Category: Latest blog posts

On Friday, I travelled from Sasakwa lodge to a tented camp called Mara River inside the Serengeti National Park. My first time on the plains of Serengeti, so was very excited to arrive here. Another tick on the bucket list!

It was a 4 hour drive going through villages and towns along the way. Found them very similar to the rest of Tanzania, perhaps a little poorer at first glance. The contrast of the  super luxurious lodges and their daily lives is of course stark and even though it makes me a little sad, I also realise that these places and the rich tourists enable employment for many local people in this area.

But it did remind me again why I’m here. I want to help people have better lives here and no arsehole thieves will stop me from trying to do just that! And even though what I do only helps a few people at a time, it’s better than doing nothing. Am more determined than ever to make a difference…

So have been here at Mara River for a couple of days – its been sunny at times, but we’ve had quite a lot of rain and it gets a little chilly after sunset, but the log fire and the massive duvet and a hot water bottle keeps everyone warm at night!

I enjoyed a game drive yesterday which ended up being a very LONG one when the river flooded the bridge and we had to do a four hour detour to get across the river outside the park. But it allowed the guests who had never seen Tanzanian local life to add to their experiences!

Today I’m changing camps again… stay tuned!

… to another! My African life is really like a roller coaster. On Sunday I felt so unlucky, sad & hurt and just a few days later I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world!

First of all, thank you so much for getting in touch from home, for your encouragement and your support! It has helped me get through the shitty time much quicker!

I have started work with Singita, Grumeti and am so happy! People are wonderful here and I cannot believe that I am here to be honest! These pictures might explain why I am feeling so much more happy now…

So for the next week few days, this kind of luxury accommodation will be my life… SO excited and so unreal… per person per night $1,500-2,000 – eeek!

But after that the real work begins. The first workshop is on the 23rd and 24th Jan. Feeling rather unprepared and quite nervous to be honest, so keep your fingers crossed for me!

Will post impressions and pics from the other camps in a few days!
Sending hugs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So those three things that I thought made up my bad luck for a while, obviously were not the right three things. And there’s really no way to sugar coat it so…

The night between Saturday and Sunday, I woke up suddenly around 4:30am to find two guys in my room with a flashlight, I screamed louder than I ever have before and they ran out of my room and out of the house with me chasing after them in nothing but my underwear. Needless to say, I was not able to catch them and they got away with my iPad, both my phones, my handbag which had credit cards, my passport and some cash in it and a bag of toiletries (including all my contact lenses again!).

During the following 2-3 minutes all I was thinking was ‘when will I wake up?’… but it was not a dream/nightmare. Sadly, it had happened again! And then, all I could think was ‘why me?’, ‘what have I done to deserve this shit?’.

So the guys broke into my friend Daudi’s place, where I was staying for just two nights, and it’s a place I have always felt safe… all doors were locked, but somehow they managed to get in by forcing open the door from the living room into the garden. How we didn’t hear it, I am not sure! Daudi woke by my screams, but it was also too late for him to catch them.

The police was the opposite of helpful and by the time they seemed to be vaguely interested, the thieves had switched all the devices off, so I couldn’t use FindMyiPhone…
I was so effing angry, and it only worsened when they told me to calm down – ARGH!!

Since that incident, I have just really been on autopilot. Cancelling credit cards, changing Apple devices to lost mode, contacting the Danish consulate, talking to immigration re. my business visa, buying a phone and checking insurance terms & conditions – my insurance company will probably think I’m stupid or a fraud. My friends here in Moshi have been very super supportive during this time, but I have still felt quite alone.

I have however decided, after a lot of soul-searching, to honour my contract and go to Grumeti to do the training programme. I have looked forward to it so much and they have been great about the delay and we have just had to change the schedule a little, so it should still work really well.

But at the same time, I wonder if that might be the end of following my dream – for a while anyway… but that is a decision for another time! Right now I am overwhelmed by frustration and sadness, it is difficult to explain.

Anyway, my iCloud recovery will take quite a few days, so have not got people’s contact numbers, but if you have my Tanzanian number, you can use that to get in touch with me for the next week or email me! Please get in touch – it will help me through this shitty time.

Latest update is that I now have a temporary passport – the Danish Consulate guy was super kind and amazingly quick and I am flying to Grumeti on Wednesday morning.  More news from there in a few days.

Sending hugs!

