Day 2 & 3

A local spring we passed during our ascension

The 28^th of June, my third day in Lesoit Village (City.) Frank, Juma, and Paapaa planned to take us on a hike up Oldonyo Olosipa (Bald Mountain). We woke up this morning for Chai Maziwa and Chapati, then dawned our shukas and finished preparing for our hike. We departed from Cha’ ngombe (Franks Kraal) in the morning to park a bit outside of the Lesoit city market and began our hike. It was at this time that Chris and I received our fimbos-(Maasai walking sticks carved from African black wood) Juma and Frank gifted their walking sticks to Chris and I.  

The Hike itself was about 45 minutes-one way. As we walked, we passed natural springs and herds of cattle grazing around the base of the mountain.

A herd of Cows grazing

 Juma and Mrs. Askew told us stories of warriors coming face to face with fierce Pythons that could fling themselves into and strike from trees.  After a short while of walking we stumbled upon a clearing. Frank stopped us to show us a few of the games warriors play such as Rungu(club) and Fimbo throwing . He pulled out one of the traditional weapons Maasai warriors are equipped with; the Rungu. Juma then stationed himself at the other end of the clearing, then Frank wound up and threw the rungu clear across the area to land inches away Juma’s feet; something like 80-90 yards. Then it was our turn. He handed me the rungu and positioned me across from Juma, after showing the way to hold the African black wood club I let it whip out of my hands to land a few yards short of Juma. Chris followed suit and positioned himself across the clearing, as he swung his arm the rungu flailed out of his hands and straight into the bush. I made sure to hold my victory over him for the remainder of the hike but, my triumph was short lived, another competition loomed over us as we looked toward the peak of Olosipa. Who would be the first to gaze out over the land of Lesoit?

During our hike we actually ran into an illegal lumbering operation, These men were  illegally harvesting  lumber from the Maasai forests, operations like these are fairly common

  As the summit of Oldonyo olosipa came into view I took no time in attempting to cement a double vicotory and took off in a spint, conquering the increasingly steep slopes, victory insight. I stopped a few yards short of my destination looking down towards Chris to catch my breath and gloat on my impending victory. On this sight Chris shot towards the summit to in a hail mary despite the distance between us. With my strength returned I prepared to finish the distance, but before I could do this, vicious Ants had begun their hike up my right leg!  I remembered the east African saying “when the siafu(Biting ants)  are around everyone is your family “-Those who are inauspicious enough to be swarmed by siafu are advised to strip,  but I refused to strip and pulled each ant off of my leg. While I did this, Chris had summited Olosipa and I received a humbling barrage of teasing from Chris. Truly the worst indigestion comes from ones own words. As Frank, Juma, and Mrs. Askew joined Chris and I we all looked out from our vantage point, amazed at the reaches of Lesoit City rolling mountains and plains dressed the land scape with villages spotted throughout the range.

Mrs. Askew snaps a photo to commemorate the occasion

 After catching our breath and commemorating the event we began to descend Oldonyo Osopina.
Once we returned, we enjoyed a well needed Shower and descended the plateau into Songe to watch the European finals Portugal Vs Spain, the quarterfinals for the night.

06/28 My third day in Lesoit city was spent with the Ilmurran( Warriors). Chris and I were initially invited the morning of the 28th to witness our first Cow slaughter, but due to our late night we arrived at Juma’s kraal-Kati to eat breakfast with his family. Afterwards we traveled to the Orpul -(Warrior encampment) late morning  to meet the Ilmurran. Chris and I separated from the rest of the gang and were led into the warrior encampment, where we roasted meat and became acquainted with them. After the roasted beef and some small talk we were escorted by the Illmurran back to Juma’s village. On the way back we joked and conversed a bit more to gauge the possibility of Chris and I staying in the Orpul, and if so, how long? The warriors spoke Maa (their first language) were fluent in Swahilli (Tanzania’s national language), and spoke some fractured English. Communicating with them didn’t prove difficult with Chris’s and my own mastery of “swanglish”. Once we returned to Mrs. Askew and the rest of the gang, we spoke on some of the details concerning our stay with the warriors. Now despite the common understanding that Chris and my own combined physique and raw manliness would have no trouble dealing with a lion, there had been sightings of lions in the area and there was the question of reliable water sources. Unfortunately, it was resolved that Chris and I would construct our own Orpul with the help of Paapaa, Lenjekka(Franks younger brother), Frank, Juma and a few others. We would begin in the morning! The remainder of the afternoon was spent mingling in Cha’ ngombe, working on our Maa, and relaxing.  In the evening we made another excursion to Songe to see the semi-finals between Germany and Italy, (2-1) Italy, at a local bar. During our descents to Songe, Chris and I found ourselves traveling to a Michael Jackson's “Greatest Hits” album. Our car, toughing the rough terrain in the middle of a pitch black forest, jamming out to P.Y.T. It had turned out Frank was a huge Michael Jackson fan.