So much has happened during these first 4 days in Tanzania. It was a surprize to end up at Ndarakwai immediately after arriving in the middle of the night! We had some dinner and set up our tents in the dark. It has been a wonderful way to get to know the group and to get our feet on the groud. I have seen elephants, giraffes, baboons, monkeys, zebras, water buck, and birds. Monkeys regularly run through camp and even take our food sometimes! Beginning to learn Kiswahili has been exciting and I look forward to becoming more comfortable with the language. Yesterday was a really fun day. It was so nice to finally get out of camp for a little while. We attended a church service in a small village nearby. The congregation was extemely welcoming. The little girl sitting next to me was absolutely adorable! We had so much fun making faces at each other and holding hands. There was some really unexpected music from an electric keyboard to liven things up! The sermon included a very interesting discussion on marriage and gender roles. The preacher didn't always like the answers he got when he asked our opinions! After the two and a half hour service, everyone moved outside to auction off the food items brought by the people who had no money for the offering. After church, we went straight to a local bar to relax for the afternoon. The evening was completed by a lovely fire back at camp.
I am really getting excited for what the future of this trip will hold. The program seems like there will just be one amazing surprise after another!
Things not to tell my mother:
- This is black mamba territory
- Black mambas are the most aggressive and poisonous snakes in the world
- We found a black mamba (baby) in camp yesterday
- We bring an armed guard with us whenever we go into the bush
- Our academic director carries a gun
- There are ticks EVERYWHERE
- We all WILL have at least one thorn removed
- Dogs here are not friendly
You're right - I shouldn't have read this!!! BE SAFE!!
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