back to it…

Evening, 18th October 2019

Listening to the rain on my tent canvas and some generator noise… not really the usual sounds in the African bush… but it’s been raining for two days now so the solar batteries have run out. Last night had much more exciting sounds including roaring lions and buffalo and wildebeest ‘grunts’… is that a real term??

It’s Friday night… I’m a couple of weeks into this contract and have so enjoyed being back. It was great to see my ‘old’ students again, we had a really good and fun kick-off workshop. I remember the very first one we had back in January, when they didn’t really know me, they were all shy and quiet… this time I couldn’t shut them up – it was so great! And we were lucky to also go on a short game drive up to the Kenyan border. 

After those first couple of days, it was time to meet my two new students who will join the programme this visit. Really lovely to meet them, but I must admit that I was even more excited to see all the familiar faces at the lodges. No matter which department everyone have been so welcoming and seemingly happy to see me again. They all call me mwalimu [teacher) even though I am not their teacher at all… it’s so nice to be more familiar instead of feeling like ‘the newbie’ all the time.

So what’s going on otherwise…? Well, I’m trying to get a police check done in the UK so I can get my permits applications underway here in TZ. Have just heard that my UK settled status has been approved – yay! And have been in contact with a hotel in Stone Town, Zanzibar for a possible job early next year but am still struggling to get organised on everything else!

However, I am healthy and very happy to be back! The Serengeti is truly the best office I could ever wish for. I am so lucky and have renewed energy to really fight to make my new life work!