UNREAL

I just got back from a 4 day safari adventure and it was UNREAL!  My experience was seriously indescribable.  I am blown away at the majesty of our King!! I am left speechless by the beauty of the Serengeti, Ngoragora Crater and wildlife!  I don’t know of any other adventure that I can take that will top this experience.

Here is the breakdown of our weekend :)

We left for the Serengeti Saturday morning.  This was quite a long trip but we passed through the Ngoragora crater and did a bit of a game drive!  I was so surprised to see the difference in environment between the Crater and the Serengeti.  The crater looked more like a jungle forest.  With lots of greenery and palm trees.  It was very tropical.  And then we went to the Serengeti where it seriously was the Lion King.  Tall grasses, random rocks and acacia trees galore.   We stayed at the Serena Serengeti Lodge right in the heart of the Serengeti.  Right in the heart of the Serengeti.  Where leopards, wildebeest, cheetahs and such pass through the property.  This was wild!  The lodge was incredible!!! Our rooms were little huts that were made out of grass roofs and solid wood.  It was something that Hobbits would live in.  Our view from our room overlooked the Serengeti where we were able to see a heard of elephants with our binoculars :)  Breathtaking!  I have to admit, the best part of this lodge was not only that we had super clean rooms but also we had awesome showers!  The shower head was seriously a foot in diameter and it was HOT!!  This was delightful :)  The food there was also top notch, especially because it was a buffet that catered to the americans.  There was tons of potato choices were defiantly a nice change since I have been eating rice all day everyday.  At night they had a acrobat show that was so legit.  They but cirque de soleil to shame.  I sat in the very front row and they got up close and personal.  One man did a routine that ended with him doing a handstand on top of a wood table, two chairs, a board and 3 bricks on each side of his hands standing on their sides.  All while doing a head stand.  He was about oh...25 feet.  To make this even more extreme. He quickly through the bricks to the side (so they fell on the ground) and he was still standing on his hands.  Blew my mind! Haha  Since we were living in little huts, we needed a guide to walk us from the main lodge to our rooms at night.  This is because we are IN THE WILD where wild animals just roamed.  One of our guides said that the night prior, he saw a leopard and her two cubs around rooms 5-15, and we were room 47 haha this hotel gets some action.  However, our guides are not equipped with the best defenses mechanisms.  All that they have his a jumbo metal flashlight to shine in the animals eyes.  I guess that is all that it takes between death and life haha.

Actually, our awesome safari driver Moses, spotted the leopard probably 100 yards from our room the next morning.  It was crazy cool!

For the next two days we explored the Serengeti!  We got up close and personal to a bout 2 million zebra and wildebeest.  We witnessed the Great Wildebeest migration where tons and tons of wildebeest head to the southern plains I believe, and the zebra tag along :) There were miles and miles of zebra and wildebeest.  We drove right through them all.  We also saw lions, leopards, cheaters, impala, dicdic’s, elephants, giraffes (my favorite) and nasty baboons.  

On the third day we left at 6:30 for an early morning game drive and made our way to our lodge at the Crater.  Again, this lodge was breathtaking as well!! Our view overlooked the Crater where we could see flamingos in the water :)   We were also in love with the showers since they had water pressure!  My hair has never felt so clean since I have gotten here!!  These two lodges were seriously 5 star places.  I was so spoiled and didn’t know what to do.  Our waiter put napkins on our laps for us during our meals,  the bell hop guy wouldn't let us pick up our bags...and we never knew weather or not we had to tip haha  During our safari ride in the crater the next morning we were able to see some rhinos from afar. This was a pretty cool thing since rhinos are becoming extinct and are only pretty much found in the crater.  We also spotted 1 Mufasa and his lioness’s.  One of the lionesses apparently got a kill, and as we were driving up she was laying in the shade of another safari vehicle that was watching the scene.  It was crazy!!

