The One With The National Geographic Safari (6/3/2013)

The safari has been incredible so far! Yesterday we saw crocodiles, giraffes, hippos, elephants, zebras and so so much more, all just in the morning.  After lunch we went back out for an afternoon game drive and saw 3 leopards!! A mother and her two cubs!  When we first saw them they were up in a tree resting but then they came down (a super rare site!) and literally crossed the road 10 feet in front of our car and then proceeded to wrestle with each other for the next half an hour! It was incredible! And then on the way back to camp we saw a lion stalking a few zebras that had been drinking at a stream.  So we camped out and got to watch the attack (although not the kill, the lion didn’t catch any of them and we weren’t really sure whether to be glad or sad about that). When we reached the camp we asked Madeal, our driver, if that was the best drive he has been on.  He said, “maybe not the best, but it was better than most of the drives I have been on with the National Geographic photographers”.  He really has been an incredible driver and guide and I am so excited to see what this last safari day brings!

PS Right now I am sitting in Duxbury MA posting this! I cant beleive I am home!!! ...more on that later.  But since I now have American internet here are a few pictures and I will try to post more from the rest of the adventures soon!

The One Where The Safari Began (6/1/2013)

Right now it is day 2 of the safari, we have already seen 4 out of the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo… just waiting on rhino), been in the midst of migrating zebras, watched elephants bathe from 10 feet away, seen about a million other animals and as I type this I am sitting in a giant tent (just to give you a sense of how big it is, only Hannah and I are staying in here but there are two full canopy beds, a toilet, and a shower) and it is in the middle of the Serengeti.  It has been an amazing two days so far and we still have three to go! I am going to try to post some pictures when we get out of the park so check back in soon!

The One With The Beach Resort and The Econo Lodge (6/1/2013)

Sunday was a long bus travel day to Dar where Mom, Bob, Dahlia and I spent the night.  And Monday morning we started off early again.  Dahlia and I took my Mom and Bob to the Lighthouse Inn located on the beautiful beaches on the outskirts of Dar.  Seriously, this place was a beach bungalow with fresh flowers on the beds and a woman with a tray of freshly squeezed passion juice as we stepped out of the taxi.  Unfortunately though, Dahlia and I could only stay for a few hours and one amazing meal because we had to head back into the city to the Econo Lodge (nothing against the place, it was actually pretty nice, but there certainly weren’t and flowers on the beds) because we had our End Of Service Conference with WorldTeach. 

The conference was really great though.  All Day Tuesday we were at the Ministry of Education talking about our experience, giving advice for preparing next year’s volunteers and laughing about the ridiculous concerns that we had at our first orientation meeting which occurred in that same room.   Two of the ministry officials who had come that first week to welcome us came back to hear our feedback and suggestions after spending a year teaching here.  There are a lot of things that I think they do really well in Tanzania but I have also had a lot of frustrations especially with the difficulty of the national syllabus.  I think everyone at the conference felt so much better about leaving knowing that they ministry cares so much about improving things and that they were willing to hear us out. 

Wednesday was back to the beach for Dahlia and I to pick up my Mom and Bob and then, once again, back into Dar where we picked up Hannah!!! (One of my best friends from college) That’s right, Hannah is here in Tanzania for the last two weeks of my adventure here.  I am SO grateful to have her with me! 

The One With The Big Goodbye (6/1/2013)

Saturday morning I left Kafule for the final time.  The district sent a car to pick us up and take us to Mbeya so Dahlia, Mom, Bob and I woke up just before dawn to finish packing and say our last goodbyes.  Unfortunately it was a really rainy morning so only a few people made it to our house to wave us off but with the whole village there I don’t know if I actually would have been able to get into that car and drive away… maybe the rain was a blessing.  About 10 people came through and stood there waving as we pulled away.  I don’t think it has really hit me yet that I have officially moved out of Kafule, who knows if it every really will.  But I am really thankful that I have friends and family here with me now and for the adventure that we are now on together. 

We made it to Mbeya midafternoon and were greeted by the district and regional education officers.  We sat with them for a while talking about Dahlia and my teaching experiences and some of the changes that have been going on in the education system here recently.  And then we were off again to Kita’s house for another goodbye dinner.  Kita has been such an amazing friend to both Dahlia and I during our time here.  He solved any problem that I even hinted at, was always willing to drop whatever he was doing to be there for me and was incredibly patent with me as he tried to explain his culture and learn about mine.  I hope and pray that his dreams of furthering his education in America come to fruition so that I can try to welcome him with even half the support that he has given to me.