Arusha Adventures

Going to Arusha:

The bus with enough people for 24 was only filled with 5 people including me. The driver and his 2 kids were an extra 3. The scenery was similar to that of my first failed peace corps site. We spotted Ostriches, Jazelles, and Zebras. The hills and beautiful scenery was amazing. Our bus driver was referred to with the generic bwana, knew just enough English but not enough to make him seem nice. However, when spoken to in Swahili his demeanor was that of a kindred spirit. We had a choo break and he nearly left someone because he surpassed the ten minutes allotted to the break, preventing me from taking my choo break later. After a while, my body gave out, especially with only 1.5 to 2 meals in the last 21 hours and only an attempt to 4 hours of sleep, I just crashed.

The first afternoon/ night in Arusha:

We received a surprise upgrade to our room and Laura and I just crashed. We got a free ride to L’Oasis. Laura and I were so tired we just accepted and hoped to get there and we did. Around 7 PM we woke up for dinner and received American Food and requested for Tanzanian. What we thought was going to be $25 was actually $13, and I had my boiling water. And yet again we met another couple, one from England and the other from Germany. Laura and I spent the night playing cards with my head light as apparently L’Oasis has periodic power outages. We also played shadow games. Once the lights came on, Laura helped me repack, and let me say there is no more pain in my back! We fell asleep to the day-night bar of rap and pop music and dogs barking. Laura told me we would have to come up with nicknames for each other that could be used for multiple trips. She came up with “Trouble” for me, and “Trub” for short. I laughed, calling her cupid, because of some conversations she was relaying. I also woke up suddenly realizing that there are no mosquitoes due to the cold weather. We also met people who parle le francais!

The 2nd day in Arusha:

We woke up at 6:50 AM. It was sooooooooooo very cold. We woke up, I meditated with a dog who laid in front of me. Then Laura was trained in TKD. Onto fresh breakfast. Then we got the couples names, versus waiting till the last day, we decided to get it after breakfast: Paul and Josephine. They too are flying to Zanzibar. While returning to our room, the gardener, Katurra, I think offered a tour into a village for free. We were unsure, but agreed. We left at 10:30 AM and returned at 1:30 PM. It was like going with a friend who didn’t understand English nor my Swahili. He would not let us take pictures. When we met the chief Messiah of the village, we got a picture but gave him money for it. There were not explanations as to which town we were in, the history, or anything. He even took us to a conversion place when we said no in English and Swahili. However, we did got to a Messiah store (he said market) and it was run by Indians whose grandparents came over 100 years ago. I got my first attempt for bargaining. Instead of 3 keychains at $10, I got 4, and I also got elephant teeth keychains at the same cost. Laura being like me, could not find her wallet, only to realize later that her smart self put it in her inside coat pocket. Our guide told us it costs $60 to get to the airport and takes about 50 minutes to walk. So we decided to walk, only to find out later that he did not mean 50 minutes, he meant 50 kilometers. I was told by the guide that I need a baby, I said I’m not dating and hen says you should have friends, many, and I say Laura is my friend! Mzungu was not uncommon. We went for lunch and I wanted 1/3 of chicken we ended up getting 1/2. Our guide did not understand bottled water and hence could not provide translation so we pointed to it. We also ordered chips (fries) and ugali. I asked for an extra plate and two forks as our guide just dug his hands right in, after licking them and putting it into the salt. He even inquired about Laura’s wine bottle and when Laura presented it to him, he got out two drops, drank it and then licked the bottle. We got home, Laura, learned Swedish from the hotel owner who is Swedish, and I looked at planning out Zanzibar. We poured 2 ¾ cup of boiling water into our dehydration packet of Channa Massala and ate straight from it. It was tasty, but I got full fast. We were indecisive about going to the disco and finally decided to have martial art performance and crazy behavior and take downs and bear hugs at the reception. We were an amazing duo. I came up with a name for Laura. Spontany for Spontaneous, and for short “T-‘a’ny.”
So our card games include
Rummy
Slap Jack
6 plus (another game of Bridge in Russia)
We both know speed
Spit
We played speed and Spit.

Last day in Arusha: Through the eyes of a Watoto (children)

Last day, we woke up, did TKD, had fresh breakfast. The girls asked which one of us is older and they said me b/c I looked bigger. We went to the orphanage where kids ages 1-11 are accepted. They are either orphans, run aways, or poor and families in the village adopt them and pay a discounted school fee. We played, taught and just had fun with them. It was there first day of school, we were not aware of that. Helping out at this school, made our day. To see the kids faces light up and having them engage even more in their academia because we were there was precious. A little one came and held on to my leg and sucked her thumb and wouldn't leave me and the boys came with with punches!!! I would like to help them, as they are need of books, and other supplies! Lets work together to help them :D

Then we went of to the airport with Paul and Josephine. The mama’s at the hotel made us promise to email them and so we did. When we got to the airport, we found Laura’s bag first! IT was found, the joy, the excitement, the sigh of relief…. We could not find lunch, hence, it was left to a bag of chips and almonds, which we did not finish….