This whole four day adventure was unbelievable and unreal!  I still cant believe that I was in the heart of the Serengeti seeing all of these animals that we have only seen in the National Geographic photos, like the famous picture of the hippo pool and the lake with all of the flamingos...yep I got to see those in real life!!  It was wild!!  I highly recommend everybody to take this safari adventure!  The places that we stayed at were soooo wonderful and accommodating and the safari drivers were such a hoot and knowledgeable.  I learned so much about the wild! Haha

Well now I am back in Arusha preparing for the next 3 days of teaching then I will be off to another adventure, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro :)

xoxo

On the edge of the Crater

Just cruising through the Serengeti 

Our room looking over the Serengeti

Moses and his peeps for the weekend :)

"Mini pride rock"

Our view of the Crater from our room

Arusha is growing on me!

A lot has happened in the past two days but I have come to the conclusion that Arusha, Tanzania is growing on me.  I am starting to appreciate the environment :)  Yesterday, was the first day that we walked to school by ourselves and we were SUPER NERVOUS!  (I filmed our trip to school today but it was too long of a trip that I only got part of it :( )  With a prayer of safety and protection we journeyed to Assumption Primary School.  It normally took us 22 minutes to get to school, but yesterday we were at a record of 17 minutes haha  The walk wasn’t too bad, there were lots of laughs among us which helped ease our nerves.  After school yesterday and today, children have walked with us for most of our trip home walking hand in hand.  The locals are starting to be friendly (in less of a creepy way) and there are no more salesmen hasslers!

To the teachers:  going off of my last post I mentioned that the students didn’t know how to do the problem 103-78 since they didn’t have a conceptual understanding of place value.  This was a challenge because I didn’t intentional meant to give them this problem and since I gave them the problem I can’t ignore their lack of understanding.  So then the question arose is to weather or not to open this can of worms and teach about place value in one day when 45 out of the 47 kids know how to do the procedure of subtracting triple digit numbers correctly.  I am finding this to be the case for numerous other subjects as well, where the students are directly taught and never told why something happens.  This is a struggle to watch and to teach in a environment like this.  The students are awesome tho, and the past two days we have had the chance to play with the students after school.  It’s great to see these little men and women be kids :)  The children have warmed up to us quickly and I am constantly being “petted” ALL DAY!  Can’t say that I hate it though ;)

I have also noticed that the teachers enjoy our company just as much as the students do.  We sat and talked to them after school one day and it was great to hear their perspective on life!  They found out that I was engaged and they were soooo excited for me!  It was crazy, I definitely wish I would have video tapped it.  Reid bought me a lovely $8 ring from Kohl’s that had little ‘xoxoxo’s’ that go all the way around it, and they thought it was my wedding band and they were freaking out!!!  I seriously had to show every teacher in the school.  They couldn’t believe that I had a much prettier ring back at home.  It was pretty cute :)  It was like I was living the engagement all over again! Haha  The teacher ladies proceeded to tell me that they have dibs on all of my single guy friends at home because “the Tanzanian men are all liars and cheaters!”

Neema, the teacher that I am working with, wants to show us around Arusha and meet her family at home next week.  It is neat to start building relationships with the Tanzanians.  Neema is awesome and we are now Facebook friends.  We are rafikis :) haha

Today, we went to the bookstore where I bought two third grade text books to take home.  I couldn't believe on how cheep they are.  They were 3,000 shillings which is roughly $1.80.  Unfortunately, the schools cant even afford these textbooks for every student!  I can’t remember if I mentioned this in an earlier post, but the schools have nothing!!  They have little exercise books and a skinny little textbook.  These are the only materials that they have besides chalk and a chalkboard.  No classroom libraries, no scrap paper, no pencil sharpeners (just razor blades), I haven’t even seen any crayons or colored pencils.  These schools are so poor!  They playground is simply black stone.  They don't have a jungle gym, simply a tiny ball that is made out of plastic bags surrounded by rubber bands.  They also use plastic water bottles as a balls :(  We really are spoiled living in the States.  

Today we donated some frisbees that we brought and had a game day where we played games with the kids outside.  We did a high jump where the teachers held up a rope and the students had to jump over it.  I am not kidding you, our second graders were clearing the rope and like lower rib high.  It was crazy!!!  

We went to my favorite restaurant here tonight,  the Blue Huron, and had the best meal since I have been there!  Good ol’ american food :)  Abby and I split a chicken schnitzel plate and a hawaiian pineapple pizza.  So good and I am currently soooooo stuffed!!  

