As a lot of Europe has been in ‘lock-down’ mode for the past few weeks, it is now also starting to happen here in Africa. Yesterday, Tanzania announced a 14 day quarantine for anyone arriving and all flights in and out of Zanzibar have been cancelled. It was bound to happen – and even though there have just been 12 confirmed cases by now, who knows how many people are actually infected.
There have been no guests here since the 19th March and now none will arrive for a while. The majority of staff have been sent home for the foreseeable future. I feel relieved that they have been sent on leave with pay (for now) – but am also acutely aware that this is going to hit this country and the people in it very hard. It will have a heartbreaking impact on a country like Tanzania, which is so reliant on tourism… the likelihood of crime and disputes going up is high. And I must admit that I was quite emotional saying goodbye to some of them, because who knows when I will see them again…
Anyway, am also totally sick of this being the only thing we can think and talk about these days, so let me instead share a little about the day to day in the bush now that we are having to keep busy in other ways that with guests!
The team are doing deep cleaning activities and maintenance jobs etc. and of course we are also doing lots and lots of training. I fell so fortunate that I can be here still giving my time and knowledge to people who really want to learn. I have extended my training to be for everyone, not just my ‘usual crew’ and encouraging my students to teach each other is also so rewarding. Oh and we have our temperature taken every day!
But we also have time for some more fun stuff. Important to try to keep the mood and attitude positive for the people who are still in camp. They naturally worry about their own health, their families and their jobs. Nobody is more aware than the Tanzanians themselves, of the trouble this country will be in if there are a lot of cases here… the health system is just not set up for that! Anyway, so we had Sunday Funday with goat BBQ and the lot – I was so pleased that we were able to give the staff the opportunity to have some fun together before most of them left on their lengthy leave.
In addition, I try to do some exercise with the people who wants to and I am also really benefiting from it. Have lost all the weight I gained over Xmas and more – and feel fitter than I have in many years. So… even though the world is a crazy place at the moment, let’s all try to to something positive for ourselves – it helps!
Stay safe everyone! Sending love and many positive thoughts… xx
BETINA IN AFRICA 
Glad to hear your safe x
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I was just thinking about you and so glad I could read this post. I don’t know who wrote this, but it’s beautiful and I am sharing with friends and family.
“We fell asleep in one world, and woke up in another.
Suddenly Disney is out of magic,
Paris is no longer romantic,
New York doesn’t stand up anymore,
the Chinese wall is no longer a fortress, and Mecca is empty.
Hugs & kisses suddenly become weapons, and not visiting parents & friends becomes an act of love.
Suddenly you realise that power, beauty & money are worthless, and can’t get you the oxygen you’re fighting for.
The world continues its life and it is beautiful. It only puts humans in cages. I think it’s sending us a message:
You are not necessary. The air, earth, water and sky without you are fine. When you come back, remember that you are my guests. Not my masters.”
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