Car trouble...

This past week, on our trip to Amboseli National Park, our poor Subaru Forrester broke down three times. The poor 11-year-old hoses in the car just couldn't take the crazy washboard roads we used for days on end, and the transmission hose gave up the ghost. On the way down it broke the first time, thankfully right next to where a road construction crew was doing some road work. Some of the road guys were helpful and ascertained what the problem was. Brian worked with the guys to cut the hose and re-attach it, and then he rode into town to get multiple litres of transmission fluid. The whole process took about four hours but then we were rolling again! Everyone assured us the park wasn't too far but what they all failed to mention was that the road from the last village (Namanga) into the park gate was completely rutted with washboard for 67 kilometres! As we drove along, we realized it was getting dark and we still had hours to go (with a dubious repair job to boot). Brian and I envisioned spending the night by the side of the road, camped out in our car, fighting off lions or bandits. We were so relieved to arrive at the park gate in one piece! Two days later, after a wonderful afternoon at the Maasai village outside the park, we drove the chief and his brother, John, over to the Amboseli Serena Lodge (a very expensive lodge in the southern part of the park). As we coasted in to the gas pumps there, Brian commented that the steering felt funny in the car. Lo and behold, we had lost all of our power steering fluid and also cracked the transmission hose again, bleeding the transmission dry. It was another lucky break, though, because there couldn't have been a better place to break down - a ritzy bar with cold Tuskers was waiting. While Brian sorted out the repair (with the help of Chief Supak and John - and Supak's very large knife that was used to cut the hose again), the girls and I ventured into the lounge and reflected on our good fortune. After the repair was complete, Supak and John joined us at the bar for a drink and further conversation about their community school (and possible Freedom Through Learning partnerships there). We also talked at great length about the drought that has resulted in the death of all but two of the community's 400 cows. The situation is dire and the community has been ravaged. Supak believes education is the key to moving forward, and he is passionate about providing education for the community's children. We came home with a lot to think about, and with the beginnings of a relationship with a unique community. The following day, after driving on many more miles of washboard road before we hit the glorious tarmack, our poor car (which we have nicknamed Joey Africar) simply couldn't keep going. The transmission hose broke for the third and final time 75 kilometres south of Nairobi. Thank goodness an AA tow truck was able to come and get us (two hours later) and we rode back into town in high style, seated in our humbled Forrester on the back of the tow truck. It was quite an experience!