Monday, July 19, 2010

Homestay: Vicky, Emily, and Alex



The night before last I went to stay with a traditional Maasai family with Emily and Alex. When we arrived we greeted everyone and shook their hands, remembering to say ashe oleng (thank you very much) for allowing us to stay with them. They took out short wooden stools for us to sit on outside the boma (hut) while we took tea. Soon, a baby goat wandered out of its pen and began crying for its mother. In a matter of minutes, all the adult goats, who had been grazing elsewhere, came running back home. We realized later that they separated the kids from the herd during the say so in the evening, the village could easily draw their goats back to the village.

A couple of the women took out cups and began to milk the goats, asking us if we would like to try. It was harder than we had anticipated. However, we all managed to get some milk. Afterwards we sat back down and had more tea. The sun fell and we found ourselves surprisingly comfortable with the darkness. From the lack of skyscrapers and brownstones, we could see the night sky from horizon to horizon. We compared names of constellations with our hosts. Before dinner at 10:30PM, we saw a herd of zebras, a hedgehog, and a poisonous beetle by means of flashlight.

We were told the children would sing for us. They were nervous at first. Everyone stood in a circle. One child sang while everyone else created a gutteral beat, bending their knees to the rhythm. The children would run to the center of the circle and jump as high as they could. In addition, after they jumped, some of the children would run towards one of us and turn around right before they touched us as a joke. Emily, Alex, and I joined in jumping and kidding around as well. After that, our translator told us that the children were going to sing a sacred song. We all jumped as we sang, laughing with bare-all smiles. After we were sufficiently tired, we had a delicious and very filling meal of beans and rice and then retired.

We slept under a mosquito net in a half-built boma, looking up at the stars. The bed, a hardened cowhide laid flat on the ground, was difficult to adjust to but we managed to sleep. In the morning, we took more tea and held adorable baby goats. At 8:00 am, our Masai leader, Shani, came to pick us up. We gave our host our gifts and then posed for pictures. Then they gave us each a Masai name. Mine was Naramatisho, meaning caregiver. Emily’s was Narana, meaning friend of the family. Alex got the name Orgassis, meaning wealthy man since he was accompanied by us two women.

11 comments:

  1. Mom - We want to see a picture of you in Africa. What animals did you see? Are you sleeping in a hut? Oliver & Eliza

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  2. Hi Alex (or should I say Orgassis), Looks like a very interesting evening you spent during your home stay. It is amazing to us that you are all experiencing this very different culture - though it appears that good manners are important everywhere - wonderful! Got your note about the 'cop incident' - glad to hear nothing major. Would love to see more photos of you and the rest of the gang, including your hosts, if that is acceptable. We are sweltering under a heat wave here in NY, so you may be better of than we are in that regard. Love you, Mom and Dad

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  3. Hi Alex and fellow adventurers!
    Your blogs and photos are fabulous--glad things are going well. What an experience for all of you. Take care. Happy trails to all!
    Love, Aunt Karen, Uncle, Joe, & Lara

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  4. did you all do your home stay on the same night? is the home stay for one night? marilyn (boo), can't wait to hear from you. hope it's as awesome as it sounds!!

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  5. I do have photos of my homestay and the family, I don't really have a chance to post them now though so you'll see when I get back. Thanks for following Aunt Karen, Uncle Joe, and Lara! Say hi to Enzo and Daffy.

    And by the way, Martha, the homestays are spread out over three days and Marilyn is actually on her homestay right now as I type.

    -Alex

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  6. What a wonderful visit. I loved reading about it. We miss you, Emily!

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  7. Vicky, I'm so proud of you and I'm sending you lots of love.

    Ellie

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  8. Hi Emily (this is Daddy) - I'm having fun trying to picture you in this little ritual with your homestay group. Sounds just like one of our family reunions. Have fun and bring me home a goat. Love, Daddy

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  9. We are truly amazed by everything that you are doing not mention proud of you and everyone on the trip. Personally, I'm so jealous that I haven't had an experience like this. The mosquito net would be my best friend FOR SURE! Love you!

    Allegra & Danny

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  10. Caregiver, it suits you. I'm delighted to hear that everything is going so well. They sky there must be amazing. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your adventures when you get back.

    I love and miss you very much, Jackson

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