Monday, August 15th:

After breakfast two guys from Wayo, both named Mousa, picked us up in a minivan for the 1.5 hour drive to Maji Moto.  We took the rough road down the mountain from Kiboko Lodge to the main road. After heading east on the road we turned off on to a dirt road through dusty terrain.  The area had a diverse mix of peoples including Maasai and Chagga.  Amidst the grim landscape appeared a patch of palms and fig trees surrounding a shady pool of clear water.

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Fig tree roots lined the pools edge and a rope swing hung from a fig branch.  The water had a strong current in places and was almost warm. For the first half hour we had the pool to ourselves with Saka the attendant showing off on the rope swing. Near the edges where you could rest standing on rocks small fish nibbled.  

By late morning groups of tourists began showing up including a party of American missionaries with a bunch of little blond kids.  The rope swing was in constant use and the pool filled up, but never got overcrowded.  We swam up a narrow passage against the current and found another clear pool, sunny and palm lined, the water a beautiful light blue.  Jane and Ruby befriended the American kids who were all siblings and cousins led by the oldest girl of 10, Elsa.

We spent all day at Maji Moto recovering some from missing Carrie after her departure and our homesickness.