Karibu tena everyone!
It’s going to be a busy month, we just came back from Serengeti, finished finals in four days, and now we are heading to the city, Arusha, for our fall break! Arusha was so much fun, we got to explore the city and visit the main attractions, experiencing it all with friends! It was a 3 day trip full of activities!
Day 1: snake park, camel ride, and waterfall hike
we got to see some of the deadliest snakes in the world
After 2 hours of driving, we arrived at Meserani Snake Park where we saw over 50 of some of the world’s deadliest snakes! This snake park is used as a tourism attraction, in addition, it has used their money and resources to open a free medical clinic for the local people. It was absolutely amazing getting to see these venomous snakes, crocodiles, birds, and turtles (we also got to hold some!) After spending some time enjoying these animals, we were able to visit the Maasai Cultural Museum to see the amazing artifacts and stories the guide told us about. Then, we saw CAMELS! They were offering camel rides, where we got to ride a camel for a quick ride then we got to feed and pet its friends for longer! The camels were definitely a highlight!
After a busy morning interacting with animals, we had an optional activity to go to Mount Meru Waterfall Hike! This was one of the most beautiful hike I have ever been on. When we first arrived to the location, we were shook with the amount of green around us, admiring that scenery and laying out on the grass was definitely a moment when we realized that we took grass and the greenness of nature for granted in America. As we were hiking, we found raspberry all throughout our path. So, we had to grab some to eat as we continued our hike. An hour in, we found the big waterfall! When we saw that waterfall, all we can think about is going under it and enjoying nature… even though that might have not been the safest thing to do, we did it and NO REGRETS, it was absolutely beautiful! and SO WORTH IT!
After we dried up, we enjoyed Tanzania’s night life by going to get Mexican food that we’ve dearly missed then went to Karaoke night.
First time getting to hold a snake (don’t worry it was a nonvenomous snake)
My friend Abby was holding this snake peacefully until it got stuck in her hair good thing friends are always around to help out and document the moment 🙂
Some snakes were cute and super cool up close 
Little baby turtles are the cutest! 
So beautiful each one of them has such unique shell pattern but they were all equally attacking those veggies 
Breath taking moment to see this powerful creature in real life!
This one looks so wide because it has probably just ate its meal and the Nile crocodile can survive several months on one big meal!
Just hanging out with my buddy!
It was so much fun hanging out with this camel! 
On top of the world for 2 mins!
Felt like a queen
Making our way through the woods to get to the waterfalls!
Enjoying nature throughout the way 
Still happy after walking into a waterfall and getting fully soaked 
Lucy being so one with nature
After a long day, Karaoke night with friends
Day 2: cultural heritage center and shopping
We spent our second day in Arusha at the Cultural Heritage Center. It was basically a beautiful art museum with unique art. There was a number of paintings and wood carvings that were one of a kind. That art was breathe taking, as in some of the paintings, traditional fabric and beads were used to illustrate a certain image. We were also able to learn more about tanzanite and the process of making them into jewelry. Later that day we went shopping in the Maasai market, where we made lots of friends, bought souvenirs and beautiful fabric. Then, at night, we went to a beautiful outdoor restaurant at the Njiro complex, where we had so many options of types of food, a dream come true for people that have not eaten out for 2 months.
This place was huge and each floor was so different from the other!
Some of my favorite painting at the exhibit
Such unique techniques to creating these beautiful pieces
My absolute favorite in the building, the artist incorporated tradition kitenge fabric in their artwork to illustrate the nature and traditions of this country
-fun fact: my friend recognized the two birds on the left because he owned that fabric!
Again, combining fabric and painting so much creativity!
Not only did I walk through 5 stories of beautiful artwork, I come it to this!
Doesn’t this look so real! It’s all carved out from wood, so much detail!!!
Again the diversity of artwork in one space was mind blowing for me and my friends… would definitely recommend visiting if you ever have the chance!
Day 3: Shanga Workshop
On our last day, we went to the Shanga Workshop which is a glass and craft workshop that employed Tanzanian with disabilities. We had the opportunity to see their glass artwork and hand weaving processes. After visiting and buying goods from this place we made our way to a grocery store for some American snacks and candy then it was time to go back home and get ready to start our research projects!
The beginning of the process to make a vase 
Melting glass and shaping it was so cool to see!
Look! it’s morphing into a vase ready to be in a home!
Well this trip was definitely AMAZING to say the least! It was so fun to shop, enjoy nature, and experience creative art forms over these couple of days!
Until next time,
Baadaye