We are saying good-bye to our beautiful Exploreans Village and making our way to Tarangire National Park and, eventually, our first bush camp. We pass through Mosquito Village, so named for its many rice paddies, and we see many of the Masai people in colorful robes. The occasional young man in black announces his recent circumcision. He will need to wait a full year until he achieves warrior status after having undergone the procedure minus anesthesia or movement which is perceived as cowardice. Other robes with bright colors have been made in China and are bought cheaply in bulk. We know so well.
Our lessons about Africa continue in Tarangire where we see a clan of warthogs and a dazzle of zebra. Elephant, lion, and leopard are described in the singular but warthog,to describe a bunch of them, just doesn't seem right. They don't have the big animal status after all although I am fond of the homely little guys.
We arrive at Oliver's Camp late afternoon so are able to see around the grounds, albeit briefly, and to be shown to our tents which are a few minutes walk from reception. Our tent is spacious with two beds, a desk and chair, open closet, bathroom with shower and a wonderful outside shower with a view of the sky and trees that can not be beat. It is my favorite part of the lodge. Our own porch with lounge chairs, and we were all set. Communication with staff was via walkie talkie and each room came equipped with a big air horn. When we were ready for dinner staff came to walk us down.
We all ate together at a long table and quickly fell in love with Toni, a 13 year old Swiss girl on safari with her parents. Later she shyly asked for my email address and her mom told me later that it was because she wanted us to stay with them should we ever visit Switzerland.
Back in our cabins for the night, Ron quickly fell asleep. I was reading when I heard a slow Clomp, Clomp, Clomp, followed by Chomp, Chomp, Chomp. It came from two locations which sounded like they were inches from our cabin. A feeling of unease welled up in me when I remembered that all that separated me from a several ton animal was a thin piece of canvas. I woke up Ron to join in the hand-wringing which he promptly declined. I went to sleep myself about 20 minutes later, marveling at what a human being can get used to in short order.
Our lessons about Africa continue in Tarangire where we see a clan of warthogs and a dazzle of zebra. Elephant, lion, and leopard are described in the singular but warthog,to describe a bunch of them, just doesn't seem right. They don't have the big animal status after all although I am fond of the homely little guys.
We arrive at Oliver's Camp late afternoon so are able to see around the grounds, albeit briefly, and to be shown to our tents which are a few minutes walk from reception. Our tent is spacious with two beds, a desk and chair, open closet, bathroom with shower and a wonderful outside shower with a view of the sky and trees that can not be beat. It is my favorite part of the lodge. Our own porch with lounge chairs, and we were all set. Communication with staff was via walkie talkie and each room came equipped with a big air horn. When we were ready for dinner staff came to walk us down.
We all ate together at a long table and quickly fell in love with Toni, a 13 year old Swiss girl on safari with her parents. Later she shyly asked for my email address and her mom told me later that it was because she wanted us to stay with them should we ever visit Switzerland.
Back in our cabins for the night, Ron quickly fell asleep. I was reading when I heard a slow Clomp, Clomp, Clomp, followed by Chomp, Chomp, Chomp. It came from two locations which sounded like they were inches from our cabin. A feeling of unease welled up in me when I remembered that all that separated me from a several ton animal was a thin piece of canvas. I woke up Ron to join in the hand-wringing which he promptly declined. I went to sleep myself about 20 minutes later, marveling at what a human being can get used to in short order.
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