Arusha (Day 5: May 22)

We woke up to music from the nearby road. As we made our way to breakfast we said goodbye to Westkely and sat down for our usual crepes and eggs. We discussed our day awaiting us and embarked on a 2 hour drive into Arusha city. After listening to music and playing fun games on the bus we reached our first stop of the day, an NGO on the outskirts of the city. The NGO is a Non-Governmental-Organization, meaning it was a grassroots foundation, looking to solve an actual problem among the community differentiating it from ordinary orphanages. Our guide, Shedrack, a 17 year old in Ujamaa, claims that “Ujamaa, is a second family for him.” With the resources and care provided in this organization Shedrack has learned piano, attended a culinary arts course, and aspires to work in cyber security. Overall, the NGO is home to around 25 children from ages 2-20, all of whom are given loving caretakers and educated in private schools. As we left the NGO Shedrack played some goodbye songs on the piano which we instantly recognized and soon we arrived at lunch. At the lunch spot we saw some fellow Americans and indulged in some traditional Tanzanian food, including tasty chicken, rice, beans, and fish heads which only some were brave enough to try. Our waiter also encouraged us to try passionfruit Fanta, which quickly became our new favorite drink. After lunch, we took a 5 minute bus ride to the natural history museum. There, we split into two groups and explored the three exhibits: taxidermy, animals and human ancestors, and native gardens. As the tour wrapped up we hung out and fed an 160 years old tortoise. We then drove over to our favorite hotel so far for free time where we played games in the pool. Dinner was more traditional Tanzania food which we have become accustomed to. Finally, to close the day, Dany and Alex( today’s bloggers) led the nighttime wind-down called ANCHOR, and then we headed to bed around 10:00.

-Danny & Alex