Tanzania trip...mini vacation

I expect this will be a lengthy posting so if you're rushing off somewhere you'll probably want to start reading it some other time. And since Blogger won't let me post pictures for some reason, you'll just have to use your imagination.

As I was saying, my room (and the rest of the hotel) were very nice. So nice in fact many famous and/or important people have visited the hotel and have had their pictures taken and plastered on the walls throughout the lobby. (This is where I would put a photo of a cluster of pictures to include Angelina Jolie and Jane Goodall). My room had a nice view of the pool and the Indian Ocean past that. (Yep another picture you don't get to see).

After our arrival and night hanging out with the CCE, we made plans to go to a beach Sunday morning. When we woke up Sunday morning, Sarah met me at the stairs and looked miserable. I told her she could just sleep it off on the beach and proceeded to drag her to our awaiting ride. We drove to the ferry and rode it across then proceeded to drive to the beach. When we arrived, Sarah promptly headed to the bathroom for about the first half hour. When she came out she was all splotchy with hives and was shaking. The CCE called the embassy nurse and we promptly raced away to the Embassy. Fortunately it was the weekend so the fact we were all in our beachwear was somewhat acceptable. Sarah went back to see the nurse and the rest of us waited patiently (no pun intended) for a couple of hours while the nurse fixed her up. The rest of the day, we spent lounging around the hotel and not fully enjoying all that Tanzania had to offer. Thanks Sarah!

Monday we (including a slightly healthier Sarah) went back to the Embassy and met the Ambassador, Deputy Commander of Mission, the Defense Attaché, some USAID folks, and my PA counterparts on the Public Diplomacy staff. The embassy had a 9/11 ceremony, I had to do some work, and we did a lot of waiting around, then we left for a late lunch.

After lunch we went to the woodcarver's market to do some shopping. We spent an hour there but I didn't buy anything. Oh I saw lots that I wanted to buy, but I decided I would make mental list of the things that I wanted to include a beautifully carved coffee table and toy chest.

If I hadn't slept since my trip, I would remember what else we did that evening, but it's a little hazy. I know I went home and worked on a press release and did some things for the HOA representative's speech.

The next morning we left early and headed to the embassy to meet up with the rest of the group. We headed to Msata for a clinic dedication and were greeted by a large boisterous crowd dancing and singing. It was quite a spectacle (this is where I would post some more pics). There were Masai men jumping up and down straight-legged and getting some serious air time.

Okay, not to get off topic, but I've been working on this post for a couple of weeks now and am seriously not getting it done. So to make a long story short, everyone made their speeches, we stopped at a restaurant on the way back to Dar, I had a picture with the ambassador (insert pic), I spoke to some reporters on the bus ride back and we finally left the embassy after waiting around forever.

The next day we checked out of our hotel and waited in the lobby forever until the CCE returned from the embassy and some errands several hours after the planned rendezvous time. We raced over to the woodcarvers market and did some power-shopping. I'm not so good at haggling prices, so I got taken a few times. I didn't have time to purchase and arrange shipping for the table that I wanted, so I ended up with a pocket full of Tanzanian Shillings that I have yet to exchange back into "real" money (insert pic of Monopoly-like TZ money).

We arrived at the airport and found out Sarah and I were now seated in first-class for our trip to Addis. It was very comfy and I certainly understand the appeal for those who can afford it. (insert pic of glass of champagne). We arrived in Addis late in the evening and rode via a limo back to the Sheraton. Checked in and went to bed and woke up early to head back to the Airport.

Arrived back to Fabulous Djibouti and stabbed myself in the leg with one of the Masai spears I had packed away in my luggage. Fortunately, it was disassembled and wasn't actually the metal tip, but the sharpened staff that the metal tips would be affixed to. It was just a flesh wound; I'm okay. Thank you for your concern.

When I got back to my office, my work replacement had already taken over my job. I've now been jobless for a couple of weeks with only menial tasks to by my time. More on that later I'm sure. For now, just know I'll be heading home soon and looking forward to getting back to the "New World" (as Omar liked to say--he left a week ago).

I'll try to post again before I leave, but it may not be until I get home.

Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin',

Marty