Art of Balance: Joy in the Mundane
Remember childhood? When you could find joy in the most mundane activities? You were perfectly at peace playing with mud and feeling the dirt between your fingers? You did not need shiny toys or all these things we now consider necessities. All we needed was our spirit of adventure and whimsy. The Art of Balance reintroduces you to the joy of mindless busy work. On the Kimakia trail, you get to remember what it was like as a child to be happy doing absolutely nothing. This event lets you see how people found their way through the woods or hid food back when there were no backpacks or Google maps to help us navigate. This is the kind of experience that surprises you. Bring an open mind and a swim suit.
Key Attractions
- The Art of Balance is an event to see and possibly build rock cairns. This is basically balancing rocks as you stack them together. Historically, people used rock cairns to mark the route on a trail. Additionally, these rock cairns were used to hide their food or even to mark places where their friends had fallen and been buried. In some Kenyan communities, a variation of rock cairns is used to bake things like sweet potatoes or harden bricks. The Art of Balance takes away all the responsibility and simply allows you to stack rocks for fun. There is a certain peace that comes over you when you are doing mindless work. Not to exaggerate but as you balance those rocks on each other you will find that your thoughts are also getting organized. You will leave Kimakia very refreshed and ready to take on Nairobi.
- Nothing like a swim among the trees as the clear blue sky peeps through trying to join the fun. The Kimakia trail boasts two waterfalls in succession. It almost feels like the water is flowing from the clouds and cascading around your body. Bring your swim suit and just sit in the water or actually splash around, you decide.
Challenge Level
The Art of Balance is held at the Kimakia trail which is only moderately challenging. This experience is not meant to shred you to pieces. On the contrary, it is simply meant to push you only a little bit then leave you alone to the rock cairns. It will be a little fun wondering about the thought processes of different people as they built their cairns.
Logistics
The central meeting point is on the benches near Bata Hilton Nairobi CBD. From there, we head out to take public transport to Gatanga. The journey to the starting point is about two and a half hours long and public transport costs approximately 650 shillings.
Also, the trail is self-drive friendly in case you don’t want to take public transport.
What do you need for the trail?
- 3Ltrs water (bring a reusable bottle or a hydration pack)
- Snacks: fruit salad, energy drink, warm beverage, biscuits, sandwich, trail mix (nuts), etc.
- Personal items (ID, pocket money, hand sanitizer, facemask, phone, and camera, Lighter, Pocket Knife, and First-aid Kit)
- Trekking pole
- Swimsuit
- Change of clothes and shoes in case you get wet or muddy.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, sun protection
Here’s a list of resources for hiking gear you can check out.
Hiking Gear Vendors – Lets Drift
Can you bring your kids with you?
Yes. You can bring children over 12 to the Art of Balance. They might show you how to lose yourself in the art of stacking rocks.
Now that you know about the Art of Balance at Kimakia, we hope to see you there!
Similar trails
If you are a fan of events held on interesting hiking trails in Kenya, Book now, be notified when tickets become available. Similar events to the Art of Balance are:
Chini ya Maji and Kijabe Mountain Biking Enduro Race
