Xu Jing in traditional dress in northern Kenya. (Xinhua photo)
NAIROBI,
Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Xu Jing's three weeks sojourn in Kenya's Turkana
County was a transformational experience to the 21-year-old business
graduates whose love for adventure is unrivalled.
Like
many new to Africa, Xu had learnt about Kenya's remote outposts through
movies hence her desire to visit there and sample the scenic
attractions associated with them.
During
a recent interview with Xinhua, Xu recounted an epic journey to Kenya's
wild west that not only broadened her world views but also imparted in
her noble values like empathy, team work, generosity and care.
Xu Jing poses for a photo with a local elder in northern Kenya (Xinhua photo)
"I
was living in Nairobi when I met a Kenyan friend whose ancestral
village is in Turkana County. He invited me to visit the land of his
forebears and I could not turn down the kind gesture," Xu told Xinhua.
The
long and treacherous journey to Turkana did not scare Xu, since she had
prepared herself psychologically for any eventuality.
Along
the journey, Xu marveled at picturesque landscapes and the sight of
herbivores foraging unperturbed by carnivores lurking in the shadows.
When
she landed in Turkana County, Xu was plunged into a cruel environment
whose byword is hunger, thirst and a close shave with wild animals.
A local women in northern Kenya fetches camel milk. (Xinhua photo)
"The
sun was too hot during my initial visit to Turkana but my desire to
gain knowledge about the community living there remained strong. The
natives were very hospitable and I enjoyed the daily interaction," Xu
told Xinhua.
Xu
had nostalgic memories of a three weeks sojourn to a county dreaded by
both Kenyans and foreigners due to its harsh terrain, hunger, thirst and
contagious diseases.
"At
any given day, Turkana can be extremely hot and few people can endure
the endemic food and water scarcity. I witnessed people trek for miles
in search of water," said Xu.
She
was keen to learn how natives survived in the harsh terrain and
sometimes joined local women as they trekked along jungles populated
with wild animals to look for an oasis where they would draw water.
Xu Jing poses for a photo with local people in northern Kenya. (Xinhua photo)
Sleeping
inside a mud hut was sometimes a nightmare to Xu, but she became
accustomed to the new life aware that she was on a bigger mission.
"Sometimes
I stepped out of the hut and enjoyed a chat with elders by the
fireside. The nights were freezing cold and the clear skies were a sight
to behold,"Xu said.
"Everyone
who heard about my epoch sojourn in Turkana was greatly impressed and
wished they had a similar experience. My life has changed for the better
after living with a community that is on the margins," Xu said.
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