Isiolo: Desert, camels, and Afaan Oromo

Toto and I reached Isiolo yesterday, after 8 days of cycling. When stayed in a small town named Timau, about 40 miles from Isiolo. If you can believe it, it was the rainy season there and we got drenched in a torrential rainstorm that left the town with 6 inches of mud. The next day, we rode into Isiolo, where it hasn't rained in 4 years (or so claimed one farmer). It is because of Mount Kenya that there is such a drastic change in climate in such a short distance.

FINALLY, after 8 days of not speaking the local language, I can converse with the local Borana (Oromo) tribe, which includes a large percentage of the town. Noone tries to raise the price or refuses to serve me, at least those who speak Afaan Oromo. We found our $4 a night hotel, owned by a Borana man, but spent most of our time with Abdi, a Gabra Oromo (same language, different clan). Abdi's sister owns a small hotel and he manages it. Yesterday, Abdi took Toto and I to see some of the camel herds in the area. We only saw the moms and babies because the males like to move faster and were grazing far away. The camels are herded by Borana, Somali, Meru, or Simburu tribes which are all present in this cosmopolitan town. We tasted fresh camel milk, which was much tastier than I thought it would be. The pastoralists told us that the milk is taken to Nairobi and sold in Eastleigh, home of thousands of Somalis who love to drink it for its nutrition, taste, and reminder of home.

Tomorrow, Toto and I will separate. I'll bicycle back to Nairobi alone (about 8-10 days) and he will take his bike on the bus and be back home within 5 hours! So Biking for Books is officially over, but I will continue to make posts to you and upload photos on the blog. Donations are still welcome.