Tanzania Travels

It’s 4:55pm.

Last minute scramble to tie up loose ends before leaving the office for 3 weeks.

Jesse plops down into the chair next to my desk and pulls out his phone.

“I just talked to my sister. You’ve tried my crickets before, eh? Well they JUST came into season. Can you bring me back some?”

“If it’s small! I’m not checking a bag.”

“No, no, they come in a big package. Good. I already told her you would. Safe travels!”

I guess you don’t say no to your boss’ boss’ boss whose family is hosting you in Tanzania for a long weekend.

Come to think of it, Jesse is really the reason this whole adventure is happening.

He’s the one who drafted the proposal for Appalachian to be a hosting institution for Mandela-Washington fellows, bringing young leaders from all across Africa to our campus for 6 weeks of workshops over the summer.

Having the pleasure of facilitating the US culture orientation for these fellows the last 3 summers, I’ve also managed to make friends with a few of them… in particular, 4 gents who all happen to live in Tanzania. Our shared experiences in Boone range from blueberry picking, to cooking Tanzanian food in my tiny apartment, to a 3-hour dance party, to chatting on the way to the campus ID card office about my dream to go to Tanzania one day. So many of our international visitors enjoy their time so much in Boone that they offer at the end of their stay, “If you’re ever in my country, you should come visit! I’ll host you!”

So…

Careful what you offer, I may just take you up on that!

So there you have it. The premise and impetus for my 3-week jaunt through Tanzania: with a critical mass of friends (and family of friends/colleagues) in one place halfway across the world and open invitations from all of them, it seems irresponsible not to go visit!

Somehow, I’ve also managed to rope in my college roomie Sam for 2 of the 3 weeks.

A few days before our departure, she texted me:

“Also, I just did a big amazon order of last minute stuff lol..so I got activated charcoal which helps clear toxins and diarrhea etc and insect repellent wristbands and biodegradable toilet paper if we’re out and about and electrolyte tablets for replenishment if we do get the shits.”

See? We’ve already got the makings of a great vacation!

Stay tuned for more adventures, WiFi access-dependent!

If you’re lucky, I may even bring you home some crickets.

-L