Day 5 Saturday June 22, 2013

Its our last day at the Masai Mara.  We packed our bags, ate breakfast and headed for the vehicle for one more game drive before the five hour trek back to Nairobi.   We were stopped by Jackson Olekoshal- a Masai warrior we had met when we arrived at our camp.  We chatted on and off during our stay, asking questions.

Aunt Becky had made the boys "Masai Warrior" bedspreads nine years before when we moved to Uganda.  The spreads are made of the infamous red cloth.  I often tease the boys over the years that no nightmares can happen in their beds and they are safe sleeping under the Masai cloth.  Vanndel loved seeing Jackson wearing his "bedspread".  Vanndel also had (has) a cow he has been attached to since being an infant.  Masai love cattle.  In fact, they believe that all cows are theirs and should be returned to them.  All this and a soccer ball lead to Jackson giving Vanndel (and Bess) official Masai names.  Bess is now called "Nashipai" which means "happy at all times".  I'm not so sure about this name.  Vanndel is "Olomunyak" which means "blessed" in Masai.  Jackson told Vanndel he is blessed to have family.

The Masai are semi-nomadic and a very interesting people group.  We enjoyed watching their traditional dancing at our camp as well which consisted of "jumping" and chanting.

Nashipai and Olomunyak with Jackson