Safari – Day 1
After chatting late into the night, we all got up at 6am to
Safari. I didn’t get a chance to unpack my bags, just had to quickly throw a
few things together for our 3 day trip. I probably would have had time because
I soon realized that everything here moves a lot slower. People show up an hour
later than planned and everything is pretty unorganized. “Pole, pole” they say
(slowly, slowly) It couldn’t be explained in a better way. Alpha (our safari
driver) drove our crazy group of girls and Alex (poor Alex!) to the grounds. We
had a blast the whole day making jokes and laughing until we couldn’t laugh
anymore while Alpha spotted all of the animals for us. Giraffes, elephants, and
zebras oh my! Sophie was even attacked by a monkey right after saying she had just been attacked by one in Australia. Monkeys apparently just don't like her Ha! After laughter subsided from the monkey
attack, we ate our lunch which consisted of egg fetus and other unidentifiable items. “Africa” we would say, you just have to accept things are
different here. After safari, we enjoyed
a traditional Swahili dinner and sat around the camp fire with some wine to
exchange stories. Grace and I both fell asleep while talking to each other in
our hobbit hut. Yes, we were upgraded to hobbit huts instead of tents. So
spoiled!
Safari – Day 2
Knock on our door at 6am. I could barely open my eyes after
jet lag and little sleep but ready to take on another day in “the bush”. You
can always sleep when you die, right? Today we visited Ngorongoro Crater. It
was a volcano that exploded 5 million years ago, turning it into a huge crater
and animal grazing ground. It was absolutely astonishing! We saw zebras, wildebeest,
wart hogs, hyenas…this list goes on…all intermingled together in the circle of
life. AND we witnessed a family of lions feasting on a buffalo carcass.
Apparently Nala hunts the food for Mufasa for him to eat, only to leave the leftovers
for mom and the kids. How rude! One of the male lions walked up to the safari
vehicles and literally laid underneath one of the cars! Then it stood up and
started to walk over to our car. Most hilarious and amazing experience so far.
Sophie started crying because she was so scared and Joy (our crazy British mom)
was screaming “Get down! Get down! “Hakuna matata Joy,” Alpha would always say back. All in all, an amazing day ending with a
topless safari ride on the way back to camp…More stories about that later J We enjoyed another
evening at camp visiting with locals and other travelers from around the world.
I will NEVER EVER forget this day in my life.
Grace, Sophie, and I above Ngorongoro Crater
Zigi the Norwegen
Mufasa!
Safari – Day 3
This was our relaxing recovery day. We “slept in” and went
on another trek close by. The area had more of a jungly feel with a lot of
monkeys. We sat in the hot sun for hours watching families of monkeys and other
animals, while Joy entertained with her animal impersonations. Gosh things sure
will be different when this lady leaves tonight. As Zigi says, she’s the chili
in our salad. Always spicing things up!
Grace and I are in bed right now journaling and writing our
blogs. We set up our room and have plans to buy some groceries from the local
markets tomorrow. The local food here is very strange but I’m all about trying
new things. We also have orientation at the hospital tomorrow and get to start
our first rounds on Tuesday. Can’t wait to see what it’s all about.
I miss everyone at home but enjoying every moment of my time
in Africa so far. I love you all, hugs from Tanzania, and always
remember—Hakuna Matata :)
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