“White Men Can’t Jump!” I learned this even before Wesley Snipes coined the term in the name sake movie when I captured this pic of a group of Masai tribesmen in Kenya performing a traditional song and dance. Taken on my very first visit to Africa, and with a film camera no less (provia 200 for you film nerds out there) I was so mesmerized by the sounds they were making that I didn’t realize I captured about a 36 inch vertical…without taking a step. That’s right, for this guy it was just a hop! Typically, you get to visit a traditional Masai tribe on an organized Safari but I wanted the full experience. I told my guide to ask the elder if I may stay with the tribe tonight in one of their huts. I offered to pay generously, and asked for no special treatment just to live as they did for a day. My guide looked at me like I was crazy, but after my other requests to forgo the 5 star resort accommodations, he knew I was serious. The elder agreed happily and my guide asked if I would like him to bring food, sleeping bags, etc. I told him that, “I would eat, sleep, and shit where the people did.” Again, I can only imagine by his facial expression what this guy was thinking of me. My guide left and the elder showed me to my hut where I would be sharing with a baby calf, that’s right a cow. My bed was made of rawhide and the walls of the hut were made out of cow shit and hay. The Masai are real cowboys. It wasn’t until that night that I was told why the baby calf was rooming with me, which is why I don’t think I slept for fear of Lions. Its one thing when you’re told a story about the boogey man, but entirely different when you can hear him roaring outside your hut! I was treated as well as I’ve ever been treated at the Ritz, and I believe I gained an experience that truthfully guided my direction in life and perspective. I will never forget my favorite hotel room of all time, and possibly the world’s loudest roommate.