I didn’t have much time to photograph the races because I wasn’t feeling well. Here are a few pics from the day. This race was probably the most dangerous race I have ever photographed. 200 riders picked up these wooden bikes and went running down a narrow hill. They were running over each other and into each other with big wooden frames. I jumped on a motor taxi to try and follow the race. I felt like I was in the middle of a riot. Crazy but fun. The adventures of a photojournalist.

A few nights ago we went to the African dinner with authentic dancers. They were absolutely incredible. After a while of watching they pulled Mary up there to dance and a few other people. Mary rocked the floor and was the best one out there.

On Friday the day after my birthday we went to see the gorillas. We woke up at 4:00 a.m. and drove across the country to the rain forest. We met our guide and started our hike. Once we got close to the gorillas we met up with the trackers and walked through the bamboo forest. All of sudden I looked up and there in front was the silver back gorilla. The family of gorilla’s we tracked had 1 silver back 5 wives and 5 babies. We were able to get so close and yet at the same time I felt so safe. They are gentle and extremely peaceful creatures. It was such an incredible experience that words cannot describe it. When we were leaving the silver back approached the the guide and pulled him to the ground and checked his teeth. The guide said he was not sacred and that he knew the gorilla well. I feel so blessed to be able to experience such wonderful creatures in their natural environment.

Once again I felt extremely blessed on my birthday. I turned 27 on September 6 and it was wonderful. First off we got a private driver to take us around Kigali to get more pictures of local bike shops. When I got back to the hotel I saw that Jeff had left me a gift so that I had something to open on my birthday. He is such an amazing guy that he even had fresh flowers delivered to my room. I was so surprised. At night we went out to dinner with two drivers that we met in Africa and four missionaries from Zambia. The woman (Jackie) from the car rental place even made us reservations and paid for my dinner. I am so blessed. Here is a pic of me and my flowers. Thanks Jeff, you are awesome.

Here are a few more from the trip.

This is where we had to make a bathroom stop