Till next time, the adventures of Zanzibar

Last Flight: Laura gets Cowed

Ethiopia Continued:

Laura and I went back to the table and Laura got confirmation for her luggage. We go down the flight of stairs and she displays her whistle to me, egging me to blow and just as I am she pulls it away. We get into a bus, and she tries to unzip my backpack and we go all kung fu on each other. Then we were on our last flight unaware of the time or the day. We ended up sitting next to an individual who was wearing the Dallas Cowboys hat and we teased him for it. His name was Cyprian Shik. He got the window seat. He was born and raised in Kenya, but now works in Dallas. We talked about everything and he helped me with my Swahili while Laura was sleeping. Laura was awakened because the stewardess wanted to inform her that her food was wrapped and about to be warmed, the warming of the food took 40 minutes. My food was not vegan and arrived at the same time and Laura stated that “it was gross” and a punishment.” By this point exhaustion and lack of food and kicked it, and everything if not anything made us laugh. Laura and I were discussing how many cows/goats she may get, and she blurts out “But, I haven’t been cowed yet though!” The laughter was loud and long. The couple yet again was behind us on the other side and we insisted that they were stalking us. We asked them to stop and after 21 hours decided to get their names: Reed and Staci who we might meet up in Mombassa. Cyprian’s birthday is in 2 days and he is excited for some home cooking. So sweet! Now on all these flights alcohol was served as were wine bottles (small but still)! I asked for a wine bottle but never go one. We FINALLY landed excited to be in the country to only have our hearts broken because Laura’s bag did NOT arrive. We went to claims who said they would send it to the Mt. Kilamanjaro airport. We agreed to share clothes and supplies. Poor Thing, but we shall survive. Right now a family/friend intervention is Not needed. However, she was in need of a brush.

We went to bed at the airport, I being somewhat still aware. W awoke after an hour, still half asleep and laughing. We wrote in our journals and individuals came by asking what were doing. Travelers asked us questions about the place, unaware that we too are visitors. I suppose that is a good thing yes…

So after the airport adventure, Laura and I went to buy our tickets for the bus to Tanzania, riverside bus! It comes directly to the airport. Laura and I walked around at 6 AM searching for a toothbrush and finding a cyber café at a surprising 10/= per minute so we thought it would be courteous to inform everyone of our existence in the far away lands of Kenya. We found a tooth brush and sat at the café to play cards. WE caught our bus and on we went!

What happens when Laura and Tarika are together…

The joys of traveling…. Where do I begin and where do I end, neither are possible, because every time we thought that we have come to an end, we had to get through the onset of another crazy beginning!

So, I get Dulles around 8 PM. My patience was not apparently ready for a one hour wait. In the line for hour boarding pass, I saw a little one, who made the wait amusing for everyone. He was no more than three and had a teddy bear suitcase whit a teddy bear attached to it. His parents put it on his back. And very innocently, he looked up at his parents and asked, “Where is my suitcase?” None of us couldn’t help but watch and laugh at his innocence and curiosity. An early traveler indeed!

So, I went to gate C and walked up and down the Gate C corridor as I could not sit still. I was excited for the trip to begin and to see Laura. I finally went into a book store and began to read “There is heaven, for real.” I got on the plane ready for it to depart… I passed security check point #1 and am on flight #1.

The adventures of flight #1:

I got a window seat next to a very sweet elderly lady. Unfortunately, we left 10 minutes late due to turbulent weather. Now, a 7 hour trip, how to sit still, was the thought in my mind. I ended up watching Thor in cycles during the trip. They served dinner at 12 AM (our time) and I couldn’t eat it. And, the dressing contained milk; hence deterring me from eating any meal the rest of the flight even if was at a logical eating time. (Breakfast came at 4:30/5 and I had a little apple sauce). I tried to sleep but it did not happen, whether because of excitement, lack of food, or just the discomfort of the smell of the bathroom next to us, I had an off/on cycle of 4 hours of sleep. Since the flight left late, I brushed my teeth in the smelly bathroom. Unfortunately, crazy weather hit our way again and hence another delay. This was the point where I was worried. I have not been worried about this trip until this moment because I didn’t know if Laura was at the airport or not! So, I was going through all these thoughts in my mind for a solution if I could find her:

-- Have a PA announce her name

-- Meet her in Nairobi

However, I landed at 12:30 (U.S. time). We were bussed to our terminal immediately… so much for a security check. My immediate reaction, where is Laura?!?!?!? I saw her with a look of anxiety, peeking at the stairs and within the crowd of people to search for me. I called her name and we both expressed our worry and hugged with a sight of relief. I got my boarding pass approved and went back on the same bus. Now, there was a couple there, who were going to Kenya too!!! They were me from the onset of my flight adventures and are known as the couple to Laura and I for most of the flight. Unlike Laura, the lady, moved from Denver to Arlington, and Laura vice versa. We had fun discussing our upcoming adventures.

The best part of the flight, the elderly lady next to me says “thanks for being my neighbor, I respond, “likewise.” Such a pleasant person.

