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!!