Kakamega Forest

Hello all! So do I have some stories for you...

On Friday morning (africa time) my hut-mate Wren and I ventured into the unknown. Destination: Kakamega Forest Reserve. So we left at 9:30am in a matatu (cube van converted to taxi service that transports a minimum of 20 people in a space meant for 14 : i'll leave you to imagine that). We went first to this junction place right before Busia (about an hour from Ugunja). Then we headed East to a town called Mumuias (known for it's sugar production). Then we went to Kakamega town. While we were waiting there Wren and I were approached by a few men who said "you're beautiful...I appreciate it". It is probably one of the best pick up lines I have ever heard. Nonetheless, it was creepy.

Then from Kakamega town we went to Shinyalu. While waiting for transportation another man started talking to us. He started with "I have feelings for you", and then progressed to "I would like to marry a white woman", to which I replied "Good luck with that" (I was proud of my witty comeback). Then, after more of his talking Wren jumps in with, "you know she is married", to which I replied "Yes, I am married". We then begun a fascinating story of how Wren and I were sisters who were both married, who had traveled here from Kampala, Uganda. My name was Melody, and hers was Stephanie. After travelling from Shinyalu to the forest via boda boda (aka riding on the back of a bicycle) we finally made it to our destination!
We stayed in these beautiful bandas, which are circular mud huts, with a really high thatched roof and a nice veranda. Very high class to us!

Around 430 we departed the bandas with our guide, Benjamin. He pretty much knows everything about the forest, it was amazing. We asked to go on a sunset walk, and he said that we would get to go to this viewpoint to look out on the forest as the sunset. That sounded great! Little did we know by "viewpoint" he actually meant small mountain. Definitely the hardest physical thing I have done in awhile. After climbing about 1200 feet, we rested on a platform and got to look out onto the forest. I can't really describe it in words except to say it was so beautiful. And that wasn't even the top! Benjamin led the way to the actual top of the mountain, another 500 feet. At some points the incline was so steep my knee was in my face.
But again, once we reached the top, it was breathtaking.

The next day we went for a river walk, which was about 5 hours. It was pretty nice, we saw some monkeys, cool birds, butterflies, and a plant that only blooms once every 13 years (weird!). Walking through the forest reminded me a lot of Canada, and walking through the forests in Hamilton. It was a nice flashback. For food we had bought peanut butter, jelly and bread, so we pretty much lived off that for the 2 days.

On the way back on Sunday we stopped off in Kisumu to get some money and other stuff. At the supermarket called Tuskie's I found the amazing thing - muesli! I have missed oats, bran, granola and overall complex carbs so much, so you can imagine my excitement! It was a great purchase. I also found the closest thing I could to granola bars, which also excites me greatly. Then Wren and I went to a nice restaurant for lunch where we both got chicken sandwiches and fries (for only $4 Canadian dollars). It was the perfect end to the weekend.

When we got back to Ugunja I found out that Beryl (one of the teens living on the compound) and her choir had advanced to the provincial finals! So I am going to see them next week and I am really excited. The music is so beautiful. I will take video to show you all!

Well that is all for me, I am just sitting in the UCRC library catching up on some school related work and listening to music. It has been a great day! Oh and also, this morning I met Obama's grandmother, the one that was flown in for the inauguration. It's okay to be jealous. Haha, no I'm kidding. She was very welcoming, but quiet at the same time - she gets so many visitors I am sure she is sick of it by now. But it was interesting nonetheless. She has massive security, 3 army tents worth! Definitely not living like an average Kenyan woman.

Oriti for now.