Mountains, Maasai, Motorcycles, next to Malawi!
Nobody is born wise. ~ African proverb
Hello!
I'm back from Mt. Kilimanjaro and back at it for one more week before beginning holiday!
Wow time is FLYING by. I keep trying to slow down and catch my breath but there is a lot to do and a lot to see a lot to enjoy and time is of the essence. Even though I find my self tired sometimes, I keep going because I know these memories will last a lifetime. I'll have plenty of time to be lazy once I return home ;)
Ahh so I have returned from the magical land of Mount Kilimanjaro, it was the most amazing place. I took the quick flight from Dar to Kilimanjaro and arrived to cool weather and wide open spaces. As y'all know, I'm staying in Dar es Salaam, which is like a fun metro area but its very busy, very hot and very crowded and noisy and often a tad overwhelming for the senses. So when I flew into Moshi, Tanzania it was like a whole new world. Lots of land as far as the eye could see and beautiful purple flowering trees they call "Christmas trees" that speckle the landscape. You can see Maasai herders following their cows, donkeys, and goats across the highway, no big deal ;)
I went up to Moshi to attend a birthday party of my roommate's Gill's boyfriend, Daudi. Gill and Daudi have been living up in Moshi for a long time and so I had expert guides and advice on the nice places to go and things to see. I did a lot on the few days I was up there, I'm pretty impressed.
So besides being so awestruck at the mountain's majesty, on the first day I wanted to get a a dress made in the local Kitenge fabric that is so beautiful and the dresses that are so unique and African. Gill took me in to town to a good fabric shop and then introduced me to her friend who was a dressmaker, these ladies set up shop right out on the street with their sewing machines working away and making all sorts of clothing - they got me measured for 2 different dresses and she got to work! She even made me some pillow cases and a head band with the extra fabric that I had purchased.
After that was accomplished I got to take a really nice walking tour of Moshi ran by one of Gill and Daudi's friends where he took me around to the market, to the beautiful green spaces and I even got to try some fruit and sugar cane and buy some more jewelry and brickabrack ;) I can't get over how nice and clean Moshi was compared to Dar. I'll never take green spaces for granted again ;)
After the tour, I got back to Gill and Daudi's house and helped Gill with a few preparations for the next day's big birthday event. It was going to be my first cross cultural celebration since arriving in Tanzania. Daudi is Maasai (an indigenous ethnic group of East Africa with a distinct culture) and a bunch of his Maasai buddies were coming over for the event. It was set to be a lot of people and they even bought two goats to slaughter for the occasion. I did feel bad seeing the goats tied up outside blissfully unaware that it was their last night before their slaughter. Every time I walked by them I looked away, I'm such a sissy.
Two of Daudi's Maasai friends were also staying at their house for the event and it was fun chatting with them and learning more about their culture and everyday life. I really didn't know much about the culture so it was really enlightening to get a peek into what life is like for them. George and Lekishon both arrived wearing very western "hip" clothes with baseball caps and cool watches--I didn't see the full Maasai blanket garb until the next day. They wear everyday western clothes a lot of the time, and have facebook and all the modern things too. It was just really interesting to learn about Maasai acculturating to some western The world gets smaller and smaller every day!
Daudi had invited me to church as the last time I saw him I mentioned that I had gone to a witch doctor and all about the peppercorns and limes etc. Anyway, he took a very long time to sit down with me and convince me not to take those peppercorns because God is the true healer etc. etc. Anyway the productive end to that conversation was that I should go to church with him when I go to Moshi, and well the time had come that I was there and 8 am came fast. We went to church by Piki Piki motorcycle and got some beautiful views of Mt. Kilimanjaro in all its glory.
Gill and Daudi also run an amazing hotel right next to Mt. Kimilanjaro called The Secret Garden--you can sit out on the terrace and have coffee/beer/food while gazing up at the mountain (when the clouds aren't blocking the view). It was so cool to see the hotel and all the ins and outs of managing a place like that. I got to stay in their house located directly next to the hotel but I went over there quite a bit to gaze at the view and chat with the staff -- everyone was so nice and welcoming, I highly recommend staying there if you get the chance.
After we came back to the house from church, the two goats were no longer and a bunch of the dudes were busy chopping away--I'm glad I missed the slaughter but it was kind of interesting to watch them disembowel their bodies. I think every meat eater should watch the process. I caught the tail end of everything but I got to see them poking the goats eyeballs out of the severed head, literally disemboweling their intestines (aka taking the poop out) as that's supposed to be a very tender piece of meat. Skillz I probably will never have but it was a good thing that I got to witness such happenings, I didn't even get queasy!
