Dec 5 – Day 3 Cultural Immersion: Homestays, Waterfalls and Dances
An unbelievable 24 hours!!!
Each of us was given the opportunity to do a “Home Stay” the night before. Ours was filled with conversation and laughter as we handed out glow-in-the-dark jewelry to our host’s wife and children. For Robbie and George, their host decided to roast fresh goat for them. The girls on the team were a little frustrated as their hosts did not speak much English. Hand gestures aren’t very effective in the dark.
This morning started early for the guys as we were to be privy to a Samburu right of passage. Robbie and George started @ 4:45 am with a run to catch up to Jason, Andy, Andreas (our host) and me as we headed to a neighboring village. Andreas was to be godfather to a boy who was to be circumcised. The boy was 13. No medication. No anesthesia. NOTHING! If they cry out or flinch or wince, they and their families are disgraced. Talk about pressure… Needless to say, we have no photos from the experience. Three boys were circumcised in ten minutes. In Samburu culture, they became men. We also saw a bloodletting and drank chai tea with the village elders before the sun rose.