Mzima Springs and National Geographic

You can tell a lot about people when you rent their place, John Blois has stacks of National Geographic magazines piled up. I brought several books with me up to Cozy Cove Cottage but really didn’t pick them up much. Instead I traversed the world on the pages of NG. From Russia to Egypt I read wonderful stories and saw amazing photos. I was particularly fascinated by an article in the November 2001 NG; it was about the Hippos that habituate Mzima Springs in Kenya. I had the chance to visit there this past March. The info in the article about life amongst the Hippos and Crocs was intensive and for a bit I was back in Kenya. That’s along way from my peaceful perch up here in Southport Island, Maine.

Mombasa Market, Real Life Foods

On my way home from Davenport's farm stand this evening I thought about the various markets I have been to this past year. While I love the European markets with their perfect looking produce, one market visit comes to mind in Mombasa. Entrails of various meats hung like counter weights off huge hooks, cheaper cuts for the masses. The smell of blood and spices strangely encourage the taste buds. In the heat of the Equator things must sell fast and they do. Hawkers pull and tug till you examine their goods. In Africa nothing is wasted, people's lives depend on cheap cuts, no Big Macs filled with chemicals, just pure protein. The market isn't for the weak of stomach but it will linger in the mind.

Kenya, a Post Election Inspection

It has been a great week home but I am heading out again to Kenya a return to Africa. Post election tourism is way down after the riots almost by 70%. Word spreads fast and Kenyan wants the world to know that the situation has stabilized. The dollars that are brought into Kenya trickle down to very poor and needy people and the situation is desperate. Writers from the UK and the US will get a chance to see for themselves just what is going on in Kenya.

I am looking forward to game safaris and lodges under Mt. Kilimanjaro, as well as time in Mombassa and Nairobi. It will be such a pleasure to once again be under African skies and I am filled with hope that Kenya will weather its current dilemma.