Sept. 7 – Today we left to see the Kigari Slums with our guide. The others went to see the elephants and giraffes. To each his own.

The slums were created by Nubians a century ago. Now all religions and peoples populate the area.

Life is tough here but there are services inside for most every need.

Our guide left us in the capable hands of Blackie,” a fifty-five year old grandfather and local guide who grew up here. He will show us around.

He says it can be dangerous in here with all of the same problems we face in the real world. We felt very safe with him and no one bothered us in any way. We only saw pleasant faces wondering why we might be there among all of them and walking around.

There are many small shops in here to purchase whatever you might need. Live chickens run from one area to another. Everyone knows who the chickens belong to. No one steals anything in here.

The inhabitants have gas, water, electricity and shelter. Most folks rent their places as the buildings are owned by others who built them years ago. It is a tough life, but out of that come tough people.

After the full tour of the slums, including meeting Blackie’s grandson at his home, we went to the giraffe breeding center for a tour.

Did you know giraffes don’t have marrow in their bones? Their bones are solid and very heavy. They have a large spleen for producing white blood cells. A new born giraffe weighs around 150 pounds.

We walked on the elevated walkway and feed the giraffes as we wondered around looking at them. Small ones were visible as they stood near their mothers. Tjhe giraffes have a wonderful life here until they are released back into the wild.

Tomorrow we travel to our first camp in Kenya by air. That will be interesting. We will drive on safari on the way to our new camp.

We are nine people now with twelve seats available in our two Toyota Land Cruisers. That sounds like we will have more than enough room for all to take photos and to watch the wild animals without any issues. It will be a dusty few weeks, I’m sure.

The rainy season was a good one but it is long gone now. Dust is the order of the day now.

This adventure has been great so far while trekking up into the jungle to see the Mountain gorillas but now we will go out into the dry and dusty “bush.”