Blythe Doll, Lulu, Goes Wild!
- Jun 21, 2016
- 4 min read
Nothing could prepare me for what I saw today!
You would think that, coming from San Francisco, there is not a lot I haven't seen before. And you would be right! In fact, the people in my "City by the Bay" are quite unique! To someone unfamiliar with San Francisco culture and the city life, I imagine a drive through the Haight-Ashbury or Castro Districts, puttering around in the Tenderloin, or cruising along the world famous piers, might feel a bit like a human safari; where, from the safety of their car, one can view strange and unusual creatures just beyond the (mostly rolled up) window! Don't worry, they usually don't bite!
But I'm not in my familiar city today! I'm still handling my ambassador duties as the first Blythe Doll to be introduced to a semi-nomadic warrior tribe in Northern Tanzania known as the Maasai people! And today was yet another amazing adventure as I took a African Safari!(The real kind... with animals!)
As I said earlier, nothing could prepare me for what I saw today. The wildlife here literally took my breath away! Truly majestic, full of poise and confidence, and completely wild and therefore, rather intimidating, these animals left me speechless. At home, the San Francisco Zoo is pretty world-class so I have seen some impressive animals up close. But they were in the cage, not me! Today I was the one in confinement as I watched these creatures roam free around me. It's unbelievable!
Being a doll makes my experience all the more intense. Need I remind you that I am smaller than you. If you were to be a lion's snack, he would have to take some effort to eat you, so if he's not hungry, he might not make the effort. I, on the other hand, am just a little doll. If I get too close to a lion, hungry or not, he's going to pop me in his mouth the same way you might mindlessly grab that last cookie on the plate and pop it into your mouth- just because it's there! (Did I mention I love cookies, too, so no judgement there.)
Anyway, I didn't get eaten today, but I do have some fun pictures to share and I hope they will make you want to come with me next year when I come to visit the many friends I've made in Africa! (Yes, I'm definitely coming back)!
Here I am sitting on the car checking out the giraffes. Isn't this one lovely; so much taller than me! I am about 11 inches tall, whereas the average giraffe is between 16 and 20 feet tall!
Oh, and do take notice of the Jewelry I am wearing. Some were made by a Jennifer and Sam, mentioned in an earlier post, and the other pieces were made by a Maasai woman named Meshuko. She is the Aunt of Karen's friend, Laurent. She made these pieces just for me!
From left to right: Laurent, his Aunt Meshuko, holding me, and Karen
I would love to introduce you to one of my favorite people. Kyrsten is Karen's daughter and she came over with us from the San Francisco Bay Area where she is a singer and musician. If anyone ever had an adventurous soul, it's Kyrsten. She and her mom, Karen, are a lot alike in that sense. Here is a picture of the two of us in the safari jeep getting ready to see the sights!
If you look closely, here you will see a solitary leopard resting in the tree.
Hippos keep cool in the water here. They look peaceful, but these animals can be very ferocious! Their jaw is strong enough to bite a 12 foot crocodile in half!
Lazing about in the African heat, these two female lions have found peace upon the branches.
Coming up on some Hyenas in the road. I'm glad this wasn't a large pack. That would give me the heebeegeebees! (Don't you think I saw Whoopie Goldberg's rendition of a hyena in The Lion King. I know what I'm talking about!)
Far from the life I know in the city, it is calm and peaceful here in the Serengeti.
Here is another shot of us taking a break. Left to right, Meshuko holds me in her gentle hands, Karen and Kyrsten sit close by. (I love people. They are the best)!
This safari has truly been one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced. The cell phone pictures certainly don't do it justice, so you will have to come out and see for yourself; the wonders of this part of Africa.
As for me, I am seriously worn out after a day of extreme excitement, and extreme heat! So I hope you won't mind if I call it a day. My bed is calling my name. I can literally hear my name being called...
Oh, wait. That was Kyrsten and Karen calling me to join them for some late night girl talk. Well, who wants to miss out on that! I'll sleep another time!
YOLO!
I'll be sharing again soon!
Much Love,
Lulu
To read all of Lulu's stories, click here http://kimbengali.wix.com/lulu-blythe
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