I Kill Snake!!

I’ve become much closer with the two farmers. Mainly, because I have increased the number of trips I take to milk the cows and Deewas had her baby calf earlier last week. It was sooo exciting! I missed the birth, which upset me, but I got to see then end of it and the delivery of the placenta. I know-Gross. But, it’s actually really amazing and fun to experience, especially in Kenya! Anywho- I’ve become especially close with Festis because he speaks good English and he actually jokes around and is pretty funny and is always making us laugh. He’s an amazing runner and he was supposed to go to the Beijing Olympics, but he injured his knee running on the road when he stepped in a pot hole—very typical in Kenya! They don’t have much- wait, actually no concern for the shape of the roads. I’m so sad for him to have lost out on the Olympics. But, he and I believe that he will make it there soon. So, I’ve been spending more time with him learning about being a farmer and whatnot.. Annnnddd we end up killing a Black Mamba. Yupp! An incredibly poisonous snake.. Goggle it!

I could see Festis walking up the field to get grass for the mama cow and I was instructed to wait for him with Meshak. So as I watched him his body language completely changed and he quickly froze. I run over to see what’s wrong with him. He’s starring at something and as I approach he very seriously tells me to stop and stand how he is. Festis is rarely serious, so I know he means it and I stand in the ridiculous position—legs crossed over one another and my right hand gripping my left wrist….Ookkk. I stand there for a few seconds and then when I’m about to tell him to stop joking around I see the black mamba snake he’s been starring at!!

Ohh goodie!! Hah ha! Let’s see how this little game turns out. He can tell I’m skeptical of the bizarre positions we are standing in and explains to me that when you stand like that near a snake in Africa, it is said that the snake will not bite… I’m like- Ok Check! I’ll just stand like this, no problem. At this point, two of the welfare officers have shown up. Meanwhile, Festis tells me he’s going to kill the snake… (I’m thinking- ohh great idea, get closer to the deathly poisonous snake… I agree.. hah! NOT!!) While I’m thinking this, I realize the two officers are yelling at Festis because I’m there. They tell him it’s too dangerous and they try to get me to leave. But, I refuse. Of course.

After some “planning” all the men grab sticks and begin to surround the snake preparing to kill it. As I’m still standing in the position Festis put me in. He positions himself between me and snake so the officers can’t keep a good eye on me… perfect! Festis whacks the snake and stabs it with his stick. (not killing it, just making it incredibly angry) And the two officers instead of joining in take a few slight steps back. (what wonderful watchmen) I’m not impressed and tired of standing in the silly position as the snake strikes at them and gets closer and closer to biting them. So— I grab a rock. One of the officers sees me (unfortunate) and grabs me trying to get me away. I tell him I’m going to kill the snake. He is not pleased but I creep up behind Festis and smash the rock over the snakes head! ☺ ☺

I’ve done it!! The snake is dead. Quite the crowd has appeared at this point and they’re all cheering and shocked and they all think I’m crazy for being that close to a snake. But, someone had to. Festis is impressed because he pats me on the back and says, “Sawa sawa”. (means ok, ok ) He disposes of the snake by putting it into the toilet hole.—and I mean hole. It is very common to go to the bathroom by squatting over a hole in Kenya.

The gaurds Still cant seem to understand why I was there with a snake. They kept asking me, “do you not fear?” and I kept trying to explain to them that it was my fear of snakes that helped me kill it. But, they just nodded and looked at me like I was mad.