Beehives and Bumpy Roads

Yesterday I had my last excursion in Kenya for a while before we leave for Uganda tomorrow. We were beginning the process of dispersing beehives to business owners around the Kisere forest.  

Prepping beehives for disbursement

It started out with a matatu ride to the first site. Fortunately, this bus was far roomier and nicer than your typical matatu since we hired it for just our staff for the day.  The road was pretty muddy since it had rained the night before.  There was one point when we got stuck, and I didn’t know if we were going to make it, but we eventually got there.

In the matatu with my coworkers

Outside view of the matatu and a cow

When we arrived at the first site we were warmly greeted by singing and dancing.  The landscape in that area is just beautiful!  We then watched a series of speeches, including one from a local politician and some organizations we partnered with to disperse the beehives.  

Beehives in the truck

Unloading the hives

A warm reception

Afterwards, there was a ceremonial installation of a beehive (most of the hives will be installed next week).

Ceremonial installation 

I even made a new friend. 

We then went down some far more challenging roads to the second site, where were again warmly greeted by another group of business owners.  They had been waiting for us since 11:30 that morning, and I think we got there around 3:30 p.m.  We then had to wait for another hour or so for the rest of the entourage to arrive.  I believe this kind of thing happens often in Africa, given transportation can be unreliable, roads are tough to navigate, and people tend to run on Kenyan time, which can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours (or more) after the committed to time.  For someone like me who likes to be really punctual, it can take some adjusting to run on Kenyan time. :) 

Sign posted for the event and business owners waiting

My roommates/coworkers and a business owner

Local schoolchildren watching the excitement

Generously offered snacks

The second disbursement went a bit more quickly.  Thankfully, the business owners were kind and generously provided snacks to hold us over.  The event was then interrupted by a torrential downpour.  Fortunately, we were inside, but the rain was so loud, it became difficult to hear anything.  

Business owners receiving their hive

Rain outside the church window

We then we had quite the adventure trying to get home.  Some of us squeezed into the cab of the truck, and the matatu we hired got stuck at least 2 or 3 times in the mud, and required LOTS of help to get moving again. 

In the truck with coworkers

We finally got home around 5:30 p.m., or about 2 hours after our planned return time, and had a very late (but delicious) lunch!  

Muddy roads after the rain