Ricky Tims Shares Africa!
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| Ricky Shares His African Experience! |
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The following is a brief journal of Ricky's recent trip to Kenya! |
| My African Diary: A Brief Overview |
| As you probably already know, Justin and myself, along with Alex and John Anderson, led a photo-safari tour to Kenya, East Africa on January 17-28, 2011. On this journey we sought artistic inspiration from the people, nature, wildlife, and designs that are so prevalent in that magical place. Our tour was directed by Jim West of Sew Many Places. Forty-nine of us (enthusiastic, like-minded quilters, family and friends) enjoyed a glorious twelve-day tour filled with inspiration that included a visit to Karen Blixen's (Out of Africa) House and Museum, a morning tea and cultural exchange with members of the Kenya Quilt Guild, a visit to a Samburu village, and numerous safari drives. In Nairobi After umpteen hours of travel we arrived in Nairobi. Wouldn't you know it, my bag was missing from the flight! Thankfully, Justin had a Dog Bar T-shirt (from Cuchara, CO) that I wore while we waited more than 24 hours for my bag to arrive. I'm beginning to see an international travel pattern (remember Dubai?) but thankfully, this time I didn't carry any quilts. On our first tour day we drove to the Karen Blixen House and Museum. The life of wealthy baroness and author Karen Blixen was portrayed in the academy award-winning movie featuring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. Here's a photo of Alex and me outside her house. It was an opulent house for Kenya in 1914. She owned about 7500 acres of land here.  Ricky and Alex outside the Karen Blixon National Museum. Our next stop was for lunch and shopping. Yes, Shopping! I'm not much for shopping, but I couldn't resist latching on to these two antique carved statues from the Congo. The one on the left is surrendering. However, when you turn it around it has a small grinning face on its hollowed-out backside near the center suggesting, "not really!" It symbolizes the phrase, "never give up!" The taller one on the right suggests that we are here to help each other - "I'll carry you when you need me to." I sure hope these eventually make it to La Veta. I had them shipped.  Me and my new friends. Later that day we visited the Kazuri Bead Factory. These world-famous beads are made by single mothers. The program is designed to provide income to needy women. Learn more about the Kazuri Beads here.  A happy single mother making tiny beads. The day ended with a visit to the Giraffe Sanctuary. We were treated to an educational talk about giraffes and learned that there are three species of giraffes in Kenya: the Reticulated, the Maasai, and the Rothschild. After our class, we got to feed and kiss the giraffes. Did you know that giraffe saliva has a faint, pleasant smell and is an antiseptic in order to combat the bacterial acacia tree thorns? It was here that we met our first wart hog and I learned that the wart hogs are the clowns of Africa.  Kelly (the giraffe) and I have not yet set a date! Stay tuned! Visiting the Kenya Quilt Guild in Nairobi The next day we enjoyed a morning tea (more like a feast) and a quilt show put together by Dena Crane and members of the Kenya Quilt Guild. The quilts were wonderful to see! In addition, it was a surprise to see the diverse nationalities represented in the guild. We could not have had a warmer welcome and this event was certainly a highlight for the quilters on the trip. Thank you Kenya Quilt Guild for your warm hospitality. We won't forget it!  Jim West, Dena Crane, Alex and Ricky. Dena organized the cultural exchange and quilt show. That's Dena's quilt peeking out between Ricky and Alex!  Members of the Kenya Quilt Guild welcomed us while standing in front of member's quilts. In Nanyuki Over the next few days we were treated to numerous safaris. We left Nairobi and stayed in various places. The Sweetwaters Tented Camp was nothing short of amazing. The camp is located on the equator (literally) and is a few miles from the town of Nanyuki. In Nanyuki we were able to visit the Nanyuki Spinners and Weavers - another self help organization that assists women with skills and life management. Take a moment to read the sign hanging on the wall of their workplace.  On Safari The greatest excitement during the trip happened on our safari drives each morning and late afternoon. Before taking this trip we could only hope that we might see animals. Be assured, an African safari adventure will not disappoint. We saw lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, gazelles, cape buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and so much more. The only animals we did not see on this trip were wildebeest (they had migrated) and flamingos. I was able to capture plenty of wildlife through the lens of my camera. To see a large collection of the wildlife photos I took on this trip, visit my Africa 2011 photo gallery. In addition to Sweetwaters Tented Camp we also stayed at the Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, the Mt. Kenya Safari Club, and the Mara Serena Lodge.   Samburu Village We had the wonderful opportunity to visit a Samburu village. The women and men are beautifully adorned in their tribal clothes and spectacular beads. They live a challenging life in huts assembled in a village that is surrounded by a thorny protective fence. We were treated to their singing, jumping, and even were invited into their huts to see first hand how they live. As is the case just about everywhere, we had the opportunity to purchase original hand-made jewelry from the tribe. We also learned that our visitors fee and income from purchases were to be shared equally with ten other similar Samburu villages.  The beautiful beads and colors of the Samburu women and warriors are captivating while they sing.  Dwellings inside the Samburu village. Hot Air Balloon Ride Over the Masai Mara The culmination of our trip was in Southern Kenya on the Masai Mara, just north of the Tanzania border. Those of us who opted to try this adventure rose well before dawn and made our way to the liftoff spot for our hot air balloon ride. Each balloon carried 16 passengers and a pilot. At early dawn we lifted off and spent just over an hour watching the sun rise in the east and enjoying the vast Masai Mara populated with the splendid wildlife of Africa including hippopotamuses (hippopotami is also correct) and crocodiles. Our ride culminated in a champagne breakfast on the Masai Mara, complete with omelet chefs and fine linen-dressed tables while a herd of African elephants grazed in the distance.  Our group needed two balloons. This photo is of the balloon carrying the other half of our group.  Justin enjoys the peacefulness an East African sunrise as we float over the Masai Mara. To visit Ricky's entire Africa-2011 Picture Gallery click here! |
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