Our Last day in Africa

Today is election day in Tanzania! We have seen many campaign posters and we've even had some Massai children educating us about the hand signs for the two main parties. A "thumbs-up" symbolizes support for one party, a peace sign shows your support for another. At first we were confused why the children kept grabbing our hands to change our finger positions until  it was explained to us. Apparently there is a Massai woman candidate running in this election.

We have no safari plans today so Issa is picking us up late. We are visiting another Massai village and then we are heading to Arusha to check in with Judith at Ajabu before we leave. We are planning to do some last minute shopping along the way, hoping that Issa gets back in time to vote.

First stop—a Massai village. This time we did't have to dress up. I was so glad because it is sooooo hot when you are wearing (and dancing) with all the layers.

Massai women

Massai Children

We ended up passing through many small villages and towns on the drive back to Arusha. Polling stations were scattered throughout. It looked like everyone was dressed in their "Sunday best" in order to cast their vote. 

Polling station in the field

Since most of today we are on the road, we took as many random pictures from the vehicle as possible.

 Many of the dala-dalas that we saw throughout our stay were named. Not sure if this was a way of identifying the actual vehicle or if it was more whimsical. This one was named "Brain", and no, hanging on for dear life to the outside of the vehicle is not legal in Tanzania!

We stop to eat our boxed lunch outside a large curio shop. Another last minute chance to do a bit of shopping. Sitting on the patio, we get swarmed by a bunch of "wild" kittens. We couldn't resist feeding them some of our chicken...(I know! I know! don't feed the wild animals...but cute kittens!!!)

Back on the road to Arusha...

We arrive in Arusha around 4-4:30pm. Issa checks in to head office by phone and finds that Judith and Gert are out of the office. We arrange to meet them outside of a store in the down town area. When we meet up with Judith we start to relate all the experiences we've had in the last 6 days then it really hits us...next stop is the airport to go home. Since our flight doesn't leave until around midnight and our tour with Ajabu is officially over, Gert makes a suggestion that we hang out at the Kia Lodge for the next several hours. The lodge is only 3 minutes away from the airport, and for a small fee the lodge will drive us to the airport when the time comes. Judith makes a short phone call to make arrangements and after several heartfelt goodbyes, we are back on the road to the airport and lodge. At the lodge we hit the outdoor bar, took a swim in the pool and had a great meal (soup included!) The lodge had a large shop dedicated to Tanzanite gems. Unfortunately it was closed :-(

Pool @ KIA Lodge

Pensive moment over dinner and Kilimanjaro beers