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Published: December 28th 2006
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Leaving Arusha for the Serengeti was very exciting. We have been in Africa for quite some time now with the past couple of weeks being quite difficult and it will be nice to let our guard down and be taken care of for eight days while on safari. Luxury. Something we have not had in quite some time. No lugging our backpacks around, planning what bus we were going to take, what time we would arrive, where we would stay and how much we should pay. Wow, what a treat. As we left and drove through the streets of Arusha I was aware at every second that everything I was seeing was going to be a series of "lasts" for me. The last time I would drive down the dirt roads with the African people carrying things on their heads, the last time I would see the African children waving excitedly to us from the side of the road, the last time I would be called "Momma!" from across the street (hopefully), the last time I would experience the crazy African driving, the last time I would be amongst the hustle and bustle of the African way
of life and I was just really remembering to take it all in and appreciate every second. I am in a totally pensive mood and I am thankful that the shaking of the truck is so loud that no one can talk to me. I am in my own thoughts and my own world. At the end of our safari we are leaving Africa. I am going to miss this place, touts and all.
Finally arriving and driving past the sign that said "Welcome to the Serengeti" really was a dream come true, especially since that meant that the past three hours of driving top speed over the potholed, gravel road in the hot mid-day sun was behind us. I felt like I had been sitting on a universally sized washing machine all day that was stuck on maximum aggitation. Seeing the welcome sign made me forget about all the uncomfortableness. It is funny, there is one safari company who's tire cover reads "It's dusty....it's bumpy......but it's an adventure." - all of it it true.
As the drive goes on, we start to see a lot of young Masaai at the side of the
road, this is Masaai territory. At first this delights me until our guide explains something to us that really kind of disappoints me. It is not as authentic as it appears, it is really a sign of the taking advantage and commercialism that is associated with any tourists in this part of Africa, something I have grown to dislike greatly over the past couple of weeks in Tanzania. The young Masaai bring their heards of cattle close to the road and when they see a safari vehicle approaching in the distance, they heard them onto the road. This way, the people have to stop and inevitably the tourists want to take pictures. The Masaai don't say anything and act like they are all for it, even posing, and the unexpecting tourist just takes the picture. As soon as the shutter snaps, the Masaai magically know enough English to demand money for the picture. They can become quite aggressive. The tourist, of course, feels duped but if they don't pay, the young Masaii will throw rocks at you. It really maddened me, even though I did not take a picture. Oh well, such is the reality of a tourist mecca in
Africa.
We arrived late at our hotel on the Serengeti and just kind of lazed about and watched the mongoose, dassies, lizards and wildlife that was abundant on the grounds of our lodge. Tomorrow should be fun, it is my birthday and we are heading out early in the morning to watch the animals, something I have dreamed of for so long. Hopefully we will see leopards, the animal I want to see the most. As I go to sleep that night, I dream of animals to come and just being so free out on those open plains of Africa.
After the long drive in from Lake Manyara, I slept like a log. When we woke up in the morning, Jordan and I looked at each other with pure excitement - SAFARI!!! We get ready, go for breakfast and head out to the jeep. There is no feeling like heading out onto the open plains of the Serengeti for the first time. Nothing quite prepares you for the openess and vastness - I feel free. There is something about the Serengeti that demands you to be free. It is the rawness, the roughness, the
survival of the fittest energy that reminds you that you are not on the top of the food chain in this place. Everything goes back to it's roots here and there is no pretending, no material heirarchy, no caste, no class - nothing. Just you and the wild. It is one of the best feelings in the world.
Tip: If you go to the bottom of the first page and hit "printable version", all the photos will appear on one page and you will not have to keep turning the pages...........
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