Dinner and Yoga with the Masai

Cait: I learned early on that having no expectations when entering a new situation/place/event or event meeting new people is always best. That doesn't mean that going to a Masai village didn't excite me. I'd been looking forward to this part of the trip since I signed up. How many people get to spend the night with the Masai? As friends?

After the long drive to Amboseli the excitement in our van could be felt as we drove up to the Manyata. Jackson the chief and Shedrock his right hand man and translator were waiting for us. We were welcomed by a song and dance from the women and men. We were also invited to join them. I tried my best to sing along with the music (although some of the noises from deep in the back of my throat sound more like gargles than music) and jump to the beat. I found that to make my head bob properly to the dance, the movement needed to come from my knees, not my head or shoulders (just in case you ever end up dancing with the Masai, you'll know what's up.)

It was very overwhelming for me. I was in the middle of a desert surrounded by beautiful people dressed in vibrant fabrics and stunning beadwork. I was with the Masai holding a woman's hand singing and smiling. I never would have thought I would experience anything like this and I could not have expected the sense of joy I felt.

We toured the village. I was surprised to see how small and dark the homes that the women built were. Then we went on a game drive. We saw many beautiful animals but I was anxious to get back and have dinner. When we returned to the village it was dark and very cold. 

We spread out mats out in a circle and Jacob, a Masai AYP teacher, led us in a practice under the stars. It was fun. Local men practiced with us and the stars were clearly visible and very magical. 

Then we headed to a beautiful dinner around a campfire. We sang songs, danced and told stories. We made friends too. I met Benson, who whipped out a cellphone and added me as a friend on Facebook. (The Masai don't have electricity, so he charges it at a nearby lodge.)

It was also my first time camping and I was a little nervous about sleeping in a tent in the middle of a group of cattle. When I finally climbed into my tent, I was too tired to notice the bovine brigade outside and worke up to see the sun rise the next morning. It was cold and breathtaking on our second game drive and we saw lions, which Jackson said he prayed we would see. 

We had a meeting with the women who work on Beads for Change, a foundation supporting the Masai. We learned that part of our fundraising was used to buy the women a motorcycle so that they would not have to depend on and pay men to help transport bead, milk and medicine. If the men want to use the bike, they will have to pay the women. I wish you could have seen the smiles. Masai women are treated like second class citizens in many ways and this motorcycle is really empowering them.

Afterwards we ate and shopped the women's wares. I was sad to go. The Masai were so gracious, warm and welcoming.