East Africa Bliss 2011

Friday, March 18, 2011

Land Rover 109 ambulance, and Philip.

Story's from one of the unique and wonderful people I had met on the trip.

Story of the Land Rover 109 Ambulance:
First something about me. My name is Philip Scherer, i am 23 years young and from Germany. In the moment im living in Himo/ Tanzania for one Year. I am a volunteer in a small Hospital in Himo. When I was arriving in Himo and was having a first look on the environment, I was seeing this Car. It was something like love on the first sight. The Car was a Land Rover Series 2a 109 modificated to an Ambulance. Unfortunately the Car was grounded, cause almost everything was gone, broken or something worse. Inside the Car was living two Chicken and at last two or three huge Spider (Vogelspinne) I was going to the Doctor and asked him about the Car and his planes with it. His words were exactly like this: “If you want it, take it. I don`t want it any longer as trash here” So the Car was mine. I and a very good friend of the Doctor named British were starting to wake up the old Lady. After two Weeks the Engine was running and after three Weeks the Car was on the Streets again. And now, every day and every time I have a little money, I repair something on the Car. Also I have sprayed it completely new. So it is looking like a brand new Car. And the big plan for this piece of English Engineering is to go with it to Germany, on the Road. This trip will take me almost 3 to 4 Months. A friend of mine, Cora is escorting me on this adventure. The journey will bring us to Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, (Jordanian, Syria, Turkey) Italy, Switzerland and Home, Germany. I hope the Car is still strong enough to go with me, but I belive in it ;-)
Greetings from the crazy Deutsch- Guy (Jay called me so)
Philip

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Location:Homo, Tanzania

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

East africa bliss comes to an end.

From the start of the trip with the Ndome / Njihia family of the rift valley I knew this would be great. From milking a cow ( observing the milking of the cow). To a train across to mombasa that had a cattle car derail. A mansion for backpackers, being stuck without money on an exotic island where the largest danger was to be run over by a donkey.
Mutatus to daladalas. Being squished into all and any transportation. Getting sick for 48 hours only 60 feet from the beach. Feeding monkey bananas , and wandering the fish market of Dar ES Salaam. Even was pick pocketed while walking past a bus stop. Was quite creative and did not at all bother me to loose the 7000 tsh I had in my pocket. Meeting wonderful local and foreign friends. Taking a dive in the Indian ocean.off Mafia island. Boat, bus, train. A motorbike around zanzabar. Car ,taxi ,mini vans ,walking , hiking. The homes made of red dirt and stick. Bartering for pretty much everything. The king of the jungle to the the queens of the homes. This has everything.

This is africa.

My African family

The pre school who loved the toys. Hi Elvis.

Looking for toys or candy from the other travelers. Really enjoyed handing out the toys to the kids thank you again friends that contributed. The kids all loved them.

My first African monkey call something babies.

Local shipping company

Backpackers with style $ 2000 us a month for rent.

My lovely friends in Mombasa

The backstreets of the old city

A ferry boat to Lamu island

A skilled fish monger.

Steven my guide and friend of lamu

Local union 101 shop Steward taking his required break.

The day trip .. Lovely

Lunch on the beach with the catch

Zanzibar football hopefuls

Seeing the island on your own speed.

Dala should die but won't

About to dive off into mafia islands clear blue waters

Smiles abound

Germans, Germans, Germans, oh and a Dutch boy.

Woman here carry everything. You have to have a healthy respect really.

The falls of kilimenjero

Pack of the ladies.

The baby stays very close to her mother.

The king is here

The night in Nairobi it is always alive.

Agnes on the right with Maggie on her right. They both stayed with my mother in Manitoba ad again was my host for when I returned to Nairobi. It is such a wonderful feeling to be greeted when you a in a far off land. Thank you again my Kenyan sister. Hope the matatu ride home was UN eventful.

THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY BLOG. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED COMING WITH ME ON THE TRIP. THANK YOU TO FOR THE COMMENTS.

CHEERS
JAY

Location:East africa, Kenya, Tanzania

New friends are everywhere

My new friend Dr Sextus Kormba

he is a local veterinarian and works with the Jane Goodall foundation. I was at the Internet cafe and the service went down. We started to chat. He has had an interesting life. I asked about what it is like to be a vet in Tanzania. He told me people do not care for there pets like we do at home. He does charge based on the money people may earn. For him to come to your house may cost 5000 tsh. Yes this is only $3.50. So you can imagine why he works for the wildlife foundations with the government and take other contracts. He is married with three children.
Bernard, angel, and benadicta. His wifes name is Leonilla.

If any of you have any connections with veterinarians he could use some surgical equipment used is just fine. They are hard to get here and the costs are very high. He was kind enough to walk me to the bus station and help arrange the bus to Nairobi tomorrow morning. $10 for a 5 hour bus seems reasonable to me. Booked the suicide seat again.

If you have any connections at all Sextus is now my friend on facebook please feel free to contact him. He joined me for a lovely lunch at the meeting place beside the Arusha museum.

I could see so many business opportunities in this country but getting rid of the corruption must be a large challenge. We chatted for a few hours about life. He really loves his country. Many people want to know how your trip was in Tanzania. It really does matter to them that you enjoyed yourself.

Location:Arusha, Tanzania

Last day at the crater

Last days in Tanzania could not have been better. The safari was a great success we saw some wonderful country and amazing wildlife. No fences ,gates, or barriers. No signs posted all over the place. Their were rules and the drivers were strict about them. Every person we spoke to had a different experience. We waited for the black rhino to get up but no luck. Missed a cheetah kill but saw a lion lounging with a bunch of rovers.

I would could come back to Kenya and Tanzania again. My Swahili is getting better and understanding the currency is key "ni bei gani "is how much. Always good when dealing with public transport or gift shopping. Now back at Massai camp site just outside of Arusha. Ticket for bus purchased, clothes washed. Looking at my 2000 plus photos and feeling pretty damn good.
The blog was fun to do and I hope it makes you consider the road less travelled stepping off to the unknown is really pretty exciting. Now where to next? Can anyone think of a way a person can make a living while wandering around the planet? If so please please let me know.
My final blog will be posted on my way home. An overview and some things that may have been missed. An overall view of the east coast and interiors of Kenya and Tanzania.

THIS IS TANZANIA.

On the edge of the crater with the boys

The hyena after a meal. notice the blood stained around his neck. They do not often kill but come after to eat the remains. One guide saw hyena try to take a bite of a lion kill when the lion was still there. The lion hit her in the head once and killed her. She had three small babies he did not hurt them. Do not mess with the king.