THE ELUSIVE JACARANDA TREE

JAMBO, JAMBO

          We heard this Kenyan greeting for hello often. I have many stories while on safari in Kenya but this is a non-safari story.

            As we traveled in and out of Nairobi, Kenya’s capitol, we noticed the gorgeous blooms of a jacaranda tree. Late one afternoon when we were free until dinner, my son announced, “I’m going to walk over to find that jacaranda tree we’ve seen so often riding around. I want to photograph it.”

“Wait a second and I’ll go with you to help with your gear.” No way was I sitting in this hotel room while you wandered the streets!

            It didn’t take us long to walk out of ‘tourist Nairobi’ and find ourselves the only white people around. With tripod over his shoulder and his camera equipment in a special harness, his mirror sunglasses did not reveal what he was looking at. We were quite a sight, but although people looked strangely at us no one bothered us.

I had to two-step to keep pace with my son’s long stride. We walked and walked. The tree was visible, we just couldn’t get to it. When I spotted an askari (policeman) at a corner petrol station, I approached him for directions. We were nearly there. Taking a left at the gas station, and then another left led us down a narrow path into a native area.

            I knew we did not belong in this village of sorts. We retreated back to the corner and then continued straight ahead. Eventually we found the tree! The orchid flowers of the tree were beautiful against the cloudless deep blue sky. We were actually at the Railroad Museum.

While my son set up his tripod, a native appeared telling us, “You have to pay to take pictures.”

“Oh, how much?” my son asked.

We paid the fee and continued on our quest. As the fellow left he told us, “This train here is the one they used to film Out of Africa.”

A few minutes later he reappeared trying to sell me a book about the museum. It was a lovely book, but I stated I was not interested and he left.

Before we were finished he reappeared again saying the museum was now closed but we could stay until we were done and we would pay his bus fare home.

            “Oh, and how much is that.”

“Whatever you want to give me.”

Well, we stayed until finished. A bonus was the picture of the train. We gave the fellow a few shillings and headed back to the hotel.

It had been an interesting jaunt!