Jambo means “hello” in Swahili and I hear it all day long in Tanzania because Tanzania is such a friendly place. Part of East Africa, Tanzania is famous for its animal parks, Mount Kilimanjaro (“Kili”) and the Olduvai Gorge. It was called “Tanganyika” until after the English colonists pulled out in 1961, and is home to more than 100 tribes
that live peacefully in part because of deliberate government policies. Swahili is the national language and, fortunately for me, English is commonly spoken. The people I have met here are full of joy and warmth in spite of the difficult lives most of them lead.
I came to Tanzania to join a safari. Mine, like most, began and ended in the city of Arusha. Arusha has a population of more than 400,000 but feels small and easy. My driver yells “asante Baba!” (thanks daddy!) to a driver who lets him pass. The children giggle and wave when they walk by. When I walk through town with my hotel manager, a dozen young men greet him like a brother.
The school children all wear uniforms that feature sweaters. I am sweating in my tank top.
The women wear brightly colored traditional dress and carry pretty much anything on their heads.
Yes, hakuna matata is a real (wonderful) phrase in Swahili.
Tanzanians eat a lot of barbequed meat and “ugali,” which is like polenta. But they like pizza too
A small art gallery in Arusha.
The Masai, one of Tanzania’s biggest tribes, live throughout the countryside in villages called “boma.” The Masai measure their wealth by the number of cattle they own and live on a diet of mostly meat, raw blood and milk. They are polygamous. We visited one of the Masai communities and learned a little about how they live.
When we arrived, the warriors and women lined up opposite each other and sang a song in perfect harmony.
The children are friendly but live in very difficult conditions.
The Masai women make and sell a variety of small crafts, including jewelry.
Tanzania is a place where “karibu” — you are welcome.
Masai mud houses.
Camino Milagro 
Love the pics, the Lion King reference (didn’t realize that was a “real thing” and the commentary. Keep ’em coming Kim
Thanks — more to come about the safari 🙂
Oh how I wish I was with you~
Beautiful photos night beautiful photographer ~
Hope to see you soon~
Not sure where the word night came from. Was suppose to say my beautiful photographer
We will have to visit Brazil!
Great photos! I also didn’t know that was a real phrase in Swahili!
🙂
Looks amazing. Enjoy your safari!
Looks like you are enjoying Chiang Mai Laura. I will be interested in how the healthification works out!
Looks amazing! Enjoy the safari!
Beautiful photos Kim! I hope to see you soon!
Thanks Diane! Nice to hear from you.
Thank you, Kim. I would so love to take Davon there. Thank you.
By the way if you stumble across a school in the world that can work with and embrace young adults even for 6 mo or a year pls let me know. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Karen, let’s “talk” on email about the school thing. By the way, one of your colleagues in transmission operations was my roommate!
Is there an inverse relationship between having lots of “stuff” and being warm and friendly to strangers? Hmmm. Thanks for sharing the pictures and comments. Looks like a wonderful time.
Well for sure when you don’t have a lot of stuff, you focus on other important things.