I Eat Meat!!!

Just get out there.....

I was curiously and surprisingly indecisive about my weekend trip to Tafaria Castle 5 hours north of Nairobi. The hours in a van seemed daunting - $50 of my hard earned money seemed a lot - the rain has been crazy lately and the castle was not a 15th Century historical UNESCO site preserved for future generations. It's a private individual who came up with the idea of building a house in 2012 that would be a bit different than the Jones'. C'est la vie.

I decided to go because of a discovery that has come to me late in life. I've always been a "busy" person - but have really come to understand that life happens "out there" ... and "not in here". Not in my head and not in my home. It happens in crowded cafes and on busy street corners -  in grocery store line ups and - well - everywhere really. But it happens less in the relative comfort of my living room. I often find that I have to push myself to get "out there" and am always pleased with how it turns out.


In my mind it's the difference between eating salad and steak! For me - I could live on salad...and not go hungry. But I eat meat!!! I want salad and a big fucking steak with all the trimmings!!! ..... and as my friend Frank often says...."suck the very marrow from life".

So off I went to the Castle with a group of 8 who were mostly strangers and then became friends.
Over the next 16 hours as we dealt together with a tire puncture, a break down in the middle of no where that could not be repaired..... some crazy bump and go driving in a rescue bus and heavy heavy rain. That was the adventurous part.

In between the "moments of the universe briefly conspiring against us" are memorable  moments  punctuated with the belly laughs we shared. Mary the tour director was just fantastic - never upset or "freaked out" just dealing with each situation as it came up. Quick to smile - slow to judge - never critical or anxious - simply a stand up person who gets shit done.  I'm envious of her ability and demeanor. While I think i am becoming a more patient person - it's never been my nature to just let stuff go and relax. As I get older - well  - like a very very good wine - I get better with each passing year. :) Like most folks I think?  Below is the rain swept road through the countryside with small farms along either side. A couple goats - a cow - chickens.... a bunch of vegetables growing all surrounding a little one room home where a family live their lives authentic and simplistic. As far as the castle goes...not so much!!

A nature walk in the pouring rain - down a country road somewhere in Africa.

My close friends and family are well acquainted with my love of sculpture that borders on obsessive. This piece really made me catch my breath. It was commissioned to signify the inner workings of the council of elders... the government that exists at the African community level and has such a powerful impact of the lives of those they touch. Here - one member of the council is in opposition signified by the slight tilting of his body backward. The 4 together still hold onto a ring of unanimity and take their democratic decision in unity. Not an unusual notion for a social democracy - but beautifully symbolized with this excellent piece.

A note on "The Kids"

 

Well my gosh they are hardly  kids anymore. Just look at Jake with his James Dean good looks and fancy car below. And Stevie with her "newest"tattoo (which is really cool by the way) Both are becoming the people they will become. In part from the influence of myself and their mom. And in part due to the choices they have made and will make. Both very cool and thoughtful people!!


I'm immensely proud of them both and grateful that they have allowed me the opportunity to Eat Meat while they work through school and life while I'm somewhere Ambling in Africa. It hasn't been easy for either of them...and I will never forget their generosity and unwavering support. I'll go home in the next while and take on my next adventure knowing that my adventure and any good work done here was due to their unselfish thoughtful and rock solid support of my crazy choices. I love you guys!!.









 Seriously  - thanks for reading -Layno!!