Nairobi NP

We went to Nairobi National Park on Friday as a part of our Biodiversity class. There are all sorts of problems with this NP because it is so small and is bordered by the city on three sides... 

not many animals like to live here and so the grass grows long, and then it's not the right habitat for the grazers.... 

but enough about that, ONTO THE PICTURES!

me, having SUCH a good time on a black rhino statue.

Never knew riding a statue could be so fun, huh?

 my artsy panorama of the day

 Yep... Nairobi National Park is the only national park in the WORLD that borders a capital city.

 Mr. Umbrella. 

 HOLY TOLEDO! In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps RIGHT NOW. 

I was rushed and had to share the vantage point so I cut off some of his head... BUT LOOK AT THAT GUY!

...probably because Pumba can clear the savanna after every meal... 

Party time!

This Friday, we had a party in our Swahili class because it was the last day of class. We all brought our khangas and shukas to hang up on the lawn to make it look festive. The line of khangas eventually was converted into a volleyball net and all sorts of chaos ensued!  

We also decided that since Tom's birthday was the next day, we would make the Swahili party into a surprise birthday party for him. We brought out a cake along as well as some really expensive gifts like a banana, a beach ball, and a kid's game. He was thrilled, I swear. :)

le elephant orphanage

As a part of our Biodiversity class, we took a gander at the elephant orphanage in Nairobi NP. 

We have learned a lot about how destructive elephants are to people's livelihoods living near the National Parks as well as the ecosystem in Amboseli National Park so it was really interesting to come to a place where they pay $900 PER MONTH for 8-10 YEARS in order to raise ONE orphaned elephant to be reintroduced into Tsavo NP. 

Wow. 

But, despite knowing how much a menace elephants are to both the health of humans and the ecosystems they live in... they were mighty cute. GAH. 

 some elephants playing in the mud

a little piece of everyday life

I feel this picture really captures everyone's personality perfectly...