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| 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.
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| 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?
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| 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.
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| 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.
