S.W.A.T. Team

I have had two of the most amazing days of my life the past two days. James, one of the young men who rescued us at the border my first night in Tarime, arranged a safari for William, Frank, Emmanuel, and me. Being an Immigration officer has its perks.

We arrived at the gate about 9:00 and began scouting for animals. Before supper, we had found over 30 species and taken some great pictures. The boys stayed at a youth hostel, while I stayed at a regular hostel nearby. James and his driver, Kyle, (Yes, just like my dad and my nephew-James Kyle!) Stayed at staff housing, and our tour guide actually stayed with my boys. He helped them settle in and learn the ropes, for which I was really grateful.

Our guide is studying to be a tour guide at a university, but he knew every animal we saw in the park. I thought he was a biology major. I actually got tired of taking pictures before he was finished showing us wildlife. He even had answers to my off-the-wall questions like where the secretary bird got its name. (Secretaries used to wear black skirts and white blouse, the same colors as the bird.)

By the time we got to my hostel, I was exhausted. There was hot water for a bath and hot tea waiting for me. I was the only guest! I was in heaven.

I closed my door and went to bed, but I was too tired to sleep long. Besides, I heard animals (lions, especially) growling. How exciting!

I awoke this morning and went to open my bedroom door. It was stuck! I grabbed my nail clippers and tried to pry the latch open for an hour. Finally, I gave up and called James. Imagine my embarrassment when he climbed into my bedroom window to open my door!

One down side has been the tse flies. They are really bad here because of the animals...and they can cause sleeping sickness. We took turns swatting these persistent insects both days. At first, the guys refused to use my DEET, but finally today they gave in. Every book and notebook I'd brought was commandeered into the arsenal of our S.W.A.T. Team. I really hope there are no ill effects from these pesky critters.

I let the boys set the pace for today, and it seemed as if the animals were hiding. We spent quite a bit of time taking pictures at the Visitors' Center. The displays, art work, and video there are amazing.

Meanwhile, James and his boss were arranging a surprise for us. They drove us to a hotel owned by the Prince of India. The architecture is amazing with lots of wood carvings and traditional thatch roof. It was just as much a photo op as the Serengeti. We were told a room cost $600 a night, and dinner buffet was $60 per person. Imagine my surprise when James' boss treated us to sodas and then dinner! My heart melted when my boys asked me, "Bibi, is it Christmas?".

Before we finished supper, a native dance performance began. There were acrobatics, contortionists, Limbo (complete with fire) and hat juggling acts. Native instruments provided the music. I've never seen anything like it.

On our way home, we saw 3 animals we hadn't seen before in the park-hyena, rabbit, and porcupine. Who knew a hyena could outrun a car? And the quills on the porcupine were sticking straight out.

My 6 handsome escorts delivered me to my hostel after the power had been turned off. So, once again James came to my room to make sure the door was working. And once again I was the only guest in the hostel. A day wiser, I'm NOT closing my door tonight!
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