here to there.

My first journal entry.

June 4, 2011

The beginning. After several days, I have said all my goodbyes, completed the epic task of packing for a month of life in Africa (everything from clothes, to binoculars, to bug spray, to rings, to headlamps to eye drops) and mentally prepared, as much as realistically possible, for such an adventure. Now, I’m drinking in the North Carolina scenes from inside a tiny commuter jet, the last glimpses of Greensboro that I will see for a while. I’m fully aware that when I set eyes on this familiar landscape again, I will be a different person.  But isn’t that our daily story? Change is constant. There really is no “different,” just a truer form of ourselves.  We’re picking up speed...

After 30 days, 1385 photos, 4 flights, and 7 rounds of goodbyes I am home. Well, one of my homes. Tanzania graciously opened its arms to me, as I opened my eyes and heart as much as I knew how. It taught me about wildlife, conservation, the environment. But, most importantly, it taught me the African way of life. This life has no worries. Time means nothing. Frustration and negativity are traded for compassion, gentleness and encouragement. We are not perfect and it is not fair to expect perfection from anyone else. Hakuna Matata, what a wonderful phrase!

I thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. It means so much to me. As I conclude this inspiring journey, I hope it has sparked your own travel bug. After all, I need companions for the next grand adventure!

Tanzania, till we meet again...

karibu.

Serengeti Safari. Nearing sundown. Zebras galore!

"Twiga, twiga, SIMBA!" (Duck, duck, goose)  at the Primary School.

Tanzania, you have blessed me so.

wrap up.

This last week, especially the five days in the Serengeti, has been so incredibly busy.  Hence, between all the activities and lack of internet access, I have not had a chance to post. As we had a program debrief this morning and I continue to pack for the journey home, a whole puzzle of emotions circulate around camp.

From our crazy time in the Serengeti (which can only properly be explained in person), to the killer bike tour of Mtu Wa Mbu and time at the orphanage yesterday to our “prom” last night, my time in Tanzania has been an absolute blast.

As extremely excited as I am to reunite with everyone at home, I will also dearly miss the people here and a lot more...

1. Well, African life in general. No hurry. No worries.

2. Hakuna Matata. (A philosophy applied to everything, at every time of day.)

3. Time means nothing.

4. Being outside, all the time.

5. Infinite stars.

6. Dirt is your friend. (Especially when both your feet sink into the muck of Lake Manyara halfway through a bike tour under the sweltering sun.)

7. Random power outages. (Okay, those I will not miss.)

8. Men with rhythm.

9. Scrumptious breakfasts.

10. Ironically, bargaining for everything I bought.

11. Bongo flava music.

12. Baobab trees.

13. Moses, Bura, Arthur, Daniel.