Thoughts

Forgive me loyal readers, I've been trying to cram as much as possible in my last few days in London, and the blogging has suffered as a result. Apologies! A few things to pass the time: the markets near Brick Lane, hanging in South Croyden, Guillemots at Shepards Bush, frustrating times at Charing Cross Station, shopping, the cinema...where you can enjoy a beer and a movie, The National Portrait Gallery, Burough Market, Sundowners, Crazy Homies, £32 worth of margaritas, late nights, people from Argentina, good brunches, etc etc. I sit here on the eve of my departure pondering my travels and wondering how this day came around so quickly. I thought I would be itching to get home, but I'm more interested in figuring out a way to stay. I've learned that a month is not a long time, and weeks and days fly by when you are enjoying the people and places around you. Thanks to everyone who made this first jaunt of 2008 so amazing. I'll post more pictures soon. Until then, I think I'm going to go get one more Churchill Arms fix before I leave...

Oh My Maasai

I have just returned from the most amazing place on earth. Yesterday we drove to the Maasai village which is home to Sarah's friend Baraka. We slept over night and were treated like royalty, adorned with cloths and beaded collars from the moment we arrived. I really can't begin to describe it here, nor will my pictures ever do this experience justice. It isn't something that many people, let alone a group of mzungus, ever experience. We were invited into their homes, taken on a tour of their farm before we watched them herd their goats and cattle. The children posed for pictures, laughed at seeing themselves on my camera, and loved any attention they were given. I think they enjoyed watching us as much as we enjoyed watching them. I was treated to my own personal welcoming serenade from one of the elder women, only later did I discover she was insanely drunk... perhaps that explains the screaming in my ear and the inhibition she had toward her left breast...I just assumed this was customary! We were treated to a dance before we retired for the night, and the kids practiced their english and played with my long hair (another rare sight for them) while the men entertained us around the fire. We went to sleep in our tents with the sounds of the men chanting and the cows mooing,and woke with the chattering of the villagers and the clanking of bells around the necks of the goats as they ran down the hill. We walked with some of the girls to school, nearly two miles - quite a journey to be made by these little ones two times a day. The school was amazing and we were quite the spectacle! Classes had no less than 60 kids each, all learning English, Swahili, Math, and Social Studies. After we returned to the village for lunch and our goodbyes, buying a few special pieces to add to my ever expanding collection of Maasai bead-work. Right before we left Baraka and his Mama showed us a special treat that few non-family members get to enjoy: the teeniest tiniest 15 day old baby I have ever seen. For now, wrapped sweetly in a purple Maasai blanket, but soon she will stand and go running off to chase the goats with the other kids. What an amazing 2 days...

Habari Rafiki!

Hello friend!
It takes about 4 minutes to upload a picture, so enjoy the fruits of my labor and make up your own captions! Yesterday was a lazy Sunday after SWP ran the Kili half marathon. Off to Arusha today for some shopping. Africa is starting to feel like a place that I never knew I could enjoy so much. I keep thinking about books I read as a kid like "Why Do Mosquitos Buzz In People's Ears?" and "Bringing The Rain to Kapiti Plain" (was anyone else a fan of Reading Rainbow??) and I can't believe I am actually here experiencing this amazing land. Sarah and the girls are amazing hosts, and I love seeing them interact with their friends and neighbors speaking perfect Swahili. In Tanazania strangers are just friends you have yet to meet. I wish everyone everywhere was as welcoming and friendly as the people are here. So refreshing to walk down the street or drive in the car and shout "habari!" to everyone that you pass. JLB, we miss you!
Until later...