the great Country of Kenya is the Great Rift Valley which runs convincingly through it's center. In doing so, it tantalizes you with visual delights from top to bottom. The awe-inspiring cliffs and distant valleys steal away any usual thoughts and replace them with whimsical musings about what is just beyond and how did this geographical anomaly occur? There's a road that clings reluctantly to the cliff-side built in 1942 by Italian prisoners of war who spent far more time designing the church pictured on the left than building a road that would stand the test of time.
I get to travel this 5km strip of blacktop hell twice weekly enjoying frequent traffic jams caused by inevitable breakdowns along the way. You see - it's one lane up and one lane down with very few opportunities to get off the road if one needs to. A cliff going up on one side and down on the other.
Among several in Kenya and competing for top billing, my worst nightmare would be to have a breakdown on this hellish accent. (on the decent you can roll at least) Sleeping overnight in your vehicle is not at all uncommon on this ribbon of crap - though thankfully not an adventure I have enjoyed to date.
So when I thought it best to transit our aging Land Cruiser Ambulance back to Nairobi for much needed repairs, the idea of breaking down on the escarpment crossed my mind repeatedly as I approached the hill from hell. The following picture and my expression I think convey my thoughts and feelings rather concisely. Fuck!!!
Fortunately, I was able to get most of the truck off the road as the trucks whizzed by unconcerned with my personal nightmare. WE Team members helped me get a Fundi (repair guy) to the site and get me fixed up. Many thanks to the team and that dude on the motorcycle. With an 8pm curfew quickly approaching, and alone in the middle of nowhere, it was hardly a Disney-Land-like situation.
Which leads me to:
The Great Repair Rift.
In my home and native land of Canada you simply drop off your vehicle for repair at the appointed time, sip a double chocolate soy milk macchiato foo foo drink -- and then voila -- you're on your way....
Now in Kenya - repairs are a delicate matter indeed as the object is to get your vehicle back with all it's parts still in place. Any sort of improvement in drive-ability is considered a victory as parts are often swapped, stolen or "reconditioned" used parts cleverly disguised as new parts. What a racket 😉
....just sayin'
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| Dirty Max |
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| Destructive Max |
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| On the Roof Max |
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| And Cute Max |
An update on Just Food Africa
Many thanks to Audrey (DJ's Mom) who generously donated to the program. Jake is doing well in school though Covid19 is interrupting just as it is all our lives. With that in mind, I've engaged a tutor to ensure that he is able to access the material he needs to move along nicely !!
We continue to provide monthly food to the Majengo slum -- though school is out for the time being with the city under an inter-county lock down. The 8pm curfew doesn't help at all and suspect if the curfew and lock down don't lift soon - there will be urgent need for food in the slums. I'll keep everyone informed if we get to that dire situation. Right now we have enough money for the next 3 months - so it's not desperate times and regular programs are financially supported.
If you would like to donate - please do so @:
E-interact: laynemahon@live.com or Paypal: laynegmahon@gmail.com
Thanks for reading ..... Layno & Essie on a hike!!! (with a view of the Great Rift Valley ...of course)
