Safari Soap Opera

Being on safari is kind of like watching a soap opera. The same themes exist in both...like love triangles, heartbreak, murder, fierce competition, romance, bad choices, second chances, missed opportunites, family loyalty...you get the idea. I loved watching these stories unfold right before my eyes with my guide as the narrator. There is so much drama in nature!

This is hippo foreplay (I won't subject you to what I saw next!)

pregnant zebra

Heaven's rays over the Serengeti

Hungry Hungry Hippo

I now understand the whole bird watching thing. Birds are so cool!!!

Visiting all the animals that live within the Ngorongoro Crater made me think about how life is really about getting along with others and sharing resources. The animals out there do it so well. The zebras and wildebeest are not in war with each other over the grass. They share it! And if you don't like someone, you just do your best to avoid them...like crocodiles and hippos...or lions and hyenas. It shouldn't be so difficult for people to coexist with one another. If animals can do it, then why can't we?

Serengeti safari with Natcho

Maasai schoolhouse, with 40+ kids inside all under the age of six...sitting quietly. I can't figure this out and part of me thinks it was just for show. "Hurry, kids....the tourists are here....places everybody!"

One of the many well behaved "Kindergarten" students in the Maasai school.
(Check out the toothpick accessory through his ear.)

I'm not sure if reincarnation exists, but if it does....please, please, please don't make me return as a Maasai woman. That is my idea of hell on Earth. I've always romanticized tribal cultures, but after visiting a Maasai village I can now say with 100% assurance that there is nothing romantic about being a Maasai woman. I won't get into the details, but let's just say it's a very male-dominated culture. And...their diet of meat, milk and blood is gross. Really gross.

Maasai men doing their jumping dance

 Leave it to me to end up at an Irish pub in rural Africa!

On our last day of safari, we stayed at a place called "The Octogon Lodge" and it was so beautiful! Plus they had an Irish pub!!!! I couldn't have been happier.

Natcho and I are now off to the coast of Tanzania to explore the beaches, snorkel and practice our Swahili. I return to Moshi on Oct. 10th to start volunteering again at Give a Heart to Africa. I'm feeling very, very lucky.