So Much Happy

Sorry, it has been a busy week so this post is going to be long. Last Friday morning, we visited the Tanzania Tree Seed Agency and listened to them speak about what they do and on issues like deforestation. Many trees are being cut down, burned, and being made into coal so people can make some money, not thinking about the long term effects of their actions. The agency collects around 195 species of seeds, 60% of which are indigenous. We watched them graft some plants, taking part of an adult mango tree so instead of waiting ten years for it to produce fruit, one would only have to wait two or three years. For lunch, we headed to the local agriculture university to eat and talk to some students. After eating, we were led in a discussion relating to gender as well as touched on the topic of HIV/AIDS. It was interesting to talk to them and compare and contrast gender between our cultures. In the afternoon, we came back to the seminary to watch Kadeghe play soccer in the teachers vs. students match. Santiago even played for the teachers part of the time too. The teachers won 4-1.

Saturday morning, Professor Ben from the agriculture university spoke to us about conservation, national parks, and related issues. Perfect right before heading to Mikumi. Before lunch, we each planted a couple of saplings. After lunch we planted seeds that we bought from the agency the day before. For supper, we went to Dragonaries, a restaurant that serves American style food, so that was entertaining. 

Sunday morning, we went to Sanga Sanga, a Maasai village. Though it was really small. We drove on a bumpy road for about and an hour and a half to get there, so that was a long ride.  When we got there we walked to the well to see how far it was. I estimated about half a mile but I am not certain. We walked back to the church to wait for the service.  I sat next to Kadeghe in the church. While we were waiting, I took a hymnal and pointed out my favorite songs (God Be With You Until We Meet Again [in Swahili] and Mungi ni Penda) which he sang for me. He also sang his favorite song for me too. There also a little booklet of songs in Swahili and English, so I sang Lord of the Dance and Keep Me Burning for him.  The service was short compared to the other because it started much later and was a smaller congregation.  The people were both Maasai and Berabi (spelling?), so it was neat to see the two groups together. While walking to the town center, I ended up in the middle of a group of young Maasai girls. I said a simple "Habari?" to one and with her shy response, she handed me a simple, yet beautiful necklace. I wish I could have better conveyed my gratitude of her gesture better than just "Asante, asante sana." When we got the center, we got to watch both groups sing and dance before we were served lunch. We finally got to eat at four in the afternoon. Before left, a letter was read to us from the son of one of the leaders. Kadeghe was translating for some people and the speaker was talking about how each group was happy that we were there, that the old people and the children were happy, and going on, so as he was translating said, "So much happy," which has now become on of our catch phrases for the trip. Before going to the seminary we met Emi, a widow with several children of her own and a few other people at the house where she lives.  As a class, we are purchasing some adjacent land of the house for her to make a garden. In the evening, I was fortunate to Skype with my family for a while including my grandma, uncle, aunt and two cousins. It was nice to wish my grandma and mom a Happy Mother's Day that way.

 On Monday, we left to go to Mikumi National Park. We did a early evening safari after checking into the lodge. The sky was so clear, an stars were bright after supper, that we spent some time admiring them. We saw the Milky Way Galaxy,band found the False Cross, Southern Cross, and the Big Dipper upside-down. Tuesday morning, we went out a little after six. We went back to the lodge for breakfast before going out again before lunch. We rested in the afternoon, and took another early evening safari. That night, the girls that I was staying in the cabin with and I heard a loud noise outside, and when we shone our light behind our porch to see and elephant about twenty feet away, as well as lots of impala. It was kind of eerie because one could really only see their eyes. Wednesday morning, we went out early in the morning again. Overall, we saw baboons, elephants, zebras, impala, water buffalo, wildebeast, giraffes, silver-backed jackals, hippos, crocodiles, a couple of lionesses, and lots of different birds. Wednesday during the sunrise, we got to see a beautiful rainbow, so vibrant one could even see the purple band.

On the way to Udzungwa, we stopped at a snake park. It was kind of scary, because the cages for the poisonous snakes were not nearly as good as US standards. At the end, we were got the chance to hold the python, which was pretty cool. After checking in at Udzungwa, we had a short steep hike to a small waterfall. We even got to swim in it. The ground was wet while we were hiking so it was quite challenging. Thursday, we hiked to Sanje Falls. I even went all the way to the top where we got to eat lunch. Though this hike was not as steep, it was much longer. The climb was worth it because the view from the top was incredible. Today, we drove back to the seminary and just had a relaxing afternoon and evening.