Paper Plane Girl: December Visitors

Wow! Times have been busy and I feel horrible that I have not been keeping up with my blog. Happy New Year!
 I was very blessed to have my two friends from home and my sisters 
visit me in Tanzania. We had a busy itinerary from hanging in Kenya, 
swimming in a local hot springs, safari and celebrating New Years on 
Zanzibar! The trip was not as smooth as I had planned. There were many 
hiccups a long the way that I personally did not care about since I am 
use to the life in Africa. Things never go according to plan and you are
 always on someone else's time..."There are no hurries in Africa." But I
 did feel horrible for my visitors who are very use to the efficient and
 fast lifestyle of the good ole U.S.of A. There is no idea of customer 
service, rushing or even effectiveness here. You just have to take 
things in stride. So though the trip was filled with many adventures and
 hopefully memories, I also hope that they understand the ease of life 
here but also how complicated things can be. Pole Pole is the way to go 
which means, "slowly slowly." Instead of getting stressed you just have 
to deal and know that things will work out as they always do but maybe 
just not when and how you want them to. 

Additionally,
 my friends and sisters made me realize how much I have changed. I think
 I used to be very much attached to my smartphone, being connected and 
luxury living and trust me, I will probably swing back into all that 
when I am back in the U.S. but now I love reading a book outside instead
 of reading trashy blogs, I use a simple phone that I can only dial and 
text message on and I love being in nature and camping instead of 
staying at a 5 star hotel. I truly live a simple life here that is 
uncomplicated, cheap and unpretentious. I love knowing that I do not 
have to put on make up to leave my house, how friendly people are and 
for the most part everyone has your best interest in mind. Though I am 
excited to go home, I am in no way ready to give up my lifestyle here.

While my friends and sisters were here we did the following over a 2.5 week span:

Visited masaii land and had tea with the Masaii
Went on safari through Serengeti and Tarangerie and saw lots of animals
Camped in the Serengeti and saw an elephant and lion outside of our tent
Went swimming at maji moto - a hot springs in a local village
Went clubbing at Via Via
Spent some time in Nairobi and went to an elephant orphanage, giraffe sanctuary and the mall!
They met my two favorite cab drivers Fred and Jimmy
Donated food to a baby orphanage for the holidays
Went to Stone Town and maneuvered through the alleyways and got some food from the seafood market
Had some lazy beach days at Kendwa beach and counted down to 2013 on the beach!
Had local food at Nick's pub
Enjoyed happy hour at TGT and watched the sunset

Karibu to view the photos. The rest will be on facebook. As I write this I am now in lull cause my visitors have been gone for less than 24 hours...I was on a high and I am now on a low. I miss my sisters deeply and their visit made me realize this. Only a few more months until I am home. Love you and thanks for visiting!