If I ever thought camping in a muddy field
with torrential rain in England was fun, I was in for shock when I got to try
out true African style camping with a rather big American style influence.
Got to be said one of the best experiences of my life. So after school was out on Friday, we all packed ourselves into the car for an exciting and a little bit bumpy trip up north to the beautifulness that is Lake Chala. Our journey was eventful, what with sightings of elephants just meters away from us and toilet stops which involve one crouching down for all to see knowing elephants are not far away. (no thanks) We eventually arrive at the most magnificent campsite (which we had almost to our selves) with beautiful views on either side of us, one being a different view of Kilimanjaro and the other of Kenya over the beautiful lake.
Sightseeing did not last for long as night
was approaching and tents needed to be up and food needed to be cooked and
eaten. The atmosphere was like something out of a movie, the kids were climbing
trees we were chopping veg in the dark and ran out of spoons so I organized a
DIY spoon sesh, which involved making spire type daggers out of sticks to pick
our food up with. I was pleasantly happy with them and all ready to hand them
out until Ryan had found spoons so my dagger sticks were left unused.
It was then campfire time, toasting marshmallows singing camp songs drinking tea and playing charades (or charaaaaades as my American housemates would say) I love the girls I live with so much and it was lovely to share this experience with them.
After star gazing (and yes I saw not one
but two shooting stars) we finally got into bed. We had been told prior to this
trip to bring warm clothes, as apparently it gets very cold at nighttime. So to
be obedient I brought warm clothes. However I was so hot all evening and being
cocky and maybe a little bit nice I gave all my warm clothes to the other girls
in the tent. We then found out we had a blanket short so I bucked up with Becky.
Everything started out great. We each had a mattress which made a big
difference (not feeling the earth on your back tends to be a bonus) I Suddenly
wake in the night shivering, I cannot literally remember the last time I was
sooo cold. I turned to Becky and she was just as cold. We decided to cuddle to
keep ourselves warm but nothing seemed to work. The giggles started, as there
did not seem much more we could do, unfortunately we woke our fellow teachers
up, thankfully not for long. Then I had the genius idea of using the spare
mattress as an extra blanket, I do not know how we managed it but we both got
back to sleep eventually, even if we did look like plonkers.
The extremely cold night felt like another
world, waking up to the beautiful sunshine rise over Kenya. Two other teachers
and I decided we would go look out over the animal’s watering hole. We saw
elephants and bamboos, we were just sat there in silence, it was an incredible
thing.
From the moment I had woken, my swimming
costume was on (or bathing suit which I don’t think sounds quite so good, but
hey) so when we finally started our walk down to the river, I was as giddy as a
kid. The water was that greeny blue colour that just looks amazing. I whipped
my clothes off faster than I have ever done before and delved into the cool
water. I jumped, splashed and soaked up the sun. It was such a great time.
As other rested after their swim Becky,
Megan and myself decided to go on an adventure. We went out looking for
animals, apart from nearly being scared to death by a bamboo running out
straight in front of us (with no kind of escape plan from us, I mean is it
bamboos that you have to stay very carefully still for or do you just run?) We
then found the perfect spot watching from a short distance the bamboos swinging
in the trees and generally being monkeys. I felt like Eliza Thornberry.
So all in all I have had the best camping
trip in my whole entire life. It made it even more special sharing it with such
amazing girls, who I all love dearly.