After a long trip south I’ve arrived in Zanzibar. Must say that the first leg from London to Nairobi on Kenyan Airways flight, was bang average. Not the airline’s fault that we were almost two hours delayed because of another one of those bloody drones… And absolutely not their fault either that there was an elderly British lady in the seat behind me who was a real pain in the arse (think the character that Maggie Smith plays in the Marigold Hotel films). She was meddling in everybody else’s business, complaining to the cabin crew at every given opportunity “my husband was a pilot”, “I’m not stupid, you know.”, “my husband was a captain”, “I will tell the papers about how you treat people”!  “Oh I’m so tired” blablabla 🙄 if she was so bloody tired, why the hell did she not sleep?!? It was however very poor service by crew that the meal service took over an hour and a half… how long does it take to make a pot of coffee for goodness sake – just wanted to get rid of that meal tray after 15 mins! And also not sure more than one of the cabin crew could actually smile! Tut…

Aaaaanyway rant over! I’m in Zanzibar for a few business meetings… even though here in 30 degrees that still feels like a holiday somehow. I am so lucky! Firstly a lawyer meeting – well I hope so anyway… still waiting for them to confirm a time – and secondly I will be spending some time with Sjani. Remember the lady that recycles plastic and makes plant pots (scroll back some posts to remind yourself if not)? I am going to help her with some business planning, marketing brainstorming and project planning (she is a visionary so needs a little support getting everything into some sort of structure). Am very excited for her that this venture is doing so well and I’ve been keen on getting involved somehow, so this is a great way to spend a couple of days.

On Saturday I then fly back to north Tanzania… will spend a day in Moshi, say hi to a few people, get my brain into proper work mode and pick up the luggage I left there (hopefully it’s not been stolen 😏) 

Monday 14th January I will fly to Grumeti where I will be working until 7th April. And I’ll even get paid for it – whoop! Where is Grumeti? Good question! It’s just bordering the Serengeti…

I will be doing classroom training, one-to-one coaching and personal development plans for junior managers at five of the Singita Grumeti camps – check it out: https://singita.com/region/singita-grumeti/

Isn’t it just super amazing?!? Still can’t believe I have been so lucky to get this perfect contract in one of the most wonderful locations ever… and I even get paid! It is absolutely a dream come true and I believe that this will open a lot of doors for me (if I do a good job of course – eeek!) And did I mention that I get paid?!? Haha 😆 Couldn’t be more excited and more nervous!

But for tonight I’m just enjoying the warm temperatures and relaxed feel of Zanzibar. Was great to see so many if you back in DK and London… sorry that I didn’t make it to see everyone! Sending hugs from here…

 

2018 has come to an end…

First of all – THANK YOU to everyone who prayed or crossed their fingers for me… I got the contract in Africa, the one I really wanted! Yay!! On the 13th Jan I will start training twelve individuals in a ‘junior management training & coaching programme’ at six safari lodges close to the Serengeti National Park… it is my first ‘new life’ contract and literally my DREAM JOB. I will leave London on the 8th Jan and will write more about my upcoming adventure in the next post…

After a lovely Christmas time in Denmark, I have returned to London where I spent NYE with friends and now it’s all about prep for this new contract and of course shopping, need to re-stock!

But before that, let me a little take time to reflect on 2018. It flew by and was full of mixed emotions!

• The excitement of making the final decision to leave my London life behind and move to Africa.
• The struggle to accept that my dad had further bad news re. his health.
• Applying for permanent residency in the UK was a pain in the @rse!
• A new little niece arrived – welcome to the family, Anna!
• Showing my parents Tanzania was a really great experience, one that I and they will never forget
• The joy of gaining new friends and spending quality time with ‘old’ friends.
• Saying goodbye to colleagues and my life at IHG was easier than I had expected, maybe because the people, who I was saddest to ‘leave behind’, are also my very good friends and I know they will stay in my life.
• Yay – visited my 10th country in Africa, Ethiopia was an amazing experience.
• The frustrations that come with starting a new life – even though it’s my dream, it is still difficult!
• The disappointment and sadness of having my things stolen in Tanzania.
• Aaaargh! Brexit mess.
• The pride of getting my first contract as Safi Hospitality and the worry that I won’t be able do a good enough job…

Over the past few days, I have – together with different friends – also been looking ahead. What will 2019 bring us?

More Brexit mess for sure [rolling eyes emoji]… some sad, frustrating and sh*tty things are bound to hit our lives at some point… but we can surely also look forward to many lovely, hopeful and wonderful moments.

So let’s savour and celebrate the great times, live life to the full and enjoy new experiences. And let’s support each other to get through the tough times!

Sending hugs around the world to you all…
and wish you all the best possible 2019!

 

10-11th Dec 2018 

I’m writing this onboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight to London at 33,000 feet – the captain just informed us that we’re passing over the northern part of the country which brings back so many good memories from the September trip… it’s been almost three months since then – seems much longer, so much has happened! 

Flying on my own always makes me feel quite emotional but it’s also an excellent time to reflect… maybe that’s why it’s emotional?!? And as I’m having a ‘break’ from Africa, I guess it’s not surprising that my reflections are mainly around what has happened and what I’ve achieved in the last weeks and months.

