Charlie Shugart
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Bob- I doubt we were the first foreigners the kids had seen because, although this was taken about 20 years ago- foreign visitors to the native villages was not uncommon.
The visit was not on our itinerary, but our guide asked the eight of us in the mini-van if we wanted to pay $10 each to go there. Before we got out, he talked with the Maasai chief, handed him money (no doubt local money- keeping some dollars for himself), and we walked into the compound.
The Maasai were told to let us take pictures of them- which they did.
A few smiles were made by the visitors, but there was no verbal communication- or music and dancing- so it wasn't exactly a Nat Geo occasion.
Still- it was quite a big deal to me, because it was obvious that the tribes-people had made no special arrangements for the tourist trade. What we saw was their village, huts and the individuals as they were on a daily basis.
We just dropped in, spent a couple of hours, and left.
Because the Maasai had been forced into a partial "cash economy," the currency paid to them would have some benefits. Perhaps buying colorful cloth for their garments.
Charlie
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