November 18
After an early morning breakfast (omelets, of course!), we
embarked on our trek to Tarangire. Fortunately, Bashiri was our guide and
driver for the five hour trip across some paved, and many unpaved roads that
were under construction. The road construction chiefs and the majority of the
equipment drivers, who were working on the roads, were Chinese who have been
hired by the Tanzanian government. This disparity of labor hasn’t necessarily
been well-received by the local people, who are in need of employment. However, the work continues with many locals
observing the process by the sides of the road. The observers were not disappointed
by the road show of large transport, semi-trucks, charter and public buses,
vans, and a few land rovers competing with the road crew and equipment
operators for passage way on the temporary slick, red clay and sand, narrow
(often single lane) paths provided while construction is underway. We were fortunate for Bashiri’s patience and
4-wheel drive skills, and supported him with our thanks and prayers.
At 2 PM, we arrived at the Tarangire National Park our
lodging destination for the evening. With Bashiri as our guide, we toured the
park after lunch until sunset. We were able to observe over 100 elephants (up
close and personal) from the land rover, as they enjoyed their afternoon
grazing; many species of antelope and deer; birds and geese of many colors;
and, of course, the beloved, pug faced warthogs! 
We concluded by having dinner
at the lodge and then being led by flashlight to our tents; the game animals
often roam by the lodge and tents during the night so caution was in order,
followed by sleep under a beautiful star lit sky.
Andrea
