well hello there miss indian ocean...

the ocean... enchanting always.

I left rwanda..the land of a thousand hill...around 3am on friday morning.. i was tired. the plane was mostly empty. but i was assigned the seat next to this young woman from rwanda...this was her first flight ever. she was suppose to leave a week earlier, but something got complicated.. and she had to wait till this flight...she was about 24 years old. by 24 i had lost count of times in the air. She was nervous. the engines started to roar.. and she started to freak out. she grabbed my hand.. and i guess i was her personal flight technician for the rest of the flight, answering questions.. like "what was that" "is this normal"...things i was aware of on that flight usually just fad in the back ground to me now.. and no attention is given. I tried to distract her with having her tell me about her travels, her studies, etc. she was nervous. she had another flight after kenya to go somewhere else. She wanted me to come with her on that flight. she thanked me. for doing?, not sure what. she said that flying wasn't that bad. I told her that i thought it was great of her to push herself out of her comfort zone and try new things. I told her the world seems small when you travel, and good luck. She wished me the same.
Sitting in Nairobi's (kenya) airport waiting for my flight to TZ, i arrived about 4am, i had lost an hour heading more east. Nairobi's airport is dirty, small, and unexciting. this is the main gateway to and from africa. you think it would be more impressive. you would imagine maybe new york's or even arizona's.. but no.. it is a small half circle airport..that is crowded with travelers from all over the world. It is the one place i have seen consistent white people in all of africa. i dont say that as a racist point.. it is just a fact. sitting in the airport. you see all nationalities, and no one nationality is dominant. even the workers in the airport i dont think are originally from kenya.. i like listening to the languages spoken.. i wish i knew another language.. i need to work on that.. work on the areas that are truly hard for me.. like language.. (obviously.. even my english needs improving;) ) ..overall i like not knowing what people are saying. I get an opportunity to listen to all the other messages they are sending.. non verbally. LOVE IT. my playground of imagination. put in head phones and just watch the people migrate.. migrate from where to where.. i wonder. i wonder what business or pleasure they are seeking.. what is the relations with the company they traveler with.. etc.
I bored my flight to tanzania.. it looks promising.. i think i am sitting alone.. i get on the flight and fall asleep immediately. the door to the plane is still open. i awake to a woman nicely arguing with the flight attendant. her seat was occupied by someone and she had to sit next to me. i felt from my 15 min nap rejuvenated. this woman obviously had travel experience. she seemed use to the routine. the flight takes off and quickly i learn that she is involved with.... guess.. what.... bill and melinda gates foundation. she grants funds to east african NGO's that work with farmers.. i ask about Rwanda.. and if she has any programs there. she tells me no. i tell her about the terraces, and the pygmies.. and about how we are working on getting them to become a Cooperative...we talk the entire trip. I start picking her brain about leadership, about systems for non profits, about women's role in africa.. shoot i pick her brain. she is so nice. she talks to me.. humors me even. :) we enjoy each others company a lot. i gave her a business card i had of Karl's and she gave me her business card. I want to stay in contact with her. she seemed like just a good soul and gave me wonderful advice on life and leadership. :)
i got off the plane.. and it was HOT. this is the africa... smell and heat..africa. okay also i love saying "i am in africa" i won't be able to say this for very long..
i get off the plane.. and an armed guard makes me pay for a visa.. $100 us. you have to pay in US and on the spot. there was a traveler next to me. on business. for a meeting. he leaves later today. he only has $90 ..ten dollars short. they guy won't let him go in .. with out paying the visa.. i give him $10.. and tell him .. to be nice to someone.
Visas... so that is something i am confused about.. if a country makes you pay to go to it.. then it is in indicator on the relations your country has with the country you are visiting. paying for a visa to travel is a way to indicate many factors.. rwanda was free for me.. the french had to pay to get in. interesting.
i walk out.. and find a cab.. the cabbies try to get me to pay $100 us to get to bagamoyo.. but i am wise to the prices.. i say no.. $50.. they are laugh.. and say no way.. i walk away from them.. and talk to another group of cabbies.. the dude came over and started talking in swahili to the cabbies.. i look at him.. and say NO.. this is just the hussle.. of it all .. the old guy walks up to me and says $50.. okay.. i go with him.. and over 2 hours later.. i land.. i land.. in what is the small village town of bagamoya.. check it out here.. bagamoya.
i love it.. i am staying at the bagamoya beach resort.. it is i guess known for having a creepy owner.. or so says my family's research.. but i have not seen him, and the people who work.. are nice. the place is clean. friendly. i take a shower. i unwind. i head out to the ocean..
well i see the ocean as soon as i arrive at the hotel.. it calms me in a way. it comforts me. it is the indian ocean. i have never seen the indian ocean before. she is beautiful. i will always love the pacific.... but it is nice to meet the indian ocean.. there is this boater inside of me.. this sailor.. of sorts ..that i just long for the ocean life. the boating life for voyage on the sea for months at a time.. sounds so soothing to my soul. yes it is naively romantic. i admit it.. but i want it as a reality.. one day. and maybe just start off with a two week voyage somewhere close.. just to get my feelers out. to experience big waves. anyway.. the indian ocean.. beautiful. i love it.
after my shower.. after a proper introduction to the ocean.. to the beach.. i turn around and see miss sylvie and ian. friends. relief.. joy. excitement. africa.
my room has two beds in it. they stayed the night last night.. and at minimum sylvie will be staying with me everynight. it is a good chance for her to get a break from her current situation (staying at the head masters house.. with his family). To learn more about their travels go here.. click here.
i love sylvie.. i love ian.. both good good souls. to be around. i am lucky to have them as friends.
(so i just wrote and finished this blog.. and the internet went out..and this was all that was saved... eek.. so try to rewrite what i had...but getting antsy :) ).
so i meet with them.. we eat. talk.. enjoy each others company. relax.. today.. same thing really.
i am feeling a bit guilty. to take this time.. to play .. to relax.. to read.. oh by the way suzanne... my book recommendation for you "finding form" by william gass... i just started it.. and think you will like it :)
anyway.. i know my body needs to relax. i am taking time. to soak in the sun. the ocean.
i dont know what i will actually do here.. and that is okay with me. i am going with the flow.. :)
i do'nt think i can go to any safari's too many days away. we may go to zanzibar though next weekend. :)
but who knows.
:)

I love you. very very much.

oh and Tanzania.. smells like. yellow green.

I love you,
Lizzie