Chapter 17

We are on our way to Masai Mara national reserve and when I say we, I mean Marcus, Jake and I. I got my one week off two days ago and we decided to spend it by going camping. Black people don't like camping, its in our DNA ,I would prefer doing the opposite but I have to be supportive ,so I tagged along. If this turned out to be those horror movies where people go camping and get killed, am out.

We had an option to flying there but Marcus preferred driving, so here we are on a road trip to Narok. We left at 10am so that we can get there early. We have been on the road for two hours already and am so fucking tired. I love road trips, as much as any other human being but what I don't like is sitting in a car for more than two hours. My ass starts aching from sitting for too long.

We stop at a small town to stretch our legs and buy some drinking water before we proceed to Mara. Jake is so excited, he won't stop telling his friends back home where he is going. He keeps on vedio calling almost all his friends ,it was cute at first because you can see the excitement on his face but it got annoying really fast.

Am so happy each time his calls get cancelled because of network problems, thank the government for the shitty network. I even have a small evil smile on my face ,very discrete of course. Am not trying to be evil its just plain annoying. Since we started driving Marcus's hand has been holding mine hostage. I thought it will get in the way of him driving but clearly it didn't .Each time I tried snatching my hand away from his grasp he would find a way to grab it back and hold on to it.

We stopped at a nice nyama choma(roasted meat) joint for lunch. They both have never tried nyama choma yet so I have to change that. I chose the meat we want and the butcher starts cutting it into small pieces and then calls one of the waiter's to direct us on where to sit. Once we are seated, the male waiter comes with a basin and a jug of warm water to wash our hands.

" Don't you have a tap somewhere that I can use?" Asks Jake.

" Jake ,if Zee doesn't complain just know it's normal. Don't be a snob just follow her lead" Marcus responds looking irritated.

" Pole Aki ,hawajawai Kula chakula ya huku nje." I apologize politely. ( Sorry they have never eaten any local food)

He smiled in response to my comment. He washes my hands first then the rest follow. A large plate containing nyama choma, some ugali and kachumbari is placed in the middle of the table.

" So how do we eat this?" Asks Jake.

Na huyu akona kiherehere( this guy is so impatient).

" Do what I do"

I take a piece of the ugali and roll it into a round ball, take one piece of meat and place it against the ugali and shove it in my mouth. I reach for the kachumbari after chewing for several seconds and shove it in my mouth. They copy everything I just did.

" Mmmmh" they both moan .

I am glad they like it because this is like a staple food for us. They wouldn't survive out of the city if they cant eat this. We eat silently until we are done.

" What is that called? It's delicious" asks Jake the parrot.

I nicknamed him the parrot because he can't seem to shut up. Even when everyone else is quiet he has to say something. And he always has to give his unsolicited opinion that no asked for . I hope Marcus doesn't mind I nicknamed his brother the parrot ,anyway he will never know because I will never tell him.

" That is nyama choma, kachumbari and ugali" I answer.

" So nyama choma is roasted meat?"

" Yea basically but it's marinated with secret ingredients passed down from father to son" I say trying so hard not to laugh. I can't miss a chance to mess with him.

"And what are the contents of kachumbari?"

" It's made from onions, tomatoes, coriander leaves and red or green chilies."

" Let's go my love" Marcus offer me his hand bored by this conversation.

I take his hand and we walk back to our car that we packed at the front of the restaurant. He opens my side of door for me like the gentleman he is, patiently waiting for me to get in.

We have three hours drive left before we get to our destination. The rest of the journey was quiet which am grateful for. All that talking was giving me a headache. The three hours passed really fast and before we know it we are passing through the gates of Masai Mara national reserve.

We had already booked two luxury double tents for 3 nights and 4 days at Basecamp Masai Mara. We were instructed on where to park before we get settled in. I have gone camping only once in my life and it was a nightmare. The tents, the bathrooms and the fact that you can hear what is happening in the tent nearby didn't help. I kept wishing I was anywhere but there.

This time round I came with an open mind to try and enjoy it, you never know I might grow to like it. Marcus carries our bags while one of attendants shows us our tent. The tent is huge, seriously it looks like Noah's ark, you can fit some elephants in here. We have a small sitting area with two white couches and some tribal designed throw pillows on top and a table overlooking outside. I can imagine taking my morning coffee here looking at the sunrise but that probably won't happen as I will be busy sleeping.

The next entrance leads to the bedroom which has a king-sized bed, two bedside tables with those old lambs that look like the ones our parents used to use. On the far right is a dressing table, a three column portable closet and right next to it is another doorway to the bathroom.

We have two his and hers sinks with two round mirrors on top. On the side of each sink are several clean white towels hanging on a towel rack. On the opposite of the sinks is a shower and a toilet. The tent looks really beautiful, they really have outdone themselves making this place feel like home. Outside the tent is a hot tub that I have some ideas of how to use privately.

This place must cost a fortune. I can never afford this, it's too expensive, maybe if I saved for a hundred years. But for him, it's just as simple as snapping his fingers. I don't think I'll ever get used to this, to him. When am with him it's just us, I forget that he is this rich guy and am so broke that am barely above ground with my finances, complete opposites.

We each unpack our bags and arrange our clothes in the closet. We decide to take a shower first before going for dinner. After the shower we made out until we lost track of time that Jake had to come find us. We didn't even hear him come in. Am sure if someone bombed this place we wouldn't know.

" Eeeww, you guys, is this what you will be doing the whole trip"

"Fuck off Jake" growls Marcus annoyed that I pulled away.

" Now that you're no longer eating her face let's go eat dinner, am starving"

" You suck!"

" Marcus" I say pushing his hands off me.

" What? But it's true" he tries defending himself.

" Don't say that again"

We leave the tent laughing. We eat our dinner so fast because Marcus is eager to go back to bed for all the right reasons. And Jake wont be missing us as he is already hitting on a girl seated on the table closest to ours. Am sure he will be okay, he's a big boy, he can take care of himself.