Introspection

It's funny, last time I was in Africa I was there for 3 weeks and I easily could have stayed for longer. This time it definitely feels as if we've been gone for longer than a week!

I have mosquito bites all over my legs, a tsetse fly bite on my right shoulder, haven't had power for longer than 4 hours since Mount Kenya Safari Lodge, and I'm loving every minute of it.

I'm very proud of Trent, too. He went WAY out of his comfort zone to accompany me on this trip - all because it meant so much to me to have him here with me! He is not only enjoying himself, but is learning to take things in stride. Having to hurry in the mornings just to wait for transport, being huntry at dinner but waiting patiently (or at least quietly :)) for the food... I think he has grown a little on this trip. He has always been introspective, and this trip, with our experiences, are definitely allowing him to practice that. I'm very proud of him and so glad he's here.

We talk about the AIDS orphanage we visited almost daily. Cute little Kevin, who was just getting over an illness, sitting away from the rest of the children, watching them play and do their chores. I don't remember if I've written this before or not, so please bear with me if I have!

I sat down beside Kevin to watch the kids do their chores... I tried to talk to him, but he didn't seem interested and I thought he wanted to be alone. But when I got up to leave him alone, he reached out for my finger and held strong. Annnnnnd I was in love :) So, we sat beside each other for a while, with my arm over his shoulder, and him slowly melting into me for a hug. He eventually ended up on my lap, and we stayed that way for quite some time. After Trent was finished taking pictures of all the children (they LOVED seeing themselves in the digital camera!), he sat down beside us, and showed Kevin his Ipod. He seemed interested, so Trent put one ear-phone in his ear, and the other in Kevins, and turned on the music. Well! THERE was the smile!!! We didn't know for sure if he was enjoying the music (all types of music), but I saw him tapping his foot. He started to cry when we were told we had to leave, but one of the very loving volunteers picked him up and he stopped.

Such a cutie, I don't think I'll ever forget him. Just like Sophie, a child with AIDS I met at a school in Swaziland 2 years ago.... she's still with me too.

What we've seen so far of Tanzania is SO different from Kenya. What few sources of water Kenya had were very shallow. We had just missed the rainy season, and they did get a lot of rain this year. Les said he didn't remember when he saw the grass as long as it was!

There were a LOT of elephant, again more than Les had seen at Samburu previously. We didn't seen any lion, but we did see leopard on 2 occasions. The Samburu people were very smiley, friendly, happy, and loved to banter! The staff at the Intrepids lodge were fantastic. They loved the books, tshirts and pens we gave them when we left.

Contrast the dryness of Kenya with what we see today and it's hard to believe we're only 1 country away! We are in the Ngor4ogoro Highlands. To get here we flew on 3 small planes and drove for a couple hours - some of that time on nicely paved roads! What a pleasant surprise! We got to Lake Manyara and in the distance saw hundreds of flamingos! We haven't gotten near enough to take pictures yet, but they're there!

I have seen elephant every day I've been in Africa. THAT is a treat.

I started to feel queazy a couple of times on the trip, but a dose of "Cipro" antibiotic seemed to clear whatever it was so I haven't missed any activities but the cultural village. But I think I missed the cultural village tour more because of introverted-ness (?). I noticed I was geting more and more quiet when the group was together - those darned extroverts, stealing my energy! So, Trent and I both took the afternoon off to be introverts and recharge. He went to the room to watch a movie on my IPod, and I am catching up on blog entries by the pool. For when I am able to find a computer that works!

I am hoping the place we stay tomorrow (The Sopa) has internet access - I'm looking forward to updating everyone on our activities! I miss everyone and hope you are all doing well. We'll be home soon!