Grandmothers and even Grander Rivers...

Trip Start Jan 30, 2010
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Trip End Jun 07, 2010


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Where I stayed

Flag of Uganda  ,
Saturday, April 10, 2010

Kisumu is not a bad looking town. Situated on the shores of lake Victoria and is one of the main hubs which link Kenya to its land locked borders – Rwanda Burundi, Uganda as well northern Tanzania. Kisumu is Kenya's 3rd largest town after Nairobi and Mombasa.  The jetlink flight from Nairobi takes 35 minutes and lands at the Kisumu airport which reminds me something like landing at Nice or Singapore – you literally seem like you are landing in the lake and at the last moment while passing over crocodiles and hippos the half gravel runway will appear out of nowhere and you skid to a stop- the only African twist is that you doing all of this while dodging cattle. Kisumu is also the closest town to the region where President Obama’s family originate from.  I had read stories about his grandmother who was revered in the region and can also remember sitting in my office in 2009 watching CNN where Obama was addressing his first audience in Africa as president – it was in Accra, Ghana.  He spoke about his father’s tiny village and the influence that Africa had played in where he was today
Sarah Obama's farm
Sarah Obama's farm
.  It was by pure chance that I met a group who had organised to visit her.  I would never have thought that the following morning I would be having tea with Sarah Obama and family.  

The protocol as you can understand is immense; we travelled 6 hours to the village the evening before to confirm the appointment – questions around my profession, my reason for visit, my company I worked for and my religion were all asked. The following morning we headed through to Kogelo- the tiny village where the Obama’s originate from.  The Kenyan police force conveniently have a field station 1km from the farm and as per one of the photos – the list of 'not to do’s’ is pretty long. 

President Obama’s family tree is pretty extensive and I should read up about it a bit more sometime but although I may get it wrong - basically his grandfather and father are buried on the farm and his grandmother (father’s side) still lives in the same village.  She is invited to every special occasion in western Kenya and is known as the ‘international grandmother’ across the globe.  When I spoke to her she told me of the day when she was on stage with her grandson at the presidential inauguration – I was wondering how many people could say that they were on stage there? And the time when he and his girlfriend (Michelle) came to visit during university – they apparently stayed for a few weeks on the farm
Impact on the river
Impact on the river
.  The only other time he has visited was when he was senator- and hence the name of basically every school, shop and street in the area. some links which are worth a read.. Obama’s first speech in Africa as president here http://www.africanloft.com/full-text-of-obama-speech-in-accra-ghana/ and some great articles about Sarah obama here http://www.slate.com/id/2203232/ and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/13/sarah-obama-photos-video_n_157655.html

Following the mid morning tea and conversation I needed to head to Uganda – I had booked white water rafting on the Nile for Saturday morning so really wanted to arrive the night before – the Matatu ride from Kogelo to Jinja in Uganda took ages and included a fairly lengthy experience at the Busia border post but I eventually arrived at Nile River explorers lodge about 8pm and after a sample of the local Nile beer and burger – headed straight to bed in my humble dorm accommodation.

Morning came way too quickly, and by 10 am we were already zipping up our life jackets and strapping on our helmets.  What an experience!!!!  The first time you get thrown over in the Nile River really is special.  It is clean, fast moving and full of wildlife – fish eagles, otters and many others.   The white water rafting takes a full day and for $125 you get a decent breakfast, a full day of grade 3-5 rapids and paddling, lunch and beers/ barbecue afterwards.   The Nile River explorers lodge is in the most perfect position, sitting high on the hill above the river- the dining area has the best sunsets and sunrises ever and the food is pretty decent as well!  Currently sitting in a dodgy internet cafe in the town of Jinja.. off to Kampala tomorrow evening and will be in the Stanbic and Liberty life offices till Friday. 
Slideshow

Comments

Damon on

Hey Bret,

Looks like you having a ripper time still bud. There not many people that can say they have had tea with Obama's grandmother!! Must have been interesting. Keep well bud.

Cheers,
Damon

Attie on

Bud this weeks report is ridiculous. Did Mrs obama give you any insight into the healthcare reform policies? And that nile river..... worth the schlep of getting there i'm sure. i'm jealous. take it easy, attie

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