Kenya

A flying trip to a Masai Mara Safari.

Kenya    by Shelia

          The taxi arrived just at 6 AM.  Then we were off for an hour's drive to the Mombasa airport where a small plane would take us to the Masai Mara in northern Kenya, for a long awaited Safari.  Halfway to the airport, I realized I should have run to the bathroom one more time.   I didn't worry because I knew where the bathrooms were at the airport.  When we got to the airport exit, the driver kept on going on around the airport to the back lot where two small planes were waiting.  We were quickly checked in and were directed to the waiting room and told we would be leaving in a few minutes.  Afraid to leaving in search of a bathroom, I decided the flight could not be long.  I could wait until I got to the Masai Mara.  Both planes left and still we waited.  After about half an hour, another plane landed and lucky for us, it was ours. Another half hour passed and we were finally, ready to go and I was really regretting not searching out some sort of facilities.                                      'It can't be far,' I thought, 'it looked fairly close on the map of Kenya.'                                                     The flight was 2 ½ hours and the small plane didn't have facilities and my bladder was screaming bloody murder for relief.  About halfway, I noticed a buzz and people were looking and pointing, holding cameras toward the left side of the plane. There, coming into view was the breath-taking sight of the snow capped Mt. Kilimanjaro.  It looked close enough to touch.  The massive mountain was huge, not the little white peak that we always saw in the Travel magazines.  Flying completely past it took the plane 15 minutes and was worth the whole trip.  It certainly distracted me from my bladder for a while.                                                                    Finally, with great relief I could feel the plane descending but all I could see below was a brown, dry looking flat terrain with a few bushes  but we definitely, were going down. Then I saw a single airstrip and my heart jumped with joy as I anticipated the relief that would soon be mine.  Surprised, I saw that the landing strip was only gravel and small stones, wide enough for one small plane to land and take off.  Eagerly, I looked around for the Terminal where I knew would be a bathroom.  There was no terminal, only a small souvenir shop.  The Masai Mara Airport was non-existent.  Our feet had no sooner hit the ground when we were surrounded by eager black men in African clothes, waving papers in their hands and calling out names of resorts.  They wanted to see papers but with my full bladder taking all my attention, I forgot the paper the travel agent in Mombasa had given me.                                                                           Finally, it was straightened out and we all piled into various dirt covered Range Rovers.  I was sitting just behind the two drivers, so I asked,                             "How far to the Resort?"                               "Oh, not too far," The driver said, then added, "We're going to take the longer way so you can see animals first."  Everyone cheered, except me as I wondered if I would make it.                     After what seemed like forever, we arrived.  We did see a lot of beautiful animals but that wasn't what was on my mind.  We were told to go on to Reception and the men would bring our bags.  I didn't need a second invitation as I hurried away.  A smiling man waited as we trickled in.                                                                        "Everybody stay here for a few minutes because I have some things to tell you," he said.                                           That was it; I could wait no longer, by now I knew if I cried, my tears would be yellow.  It had been nearly 8 hours since I had seen the last bathroom.  I went right up to him and whispered in his ear,                                                                              "I need a bathroom desperately, now!"                              Quickly, he beckoned a young black woman and said, "Show her the bathroom!"                                         Five minutes later I returned with a lighter step as every head turned toward me as I came in; probably wishing they had done the same thing.  I quickly sat down.

 

We stayed for 2 days and nights and saw many, beautiful animals and listened to lions roar in the night a few yards from our tent. I could happily have stayed but it was out of the question.   Oh, to be young and free again.                                          

                              

 

Reviews

[E. Leo Wells]

Love your story, you have demonstrated the necessity for an individual port-a-potty. I 'm somewhat familiar with flying and the need to get a lot of details and not to drink to much, or eat more than you can hold. I now drive most places and the first thing I do, is to make sure I know where the Gent's room is and watch for queuing problems. I'm looking forward to more of your adventures. I'm a fiction writer, nonfiction scares the hell out me, to much personal exposure is not good for this old man.
London...

[Reiva]

i love this story! i love the intricate detail in this!

[Zypy Kirubi]

I identify with your situation especially because i have bn in such a situation before i.e. somewhere else. On the other hand, i come from Kenya and i am familiar with the featured places.

Good narration Shelia ;p

[.......]

Such amazing detail and imagery in this. I really enjoyed this write. It really captivated me. So nicely written.