On September 1, 2009, I launched into a humbling journey of self-exploration to the guts of Africa. For a month, I immersed myself within the tradition of the Maasai tribe whereas adopting and studying from their customs and tradition within the rural village of Kajiado, Kenya. This 6-part sequence chronicles the experiences and observations whereas travelling.
After spending three weeks devoid of operating water and electrical energy within the dust stuffed plains of rural Kenya, I made the choice to travel to the tropical coastal metropolis of Mombasa to expertise a weekend of retreat and decompression. Not understanding once I would return to Africa once more, I concluded it will be a clever option to discover the varied areas of Kenya whereas I had the chance.
I trekked from Kajiado to Nairobi as daybreak broke and took an overpriced taxi to the airport to make my 10am flight to Mombasa. An enormous kudos to Kenya Airways who kicked off my journey proper with spacious seating, ice chilly fruit juice, and a tasty chocolate fudge brownie. For the primary time in almost a month, the style of succulent heat chocolate happy my candy tooth as I noticed Mount Kilimanjaro become visible from outdoors my aircraft window.
After I landed, I discovered my driver awaiting me on the airport. The climate was hanging; a bit humid, however the atmosphere supported huge plant life which was a pleasant change of surroundings from the arid desert the place I had been residing. I checked into the five-star seaside aspect resort, Sarova Whitesands, at midday alongside a slew of American army men within the foyer. They caught my eye however as I used to be lined in soil and sure carried an disagreeable odor, I doubt that I caught theirs.
Later, after having an hour lengthy shower and having fun with the attractive climate, I went to Coco Seaside bar to seize a frozen mango Daquiri and met an inebriated Texan named Likelihood. At dinner, Likelihood got here to hitch me at my table the place we chatted a bit. He instructed me he was with the opposite ten American army men I had seen within the morning, however left the main points of their journey to Mombasa pretty obscure. Secretly, I had an inkling that they have been concerned in a particular operations mission and this peaked my curiosity.
Intrigued, I joined their group on the Coco Seaside bar and shared my journey to date. The men we’re aged between 28 and 35 years old all had tales from their personal lives. Amongst them have been Shawn – a 35 12 months old Californian who sported an extended beard and shaggy hair, who they nicknamed “Jesus.” Likelihood – who had an affinity for restoring old vehicles and the lifelong dream to spend money on late ’50’s Chevrolet’s from Cuba, and ship them to the States. Jimmy – 28 12 months old from Vermont who beloved to ski and labored on the aspect as a parttime skydiving teacher. However of all of the men within the group, it was Jason, a 35 12 months old from Detroit who was a Crimson Wings hockey fan, who captivated me essentially the most.
I loved the customized alcoholic drinks together with “Dawa”, which is a neighborhood drink consisting of Kenya cane rum, brown sugar, honey, and lime. The unrivalled (and barely egocentric) benefit for me as a girl surrounded by a hoard of men was that I didn’t have to deliver any cash with me to replenish my drinks. It was karaoke evening on the Coco, and as an avid singer for many of my life, I promptly took the stage and sang Hey Jude and backup for Gimme Shelter 강남가라오케.
After a late evening dip within the ocean with the boys, I went again to my room to clean up and acquired a textual content on my Safaricom phone from Jason. The attraction between us was electric and simple, and as I made my method to his lodge room, the sporadic thumping of my racing coronary heart was all I may really feel.
I entered and was instantly pulled in by this mysterious, fetching man. As my lips touched his, it ignited a firestorm of ardour that will not be contained. The following few hours proved to be the wildest sexual encounter of my life. It could have been the sheer thrill of the unknown, or that proven fact that in each our hearts, we’d by no means see each other past this weekend, however regardless of the cause – the starvation was insatiable. We ended our evening at 4:30am as he needed to be up at 6am for work.
The following few days, we have been inseparable. Every time he was again on the lodge, we hung out on the buffet, lounging across the pool, making love, and having fun with each other’s company. He handled me to a spa day whereas he was working, and left me wanting extra.
Sadly, on our third day he needed to depart with the group early one morning and woke me as much as let me know that I may have his lodge room for the rest of my keep and hold the boxed wine we began the evening earlier. We stated our goodbyes and shared a fleeting stare earlier than he departed.
I left to return to the village a day later and it modified my perspective of life going ahead. Upon exiting a unstable relationship previous to heading to Africa, it was reassurance that if you find yourself not on the lookout for something, it could actually discover you within the least anticipated place.
I can always remember the time I had whereas in Mombasa. And people few unbelievable days are endlessly imprinted in my reminiscences.