I am sorry it has been so long since my last post. Like normal, like has been kinda crazy... but in a good way!
I am one very lucky girl. I have been away from home now for
a year and to mark this momentous occasion, my family traveled to the other
side of the world to see what life over here is like (and to give them some
peace of mind that I’m safe.)
One of the goals of the Peace Corps is to share knowledge and experiences of
your host country with Americans, and what better way to do this than to show
them first hand.
My Mom, Dad, and Grandma Torch left my cousin’s wedding
around midnight to drive several hours to and airport and then journeyed almost
30 hours to get here. They arrived in the middle of the night and after a night
of half-assed sleep, we started our trip (and my couple weeks of living the
safi life!) My school finished up the first term, so I had about a month off,
perfect time for family vacation.
Our trip consisted of 3 major destinations: Dar es Salaam,
the Serengeti, and Zanzibar.
In Dar, we mostly just walked around, because let’s face it, Dar is just a big city like anywhere else in the world. But what was amazing is that my family pointed out things to be that I realized I had become accustomed to and have accepted as normal, when only a year ago, I was entranced and intreagued by the bajaji’s, people carrying everything on their heads, the dress and the language; It was all so new and so interesting once upon a time.
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| Grandma, Mom and I taking a break from the heat and trying some Tanzanian soda |
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Drinking coconut water in the streets of Dar
(Please ignore the very, very wrong date on the picture) |
We then took a plane to start our adventure in the Serengeti
and went on a 4 day, 3 night safari. We went out looking for animals in the
mornings and evenings, because it was too hot in the middle of the day and the
animals were hiding out in the shade.
When we arrived, we helped our guide, Joseph, and our cook, Zacharia, set up
our tents and got settled in. There were wildebeests all around us, less than
20 yards from the edge of the camp. And I will say that we were never hungry
the entire time we were on Safari. We were fed in the Tanzanian fashion with
not only 3 large meals, but also chai mid-morning. And the food was good! They
catered a lot to the types of food westerners enjoy. Just don’t ask yourself
how you are having chicken on the 3rd night when they have no
refrigeration…
We spent 2 nights in the Serengeti, and then for the final
night made our way to Ngorongoro Crater, the largest caldera in the world. I have
to say, camping on the edge of that crater gives Njombe a run for its money as
the coldest place in Tanzania. Inside the crater are some animals you cannot see
in the Serengeti, including rhinos and flamingos. It was kind of rainy and wet, but we didn't
let it dampen our spirits.
Our permit only allows 6 hours in the crater, so after we left, we slowly made
our way back to civilization, but along the way stopped by Oldupi Gorge (oldupi
is the kimasaai world for sisal- a large crop in Tanzania used to make rope).
This gorge is famous because it’s where several remains and skeleton’s belonging to the same species as Homo
Erectus, Lucy, and the Nutcracker Man. The gorge is an evolutionary goldmine!
As we completed our journey, Joseph asked if we wanted to get some souveniers,
so we stopped in a shop called Shanga Shangaa which translates to surprising
glass beads. This store employs 55 people with various disabilities who make
crafts out of recycled materials, including glass, aluminum, fabric, etc. It was
so inspiring to watch these people work and make beautiful pieces of art from
materials that usually litter the streets of Tanzania.
I don’t know if I
ever thanked my parents enough, but it was the experience of a lifetime that I
never could have done without them (I’m a volunteer, remember?)
Here are just a few family pictures we took while on the trip.
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| The whole gang, including Joseph and Zacharia |
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| Outlook on top of Ngorongoro Crater |
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| Entering the Serengeti |
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| Idaho gals love dead things |
And here are some of my favorite pics we got in the park
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just a couple of giraffes
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| Baboon |
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| Lizard basking in the sun |
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| Vulture |
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| A Zebra and his buddy |
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| Water Buffalo and friends |
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| Sleepy Lioness |
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| Mama and baby Elephants |
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| Sleepy Lion |
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We found Pumba
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| Hippo |
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| Jackel |
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| Gotta love a good butt shot |
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| This little guy loved having his picture taken! |
After our safari, we made our way to Zanzibar for some rest
and relaxation. We can’t forget that this is vacation and rest and relaxation
are mandatory.
We spent a day wandering around Stonetown and sightseeing, since Zanzibar has a
rich, but sad history associated with the slave trade.
The next day was R&R day, spent
snorkeling, and then relaxing by the pool and getting a little tan since I live
in the Arctic Tundra of Africa aka Njombe, TZ.
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| Nipe tano! (Give me Five!) |
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| View from our hotel room |
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| Fresh Leeche |
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| Some beautiful flowers on Zanzibar |
The next day, we walked on the beach and took an afternoon
ferry back to Dar es Salaam where we walked around a bit more and ate some
Indian street food. The next day, we woke up and had a great continental
breakfast that included daal of all things… and then proceeded to check out of
our rooms. But since they were flying out in the middle of the night, they
didn’t book a room, so we spent the next 14 hours homeless, wandering the
streets of Dar es Salaam. But time with family precious, so we made the most of
it. We walked aimlessly for a bit and stopped for beers every couple of hours
to sit and cool off. We finally stopped
at one of the bars PCV’s visit regularly, when I realized that my family was
going to board the plane in a few hours without trying the staple food of TZ. Of
course I couldn’t let them escape without trying that most delectable of all
Tanzanian Cuisine: Ugali. And the weirdo’s actually didn’t mind it!
We spent the rest of our time together drinking beer until
they headed to the airport.
Saying goodbye to them again was just as hard as it was the first time I left.
12 months down, 15 to go. I’ll be home before you know it
mom.
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| Love you! |
