Ups and downs

On Tuesday, I decided to finally climb the large hill behind my house
(I imagine several of my relatives cringed at that split infinitive).
It has always called to me, but I'm always so exhausted during the
school term, so this was perfect timing. As I started climbing, I
noticed the scrub was increasing a lot. Soon, the path vanished
altogether and I was just wending my way as best I could. About
halfway up, I realized there might be introverted snakes in the rocks
and made a mental note that next time I do this, I will wear my hiking
boots instead of my sandals. I felt reassured when I saw some goats
foraging, since it meant the snakes are accustomed to visitors. As I
climbed higher, the scrub gave way to rocks and I was grateful the
hill wasn't steeper. When I reached the top, I concluded that I was
perhaps 200 meters high (a bit over 60 stories) but then, my
estimation skills have never been great. I could certainly feel the
change in pressure. I admired some half finished stone structures that
showed many visitors had preceded me. I climbed on top of them and
admired my view. I was able to pick out my house from up there. It was
also amazing to see the brown area of drought ridden farms in Mwakitau
surrounded by a green layer of scrub and brush. I also marvelled at
the expanse of Tsavo Park and how I could see several kilometers of
the park from my vantage point. Finally, I noted a nearby hill that is
a bit taller and resolved to make that my next project.

I came down and caught my breath before heading to school for the next
activity of the day. I never followed up on here about the compost
project, but after we started the pile, I didn't have the time for
upkeep, and it stopped decomposing because it needed more manure. I
resolved that this term, we would do the project correctly, so I would
dig pits in order to retain moisture better and so that it could be a
more formalized process. Well, digging holes can take some time,
especially with the soil we have here, so I only finished half of the
first one before the sun was starting to dip, so I packed up and
headed home. Just 3 1/2 more to go.

Tuesday evening, I was talking with a friend from college who asked if
I ever feel homesick. I told her that I really don't have that
feeling. She replied that she'd probably feel the same way if both of
her parents decided to give her their last names. :-)