Meeting the Maasai
With our safari behind us we packed our bags, checked out of Boganvillea Lodge and Martin began the three and a half hour drive from Karatu to Arusha. We made some shopping stops along the way. These shopping stops weren’t as enjoyable as we expected them to be since they were so full of bargaining for what felt like hours to get a fair price out of the vendors who are used to scamming tourists.
As we were driving we were talking to Martin, inquiring about the Maasai people. Martin informatively answered our questions and then asked if we wanted to meet some Maasai people, obviously we were game. When we came upon a group of male Maasai Martin pulled over, hopped out of the car and began negotiating a fair price for us to pay in order to get a picture of them. With a price set we all hopped out of the vehicle and began to meet the men. I was so surprised to learn that most of them spoke English quite well. Later Martin said that many of the Massai people (the less traditional ones) will take English classes in the village. We introduced ourselves, shook hands and before we knew it, the boys were treating us to an authentic Massai dance. There was humming and chanting like we’ve never heard before and boy was there jumping! I don’t know how they do it but those boys can jump!
After we had our fill of jumping, and pictures we said goodbye and got on the road again. Only a couple minutes later we came across some Maasai women, Martin pulled over. The women were quite different from the men. Not only were they much more hesitant and stand off-ish, but I’m pretty sure they had no English whatsoever. They agreed to meet us and let us take some few photos for a price but they really didn’t seem content about it. I don’t think they were actually angry, but boy were they solemn.
Once we arrived in Arusha we made our way to the Good Hope Orphanage to visit some kids and bring them some treats. That’s up next.
Really loved these photos…love the colours as you say. must have been amazing. how did you arrange this tour? was it all a package or did you arrange each part yourself? looking forward to seeing the rest.
Oh, and jumping with the masai…that has to be a top ten experience….frame that picture.
This warms my heart. I miss African life.
Hey Deb
They were just on the side of the road and our driver was eager to show us a good time 
Basically we arranged everything ourselves after researching things and a lot of emails back and forth to safari companies. The safari company that we ended up booking with (Roy Safaris) proposed the program (one day of safari in Lake Manyara National Park, one day of safari in the Ngorongoro Crater). Roy Safaris proposed lodges that we could stay at but we chose our own. We also arranged for Roy Safaris to transport us from Karatu to Arusha, meeting the Maasai was an extra though
Hehe… so I guess your parents got to meet Ashwaq after all!
haha, isn’t there a striking resemblance?!