The first free weekend I wanted to get to the equator. Yes, it’s virtually but very close by as noted during the flight to Nairobi (for Kisumu). In fact, the equator line is around 20-25 km away from my place, depending on the route. I have quickly learned that this eastern region of Kenya is mostly greenish due to the Lake of Victoria close by and some occasional heavy rain. Also, it is not that hot compared to central or eastern parts of the country. So I had a nice hike to the equator.

There’s a main road to get there or bumpy side roads, passing several smaller villages. That’s the greenish countryside. For once it was quite a climb uphill, but the outstanding view from there, all the fresh air and the silence was worth any effort.

Wherever I was, I don’t recall being welcomed so much anywhere else. Yes, there are many places hosting many friendly people. But this here is different. So friendly and so honest. Local villagers, especially the children, do not meet a white person whom they call “Mzungu” in Swahili. People, especially children, wave their hands and welcome me. At times there’s a short or longer conversation. Some of them even join me for a while on the walk. I also remember, often times children went or ran from the houses to the street once they spotted me. Just to shake hands and to touch white skin or a white man’s hair. They’re so lovely and curious. Without hesitation or concerns. Amazing, that must have been super fascinating to them. And it was to me as I was allowed to touch them too. These are children, just curious, no one ever did have a bad thought. Unshackling.

Surprisingly, there was this one young boy, who also joined me for a while. His name is Azre and he simply wanted to walk and talk with me. How wonderful. It took me a moment until I realised, how to explain where I am actually going to.

That was a good lesson how to work and spend time with children for the next weeks. Later on my way I met another child who was asking me to buy him a bicycle. What? I am very sorry, but this is impossible. At this point it was an example or an impression of how white or western people can be seen here. Like making the impossible possible. Yes I came here to help, but with a different understanding of it.

The place where a road has crossed the virtual line of the equator it located in a village called “Maseno”. The place itself was more or less an unspectacular place. Merely a landmark. And a small hotel right upon the Equator line. Perhaps it is more spectacular on a different place as there are also other places to cross the equator’s virtual line. It was far more the fascinating landscape and all the little experiences on the way that made this trip so special to me.

It wasn’t planned to walk the whole way back. But circumstances required me to walk. I took the main road to save time. An older road was next to it, is still in use by pedestrians. With some of them I had a nice conversation too. Same as on the way towards the Equator: very friendly people. But on the main road it was a completely different picture. People went to or came from town or other villages and there were a lot of smaller markets along the road.