June 26 - Tanzania: Trek from Serengeti to Arusha
There are two sources of water in the Serengeti: the river and the water tanks at our campsite. So at 2:30 this morning I woke up to hear lions roaring around the campsite. We knew they'd come, but it was incredible to lay there and listen to them. I stopped hearing them around 3:30, but did hear someone open the velcro of their tent at 3:00. The Russians had camped out in a truck near the water tank, because they wanted to film the lions in action. They said that there were a few lions. But the lions hovered near the treeline because some of the other campers had lanterns in front of their tents and they didn't want to come closer. Then, at around 3:00, the lions came a little closer to the water tanks and the Russians got really excited. The lions retreated because someone came out of their tent with a flashlight. As it turns out, Mathilde - who previously swore never to leave her tent in the middle of the night - really really really had to go to the toilet. (the velcro sound I heard was her leaving the tent). You can imagine us teasing her that she was almost lion food. So funny!
Hyenas eat bones in addition to meat (this is why their dung is white, in case you're ever on Jeopardy). So Brandon the guide played a joke on the Aussies - something that he says he does for people who don't do their duties on their assigned duty day. He staked an animal bone to the corner of their tent so the hyenas would tug at it and fight over it - all the while moving the tent around. But the bone was still there - untouched - this morning because of the proximity of some lanterns. Such a shame, because that would have been so funny to see what the Aussies did when the hyenas descended.
We were up at 4:45 to be on the road early this morning. The skies above us were clear, but we could see lightening in the far distance. This is how far the African skyline stretches - we can see lightning but never see clouds. It really made us realize where we are, in Africa.
On the way to Arusha, we saw a lion sitting very peacefully on the side of the road. She was lovely and looked very happy in the morning sun.
Olduvai Gorge
We also stopped by Olduvai Gorge, which is a site that has contributed a great deal to archeology and the history of human evolution. They had a very good museum, and we listened to a lecture while overlooking the gorge. It was very cool because we could see the different layers of the Gorge and understand the importance and ages of each layer. Very cool indeed.
At Olduvai Gorge
Maasai Camp
Back at the Maasai Camp (see June 22), Jon set up the tent while I went to the market in Arusha. I needed to get him a birthday gift because the Aussies had planned a surprise early birthday party for him tonight. We were all to dress up in African clothing for dinner (this part wasn't a surprise), and we would give him his little gifts later on. I got him a slingshot, and then went to the Internet Cafe.
The Aussies wanted each of us to film a "commercial" for their video. So Jon and I did a coffee commercial in which I pretended to be Fran Drescher of "The Nanny" and incorporated some of the inside jokes we've laughed at throughout the trip. It was pretty funny, but we'll see if it actually makes the final cut.
The African Gang
Then we all got dressed up in our African attire. Here's what everyone wore:
The Aussies - Maasai blankets (Dennis, Matt, Jason)
Mathilde - a sarong and a matching shawl
Kerry - a sarong and a bandana top with African currency taped all over it
Jon - Maasai blanket
Brenden (the Aussie) - a Muslim robe and hat
Juliette - a sarong
Susan - multiple sarongs and a hat (there's word for the hat, but I've forgotten)
The Andreas - Maasai blankets (Andrea #1, Andrea #2)
Me - a Hawaiian shirt, jeans, multiple cameras, binoculars, and anything else that would make me look like a "bloody American".
We had an excellent time, and Jon was very surprised with his birthday celebration. He got some very sweet gifts from our friends. The Aussies gave him a wooden "punchbug", for which they each punched him in the arm. Kerry gave him a wooden letter-opener, Mathilde gave him a witch doctor whistle, and Juliette gave him a wooden spoon with a cool handle. The Aussies bought him a "Mike's Monsoon" drink, which is some heinous concoction of liquor that doubles as rocket fuel. We played a bunch of games and had a great time. Our last night together! :( Of course, Jon's going to hate it tomorrow when he has to pay the price of some serious Aussie hazing.
Jon's birthday skull
Mathilde and Kerry had a few as well!
