Today we went on the BEST excursion ever. We drove out of the city a bit to a place called the Masai Lodge. We met our guide who took us on a crazy hike. We had to climb across a vertical rock wall along a river, climb through bushes, and jump across the water. Along the way the guide pointed out all the different kinds of animal droppings we came across, which included those from giraffes, hyena, and buffalo (yes I mean buffalo). After hiking a while in the ravine by the river we climbed out into what you would probably imagine as typical East African Savannah. The city skyline was visible beyond the savannah and in the distance we saw a small herd of Zebras and baboons. After hiking through the desert a ways we reached this incredible suspension bridge that crossed a deep ravine. Even for someone who is not afraid of heights in the slightest, it was nearly impossible to keep your heart rate down as the rickety bridge bounced and swayed hundreds of feet above the ground.
On the other side was the most remarkable artisan community of glass blowers. There buildings were out of this world. It is almost impossible to describe while giving justice to how absolutely amazing it was. Even the pictures don’t entirely capture its character. Most of the buildings and huts used recycled bottles in their construction and were built in crazy shapes and colors. All the walkways were inlayed with colorful glass fragments. In one of the shops there were gaps in the floor with hanging ropes leading to the lower levels. And on the roof there were two hanging swings that overlooked the ravine we had just crossed. We came to a vanishing edge swimming pool that looked like a piece of art. Inside one of the glassblowing huts we watched women making beads inside furnaces that were thousands of degrees. All of the glass they use is recycled from glass bottles they gather and they also keep pigs and other animals to serve as a sustainable community. We wandered through all the different shops and some of us bought different pieces of glass and art. When the time came to head back we crossed back over the bridge and headed back to the lodge.
At the lodge, we ate a delicious lunch before having a chance to relax and swim in their pool. None of the pools are heated since the sun gets hot enough to warm them up, but it was still freeeeezing. The day was beautiful though, so it was easy to warm up in the sun. On the way back home we had the chance to stop at a mall with a nice supermarket so a lot of us stalked up on things we can’t get at our local markets. I was so glad AU abroad was able to organize an excursion like this - it is not something that would have ever crossed our minds to do, yet will probably be one of the most memorable moments of the experience.
On the other side was the most remarkable artisan community of glass blowers. There buildings were out of this world. It is almost impossible to describe while giving justice to how absolutely amazing it was. Even the pictures don’t entirely capture its character. Most of the buildings and huts used recycled bottles in their construction and were built in crazy shapes and colors. All the walkways were inlayed with colorful glass fragments. In one of the shops there were gaps in the floor with hanging ropes leading to the lower levels. And on the roof there were two hanging swings that overlooked the ravine we had just crossed. We came to a vanishing edge swimming pool that looked like a piece of art. Inside one of the glassblowing huts we watched women making beads inside furnaces that were thousands of degrees. All of the glass they use is recycled from glass bottles they gather and they also keep pigs and other animals to serve as a sustainable community. We wandered through all the different shops and some of us bought different pieces of glass and art. When the time came to head back we crossed back over the bridge and headed back to the lodge.
At the lodge, we ate a delicious lunch before having a chance to relax and swim in their pool. None of the pools are heated since the sun gets hot enough to warm them up, but it was still freeeeezing. The day was beautiful though, so it was easy to warm up in the sun. On the way back home we had the chance to stop at a mall with a nice supermarket so a lot of us stalked up on things we can’t get at our local markets. I was so glad AU abroad was able to organize an excursion like this - it is not something that would have ever crossed our minds to do, yet will probably be one of the most memorable moments of the experience.