Day 22

Maji moto: Success!

Life was sweet indeed once we made it to the hot springs, but I was 99.9% sure we won't going to make it. 

Here's why:

1. The car battery was dead when we tried to leave so we had to push the car down the driveway and into the street to get it started. I'm sure the locals enjoyed the free entertainment!

2. We got stopped by the police. Not once, not twice, but three times! 

Let me explain. 

The police in this country are extremely corrupt and power hungry. When I say we were pulled over, I really mean that the police man standing on the side of the road waved us over as we passed. They don't use cars like we do back home and all they really want is money. 

The first time we were able to pay a bribe of 5,000 shillings and they let us go. 

The second time, however, we weren't so lucky. We were told our car had a tire with "low air" and we would need to pay a ticket of 35,000 shillings. 

Um, what?  
You've got to be kidding.

Frank, our driver, did his best to talk his way out of it. At one point the officer actually walked back over to our car, took our keys out of the ignition, and put them in his pocket. The police here have no way of arresting a tourist without going through immigration so Emma went to argue the ticket and back up Frank. She even asked for the police officers name, took a picture of him, and threatened to report him to his superiors. We've heard this works sometimes, but apparently not today. We paid the ticket site on scene, got our keys back, and left.

Not even two miles later, I kid you not, we were stopped again. They let us go, without a ticket or a bribe. About time we catch a break!

3. Then we got lost. The hot springs really are in the middle of no where and I have no idea how anyone ever found them in the first place. 

Hallelujah, we finally made it! 

The water wasn't hot, but it was definitely warmer than your average swimming pool. It was also clear enough that you could see to the bottom! There was a rope swing we all tried a couple of times too. It was more crowded than we expected it to be, but I'd imagine that was because we went on a Sunday. If we go again, I think we'll try a week day instead. 

XOXO,

Amanda