July 11th, 2017
Our last day in Tanzania
(Written August 12th)
It was a sad goodbye departing from our Tanzanian home and the people there. I won't forget their hard work and flexibility with us mzungus. I miss that place and those faces, but we still had to pack off and begin our journey back to the United States.
Let me tell you about Nakey, also known as "Mr. Cheaper." This man was trying to tell us decorative drums just a few days before, but none of us were interested, so we just had a nice conversation and got to know him. Then, as we were filling up the Safari car on our way out of Karatu, we spot his store he'd told us about; the "Michelle Obama Mobile Shop." Next thing we know he comes knocking on our window. He talked to us until we had to go, and I ended up buying a drum from his friend. He's a great guy!
Our next stop was Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge and Children's Home. The luxurious resort funds a children's home and orphanage on the same property. The kids are provided with education, clothes, food, and so much love. We visited while they were in school, but we got to see all of the facilities.
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| The drive was a bit bumpy to say the least! |
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| The coffee and ginger cookies were exceptional! |
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| Let me tell you about these dogs! These are Rhodesian Ridgeback Dogs. They're the size of ponies! At one point the biggest one was just playing next to me, brushed against my leg, and the shear weight and force of him knocked me over. I had contusion/bruise for two weeks! They were sweet, but I see why they're lion fighting dogs! |
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| Rhotia Valley also has a bakery that sells bread to several cities in the area. |
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| Their gardens were magnificent! |
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| Those are papaya trees! |
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| Rhotia Valley has an elephant watchman, but that doesn't stop the animals from trampling the fence and taking what they please every few weeks. |
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| Dani is the man who has been in charge of Rhotia Valley for the last nine months. He's a very kind man who takes in those kids as his own. He also named the calf Cindi is petting after himself. |
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| After our simple Tanzanian home, I was quite shocked even to see this luxurious resort. |
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| So. Much. Joy. |
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I love these people.
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Rhotia Valley is a trip of its own! I'm so glad we got to stop there, although I wouldn't have minded a bit more time to relax. This was our last stop before the airport.
I'd like to take a quick second to thank each of the people in that last picture.
Edwin- Thank you for knowing the answer to every question we asked and telling us all the things we didn't know to inquire about. You were a great guide and an even better friend. I miss you!
Jill- My roommate! Thank you for putting up with my crazy energy! It was so great getting to know you, thank you for bringing your expertise and yourself on our Tanzanian adventure. I'm still sad that it all had to come to an end. :)
Brad- Thank you for turning all of my anxieties into meaningless worries that I could laugh at. Also thank you for doing the heavy lifting I would have attempted but fail at. You're alright.
Cindi- Our fearless group leader, thank you for keeping us afloat! You taught me how to learn many times over the years, and my adaptability was tested in Tanzania, but I'm so much happier because of it all. Thank you for being (kinda) irrelevant.
I'm a better person because of each of you.
Much love,
Kami
