Driving out to Ololosokwan village was rather pleasant as it was still very cool. We picked up the 2 fundi's who are repairing the clinic in the village and made our way onto Loliondo via Soit Sambu and Wasso - a 3hr drive.
I met some interesting people along the way, one guy wanted a job and the other guy, after a lengthy conversation wanted money for his operation (not too sure what exactly) coming up in July.
Africa! Somebody always wants you for something but will give you nothing in return.
After collecting all our stuff (that I could carry in one load) I tried, dismally, to meet with the District Commissioner, District game Officer and generally any important person worthwhile visiting so far from our camp.
I also tried to draw money from the only bank in "town", but there is no need for me to tell you how that went........
After dropping off all hardware goods back at the clinic I made my way over to Sero, a small sub village of Ololosokwan where I was invited to join one of my "Cow Patrol" guys for a ceremony where he was being welcomed as a village elder.
Unfortunately after all the driving and buggering around I got there after the ceremony, which actually started the day before.
I was welcomed with open arms and introduced to a few of Mzee Reiya's family members. Mzee means old man in Masaai. My Staff also call me Mzee, because of my grey hair.
I was given a small wooden stool to sit on under the tree where the men were gathered. The women were cooking, fetching and cleaning - awesome!
Dennis, one of our butlers was there aswell and he brought me some local beer Mlartini. This concoction is made from honey(with comb and bees), aloe, water and sugar and is brewed for 10 days.
I was actually pleasantly surprised by the taste, even though my cup contained flies, bees, honeycomb and ants. It tasted of sweet warm beer with an added honey flavour. I had 3 cups that were literally filled to the brim. My throat was sore this morning - it may be a fermented b-sting :-)
The ladies were carrying around chapattis and I was keen for one, as I still hadn't had any food the whole day - yes Loliondo didn't have a food stall worth looking into. Anyway I got a plate of meat, nothing else. It was watery beef that had been braai'd, not sure why so much water. I did gag a bit on the first bite which took a tad too long to complete. After that I really got into devouring every piece like a real man eating with his fellow tribesmen.
It was a great experience even with flies everywhere and meat cooked by a culture that wipe their bums with their hands and then eat with the same hands. I thought there was a good chance I might dysentery again or at least very sick. But alas, I am fine - not yet sure about the dysentery - that might still rear it's ugly head.
I finally got home at 6pm, sun burnt to a crisp and slightly mellow. A great day, to which some of the photos below bear testament.
Old Trafford Salon in Loliondo
The hardware store I bought all our supplies from - check the cool artwork
The metropolis of Loliondo
...and its inhabitants
Mzee Reiya 2nd from the left
All the elders
The man of the moment - dressed in his regalia
Colorful Masaai ladies
Some young Masaai wives
Enjoying the local brew
Like a Masaai
Beer served the traditional way - with all the impurities
Meat is meat and a man must eat
The meal coming to an end - check out the flies and blood
Hier sit die manne
Mzee Reiya with his 3 wives and a mate joining in on the photo action
