The God's must be crazy! Erin told me Africa was a cold continent with a hot sun, and hot it is! Admittedly, it was cool in the night in Arusha, cool enough for a blanket, but most of my experience to date has been HOT and DRY! It i time for another update on this trip, and each time I have tried in the past, the power goes off and I have lost my email. Darn!

I have been overhelmed by the sights, sounds, and smells which I have encountered on this journey. My first impression, outside of the stifling dry heat, was "This looks like an image straight out of National Geographic!" Such diverse cultures, all living together, and seemingly well. The coastal areas were more heavily influenced by Islam, and although it is evident here in the interior, it is not dominant as it was in Dar. I have to admit the Muslim women were

marvelously welcoming and bond well with other women...and had me clad in habibi in no time at all...it really isn't bad - if it is an option - I found it to be cooler than clothing that touched my body, and my hair was wet and sweaty, so the veil just covered it up...I think I would get tired of solid black after awhile - but it is the arabic women whom are in solid black...the african muslims wear beautiful colors.

I have gazed down paved streets in the city and dirt streets in the towns, focusing my attention on women clad in colorful dresses carrying baskets of assorted things on top of their heads, men pushing carts made of wood and old car tires, and tall lithe men with cloth draped across their shoulders who were obviously Maasai.... and yet, with all of these images, I didn't know anything more that what I saw. I felt like a kid in awe, and was reminded of Kevin as a young boy as I wanted to say "Lookie,

lookie!" And I have looked, and listened, and still have so much to learn...which includes Swahili, which everyone speaks. The people here are very quiet, and are persistent touts for their tourism industry. Everyone in Moshi has a brother or a sister that can provide anything a visitor might want,,,except a few minutes walking down a street alone with one's thoughts!

Erin and Pat will leave tomorrow to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. For those of you who are not into ascending the worlds peaks, it is higher than base camp at Mt. Everest, although statistically 80 per cent of those who attempt to climb it are successful. They are climbing without Dioxin so I am hoping all they are successful, and do not succumb to altitude sickness. Erin and I have not exceeded 14,000 ft in the past, and were quite burdened by headaches and nausea at that altitude. Obviously, I am not climbing this one!

Instead, I am headed with a donkey and an armed guide into the Lake Eyasi region to attempt to visit with the Hadzabe. I saw the film "The Gods Must Be Crazy" with my kids when they were small, and still recall how fascinating this indigenous group appeared to be, with their clicking language and the non-violent approach to life. Who knows, I may even learn how to hunt with a bow. So, I expect I will be hot and sleep will be elusive, but I will come away in a week with a new experience, and an understanding of life in that area which is better than what I currently have...

Erin, Pat and I wil hook up again in 10 days or so and go on safari together, which should be incredible! I cannot wait for that experience! On an aside, my photographs have been limited to those sneakily taken from my hotel balcony or a bus window, so as to avoid offending anyone by focusing on

them. My family and friends tire of that enough as is, and they know and love me... but I hope to catch more, both culturally and of the wildlife.

Well, that is all for now. I will send another update when I return from my visit with the bushmen and rejoin Erin and Pat....and have a good hot shower!