We woke up at 4 this morning to screaming, honking, and general cacophony. The election results were released early on Saturday morning. The girls and I had been planning to wake up and leave for the mountain at 5, but based on the state the city was in outside of our hotel, we decided to stay in until 7. We were all genuinely scared. When we checked out, however, everyone was merely celebrating. Naivasha is an area that supported Uhuru Kenyatta, the new president elect, in the elections, and so people were very happy with the results.
The matatu ride to the park, though only around 10 km, was very expensive – probably as it is the only way for tourists to get to the mountain. The hike was incredible! Most of it was relatively straight uphill on rocks and sand, but it was so beautiful. I was just so happy to be out and getting some exercise. Since we got to the park around 8, Line, Sine, and I were the only people there. Mt. Longonot is an active volcano, and besides the incredible Rift Valley views, there is a crater at the top, left over from the last eruption. The girls and I only walked part way around the crater, but spend a good deal of time taking in the views at the top before heading down. Our timing ended up being pretty good, as when we began our descent, crowds of people started to come in. We were so proud that we had gotten there and finished before it got too hot and before there were too many people on the mountain!
Getting back into Naivasha was a bit of a pain, as the matatu driver who had taken us, and overcharged us, had waited for us to finish. Luckily, the park ranger was amazing, and she talked to them and worked out the discrepancy for us. Naivasha made me a little uncomfortable and I was more than happy to get back to Nairobi, particularly because people had started drinking in celebration. I parted ways with the Danish girls in City Centre in Nairobi. Right after I did, I had my first run-in with a pickpocket. I noticed a man following me for 3 blocks, including around a street corner. I swung my bag over one shoulder, and made like I was crossing the street. I swung my bag around over my other shoulder right as he grabbed for it, and he ran. In Kenya, if a person is called out for being a thief, they are likely to be stoned or beaten to death in the streets, so you are not supposed to draw attention to pickpockets. I was just impressed that I had been able to calmly handle the situation. I guess I’m becoming a Kenyan! After that incident, getting home was a breeze, making for an exciting and eventful start to my weekend!
