Lulu the Blythe Doll Visits Olduvai Camp, in Tanzania!
- Jun 2, 2016
- 4 min read
I'm back to sharing this journey with you after a few days hiatus. Internet access is a tricky thing here in Olduvai Gorge, but I've been keeping busy making new friends with the wonderful people here in the Maasai tribe!
This trip has been a real life-changer for me, as my eyes have been open to a much simpler way of life and a contentment that comes with it. Perhaps I will be able to take what I have learned here simplify my life in some way when I get back to San Francisco. One can only hope! :)
Here I am with my new friend called Sumat, of Maasai. He resides here in the Ormekeke Village. We were able to spend some time together getting acquainted and I met some of his family, as well!
Life has given me quite a gift in this opportunity to be here. I have been placed in a land that is quite different from my where I was raised. All around me, the people and customs are so very foreign to anything I have experienced. I am very thankful to be seeing God's children here in Africa. They live differently but on the inside, I am finding, they are really the same as me; full of hope and dreams for their future, trying their best to live joyful lives, while still dealing with the ups and downs of life. I am again reminded of one of my favorite quotes I mentioned to you at the beginning of the trip; "We are all just walking each other home."
Today I made a "gratitude list" in my journal in which I filled two pages with names of people I have met, customs I have learned about, foods I have tried! Karen, the friend who brought me here, is at the top of that list!
This is Karen and two of her friends! They took this picture right after the tribe named her "Mama Maasai!"
Speaking of Karen, I haven't told you how I came to get this fabulous "Gig" of being "The Doll" that gets to introduce the Maasai people, of Olduvai Gorge, to the world of miniatures!
You see, Karen is a Merchant Adventurer who has recently begun taking tour groups to this very special place with her company called, Karen Lile Productions Travel Division. (Be sure to check out her site for some great pictures of some of the trips she has organized. http://travel.klpn.net/)
She gathers her friends and acquaintances to take them on a trip of a lifetime at a real bargain! In the process, she helps the Maasai tribe by "bringing business" via tourist who buy souvenirs. (Wouldn't it be great if more Blythe dolls and their people could take this adventure with Karen!)
This is my "Person" is Kimberly and she is also Karen's sister. One day, these sisters put their heads together and came up with an idea of a way Kimberly's business, Design a Dollhouse, could get involved in helping the people of the tribe that Karen was working with!
With Karen's understanding of the people in Olduvai Gorge, and Kimberly's creative business in the dollhouse industry, they agreed to help introduce the tribe to the world of miniatures and open up a world of possibilities for trade as the tribes women create authentic items of jewelry, clothing and more, in miniature form!
Much to my delight, Karen had a brilliant idea... (Kimberly tells me her sister gets those a lot).
"You should Introduce them to your Blythe doll, LuLu." she said. "I'll take her with me on my trip."
Kimberly knew I wanted an adventurous life, so within a week, I was on a plane to Africa! And that is where I began this story for you a few posts ago! So much has happened that it feels like a lifetime!
Being here with Karen, the Merchant Adventurer that she is, I am given an opportunity to see Olduvai Gorge, and the Maasai people like very few can. The people here, and the land on which they live, are considered national treasures and are protected by the government. Therefore, many tourists are kept from coming where Karen's group has been permitted to come.
Fortunately for us, Karen has a friendship with the operators/owners in Tanzania and they have relationships with the local tribes near each of the camps. These camps and lodges are very special because the indigenous people run them. In fact, the manager of the Olduvai camp was born in the Maasai village nearby. He went off to veterinary school, returned and then later, went to school for the hospitality business and became a manager. This is very unusual. And there are genuine friendships there that enrich the lives of the tribes and travellers there. The Olduvai camp is located in Olduvai Gorge, which is part of Ngorngoro Conservation Area. The Maasai people live there with the animals! The government understands that the the people and animals are very precious and so they welcome visitors. These visitors go with guides, and by special arrangement with a tour operator like Karen. She gets permission and makes special arrangements for the travelers. The visitors of tanzania are very welcome and treated very well!
So, you see, I am somewhere not many people get to come! Perhaps now you can imagine why my "gratitude list" is pretty long! I am the first doll to have this chance, but I am certain I will not be the last. In Karen's dealings with the tribe, there have been some fun arrangements made. Last year she introduced her "Weird Tribe" (read about this at http://howweird.klpn.net/howweirdtotansania.htm) to the people here! They are sending videos back and forth as a fun way to get to build some bridges between people who would never meet, otherwise.
In a similar manner, I am now introducing my "Blythe Tribe" to the Maasai people! In a spirit of friendship, I am given the opportunity to build, yet another bridge! (Thank you, Karen!)
I am signing off, as I am on safari in the morning!
Much Love,
Lulu
P.S. I am so anxious to tell you about my fashion adventure, in which a dress and traditional tribal jewelry was made just for me! So tune in soon for the latest "LuLu inspired" Maasai designs in my next blog, and met the designer behind the look!
To read all of the Lulu stories, click here http://kimbengali.wix.com/lulu-blythe
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