Arusha

Yesterday we went to Mombasa, an archaeological site near Lake Eyasi.  It had huge rock formations and we got to climb all over them!  The view was pretty incredible, and we could see farmer’s fields for miles.  Apparently the rocks had been used as a stone shelter and even had the remains of some pictographs on them.  After Mombasa, we went in search of Lake Eyasi.  We wanted to get close to the lake, but ended up getting stuck in the muck!  The lake has been shrinking since the 1990’s and now it is pretty small.  We were walking on the dried up lake in order to get to the water but it ended up being too muddy to get anywhere.  We returned to camp for lunch and then took a car to a local blacksmith, where we got to see him melt old pipes and metal tools in order to make bracelets, arrows, and other metal items.  It was really neat to see him melt and mold the metal.  We walked back to camp through a scenic pathway that meandered through the marsh and wetland.  It was absolutely gorgeous! Huge trees and lots of greenery.  We had a campfire at camp, but since it was raining slightly, most of us didn’t stay out too long.

This morning we packed up our things and headed to Karatu where we ate lunch at the Guest House once again.  Lunch was a smorgasboard including spaghetti noodles, rice, potatoes, salad, veggies, meat, and bananas.  Then it was a 3 hour drive to Arusha.  We only managed to get two flat tires on the way!  While getting into Arusha, we had the cars stop at Shoprite to pick up some much needed snacks for tomorrow’s 12 hour bus ride.  And now we are safe and sound at the Outpost Hotel in Arusha.  Tonight will be the first night in a month that we have gotten to sleep in real beds!  And we also have hot showers and a tv in our room.  We watched Dora the Explorer and another series called Chase.  Oh the life.  This evening we are eating at an Italian restaurant and many of us are excited for pizza as usual! 

Adios for now, and I hope I survive tomorrow’s bus ride!

Swahili Word of the Day: Tofauti [toe-fah-oo-tee] = different