Last Night in Africa Thursday

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Trip Start Feb 08, 2008 Previous
Entry Trip End Mar 29, 2008

  Moshi, Tanzania
Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Well, it was my last night, and what a doozy!  We went to a cultural dinner and dance put on by one of the Trade Schools here. They teach sewing, knitting, computer, cooking and such. It was a pleasant evening; I didn't eat too much, cause we weren't sure if it would make us sick or not. I petted my first cat there. Like all of the other animals I have seen, it was very scrawny, but seemed muscular. I fed it my meat. After dinner, they performed some rational African dances, did a little fire-eating and then we all danced to African rock/rap/melodies. There was a tremendous rain storm during the performance, and it was still raining when we left. Of course, we were traveling the usual dirt roads, only now they were rivers! You know how you see people stuck in their vehicles with the water rushing by on TV? Just like that! When the water got a few inches above our 4-wheel drive van tires, the engine conked. We couldn't get out of the van, cause the current was too strong. Not to mention that the water was probably filled with disease. So we waited about 45 minutes and the water started going down. Then we got the engine started, and our wonderful driver, Peter, was able to get us out! The rest of the ride home was pretty rough and scary, but we made it. We were supposed to get back around 9:00, but we didn't get in until 10:45. Time for bed!
Today was my last day at school. I took the kids a cake and some cookies and candy. Also, one last batch of pencils and sharpeners. I am happy to say that they love the pencil sharpeners. I got the teacher to throw away the razor blades, and hopefully those 3-6 yr olds will never use them again. But they go through pencils quickly, because they like to sharpen them all of the time! Oh, well! I intend on staying in touch, and I will continue to send them things. I took pictures of the kids, the teacher and her baby, Kelvine, and the classroom. I can't wait to share my pics with you all!
I am packed up and ready to go. We are leaving for the airport right after dinner. Three of us are on the same flight to Amsterdam. Then one goes to London, one to L.A. and I come home!We get into Amsterdam at 7:30 am, and I have a 5 hr layover. Then onwards to DC! I get into Dulles at 4:55pm. Long trip home, but I am totally ready for it!
This was a fabulous trip, and I am truly glad I came. Africa can not truly be explained, however, you must experience it for yourself. It is such a land of contrasts. Beauty beyond your imagination, and ugliness, neglect and poverty. People w/o anything, but they constantly have a smile. If you ever get a chance to go to Tanzania, I highly recommend it.

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