Saturday, June 28th, 2008

Good Morning,

I bit of a slow day today. Pastor Mushi very busy. Preparing for Education Fund Raiser for tomorrow, three weddings today, and other business like a seminar for the ushers tomorrow.

Yesterday, I was here at 5 a.m. to leave for safari to the Engorngoro Crater, we left about 5:30 a.m. Pastor Mushi was wearing a stocking cap with collar(I have a picture), I wore my safari hat with no collar. It was about a four hour trip there. Roads are much improved, especially the highways - 100% and into the crater was better by about 50%, and improvements going on all the time). However, when we first started out -- 40 klm out we were detained by a police officer who took his job very seriously. There was a lot of discussion and shouting in Swahilit. They told me later that he noticed that the vehicle was missing a sticker, even though they had proof it was paid for. Then we had to stop for 10 a.m. tea before going on. We drove into and down from the clouds into the crater. Animals running free everywhere. Many other tourists there, but I stayed with our group, about six from the church. We had a packed lunch there just like we did the first time.

I saw this HUGE BIRD (I have its name in my notes), all I could think of was seeing hunting dogs trying to retrieve it! I mean it was huge! Bigger that our biggest dogs. It had some kind of animal about the size of a chicken in its mouth. That was at Pastor Mushi's sister-in-laws resort, very beautiful and westernized.

As we entered the crater there were Zebras everywhere. Then a lot of Wilder Beasts, Pink Flamingos, Hippos, and Ostrich. Some of the other animals were elephants, boars, lions, hyienas, jackels, and one rhino very far off. I got to stand up and stick myself through the roof to take pictures. It was like sailing African style, with the wind in my face. I did get a bit sunburned before I put on my hat.

Then on our way back we had a second safari. The radiator had a crack in it. We could only travel about 10 klm, stop, wait for it to cool, and refill it with water. Now remember this is usually a four hour trip...you do the math. After the 10th or 12th time I stopped counting. We did try to stop in a small town to have them seal it. We thought it worked, but in ten miles found out that it did not work. It was very dark. No high street lights, just other vehicles, or persons with flashlights approaching us. A vehicle filled with Tanzanians and one white man. However, I believe it was prayer that got us to go the remaining 40 klm without stopping.

I found out later that a truck from the church met us 40 klm out and followed us in. There was laughing and singing at times. Most of the conversation I did not understand, so I sat quietly. It was very late when we got back -- at least a 6-7 hour trip back. I was very tired. They told me to come tomorrow for tea at 10 a.m. I got here at 10:05 a.m. no tea. Pastor very busy. So I have a chance to write to you. And play with the pictures a bit.

Oh, D.J. by the way there is a Ford Dealership in Arusha. I will try to take a picture of it, it is all locked up though. While gas prices are very high here, they just keep on moving.

A very tired and traveled traveler,

Pastor Mark