An Earthly Paradise – The Final Part

Lake Eyasi Heading north-west we cross areas with scattered huts and well-fed grazing animals even though we don't see much grass. There are many "primary schools" and "secondary schools" too; after all, there are so many children. Tourist offices with "Coca-Cola" signs and young people travelling on very shiny bicycles in sharp contrast with the dusty road. We cross areas with enormous baobabs and head towards Lake Eyasi, a white expanse in front of us where the lake once was, now a hard salt crust; you can't reach the shore because it is too far to walk and with the jeep it's dangerous! We then go to visit the Hadzabe tribe; they are known for the way they express themselves with clicking sounds; they live in the open and by hunting, and they welcome us by offering us marijuana in a pipe made of stone. They light the fire by rubbing a particular dry wood on an iron blade.

To earn a little money, the women and children make bead bracelets. They enjoy showing us their poisoned arrows. The string of their bow is made from giraffe sinews. A young, beautiful mother has her photo taken while nursing her baby (he is beautiful). We go back to eating our lunch-box and here too there are children waiting for some leftovers. We, quite happily, try to eat little so as to give it to them. Returning to the hotel we decide to take a walk towards the village along this red-earth road, where there are some crops, but we soon have to escape the insistence of the sellers: it is impossible to pass unnoticed (we are white "Mzungu"). On the way we meet various groups of schoolchildren in uniform coming out of school.

Arusha/Nairobi We return to Arusha through coffee plantations, where although it is Sunday we find an open supermarket to buy coffee, cane sugar and tea, so that at home, every time we take a break, we can weep! At Mtowambu we make a stop; there are so many worshippers coming out of Mass, and some girls even wear stiletto sandals and Western clothes. We set off on the return journey, crossing the two customs posts of Namanga, towards Nairobi; on the outskirts of the city we see various groups surrounding preachers. Being a "pastor of souls" is a "business", a trade many aspire to, since it isn't tiring and is well rewarded by the offerings. At 4:30 in the morning, a little late, we set off for Cairo where, on the other hand, the connection saves us from waiting. A good journey back to Malpensa, again with Egyptair.

We arrive at 14:30 on Monday, a little tired, but in our eyes and in our hearts this marvellous part of Africa, Tanzania, will stay, I believe forever... Jambo, jambo.

CONCLUSION It was a great safari, everything well organised, with no hitches, we didn't even get a flat tyre! Usually it always happens! As I already said, with a local agency in Arusha belonging to a friend of mine whom I've known for years, reliable and who speaks Italian very well! For info marinabracco@gmail.com P.s.: since the first time I went to Tanzania I suffer from "Mal d'Afrique", I think I'll go back in November 2012!