Into the desert

Sooo just a quick update on the last couple of weeks. After debrief in Iringa we had a big closing ceremony which was really nice (we got t-shirts) and then headed to Dar to spend our last couple of days together before most of the int volunteers flew out and the nationals went to uni. It was a hectic couple of days, emotions were high and we all felt a sense of impending doom with their approaching departure. We had a lot of fun though but going to the airport to say goodbye was one of the hardest things ive ever done. These volunteers have been my family for the last 8 months and I really couldn't have finished this program without them (internationals and nationals). It's still sinking in that the life we had in Tanzania is over and im really bad at letting go of things so its taking me a while. I'm already planning my return to Tanzania.

After this I headed to Nairobi (17hr bus ride) to meet Hannah. We spent a day exploring the city and then headed off on a 4 day safari which was great. We went to the Masai Mara and saw pretty much everything except the leopard (we searched!). It felt weird being a tourist though and I really notice all the small differences between Kenya and Tanzania (especially because Kenyan's dont speak swahili to wazungu because their english is perfect!). After the 4 days we had a night in Nairobi and then headed off for 8 days up north making our way to Lake Turkana through the desert. It was amazing! There were 5 of us (4 aussies and 1 swedish lady who was fantastic) and our driver and cook who made the most amazing food (we had soup!!! and cauliflower and cheese!!). We drove about 6-10hrs each day, explored national reserves, saw some amazing scenery, slept in tents in reserves with lions roaring around us, shielded our food from cheeky monkeys, dodged baboon poop, watched the sunset over the chalby desert, stayed in traditional turkana huts on the lake shores, visited one of the smallest tribes in kenya, slept out under the stars (i saw 3 shooting stars!), danced with locals at sunset and just had an amazing time.

Now we're back in Nairobi for a couple of days before going back to Tanzania. Travelling is great fun but sometimes i hate feeling like a tourist, but I am one!! I just have to get over that.

So the end.....hannah is writing a huge essay about our travels so you can check out her blog for more details - http://www.tavelblog.org/bloggers/hannah2188

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