Happy Hello Readers!

My Safari (journey) to Africa was wonderful!

In this Newsletter I will give you an overview of the Kenya part of my recent safari (journey) to Africa. Future Newsletters will tell of the Tanzania experience and after that, an “African Safari Tidbit,” will expand on events. In general the trip was very rewarding in every way. My research for my FGM book benefitted greatly. The sightseeing ventures were enjoyable and really, something to behold.

THE AFRICAN SAFARI, KENYA

Our flights to and from Africa were smooth and without event. We flew in and out of Nairobi, Kenya. The food on the plane was good and the service, excellent. Except for a delay on the return flight out of Nairobi, all flights left on time and, in some instances, arrived ahead of time.

My first research appointment was with UNICEF in Nairobi. I was very happy to receive UNICEF’s “Draft Report on FGM and the draft of "Work in Progress." I also received their resource book, "Things Change." My research benefitted greatly.

In Kenya we traveled to Lake Nakuru to see the pink flamingos. The lake and the flamingos were a truly beautiful sight. The day was a bit rainy and the semi-grey skies and a double rainbow were an attractive tapestry for the blue lake and pink flamingos. We also saw a white rhino, water buffalo and baboons that day.

We also took a very bumpy ride through the Great Rift Valley. At one point when the driver slowed down, we saw several men sitting in the middle of the badly broken up highway. They were putting stones in a large hole in the road in an effort to repair it. The Great Rift Valley starts from Jordan, Israel and crosses the Red Sea, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi. In Kenya, it crosses the Equator.

As we traveled to Nakuru, we saw the famous inactive volcanic crater, Mt. Longonot.

The next Newsletter will be written sooner than usual. It will include highlights of Tanzanian portion of the safari.

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Cheers! R