Learning new things

[Jeff Alton]

Don't post alot about our travels on any forums. But we travel to Kenya often. I spent time growing up there and got hooked on the Safari Rally, the people, the country and culture as a young kid.

At any rate, on our most recent trip we had some extra time to learn a little more about the culture, traditions and lifestyles of locals, and those who take care of us on our stays.

On each visit we stay between 7-10 days at one particular "camp" . Camp is a loose term, 4-5 star accoms in canvas walls.

The owner's of this particular camp have become great friends with us. Geoff Mayes, the owner, is the fellow that brough WRC back to Africa. So we clearly have hit it off over the years. He will be with the Tuthill group next month on Classic Safari Rally.

At any rate, my wife Dee, loves to learn and give back. So on this trip at camp she chopped wood for fires, helped out in the kitchen to make my B-day dinner and prep meals for the following day.

But she has always wanted to learn to make fire from, well, nothing. So we asked the camp manager Clinton, if the staff and local Masai tribesman could teach her. They were excited at the opportunity and did so. The Chief of the local tribe, Wilson, is in the pic, helping her learn.

Amazing experience. After multiple stays at this camp (Amazing Mara Camp) we consider the owners and staff as friends and family.

Dee making fire from, wood.

[unclebilly]

Jeff - this is awesome.

For me, life is about learning new things, often through new experiences.

[Jeff Alton]

Thank you, and I agree.

Looking for property there for the last number of visits, trying to learn as much as we can and give back.

[stealthn]

That’s cool!

A friend of my wife’s is a photographer and leads tours in Africa several times a year. She has Amazing pictures of the animals and scenery of so many countries there.

[Seahawk]

Thank you for posting this thread. Very inspirational.

Happy Thanksgiving

[LWJ]

Fantastic.

For people who can afford it, travel is such an amazing way to learn and share. When done correctly and respectfully, as above, all parties win.

Very cool.

[wdfifteen]

Awesome Jeff.
I wish I could go to Africa and learn what it is like there. The predominant image we get is of miserable, ignorant, starving black people struggling for life in a barren desert hellscape. We are always being asked to “help Africa, give to Africa.”

[Jeff Alton]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Awesome Jeff.
I wish I could go to Africa and learn what it is like there. The predominant image we get is of miserable, ignorant, starving black people struggling for life in a barren desert hellscape. We are always being asked to “help Africa, give to Africa.”

My African experiences is limited to Kenya, though Dee's includes many other countries. That said, all told including time living there, I have probably spent 30+ months there. 8 or 9 months during the last 8 years. We do our best to rent homes each trip in different areas, smaller towns, (though we have a couple of favorites) so we can live a week or so at a time as if we were residents. Best way to learn.

I can say that, as westerners, it is easy to look at people there and think they have "nothing" compared to the way we like to spend money and acquire "things". Yet, they seem happier and more content than the typical westerner. Food, shelter and water. We have always found the locals to be polite, giving and helpful. It is a different life for them for sure, but we don't see what is shown on those TV shows asking you to donate.

In Nairobi, which is a city of close to 5M people, it is like many cities. Classes of society exist, bad/good/better/best areas for sure. Homelessness as well. But we have always felt safe. Safer than in some parts of Vancouver.

We are currently looking to help with a water project for the village that leases out the land that our fave camp is on. We feel better doing stuff directly with those that will benefit as there is a fair bit of corruption in the country, and most of Africa. The only difference with the corruption vs North America, is that it is out in the open and understood by all. Where here it still very much happens, but our Politicians choose to try to hide it from us....

If anyone ever has any question about travel to Kenya, we are always happy to answer them. Dee organizes all of our trips, and Trips for many others as well who have reached out to her on forums etc.

Cheers

[Jeff Alton]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Thank you for posting this thread. Very inspirational.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well.


Cheers

[Jeff Alton]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Fantastic.

For people who can afford it, travel is such an amazing way to learn and share. When done correctly and respectfully, as above, all parties win.

Very cool.

Yes, we don't really travel anywhere else, save the odd weekend getaway. We consider ourselves fortunate to be able to do what we do.

But no matter where I have ever gone, the experience of getting to know the culture and the people is the most important. Gain understanding, be respectful, and contribute positively in all cases.

Cheers

[Jeff Alton]

Originally Posted by stealthn

That’s cool!

A friend of my wife’s is a photographer and leads tours in Africa several times a year. She has Amazing pictures of the animals and scenery of so many countries there.

That is cool! We are not photographers, and take less pics every trip compared to the last, but we too have some amazing pics and videos captured.

It is sort of strange for us, as we tend to want the memories stored in our heads rather than pictures. The only time we look at the pics is when friends are over and say "hey, we want to see the pics of your trip!"

That said, we get the photography thing. Many vehicle there are kitted out specifically for photography. We have close friends that travel exclusively for that.

Cheers

[mistertate]

I thought this was really cool

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Jeff Alton

Don't post alot about our travels on any forums. But we travel to Kenya often. I spent time growing up there and got hooked on the Safari Rally, the people, the country and culture as a young kid.

At any rate, on our most recent trip we had some extra time to learn a little more about the culture, traditions and lifestyles of locals, and those who take care of us on our stays.

On each visit we stay between 7-10 days at one particular "camp" . Camp is a loose term, 4-5 star accoms in canvas walls.

The owner's of this particular camp have become great friends with us. Geoff Mayes, the owner, is the fellow that brough WRC back to Africa. So we clearly have hit it off over the years. He will be with the Tuthill group next month on Classic Safari Rally.

At any rate, my wife Dee, loves to learn and give back. So on this trip at camp she chopped wood for fires, helped out in the kitchen to make my B-day dinner and prep meals for the following day.

But she has always wanted to learn to make fire from, well, nothing. So we asked the camp manager Clinton, if the staff and local Masai tribesman could teach her. They were excited at the opportunity and did so. The Chief of the local tribe, Wilson, is in the pic, helping her learn.

Amazing experience. After multiple stays at this camp (Amazing Mara Camp) we consider the owners and staff as friends and family.

Dee making fire from, wood.

This is so cool. The worst part of being immuno-compromised is not being able to do stuff like this.