I was teaching a friend the quote from Forrest Gump; “Life is like a box of chocolates… etc.” to try to explain my life since I arrived in Tanzania… he’d never seen the film, and probably never eaten filled chocolates either, so quite a wasted conversation. Haha 

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Oh, before I go to my reflections I must tell you about what was a wonderful weekend in Moshi. 

Friday: lazed by the pool with Carelynn – blissful friend quality time. 

Saturday: visited our friend, Jerry, at his family home in a place called Marangu. One of the entry gates to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is there and it’s just super beautiful nature. Jerry’s family welcomed us with open arms and A LOT of food… as is custom. His dad immediately fell in love with Carelynn, his uncle was a fun character who was talking through one of those things you hold against his throat and makes you sound like a robot or a dalek (he’d had a throat cancer operation in India) and I immediately fell in love with his mama! 

She’s such a character, a strong woman and quite the joker – she made me laugh so much. Her and I had fun chatting a bit in German as she was telling us about her life. She’s been so many places around the world for education and work (within medicine) – inspirational lady. It was a great afternoon – visiting at somebody’s home like that is really special.

And on the way back we saw a goat on a boda boda – African life! 😂 

Sunday: back to Arusha for an afternoon of Christmas fair, which was a little weird in sun and 30+ degrees. And then I had to say goodbye to Carelynn in the evening… so sad, but feel incredibly lucky to have her in my life. Not many people would take two 14 hour bus rides in a few days to spend time with you. Sometimes I’d even struggle to go across London myself… how crappy is that!?!?

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Anyway – back to my reflection! In my glass half empty moments, I don’t feel I’ve done much to shout about, but in my more positive moments (of which there are not as many to be fair) I am proud of what I’ve managed to do so far…

Have done a lot of business research (seen more lawyers in Africa than ever in Europe now), have become slightly less rubbish at Swahili, have built some useful relationships, strengthened friendships, have let my heart react without consulting the brain a few times (baby steps) and bounced back from shitty luck! But most of all I’m just proud that I’m trying to follow my dream… 

So now what for 2019?

It won’t surprise any of you that I’d already planned 2019 before I left London (there was a list and everything!), but those plans are no longer in play, so time to make new plans. And I’ll get more clarity of what those are in the next week or two… there are three possible work options for Q1, so please keep your fingers crossed that one of those pan out. Although there’s one in particular that would be my dream job of all time… if I was a person who pray, I would pray for that one!

I knew that coming to Moshi after my annoying experiences was the right thing to do! My life coach always told me when life is a little shit, you need to be kind to yourself and Moshi was my first ‘home’ in Tanzania so have a special connection to the place and to many people here.

My Maasai friend, Daudi, has opened his home to me, I have received big hugs and lots of love from everyone here and Carelynn is coming  to visit – she is arriving from Iringa this evening to celebrate an early Christmas as we were supposed to have spent actual Christmas together. AND I went for a massage yesterday and today I spent the afternoon at Honey badger Lodge by and in the pool. So yes, I have definitely been kind to myself.
(I listened and learnt, Carole Ann! haha)

And when riding the motorbike taxi (boda boda) back to my temporary home, Mount Kilimanjaro showed herself so beautifully – always makes me super happy and I smiled all the way!

The purpose of coming to Moshi was to have some positive experiences before heading to Europe so that I really want to come back… and am pleased to say that I have already succeeded!
Oh, and have booked my flight to London – will arrive on Tuesday 11th Dec… then spend a week organising and meeting people before heading to Denmark on the 19th! Cannot wait for Danish xmas food – roast duck, roast pork, rice pudding, frikadeller, leverpostej & bacon, tarteletter, caramelised potatoes, more pork, biscuits and more bacon – yum! I have lost some weight these past few months, so bring it on! Haha!

I arrived in Zanzibar on Tuesday last week and immediately felt more relaxed and free. Not sure what it is about that island that just seems to make me feel much calmer and content – almost forgot about losing my beautiful phone!

I had three business meetings during my days there, but otherwise it was really a short holiday and I so enjoyed it! How lucky am I that this type of trip is now part of my daily life!? 

Anyway, the meetings…

NGO connection

When I was in Zanzibar back in October, I met with a lovely lady who runs a training center in Stone Town which offers education for tour guiding, IT and hospitality.  We had a good chat about how we might be able to do some work together next year and we are both very excited about that prospect. 

For me it would be an opportunity to do something for young people who cannot afford to pay for college or university – and I know that will make me really happy!

Lawyers

I know that I a while ago wrote that my decision was made re. business set-up… well, it is, but I also needed to work out the processes and costs for working in Zanzibar, therefore my meeting. Had to decide which order to do things… so nothing has actually happened with the business as yet.

