We bawled our eyes out after taking this photo as everyone went through customs, got their passports stamped and waved final goodbyes.
After we said goodbye we bargained for a taxi back into the city. We did laundry in the sink in the afternoon. We ate bright red, spicy chicken and french fries at a street stall in the evening. We fell asleep to the sound of our ceiling fan spinning out of control, afraid it would eventually fall on top of us. These things have become normal. Walking down the streets of Dar today we navigated streams of sewage and rain water. We bought small sweets while we waited for the Dala Dala to take us to the bus park. We bargained in Swahili and bought ourselves 2 tickets to the Mozambique border. Always moving…tembea, tembea.
In some ways, nothing has changed. And yet, everything is different. We miss you guys. We miss looking across the dinner table and laughing with you…talking about anything under the sun, telling you to do your laundry, asking you about your values. We miss having clear purpose each day; You gave us that purpose. We miss the energy that you feel when 9 people get excited about the same adventure…how much more fun EVERYTHING becomes when your friends are present.
We’ll continue to miss all of you throughout our Africa journeys and will think of you often. Mia and Fred, we thought of your incredible Swahili bargaining skills as we bought our bus tickets today. Duncan, you would’ve loved the coffee we found this morning. Lilly, you should’ve been at dinner with us last night. Natalie and Becca, even you wee ones wouldn’t have fit in our crowded Dala Dala this afternoon. Becky, thanks for lightening our packs…we think of you every time we pick them up.
All of our journeys continue. Fred will move to Denmark for University. Duncan will return to South Africa to work at a National Park. Becca will continue to work on becoming a PA while juggling a demanding job. Natalie will head right off to University beginning THIS spring semester. Lilly is heading to South America to study Spanish and work at a summer camp. Mia will try to get some R & R before beginning rigorous academics at Williams College. Becky’s heading to Madagascar for another semester of adventures.
We will work our way through Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa over the next 2 months before returning home to finish the dog-sledding season in northern MN.
This East African journey has been incredible…a gift. We feel so much gratitude to all you friends and family out there who let us claim your kids for 3 months. We couldn’t imagine better students, friends and fellow travelers. Take care of them as they return to you…and pull up a chair…they’ve got some incredible stories to share!
Guys, you’ve always got family in MN. Think of us as we travel down the East Coast of Africa…we hope our adventures lead us to YOUR East Coast hugs someday soon. We’ll keep you posted.
Much gratitude and love,
Greta and Dan