My old friend Olivia (who you may know as IAM:Athena) is currently traveling in Tanzania and spent the weekend with the Maasai. She’s been documenting her trip at oliviaminer.blogspot.com — check it out:
She emerged moments later with earrings for me, and slipped them onto my ears. The women clapped, the men laughed and smiled, the children all watched in amazement. I think right then and there I floated up off the earth. The women said I was now a mzungu Maasai, or white Maasai. I dont think Ive made it back onto solid ground yet. As I write this Im still blown away by what an incredible day it was.
While I was taking a picture of my mom receiving the bracelet a young girl, maybe 10 years old, touched the tattoo on my ear. As she did, she noticed my earring and got a very curious look on her face. She flipped it around and saw that I did, indeed, have a large hole in my earlobe. I smiled at her and took my earring out, and she squealed! She yelled at the others and they all turned toward me, amazed. I took out my other earring and everyone started chattering loudly. John explained to them that I had been fascinated with Maasai culture since childhood, and that meeting them was a very special occasion for me. Mama Paolos daughter, whose name I didnt catch, lifted her hands up as if to say WAIT! and ran into the house.
The following comments were imported from our old comment system:
Posted on 02-27-2006 23:20:07 by queen
That must have been such an amazing experience.
And those earrings are priceless. I’d love to visit somewhere like that in my lifetime.
Posted on 02-27-2006 23:32:47 by Sisyphus
I hope she’s not lactose intolerant. =)
Posted on 02-27-2006 23:41:35 by misplaced_ice
That’s awesome.
Posted on 02-28-2006 01:20:49 by outmywindow
Oh, that’s so amazing! I honestly got chills reading that!
Posted on 02-28-2006 01:36:04 by Marie
That is so beautiful. I got teary eyed!
Posted on 02-28-2006 05:00:02 by das
Beautiful.:~)
What a wonderful experience, and a worthwhile thing to do with your life..
Posted on 02-28-2006 16:09:23 by owned
whoa. that had to have been totally awesome.
Posted on 02-28-2006 23:19:55 by Rockerbaby
Oh that is just too dear :)