Thursday, April 10, 2014

Meeting Our First Tanzanians & Practice, Practice, Practice


Most folks go to Africa for the first time for the animals, but it's the people who bring them back.


We went into DC for our visas this morning.  My first greeting at the Embassy was from the guard, who was genuinely interested in our trip.  He was from Kilimanjaro.

Next was the clerk.  I planned on having everything returned to us by mail.  She took a personal interest in this and said very protectively (and, frankly, with a maternal attitude, though I know she was younger than me), "no, you don't live that far.  You can come back next week."  And that was the end of the discussion.

Then there was the custodian.  "Do you need help?" "Where are you going?" "I hope I see you next week."

It would be nice to think this was all in response to my friendly face, but as I was leaving, I saw the guard show the same interest in a person just arriving.


Next we went to the zoo so we could practice with our cameras.  Here are some of the animals DC style.

Photo
Bao-Bao (DC's newest cub)


Photo


I wonder what he's thinking






Photo
Getting Ready for Arusha National Park

My Count Has Started!