16/10/2009
We finally arrived at Arusha Airport got through customs and there was our Leopard Tours drive/guide with a big white beaming smile to greet us. "Jambo" he said, whatever that mean't I didn't know. I thought he said Jumbo. My husband quietly said to me that means hello in Swahili. "Oh" I said.
We were whisked away to our accomodation which was the Mount Meru Game Lodge. Along the way I was amazed to see women wearing brightly coloured fabrics and headscarves neatly twisted and knotted on their head. They were carrying huge baskets of bananas on their head and walking so straight and tall without even hold on to the basket. Then further along women were carrying heavy loads of twigs and sticks on their heads. It gave me a headache just watching them. They have such strong necks. Then to see little boys pushing heavy carts up really steep hills, was incredible. No way would our children do that I thought. Everywhere you look people are walking for miles with heavy loads.
As we went further I noticed buses filled with people overflowing. There were arms sticking out of windows and heads, so many heads. They were in every nook and cranny they could find to get on the bus. The bus kept stopping to pick up more which seemed impossible but somehow they squeezed on.
When we arrived at Arusha along the streets were thousands of plants in pots. They were being watered by hand and made a beautiful show. Our driver informed us that they took the plants to the markets to sell. To be continued...
While staying at the Mount Meru Game, lodge we saw Ostrich's roaming around with Zebra's. The Zebra's were playing chasey with each other, hiding then lunging out when the other one wasn't watching, then running away. Meanwhile the monkeys were climbing the branches and swinging from tree to tree with their tiny babies clinging on underneath. Antelopes were quietly munching on the leaves nearby, while in the pond the Red Billed Storks were searching for tadpoles and little fish in the reeds. It was so relaxing just watching them, as the sun was setting in the most beautiful shades of pink sipping on our Gin and tonics. " Ah this is the life" we said.
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