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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE July 12, 2005
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| July 8, 2003 |
Mombasa, Kenya – GET Safari in English - GET Students |
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| Dancers on the dock as GET students begin their "Safari in English" |
Drummers and dancers welcomed Peace Boat into the port of Mombasa with their dazzling outfits and pulsating beats. The GET students moved with the rhythm of the music to make their way from the ship to the waiting mini-vans that would take them on the "All English-speaking Safari" in Tsavo East National Park. In the knowledge that this would be two days of English only, students immediately practiced their language skills with the dancers that would be travelling with them for the length of the tour - and also teaching the GET participants some of their dance steps.
The convoy of mini-vans arrived at the secluded lodge that would be home for a night in Africa. Savannah was the view in all directions, and promises were made by the guides that animals would often come right up to the pond in front of the restaurant for a drink - rules included no going out at night for a walk and becoming lion food. |
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| Lions on the prowl for a snack between meals |
The first safari drive did not disappoint. Giraffes peered over the tops of trees as students watched in awe at the tallest animal on earth, striding away through the bush. Next, the guide pointed out footprints that could only have been made by elephants. After a drive that had cameras at the ready and binoculars scanning, a family of elephants suddenly came stomping across the dirt track, kicking up clouds of red dust and crashing through undergrowth. The guides pursued cross-country, but kept at a safe distance as the adults could charge the vans if they felt the calves were threatened.
Students eagerly tested their guides' knowledge with questions on all aspects of an elephant's life, including mating habits and the differing lengths of tusks. Leaving the elephants alone to satisfy their huge appetite of leaves and grass, the tour then slowly drove back to the lodge, stopping to see warthogs, impalas, guinea fowl and buffalo along the way. |
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| Cooking up Kenyan 'Ugali' with Peter in the kitchen |
After a meal in the restaurant, students listened to the sounds of the live band, many hearing the Kenyan string instrument, the Kyember, for the first time. Once the delicious dinner had settled, the dancers performed the traditional 'Sherekea' welcome dance for their guests. Students joined in the performance, shaking their hands and hips as fast as they could to keep up with the pace of the Kenyan dancers.
Donning their costumes of feathers and grass skirts, students boogied to the sounds of the band until the bugle-like horn of Peace Boat guest speaker and safari leader, Peter Orwa, trumpeted the end of the evening. Many relaxed before going to sleep by sitting under the vast night sky, watching out for shooting stars and the occasional zebra that crept up to the lodge to take a drink from the pond. |
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| Farewell Kenya as the sun dips beneath the hanging nests of the weaverbird |
Sunrise shimmered over the horizon, tingeing the bush and those who had woken early enough in a pink glow. Though the elephants and giraffes of the day before had been a thrilling sight, it was the promise of lions this morning that had students awake and ready to go at the crack of dawn. The guides drove slowly along the dusty roads, stopping and checking every movement in the bush for the signs of big game.
Just when it looked like the kings of the jungle had evaded the cameras for the day, four were spotted stalking a herd of zebras. The lions nonchalantly slinked between the mini-vans, thankfully focusing on a four-legged breakfast only, as the students snapped away in stunned silence. Back at the lodge, and ready for some morning sustenance of their own, the group watched the making of traditional Kenyan dish, 'Ugali'.
Wizard chef and tour leader Peter Orwa - adding some fine culinary skills to his list of talents, cooked up this delicious mixture of maize, spinach, beef and fresh tomatoes. Students tucked in before a farewell dance with the troupe of dancers that had accompanied them throughout the safari. The drive back to the port of Mombasa was filled with conversations sharing the sights and sounds of the two days with their new Kenyan friends, before bidding farewell to Africa and its amazing wildlife and people. |
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| Children singing in the SOS Children's Village |
GET Exchange to The SOS Children's Village
SOS Children's Village was built in Mombasa in 1978 to provide orphaned and abandoned children a new home. Over 30 students from the GET programme left Peace Boat for the day to take part in an exchange at the village. They were greeted by over 300 excited children mostly between the ages of three and seven. Some have been abandoned or rescued from abusive families and some have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS.
And yet, despite the sadness that they have faced, there is a strong sense of joy within this village community. The GET students contributed to that joy by singing songs, having lunch, playing games and laughing with the children. Over 150 books and a donation were presented to SOS to help support the orphanage's literacy project. Each book contained the name and address of the donor in the hope that a penpal exchange might develop from the visit. The children seemed thrilled with the new books and they excitedly began reading as soon as they received them. The GET students said goodbye, taking with them valuable memories and the kind of joy and love that only children can give. |
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