On a side note… three of the lawyers I have met with here have been women – yay!

Anyway, am waiting for some info from this lawyer and then I think I’ll get her started on the process… am 90% sure that I’ll end up having my base in Zanzibar… does that tempt more people to visit? 😉

Hotel General Manager

This was a great meeting… but also one which reminded me how truly terrible a sales person I am. So much so that the GM even pointed it out – yikes! Haha 

The GM was however super helpful – a very experienced guy who has been working throughout Africa for decades and he had a huge amount of good advice for me… He was also quite cynical and realistic about living in Africa – it’s not all rosy of course which I have now experienced myself as well… Actually, I don’t think I have met anyone who had so much criticism & cynicism and equally so much love for this continent. 

In the end we agreed to stay in touch to see if there might be some work for me when I’m set up next year. It’s a beautiful resort, so would be wonderful to work there!

 

 

 

Where to start…? Last week was quite the rollercoaster. The days in Zanzibar were wonderful (I will write about that in a separate post) but the trip was topped and tailed by some unfortunate experiences…As the old saying goes ‘bad things happen in threes’ and it really has.

It started a couples of weeks ago when my laptop screen cracked! Not possible to fix here but the laptop works so was not the end of the world.

Then on Monday last week I had enjoyed a lovely sunset with friends on my last night in Iringa – it was a beautiful sunset as well – but on the way back my phone was stolen. This was the phone with my UK SIM card so if you have texted or WhatsApp’ed me on that in the last week, I did not receive it, sorry! Anyway, made a police statement and my friends have put word out in Iringa that they are looking to buy an iPhone… but no luck yet!

And finally, I arrived back in Arusha on Saturday to the news that the Airbnb house I had been living in and was due to stay at again, had been broken into. I had left two bags in storage there, and sadly my large rucksack which had ‘half my life’ in it had been taken.

So today I’ve been to the police again! Another theft report – it was a long list of stuff – and I made the police officer laugh because I only have two names – not sure why that was funny!?! Haha

The last couple of days I’ve been contemplating what to do… the most important thing that I lost is my contact lenses, but there were also clothes, toiletries, souvenirs from Ethiopia, books I took for work, pens, plenty of post it notes, shoes, my family photos and much more…

So tomorrow morning I’m heading back to stay with friends in Moshi to recover from my misfortune, as it has affected me quite a bit. I have a work proposal to finish and will just be lovely to see some friendly faces.

And even though I have struggled with it, because it feels like ‘giving up’, I have decided to come back to Europe for a few weeks. To get the laptop fixed, get my SIM card replaced, make insurance claims and to just restock on the important stuff. So I’m naming it a re-grouping trip instead of ‘giving up’. Some good has come of the unlucky events though… my mum, dad and sisters are very happy that I will be home for Xmas! 😊

Anyway, enough misery from here and even though it is a setback in my plans, it should just be a temporary one, I hope.

Even when I am travelling, or maybe even more so when I am travelling actually, the BBC website is my main source of news. And it is very cleverly, as a default, showing African news on the home page, when I am here.

Day after day, there is one sad, tragic or disturbing news story after the other from this continent. Just this weekend there was the Ugandan boat tragedy, so many people died because a boat with room for 50 people carried 120 people and then there was another car bomb in Somalia, a country in real turmoil. Also here in Tanzania, there were some disturbing news earlier this month when a high ranking government official encouraged people to report suspected gay people to the police. Homosexual acts are illegal here and can be punished with up to 30 years in prison… The president had to quickly say that those were not his instructions, but seems it was too late for the Danish government who has suspended all aid to Tanzania because of these homophobic comments… Go Denmark!!! But today the president – Mr Magufuli (don’t like him!) said that they’d rather have ‘unconditional aid’ from China than aid from the EU anyway – unconditional my arse!!

So even though I love so many things about Africa – and really would like others to see what I see as well – I am also one of their harshest critics when it comes to how the vast majority of African countries are run. Each country seem to have many similarities in terms of their politics but some also have their own individual mess of corruption, terrible policies which violate human rights and bad governing. It is both interesting and disheartening to follow.

So yeah, no wonder why people in the rest of the world have such negative views of Africa.  But to be fair, what percentage of news is actually good news from around the world – not much! Even here, the only UK news on the local TV station is the Brexit mess.

Sometimes there are however a few good stories which really warm my heart! And the continued changes within the Ethiopian government and the country as a whole is one of them! The prime minister has formed a new government with gender equality and a female president has been appointed (even if the prime minister has the power that is a big step!) oh and a female head of the court… it’s very exciting to follow. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46110608
Sure, there’s still a long way to go before Ethiopia will be associated with other stuff than famine and war, but they are making great strides!