Kitengela Hot Glass and Kazuri Bead Factory

Jan 24

I’m guessing this is in response to the need for Muslims to wash their feet in preparation for prayer??? But... the toilet?

We visited Kitengela Hot Glass—a glass-blowing establishment that also acts as an artist’s colony. It was very cool. They also have a few cottages to rent out, which would be very fun. It is kind of in the middle of nowhere, so planning ahead for transportation would be key.

A butterfly, below.

A random walkway by the cottages.

The swimming pool for the people staying there.

They also have a footbridge across a ravine. It is suspended on cables, so swings every time someone on it moves. Due to my impending hip replacement, I didn’t venture the long stairway to get to the bridge. Cameron, Claudia, and Virginia did. Ginger and I ate ice cream at the café.

Below, the trucks have goats or cows in them. Some men will ride on top so they can jump down in case an animal falls, to keep it from being trampled. I am pretty sure that task doesn’t require the number of guys up there. I’m thinking it also turns into a cheap taxi for willing riders, and the driver makes a few extra shillings.

We also visited the Kazuri Bead Factory. This was started as a factory only employing single mothers to provide jobs and accommodate the mothers’ schedules. They have a few men working there, but not many. Our guide was a man, with specialized skill in mixing glazes. The only men hired have specialized hard-to-find skills.