Tomorrow morning at 9am we are heading to the Serengetti and I am so excited!!  We are going to be stopping at the Great Rift Valley, Ngorongoro Crater and a Massai Village.  This is going to be an awesome 4 day adventure with some much needed down time!  Lisa (our professor) keeps us extremely busy!!  I am not sure if I will be getting internet at our hotels so in the case that I am not,  love ya all and I am doing very well!!  Already rocking a farmers tan woot woot :)

xoxoxo
A little something extra that you all have been waiting for ;)

The Assumption Primary Group

Shannon (co-teacher), Meghan, Lauren and Me

Desperate for affection

Habrari!

So these past few days have been filled with much excitement!  Yesterday was the first day getting into the schools and today I taught my very first Math lesson in Africa!!!!

I am teaching Standard 2, grade 2, at Assumption Primary School where school starts at 8:00 and ends at 1:05 :)  We have the wonderful opportunity of walking to school.  The walk to school is about a 20 minute walk down the street, then right on another, than right on a muddy dirt winding road to the school.  The past two days we have had a personal escort to and from school to keep us out of trouble.  Tomorrow will be the first time without the comfort of a Tanzanian guide, so this should be interesting!  The route is pretty busy but the locals are starting to recognize our existence and realize that we are going to be staying for awhile!  The salesmen, for the majority, keep their distance! Haha

Assumption Primary School is a Catholic school, where the headmaster is Sister Agnus, and she means business.  The staff there are very welcoming and always let us know that we are free at the school and are at home.  It is a very young staff which is cool because they have many plans and places that they want to take us to around town.  I am cot-eaching with a Missouri State University student and the Tanzanian teacher that we are working with, Neema, a 23 year old Tanzanian who is awesome and doing some great things in her class!!  All of you teachers out there listen to this:  She has 47 students, no reading materials, no copier, no pencil sharpeners, no technology.  Simply only chalk and a chalkboard and exercise books.  She is wonder women!  She does some brain gym activities without evening noticing while also doing a lot of whole brain teaching where she is constantly asking the students a question and they have to respond with the answer for at least three times.  Due to the lack of resources, a lot of the day is spent with copying work from the blackboard.  In class exercises and homework exercises are both copied by the student for every subject.  This is very time consuming!! She does use the switch which was interesting to witness, but the kids are very well behaved! 

The math lesson that I conducted today went very well!  It was mostly a review about double borrowing with 3 digit subtraction problems.  However without knowing I gave the students the problem 103-78 which was a challenge for them because they don't have a conceptual understanding of place value.  So tomorrow will be interesting :)

Today, we also went outside with the kids during lunch and went to a orphanage.  My take away from the day is how desperate the children were for love and affection.  A simple high five,  a “good job, nice work” or a wink during school, made the kids sit up a little straighter with a huge smile and were so proud.  These kids are so lovable and have so much love to give.  They really respond well to affection :)

I am getting super excited for our 4 day safari trip this weekend! 

Definitely miss some good ole’ american food though.  All of these flavors and different foods are really making my stomach ache.  The past two nights I have stuck with eating some carrot soup :)  Im ready for a big ole’ burger and meat to chew on!! Haha

All is well in Africa :)  

Xoxo

BRING A RAIN JACKET!!

Mambo (Hi),

By plane and bus, 25 hours later, I finally made it to Arusha, Tanzania.  I was greeted with a nice warm rainy welcome! Stepping off the plane onto Tanzania ground felt so surreal!  I don't know when this reality will not feel like I’m living in a dream.  It is so crazy to think that I am in AFRICA!!  Our bus ride from the airport to the Outpost Lodge was pretty extreme.  We were able to pack out 26 people into this teeny tiny bus (including most of our luggage).  The tanzanian drivers were literally throwing our luggage on the roof of the van.  And these suitcases weighted 50+ pounds!!!!!   Unfortunately the roof of the van could only hold so much, so we packed out our van with not only people but with luggage as well.  Unfortunately, pictures are not allowed to be taken on the airport grounds which is a bummer since we looked like we were ridding a little clown bus.  The ride into the Outpost was such a dark ride.  There are not many street lights so seeing Africa for the first time was mostly our imagination. 

