Rafting and the Serengeti

Well folks, have a few minutes to jot a few things down. Internet is spotty at best and typically slow as molasses. Rafting down the nile was amazing. I had to clean my pants out several times because I thought i would die on numerous occasions. Our guide from New Zealand would instruct us on all the necessary things to do before each rapid and what to do if things went wrong, such as rolling yourself up in a ball to prevent being sucked down into a whirlpool and then hopefully be shot out farther down river. There were several class 5 rapids and one that entailed dropping down a 10 ft waterfall. There was about 3 times that we "flipped" over. I put that in quotations because it was always our guide who wrenched the raft over at a particularly hairy spot to make us tip. The company was very organized and focused on safety, having several kayakers that would paddle over to people that had been dislodged from the main raft and allow you to hitch a ride on the back to the raft. I decided to go on the extreme version which involved a much smaller raft and thus more jostling and falling out. Figured if I was going to die, might as well do the challenging one. The ride was beautiful and we covered over 30km or 18 miles and ended with a nice bbq and some beer. Had plenty of bruises from paddle whacks and rubbing against the raft. It was insane and I am wondering why I still put myself through the whitewater experience because I am just not that comfortable in the water especially going that fast. At the bar at our campsite, we also had the opportunity to climb into a kayak that was hanging upside down on the ceiling of the bar and then take a shot while hanging upside down. Words of wisdom, do not let tequila rush up your nose, it is not comfortable. A few days after the nile, my group had a small end of trip party at Carnivore in Nairobi which entail loads of meet being carved off large spits, crocodile was the most exotic, though it tasted quite funky, even for my tastes. It was sad to see the group split up, and I plan to keep in touch with several of my new folks, but the adventure must continue, and it did the next day, as my new group, now 24 people headed off to Tanzania and the Serengeti. I will elaborate much more on the next, because the bus is about to take off and need to leave. Miss you all.