Liz and I travelled to Africa in 1995 as part of our honeymoon. At that time Brian and Mike had finished their three year tour in the Peace Corps in Kenya, and were working for Robin Hurt Safaris. They were doing community development work, particularly antipoaching efforts in which the locals were given incentives to stop and turn in poachers before they could wipe out the game herd. As we prepare for our tip a dozen years later, some recollections are showing up.

Telephone system

We needed to make phone calls to make contact with a project that I was trying to photograph. To make a phone call, I had to go to a business, a lot like a bank with wood paneled walls and a waiting area. go up to the desk and give the clerk the number I was trying to call, then sit and wait at the bench for my name to be called. Eventually my name was called and I was shown to a wooden booth with a phone in it. My call was connected in, and I could talk. I paid by the minute when my call was done.

Roads

There weren't many paved roads. Dirt was the norm. The potholes were sizeable.

Cars

Nissan, loads of toyotas, land rovers enclosed and pickup trucks like Brian's. I don't think I saw a single american made vehicle of any kind.

Manufacturing

Most of the manufactured goods were made in China.

English and language

Some people spoke English. Most spoke Swahili. I learned a few words, not enough to get much done. Cupicapica can I take your picture? matatu - bus, asante thank you, asante sana thank you very much, pole pole slow down,

Brian was called futasaba - seven foot

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