EllenG

Preface - Wildebeests, also called gnus, are antelopes. They are not as agile as their cousins the impalas who, according to nationalgeorgraphic.com, can “leap distances of up to 33 feet,” often “soaring some 10 feet in the air.” Nor are they as sleek as their cousins the gazelles. They both run 50 miles per hour, but wildebeests lack the grace of their slimmer relatives. They are not very attractive. Their coloring is drab, they have eyes on the side of their head, and the only thing “cute” about them is their white beard. Why then, the fascination with them? Documentaries have been made for the small screen, while others can be seen in IMAX with images so large that members of the audience feel they are in Africa with the herds. Each year, the Great Migration ... read more

Monday, March 30, 2009 - Two vehicles picked us up for our day's activities. Sheiba Bulu, the Ministry's Communications Officer, joined us for the duration of the fact-finding mission. She was a very valuable member of the team, at least in my eyes. Besides her other duties, she was the person who found the Ladies' Room for me in each of the places we visited. At my age, that was essential. We bonded immediately. The first meeting of the day was with Dr. Ladislaus C. Komba (Chairman) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources & Tourism. Others who were there included D. M. K. Kamamba, Director of the Antiquities Department, MNRT, who had been with us at Sunday's meeting, plus additional colleagues. We exchanged ideas, then discussed a press conference that would take place shortly. I brought ... read more

Wednesday, April 1, 2009 - Our group was smaller—only Lennard, Dan, Bill, Hudson, Sheiba, Martin and I would do the day's activities. We were late for our appointment with Professor Rwekasa S. Mukandala, Vice Chancellor, University of Dar Es Salaam (USDM), but he was kind enough to rearrange his schedule and meet with us. The history of USDM is quite interesting. Begun in 1961 as an affiliate college of the University of London, the Tanzanian Parliament established the institution as a full-fledged University nine years later. The sprawling campus is spread over more than 1600 acres, with a total student enrollment in 2007/2008 of almost 20,000. The goals include academic excellence and integrity, as well as a holistic approach to teaching and learning. Many people I met during the two trips to Tanzania were graduates of ... read more

Friday, April 3, 2009 - Our two vehicles traveled caravan-style on the way to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA; Tanzanians love acronyms, and there are many). We passed people who were walking or biking to work, students who were going home for the semester break—some waiting for buses and others on foot—, Maasai women and children congregating under the trees, and other picturesque slices of life. We stopped at the Mto Wa Mbu “Masai Central Market” to look for souvenirs. Martin helped me negotiate prices. I saw several items I wanted to bring back to family and friends, including a table cloth (was it a large towel or maybe a sheet?) with a big picture of Barak Obama in the center. As soon as I expressed an interest in anything, other vendors or teens with ... read more

Saturday, April 4, 2009 - When it was light outside I dressed and went to the front desk, asking how contact the physician. Dr. Edmund Nzella was there in a flash. After hearing my symptoms, he determined it was bacterial. He said to do go to the dining area, where I had been heading. He would find me and bring what I needed. I saw my colleagues and told them my predicament. They were very concerned. Although we were to meet with people from SANAPA (Serengeti National Parks) and had a full day planned, including an opportunity to see the animals, they advised me to stay behind. Dr. Nzella, whom I called “My Hero,” brought an antibiotic and other medications. He was concerned that I might be dehydrated, so also brought something to replace my electrolytes. ... read more