I wake up and much to my delight find that it's gently drizzling.  It seems that I'm very lucky -- I'm told that this is only the 3rd time that it's rained in the past 6 months.  But, perhaps I'm not so lucky.  I'm also told that the rain usually brings malaria with it.

Lodwar

While waiting for Peter I sat in the shade with some traditional Turkana people.  One Turkana warrior compliments me on the Masai beaded bracelet that bought in Nairobi.  A tribal person complimenting me on the jewelry I'm wearing - It was another one of those strange travel moments.  It is supposed to be the other way around, isn't it?

Peter arrived and called a friend on the police force, but he's out of town.  He'll probably be back tomorrow.  The first words most people learn in Swahili are "Pole Pole" (pronounced:  polay).  It means "no hurry".  East Africa certainly teaches you patience.  I'll try again tomorrow.

Lodwar

But after a few days in Lodwar I realized that the camera made no difference.  There are only a few white missionaries and NGO workers that drive their trucks around Lodwar, but no white person ever walks in Lodwar.  I probably could have walked around naked on stilts and not stood out any more. 

The day somehow passed away and night fell.  Stars are something that you have to go look for in America.  In remote parts of Africa you can't escape them.  They are huge, bright, beautiful and amazing.  If I didn't know what they were I'd probably find them terrifying.  I completely understand why ancient people assigned gods to them and worshipped them.

Tomorrow I try again for permission to exit the country. 

The trip from Nairobi to Addis Ababa was interesting enough that I wrote it up as a daily log.  If you'd like to read it from the beginning click here:  [ Leaving Nairobi ]

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