Sunday, July 26

Ok - did write update and even attached some pictures but eventually accidentally deleted as I became frustrated because it would not send. We spent yesterday on safari in Tarangire national park. It was amazing and as the kids report - their best day ever. Haylie's favorite were the zebra, Dan's were the elephants and lions, Ali likes the wart hogs, especially the four that came right up to her tent, and Anna loved the wilderbeasts. Lucas least favorite animals were the elephants (ask him why!) We saw literally hundreds of elephants, a sunset we'll never forget, so much more.

The lodge we stayed at is in the park itself - no fences here so we shared our spaces with all sorts of creatures. And the food! After 10 days with no variety and well, not that great shall we say, we were in heaven. The tents were luxury compared to the guest house and we enjoyed every minute.

We stayed up as late as possible in the main open lodge area talking, laughing and looking at the stars. We marvel at the five kids who spent the time on this trip playing cards, talking and laughing. No TV, electronics, sounds, or distractions. Many of us got up to watch the sunrise. We have all been so glad for the group, and feel a bond after sharing so many experiences. I'm sure we'll bore many of you with inside jokes for years to come.

Dan tells me he is coming back here in November with me or without me, and on every trip to come! He won the hardest worker award at our mini ceremony - he just didn't quit. All of the kids deserve awards (and got them from John last night!). What we found so wonderful was that they never complained despite conditions that were less than comfortable, or worse. Even Ali who was our one person out of fourteen who had a day of stomach sickness (yesterday) handled it like a trooper. She is fine and great today.

The girls in particular were such a great example of what girls can do as they become young women, so strong, open and smart. The Sinai school Year 6 and 7 (ages 12-14) girls wrote letters about being a girl here. Almost all said in their letters how much they were affected by our visit and our girls here, how they will miss us and loved seeing them here. And Lucas - you could not walk about the school without hearing the cry; Luuuuuccaaaa. Oh I am sure you will hear it in the halls at Woodland Hill. Sorry in advance. He said he'd like to stay forever playing soccer with his new friends. All of our kids will have to come down from rock star status, but will always be welcome here.

Speaking of rock stars, the kids made a poster for Felix. He shall have thousands of votes from Tanzanian ballots - this trip would not have been the same without the fun we've had with Felix.

Almost finally for those reading this and considering a future trip. It was as rewarding as anything else to see the expressions of the parents looking at their own son or daughter with such pride and emotion. We had every combination, mother and son, father and daughter, some with both parents and one with her parents at home (waiting for updates?). There will be trips here once or twice a year and I encourage you to consider.

We have invited the head of school and Jason Kahembe to come to our school and community for World Water Day and plan to coordinate our Water Club performance and auction at Proctors for that day if we can.

OK need to pay attention now we are on the road to Lake Manyara. We will safari in a different ecosystem today and hope to see some hippos. We had a rare sighting of 3 hippos yesterday. First for our guides in that park out of 25 years. We have picnic lunch and later will head to Kiliminjaro airport.

Thanks for keeping up with our trip! See you soon, Karen.