Natural Tapestries
Learn to say “Jambo,” (hello) and you will be greeted with a wide smile and “Karibu,” (welcome).
Tanzanians are filled with dignity and beauty, warmth and politeness. There is the obvious charm and allure of Elephants, Giraffes, Rhinos, Wildebeest, Zebra, Ostrich, Warthogs, Monkeys, Hippos, Cats, not to mention the over 1,100 species of colorful birds. But, for me, it was the Tanzanians that made this visit a life-changing event. Despite the constant challenge to make ends meet, these beautiful people dance, sing, paint, carve, and live their lives in grace and appreciation.
Our guides exemplified these characteristics as they led us through such wonders as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, complemented by other stellar parks, roadways, and villages. But, be forewarned “polepole” (poh-lay-poh-lay, “slowly, slowly”) is the way to go. While it is tempting to want it all, it is best to explore a few destinations in-depth instead of running all over the place – frenetic and exhausted. This “slower” pace allows time to sit on a rock and shift into another life and time.
Tanzania is an ancient land but a young country. It is worth it to go polepole, as you don’t want to miss its rich history, the textured tapestry of Tanzania’s ethnic diversity, the Maasai’s tenacious defense of their pastoral lifestyle and culture, the lush woodlands, the tawny savannas, the semi-arid desert or the land that often seems so biblical that you would not be surprised to see Moses appear in some thicket or Adam and Eve hanging out beside a Baobab Tree.
Polepole and you won’t miss the juicy meat of the sweetest mangoes I have ever enjoyed or Mount Meru in apricot twilight, or a family picking coffee while singing, or a Maasai woman passionately choosing colors for her traditional beadings. It is all a visual, auditory and cardiochrome pleasure.
I want to go back for more as it is now in my blood, and will do so again in 2012, with Dee Ann Pederson (who just organizes everything to a “T”). Let me know if you want to join us.
I’ll be anxious to hear the Tanzanians say “karibu tena”, (welcome again).
Tanzanians are filled with dignity and beauty, warmth and politeness. There is the obvious charm and allure of Elephants, Giraffes, Rhinos, Wildebeest, Zebra, Ostrich, Warthogs, Monkeys, Hippos, Cats, not to mention the over 1,100 species of colorful birds. But, for me, it was the Tanzanians that made this visit a life-changing event. Despite the constant challenge to make ends meet, these beautiful people dance, sing, paint, carve, and live their lives in grace and appreciation.
Our guides exemplified these characteristics as they led us through such wonders as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, complemented by other stellar parks, roadways, and villages. But, be forewarned “polepole” (poh-lay-poh-lay, “slowly, slowly”) is the way to go. While it is tempting to want it all, it is best to explore a few destinations in-depth instead of running all over the place – frenetic and exhausted. This “slower” pace allows time to sit on a rock and shift into another life and time.
Tanzania is an ancient land but a young country. It is worth it to go polepole, as you don’t want to miss its rich history, the textured tapestry of Tanzania’s ethnic diversity, the Maasai’s tenacious defense of their pastoral lifestyle and culture, the lush woodlands, the tawny savannas, the semi-arid desert or the land that often seems so biblical that you would not be surprised to see Moses appear in some thicket or Adam and Eve hanging out beside a Baobab Tree.
Polepole and you won’t miss the juicy meat of the sweetest mangoes I have ever enjoyed or Mount Meru in apricot twilight, or a family picking coffee while singing, or a Maasai woman passionately choosing colors for her traditional beadings. It is all a visual, auditory and cardiochrome pleasure.
I want to go back for more as it is now in my blood, and will do so again in 2012, with Dee Ann Pederson (who just organizes everything to a “T”). Let me know if you want to join us.
I’ll be anxious to hear the Tanzanians say “karibu tena”, (welcome again).
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Inspiration from others…
Thinking back over my life, it seems to me that there are different ways of looking out and trying to understand the world around us. There's a very clear scientific window. And it does enable us to understand an awful lot about what's out there. There's another window, it's the window through which the wise men, the holy men the masters, of the different and great religions look as they try to understand the meaning in the world. My own preference is the window of the mystic.
Jane Goodall
The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.
St. Augustine
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.
Martin Buber
Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
Howard Thurman
Everything in Africa bites, but the safari bug is worst of all.
Brian Jackman
Thinking back over my life, it seems to me that there are different ways of looking out and trying to understand the world around us. There's a very clear scientific window. And it does enable us to understand an awful lot about what's out there. There's another window, it's the window through which the wise men, the holy men the masters, of the different and great religions look as they try to understand the meaning in the world. My own preference is the window of the mystic.
Jane Goodall
The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.
St. Augustine
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.
Martin Buber
Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
Howard Thurman
Everything in Africa bites, but the safari bug is worst of all.
Brian Jackman
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