First stop Arusha. The land of the Genocide tribunals and UN development projects. We went on a camel ride and I have bruises to prove that I am a bad ass and rode that camel like a champ. Stayed one night with snakes and crocodiles and then headed to the Ngorogoro Crater. 130km across and full of animals…first animal of the day…lions feeding. Traveled around, saw a lot but the best had to be three lionesses that hung out with our car for about 25 minutes.

Rushed through the rest of Tanzania and to the coast of Dar es Saalem, followed shortly by ZANZIBAR!!!

Traveling through Hell and paying for my sins.

We had a hellish adventure of mixed ferries, excruciatingly heat, bags breaking and high seas to get to Zanzibar I can only describe it as paying our sins to enter paradise…however once we got here thing have been perfect.

I am in paradise right now…the white sand creeps into the café that I write this on and the crystal blue water is calling to me. I can not believe how amazing the area is here and am glad that I will be staying here for a while. I am up north right now and will be here for the next couple of days, just relaxing, snorkeling, meeting people and watching time crawl by. Then it is back to stone town for a faster pace life and lots of activities, the seafood is amazing. It is Ramadan here right now so everyone is fasting during the day but at 630 the streets come alive. Food markets by lantern appear all up and down the shore; full of everything you could imagine. People are full of energy and very friendly, lots of music and celebration.

Our tour is over and the majority will be heading out. I have made some good friends that I am sad to see go…and yes I am already plotting my trip to Australia and New Zealand. As the group and Malia leave Kels and I are left to our own devices…in paradise…full of beaches, seafood and alcohol…I just don’t know how we will manage…

Where to next…either the next two weeks will be spent living it up here or I will be leaving the beginning of October to head south to Malawi with James and Kuzi for a music festival, called Stars of the Lake on Lake Tanganika. Kuzi is Djing there and it is suppose to be amazing…time will only…if this connection holds up I might even try to post some pictures.

I will be back home soon….too soon…however since my bag was stolen I don’t have my cell so send me your numbers and if you want to get a hold of me after the 10th of October, call my mom at 425.770.4364

written by  crAsh13 on September 24, 2007 from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
from the travel blog: East Africa in 2007
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I had my passport, iPod, and Olympus with me at the coast...so I could not hang on to the anger that I felt at first.

and I know that having less makes you appreciate more, is very cliche but Africa has taught me that this is true...

as most know, I am one of those super organized, and planning for everything (to the extent that I packed about six times before I left). However, when all of my stuff was taken I was allowed to let go and not worry about anything anymore.

it never really got me down, and it was a running joke on the trip. It taught me that I can be prepared without all the preparation...that I am capable and I can let go...

written by  crAsh13 on November 13, 2007 from Atlanta, United States
from the travel blog: East Africa in 2007
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