The dancing lasted for a few minutes and you could tell it took a lot of energy to jump like they did! Whew, it was a wonderful day! I felt so special to be able to witness it all. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined I'd travel to Africa and be able to see things like this. Wow! How life takes twists and turns. I'll remember this time forever, its just so amazing.
Anyway enough sentimental reflection...the party was a blast! As that night was Daudi's birthday I enlisted the help of one of Daudi's friend's Lekishon to take me to town to help me pick out a gift for him. We found a nice shirt for him and also took a double piki piki ride, I can't believe there is space on the motorcycle for 3 ppl! Lekishon invited me to accompany him to Arusha the following day --which is the next town over from Moshi-- to take a look around. I graciously agreed and the next day we went by Dala dala (local bus) to Arusha and had a full day of exploring. We also had lots of interesting chats about Maasai culture, I had endless questions!
After arriving back to Dar from Moshi and had a mix of chill time and work, going out for brunch and dinner and pampering myself with a massage and a little down time with Netflix. I know the next month is going to go by in a whirlwind and I just want to be prepared for a lot of go, go, go, I'm getting older and less energetic at times so chilling on a regular basis is most necessary!
Hello!
I'm back from Mt. Kilimanjaro and back at it for one more week before beginning holiday!
Wow time is FLYING by. I keep trying to slow down and catch my breath but there is a lot to do and a lot to see a lot to enjoy and time is of the essence. Even though I find my self tired sometimes, I keep going because I know these memories will last a lifetime. I'll have plenty of time to be lazy once I return home ;)
Ahh so I have returned from the magical land of Mount Kilimanjaro, it was the most amazing place. I took the quick flight from Dar to Kilimanjaro and arrived to cool weather and wide open spaces. As y'all know, I'm staying in Dar es Salaam, which is like a fun metro area but its very busy, very hot and very crowded and noisy and often a tad overwhelming for the senses. So when I flew into Moshi, Tanzania it was like a whole new world. Lots of land as far as the eye could see and beautiful purple flowering trees they call "Christmas trees" that speckle the landscape. You can see Maasai herders following their cows, donkeys, and goats across the highway, no big deal ;)
One of the many beautiful "Christmas trees" in Moshi.
There it is! Impressive eh?
Views from a neat coffee house in Moshi
Go to union coffee and try their delicious espresso milkshake! ;)
So besides being so awestruck at the mountain's majesty, on the first day I wanted to get a a dress made in the local Kitenge fabric that is so beautiful and the dresses that are so unique and African. Gill took me in to town to a good fabric shop and then introduced me to her friend who was a dressmaker, these ladies set up shop right out on the street with their sewing machines working away and making all sorts of clothing - they got me measured for 2 different dresses and she got to work! She even made me some pillow cases and a head band with the extra fabric that I had purchased.
Dressmaker hard at work--she had skillz.
After that was accomplished I got to take a really nice walking tour of Moshi ran by one of Gill and Daudi's friends where he took me around to the market, to the beautiful green spaces and I even got to try some fruit and sugar cane and buy some more jewelry and brickabrack ;) I can't get over how nice and clean Moshi was compared to Dar. I'll never take green spaces for granted again ;)
Can you see how lush and green? Here's an old railroad track from back when the German's colonized Tanzania, the railway was used to excavate minerals and goods out of Tanzania and back to Europe :/
Me by the railroad track
A beautiful rainbow appeared while on the tour
After the tour, I got back to Gill and Daudi's house and helped Gill with a few preparations for the next day's big birthday event. It was going to be my first cross cultural celebration since arriving in Tanzania. Daudi is Maasai (an indigenous ethnic group of East Africa with a distinct culture) and a bunch of his Maasai buddies were coming over for the event. It was set to be a lot of people and they even bought two goats to slaughter for the occasion. I did feel bad seeing the goats tied up outside blissfully unaware that it was their last night before their slaughter. Every time I walked by them I looked away, I'm such a sissy.
Two of Daudi's Maasai friends were also staying at their house for the event and it was fun chatting with them and learning more about their culture and everyday life. I really didn't know much about the culture so it was really enlightening to get a peek into what life is like for them. George and Lekishon both arrived wearing very western "hip" clothes with baseball caps and cool watches--I didn't see the full Maasai blanket garb until the next day. They wear everyday western clothes a lot of the time, and have facebook and all the modern things too. It was just really interesting to learn about Maasai acculturating to some western The world gets smaller and smaller every day!
