Danstan & Glacier bar

Saturday

Today was a much needed lazy day. We did so much the first week it was mind numbing. Processing time is very much a necessity. Writing certainly helps me. We have met some amazing people and renewed acquaintances with those I met thru Lee Ann last year. We have made a friend with a local artist, Danstan who has helped us with directions and just been a genuinely nice guy, although I think he has a crush on Megan!

Farryl has introduced us to volunteers who are doing incredible things and we have made friends here at the Hostel. It is very easy to meet people although you have to be careful because the locals are all friendly, especially if they think you might buy something from them. Mostly they go away when we say “hapana asante (No thank you)” but a few have been a bit over the top. I feel safe here but we do not travel alone at night as that is not recommended. Plus you could fall in a hole in the road if you aren’t watching carefully!

Maneuvering the roads and walking areas is the most challenging because there are people everywhere and vehicles come out of nowhere. I am still not used to people driving on the other side of the street and just always look both ways before crossing the street (my parents would be proud) because I never know where the next bike, motorcycle, car or cart is coming from.

If I miss anything it is running. There are a few paved roads but they are very busy with trucks, buses and all the other vehicles plus a variety of animals being herded to who knows where. The dirt roads are so potholed you could never complain about a US road after a harsh winter ever again.

So back to Saturday. We had lunch with Farryl and Michael who I met last year .He left the US about 5 years ago and landed in Moshi. He is now considering moving on to Vietnam. He sets up websites here and has recently bought a hotel.

Saturday night Farryl and I went to Glacier bar. It was outside and we sat around a campfire listening to a Reggae band in the background. It was a great change of pace and I met a 23 year old from England who helped start First Aid Africa. I have not seen his website yet but if you get a chance check it out as he is doing amazing things. First Aid Africa has partnered with the Red Cross and they train volunteers to go into schools, businesses and villages to teach first aid. He had witnessed an accident where a person died because there are no ambulances or EMT type services here and he saw that with even a basic education in First Aid many lives could be saved and serious injuries prevented. I need to repeat that he is 23!!

I am not sure if it is because my kids are in their 20’s so I know more people this age or if, as I want to believe, we finally have a generation of youth that sees hope in the world, understands that boundaries only divide us, and most importantly want to do something to make the world a better place.. I will always defend this generation and tell them so whenever I have the opportunity. I feel rejuvenated by this generation!!!