Day 53 - March 2

Well we are crossing our third desert of Africa.  This is the Chulbi desert.  It is a vast desolate landscape that is strewn with lava rocks as it was formed by a volcano long ago.  It is as flat and barren as the eye can see.  It is totally uninhabitable yet every now and then you come upon people in the middle of nowhere.  You wonder where they have come from as there are no huts to be seen.  The wind whips across this flat land as there is nothing to deter it.  As the sun climbs in the sky so does the temperature.  And as the temperature rises so do the winds.  The wind turned into a headwind that was a constant 25+ mph with gusts significantly stronger.  It was a day to recon with.  There were workers that were out sweeping the shoulders of the road.  They had a simple hand made broom that was used to move leftover sand and gravel off the road.  It looked like a tough hot job, one that made no sense that they were doing.  A good rain or wind or just the traveling of trucks would accomplish the same thing in due time.  But it obviously employed a number of men that typically would not be working... so it was good.

We are in Marsebit the regional capital for the area.  Our visit to the town was an experience.  The people as I mentioned before are more tribal than we have seen so far in our travels.  Here are some photos of the women in their dress and beads:

Notice the beaded head piece.

The colorful dress and the baby wrap up to her side.

We were chastised for taking pictures of these women.  People quickly turn away when they see a camera.  

 This is in an open market where they sell their wares.  But as said, they do not like their picture taken.

We have stayed at a convent here in Marsebit.  The nuns are really accommodating.  They have made meals for us, for a price of course.  And I got a room that has a well worn bed.  The room of course since they are catholic nuns has a crucifix on the wall.  The nice thing is that during the day it absorbs light and at night I have a light up jesus.  

The for dinner they made real mashed potatoes and beef bits with gravy!  Can you imagine that...  mashed potatoes and gravy!  I thought I had died and gone to heaven (pun intended)!  And the beef you could actually chew unlike the meat we have been getting from the tour company.  Whenever we have meat from the tour company I want to suggest that they have a refresher course in the hymlick maneuver at the rider meeting prior to people trying to eat it.  :)

Oh well, the trials and tribulations of Africa by bike I guess.