The adventures of flight #2:

Frankfurt to Ethiopia. Another 7.5 hours, How will I survive, thank goodness for movies! I watched Kung Fu Panda 2, so awesome and African Tigers, and Rio. We tried to watch Bollywood together-they were boring. The couple was yet again behind us, we insisted that they stop stalking ;) Laura and I amused each other with attempting Hard Sudoku Puzzles. She taught me basic Swedish. I studied the whole Kiswahili book from Peace Corps! We got through well in this flight, when your with your friends, it makes time run faster.

Landing in Ethiopia, drum roll please!:

Can I just say, 14.5 hours of me sitting still is amazing, a total trip amounting to 21 hours, I don’t know how, but where there is a will there is a way.

Landing in Ethiopia, we are in Africa but too far from destination. Now Laura did not have a pass for her luggage to go to Nairobi, but I did. I did not have a boarding pass to Nairobi, but she did. So we inquired where do we go?! We were directed upstairs to Gate 7. We finally reach the main desk and the guys asked what do you need? We explain and he with the wave of his hand ushers us into the line, saying “okay.” Now we were moving extremely slow and in groups. We made it but the mama singing the barney theme song with the wrong notes did not help our exhaustion. Upon getting through security we have to see another guy, who HANDWRITES :O my boarding pass. We were not sure of the validity of this pass, but I am obviously in Tanzania so it worked. Laura was told she would be taken care of and while there was apprehension, we chose trust. A random guy approached us and asked if we were going to London, and I asked where was he told to go and pointed him in the direction. The amusing part of the night was us walking in aimless circles to stretch out our legs, and seeing 3 men smoking in the airport under a “Do Not Smoke” sign. Then just I’m taking a picture, London guy comes and sits right next to me in personal space, and Laura to my rescue questions, isn’t our flight departing? And off we went, Thank you!

Last Flight:

Next blog with the adventures in Arusha…. Stay tuned.

T-9.5 hours to Departure

As I embark on my journey, let me provide a background on my passion to travel.... A long story in hopefully, a nutshell.

I was born in India, a country filled with apparent poverty, but also with a beautiful, old, and wise culture. I grew up in the United States, constantly in wonderment of the duality of my cultures: Indian and American. The once and a while trips to visit family, intrigued me and led me on a path to wonderment. While visiting family was wonderful, I wanted to experience culture, the world, and learn from our neighbors.

At R-MWC (College), I learned to be independent, take risks, have a sense of adventure, and simply experience the beauty around us. My chance came with my Peace Corps experience in Kenya which ended 2006. My wish to travel the world came to a pause during Grad School, while I was studying Social Work. However, the school did not stop me from seeing the world! I studied abroad in Costa Rica and it was still somewhat of a backpacking trip!

After graduating I did an east-cost trip and a trip to Canada. My trips are not only international! They span nationally and internationally!

Now finding a friend who is equally as avid of a traveler and likes being spontaneous and backpacking can be difficult! But, I found my traveling buddy, Laura! And we are off, together, on our adventure. My trip back to Kenya is mainly to see parts of the country I wasn’t able to see during Peace Corps, in addition to seeing my friends. Tanzania and Zanzibar (which is part of Tanzania) will be added adventure of culture, new sites, and of course crazy fun! I cannot wait to take pictures, grow and learn from another fun experience from our friends in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar.

Africa has a special place in my heart, so what better way to start my adventure to travel the world than to begin on the continent that I once called home!

Karibuni (welcome)

Nitaenda wapi (where am I going)?

My crazy trip involves the following map. Now I didn't put the return, but after the circular fun craziness in Kenya, I do come back to the gorgeous lights of Dulles Airport, saddened that I am leaving the beautiful East Africa! Enjoy following the map :D

Ahhh so close yet so far...

So,
My adventure begins with an earthquake at work at a 5.9 I wanted to take a mini-walk who knew I would get a full-fetched break! Anyways, upon arriving home, I printed out a guide on how to pack your camping back pack and then went to work :D The heaviest things at the bottom and the lighter things up top :D. While it looks like it weighs a crazy amount, it weighs no more than 29 pounds! All that is left is my hand bag which will be done on Thursday during the day prior to leaving! The back pack is like my size! It looks like a backpack with legs, hahahaha. So, just 50 hours left to departure!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It seems so close but, obviously I'm too excited to count down the 50 hours left to go. So, instead, I'm hanging out with friends tonight before my departure!

East Africa!

Hello my dear friends! The last couple of months have been great. I have been getting some camping materials, calling East Africa and setting plans, and now in 2 days I leave and meet Laura Priessman in Frankfurt! We land in Nairobi and then will take a bus to Arushu, Tanzania then fly out to Zanzibar, go to Dar-Es-Salaam, take a bus to Mombassa, Kenya a train to Nairobi, a bus to Nyeri and Nyhahruru, and then return to Nairobi to go on a 5 day Safari!!!! Please check the website for periodic updates :D Asante sana, tutaonana! (Thank you, we will see you!)