Daudi had invited me to church as the last time I saw him I mentioned that I had gone to a witch doctor and all about the peppercorns and limes etc. Anyway, he took a very long time to sit down with me and convince me not to take those peppercorns because God is the true healer etc. etc. Anyway the productive end to that conversation was that I should go to church with him when I go to Moshi, and well the time had come that I was there and 8 am came fast. We went to church by Piki Piki motorcycle and got some beautiful views of Mt. Kilimanjaro in all its glory.
Imagine taking a Piki Piki ride and viewing this!
Gill and Daudi also run an amazing hotel right next to Mt. Kimilanjaro called The Secret Garden--you can sit out on the terrace and have coffee/beer/food while gazing up at the mountain (when the clouds aren't blocking the view). It was so cool to see the hotel and all the ins and outs of managing a place like that. I got to stay in their house located directly next to the hotel but I went over there quite a bit to gaze at the view and chat with the staff -- everyone was so nice and welcoming, I highly recommend staying there if you get the chance.
Breakfast with a view!
some guys aiding in the magnificent slaughter
Here's a few of the Maasai guys who were keen to take a photo with me ;)
finished product of the butcher - bbq
The party was soon in full swing and I was just so excited to be there. Everyone was quite nice. The most exciting part was when the Maasai men all got together and paraded in to the garden to do some traditional jumping dances. They were all singing in unison and wearing traditional clothing, this was the real deal.
The dancing lasted for a few minutes and you could tell it took a lot of energy to jump like they did! Whew, it was a wonderful day! I felt so special to be able to witness it all. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined I'd travel to Africa and be able to see things like this. Wow! How life takes twists and turns. I'll remember this time forever, its just so amazing.
Anyway enough sentimental reflection...the party was a blast! As that night was Daudi's birthday I enlisted the help of one of Daudi's friend's Lekishon to take me to town to help me pick out a gift for him. We found a nice shirt for him and also took a double piki piki ride, I can't believe there is space on the motorcycle for 3 ppl! Lekishon invited me to accompany him to Arusha the following day --which is the next town over from Moshi-- to take a look around. I graciously agreed and the next day we went by Dala dala (local bus) to Arusha and had a full day of exploring. We also had lots of interesting chats about Maasai culture, I had endless questions!
Lekishon, my Arusha tour guide and I!
Lekishon took me all around Arusha and we took boda boda (another word for motorcycles) through the city, twas a good way to view Arusha quite well. Lots of mountains surrounded the area and there was a lot of hustle and bustle on the streets. We stopped at the cultural heritage center and took a look around, a lot of beautiful stuff for sale a bit out of my price range tho ;)
Maasai statue
One of many wooden sculptures
Legit
Floors on floors on floors of beautiful artwork and handicrafts.
Sculpture of Maasai warriors taking down a lion at the cultural heritage center.
It was a great day. I said goodbye to Lekishon and headed back to Moshi by Dala Dala solo, like a champ. I came back to Dar with just a few items to add to my bigger collection of stuff that I've accumulated thus far. Everything is so beautiful though, I can't help but take a piece of Tanzania back home with me, who knows when I'll be back!
Since returning to Dar I've begun packing up and getting ready to leave for the month of holiday. Here's what my souvenir stash looks like thus far...
Umm here's the stuff I've bought so far during my time in Tanzania, yikes! But all well worthy investments, such beautiful handcrafts :)
After arriving back to Dar from Moshi and had a mix of chill time and work, going out for brunch and dinner and pampering myself with a massage and a little down time with Netflix. I know the next month is going to go by in a whirlwind and I just want to be prepared for a lot of go, go, go, I'm getting older and less energetic at times so chilling on a regular basis is most necessary!
Rockin my new Kitenge dress from Moshi. Love it! ;)
I'll be saying goodbye to this lovely view after I depart for Malawi, my roommate Gill is moving back to her home so I'll be seeking a more affordable spot and setting off on a brand new adventure in Dar when I return in January. Its been a fun and exciting past few months here, but all good things must come to an end, right?
Gonna miss my roommate/colleague Gill who helped me get settled here in so many ways!
So there you have it, the latest excitement from yours truly. In just a few short days I embark on a long holiday adventure through Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana before heading back to Dar in January to finish up my practicum. I'm getting wiser and wiser by the day, so exciting to be making memories and living the good life. Cheers! Write to you from Malawi soon!!!
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