Safari

Hello again,

So today we finally nailed down our plans. We spent the day visiting safari companies, and we decided we are taking a three day/two night safari. We are first going to the Ngorongoro Crater for a night. Then we are heading to the Sarengeti for another night. We are being dropped off at the western most gate of the park Thursday afternoon, and taking a bus down to Mwanza. We decided to take a ferry across Lake Victoria and a bus up to Masaka/the school instead of taking a bus all the way through Kenya over to Kampala. This all means I will be out of touch for the next fives days or so, but I am getting really excited for our safari and eventually getting to the school!

Arusha has been a great city. We have spent the last two days wandering the streets and hanging out. So far I have noticed one major difference about this city and cities in the United States. People in both Zanzibar and Arusha seems to rely on one another a lot more than people in America do. People in the States are encouraged to be strongly independent and fiercely competitive, and I feel like the opposite is true over here. Community comes before the individual. For example, all the shop owners and street vendors help each other out and recommend one another. Whenever we have had a question, we are always welcomed with a warm and true response. Arusha has also felt very safe, and I attribute that to a general honesty in everyone's actions and emotions. People are definitely not nearly as guarded and unpredictable here. All in all I have been impressed with my experiences in Tanzania.

I also have to mention that the Lion King has already taught me a little bit of Swahili. For example, Hakuna matata means "no worries" (I am embarassed to say I had to ask about this one despite knowing and loving the song). Other examples include Simba meaning lion, Rafiki being friend, Safari means journey, ect. I am sure there are tons I am forgetting so I am excited to go back and watch it again (and play the Sega Genesis game, of course).

We are hoping to arrive at the school on Friday or Saturday. I will keep you updated once I arrive on site.

Until Later,

Eric