Tanzania

  Arusha, Tanzania
Monday, November 28, 2005

Hi again,
We've arrived in a small city called Arusha in the country of Tanzania. We took a 5 hour shuttle bus from Nairobi to Arusha. Couldn't get out of that place fast enough, lol! The scenary started to change dramitically after about an hour into the ride. Lots of different trees and the landscape. It varied from barren looking desert to denser vegetation as we passed through a valley. Why is it all foreign countries have erratic driving? This journey was no different, this time the traffic coming in the opposite direction would have vehicles trying to pass each other and would be coming at full speed at us in our lane. They would swirve over at the last second. Almost like they are playing chicken with each other.



The road got very bumpy at times, so bad infact that one of the passengers who was sitting on a fold down seat in the center aisle broke it falling to the floor. He was okay and everyone laughed. He moved to another fold down seat ahead one. Bets were placed on how long before he broke that seat! We saw a few zebra along the way. At one point we came to the crest of a hill and got an incredible view. The land went as far as you could see. It was just like you see in the movie "out of africa"

We went through many small villages and got our first glimpse of the Masai people all in their beautiful bright coloured wrap clothing (must remember to find out the proper name of it) Small children were all about. Some of them with other small children on their backs, lol! The women had children on their backs as well as baskets of various items delicately balanced on their heads.



We will be finding out more about the Masai people later, but I believe their houses were the grass huts we saw. The other Tanzanians homes were mostly pieces of metal or whatever material they could manage to build shelter with.

We are staying at small guest house that has about 10 rooms. It has a restaurant with a nice balcony that overlooks a pretty setting with trees and garden areas. We saw a family of vervet monkeys on the roof of the house next to us while eating dinner one night. There wasn't a lot on the menu for us. So we ended up having spaghetti with cheese, it was actually quite good.




We had a few gecko like creatures crawling around our room at night. They just hang out sticking to the walls and ceilings, so they don't bother us too much. Except when we have to walk under a doorway with them, I am afraid they will drop on our heads. We had one fall from the ceiling right beside the table while eating one night, lol! After checking into the hotel we headed to an internet cafe. I (Audrey) was bitten by a mosquito within half an hour of arriving. It was in the internet cafe and in the middle of the afternoon. It bit me right through my shirt on the back.

As far as mosqitos go, it is quite interesting to get used to sleeping under the mosquito net. You have to remember to take everything into the bed you might need in the night. Water, flashlight, etc. You don't want to have to get out unless you have to go to the bathroom.


We are off for our 4night/5day safari, we are very excited.
See you after we get back.