Our accommodations here at the Outpost are wonderful!  Our room has a little outdoor sitting room that we share with the two girls that are living next door.  My room mate, Amanda, and I believe we have the best room!  Our room totally exceed my expectations.  I was thinking that we were going to have dirty floors, dark wood walls, cold showers, unflushable toilets....  we have nice clean beds, hot showers, maid service everyday, a kettle (for boiling water to make oatmeal :) ) and a toilet that flushes!! I would definitely come back to the Outpost Lodge for other travel adventures.  Also the food is great! 

Waking up today, Monday, I immediately opened up my curtain and was blown away by beautiful greenery!  The nature here is so beautiful!! We were even greeted by 3 little monkeys as we were playing euchre this afternoon.  Definitely felt like tourists as we were hustling and pulling out our cameras to take a picture! We went to a lovely restaurant, The Blue Heron, for lunch in the city where a friend and I split a pizza (oops gluten...)  and a chicken salad!  The pizza was sooooooo good and way better than the airplane food that we were starting to get used to!  The cheese is unreal!!  I don't even want to know what kind of milk the cheese is made of...if I could I would bring some back home! Haha The chicken slaw salad reminded me of Gram Nicholson’s salad.  It was literally anything they could find from their garden, I loved it and it was nice to find something from home :)  

We also did some city exploring. 

Lesson for the day:  Always be prepared for rain!!

I was definitely not prepared physically and for what we were going to experience in the city.  It was a beautiful day this morning, so I did not bring my awesome green raincoat that my fiance bought me or my awesome hiking shoes.  This was a poor decision because it ended up raining for pretty much the whole time we were walking in the city :(  Luckily I was able to borrow a raincoat from a friend! 

Holy smokes, the city is definitely not what I was expecting.  Actually this whole environment and atmosphere is not what I was expecting!  I was expecting there to be dirt roads, a pretty small quiet city...this was not the case!  Arusha reminded me of the streets in Honduras.  Where there were tons of people, people just standing around not doing a whole lot, trying to talk to you and SELL YOU things.  These salesmen are pretty extreme and it is extremely exhausting to continuously say ‘Hapana asante sana’ which means ‘no thank you’.  They don't take no very seriously and I guess being a westerner we don’t say no that harshly.  I was kind of suckered into a wood painting/picture.  I say kind of because I actually wanted one but just not today.  Haha but I bought this beautiful picture made by the Masai village people for 19000 shillings which is roughly $12.  It is handcrafted and absolutely lovely!  After we visited the Masai market we headed to a Conga shop.  A conga is a big piece of fabric that women use to wear or they use it to make dresses, pillows, blankets, bags, backpacks...ect.  This was a teeny tiny little whole in the wall with fabric from wall to ceiling.  Since it was pouring out we fit 27 people in this small place where we were to buy congas.  This was overwhelming with people bargaining for their congas, trying to move around each other, getting hot and sticky and then the power went out! Haha Kind of hard to pick out fabric when it is dark!  It was a tad bit too crazy for me to even make a decision so a friend and I decided to come back another day!  

The city was crazy and definitely missed a hand to hold on to walking through the city (aham Reid babe :) )   Walking through the city reminded me of the time where I was young and walking through Chicago with my family.  Kind of nerve racking!  I haven’t taken hardly any pictures but I promise I will take some more when my senses are not heightened by all of the new things! 

Tomorrow is our first day of being in the schools so I am getting pretty excited!!  More to come!

Much love!

xoxoxo

Here we go!!

Jambo! (Hello in Swahili)

Well, my name is Sammy Holman and I will be leaving for Arusha, Tanzania in less than 6 hours!!  This blessing and adventure could not have been done without the help of being a recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship!  This international scholarship has provided me with the opportunity to go on a safari, or journey, to Tanzania where I will be teaching elementary to school aged children at Assumption Primary School. In addition, we will be touring Tanzania by going on numerous safaris, climbing a portion of Mount Kilimanjaro, visiting a Masai market, taking Swahili lessons and helping out at a local orphanage.  

I am filled with so much emotion right now! Anxious, nervous and excited for the unknown.  However I am looking forward to this Safari but also looking forward for my return!  

On this blog, my hope is to post a video of some of my daily adventures at least every other day.  Please feel free to check in with me using the blog!  Thank you for your numerous prayers for my safety and peace!

Kwa heri!  (Goodbye in Swahili)

xoxoxo