Exhuasted and Excited

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  Arusha, Tanzania
Friday, June 20, 2008

     I took a bus very early this morning from Nairobi, Kenya to Arusha, Tanzania. I used to say "You never lived until you rode in a cab in Mexico."  This bus driver put Mexican cabbies to shame. However, I am so glad I chose the bus. Not only was it less than 1/10 of the cost of flying, but I got to see some of Kenya's and Tanzania's countryside.  After my arrival last night, I laid in bed unable to sleep trying to process this adventure. I realized that I was unable to process as it had not hit me that I was in Africa. When the bus pulled out this morning, I was still waiting for the realization to come.  The driver took off with passengers were still jumping on, and the radio blared the Karate Kid movie hit "Glory of Love". Even as the driver chaotically but almost magically floored his way through the city I still waited. As we approached the outskirts of the city, I watched countless pedestrians walking into the city and wondered how far they traveled everyday to make ends meet. The driver switched the music from bad 80s pop to something that sounded much more African

Tanzania Landscape

.  Suddenly, I saw at least 100 smiling, excited children in their bright blue uniforms running to school, and I remembered why I was here.   Tears swelled in my eyes...I am in Africa.  The overwhelming wonderful sensation revisited me throughout the journey as I examined East Africa's life and land.  I observed young Maasai boys in their traditional dress herding their family's cattle or goats across the savanna.  I witnessed the "stereo-typical" African women carrying a basket of fruit on her head while walking down the road in the middle of nowhere. And I saw a countryside unlike any I have seen before. I don't know how to explain it (and as the bus was barreling down the road, I do not have any photos yet), but I was mesmerized by what I saw.  I was especially delighted with the Tanzania scenery and feel even better about my decision to visit this country. Perhaps when I have had more sleep I can do a better job of describing the cloud-topped mountains, the vast savanna, the Masai villages, and the rolling hills cut by narrow gorges.
    Arusha is surrounded by beautiful countryside, but contains the hustle and bustle of a small, developing city.  I survived the walk to my hotel and a little exploration.  I will spend more time here next week and share more about Arusha then. I plan on spending the remainder of the day trying to catch up on sleep and rest for my safari. I leave tomorrow morning, but hope to share the adventure and some photos with you when I return next Wednesday!
  

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