Kenya's Happy Valley and the High Priestess, A Random House Hit

 

Lately I have been pounding at keys, I needed to read not write this afternoon. I love Africa and have so much more to see there but a book I read today was such an insight to a Kenya from years ago, The Bolter by Frances Osbourne. It is the true story of, in her day, a most infamous Idina Sackville, high priestess of the Happy Valley debauch scene. Her bed was known as the battleground. Some of the white settlers in Kenya after WWI lived what in those days was unthinkable, the original Sex, Drugs and Jazz Band lifestyle, affairs and swapping with massive drinking and drugs. The stories played big in the world press and some of the moneyed set there certainly didn’t do much to curb their appetites. The book however did a great job in telling the story of a sad, confused and intelligent woman’s struggle and hope for love. Idina’s life was used by writers such as Michael Arlen and Nancy Mitford. The book is available by Random House, and well worth the read.

Out of Africa, Not Out of Ideas

As the thunder and darkened skies passed this late afternoon we put on one of my favorite movies, Out of Africa. It has been years since I’ve watched it and I once again loved it. I was reminded by so many things both about Africa and life. Awhile ago I had a chance to visit the home of Isak Denison, better known as Baroness Karen Blixen, in the film. It also made me think of people who decry, “oh that place is so overdone”. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting her home of seventeen years and the memories she wrote about it.

It has become an overused phrase, like the cool dip in the ocean off the Hamptons or coastal Maine is no longer worthy of doing. I am so sick of the critique of visiting popular places; there is a reason that spaces entice. Just bring your own sense of place—I trust feelings. Overcome crowds—they have a right to be there. I would have loved to be the first traveler to enter Petra. I have twice, and both times felt amazed in different ways. The world gets smaller so expand your mind. I guess if you can watch a play by Shakespeare out in Tanglewood or in the Met, you get what I am saying.

Masai Faces, Kenya 2008

Kenya Safari Trip

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.