Day 12: Final day in Arusha, Tanzania

JOURNAL ENTRY BY BRIAN MEYER

Today was filled with mixed emotions because it was our last day together. On one hand we’ve grown closer as friends and every day brings new adventures and memories. On the other hand, we can’t wait to get back home to see our families and our own beds. Before we all part, we spent some quality time together.

We started the day with our usual breakfast buffet at the hotel. Then Chris, a local who works for YoungLife, drove us to a wildlife preserve (a zoo of sorts). The place specializes in reptiles so it was crocs and snakes for us! We were able to see all types of snakes including spitting cobras, pythons, and the infamous black mamba. We were even fortunate enough to arrive in time for feeding. Later on, Steve was attacked by a vulture and Johnny and myself were able to hold some snakes. It was special to see their efforts in protecting these reptiles and the diversity of species just in Eastern Africa.

After seeing the reptiles, we took a tour of a cultural center dedicated to the Maasai peoples. We learned about the average life of a Maasai from birth to death including important ceremonies and milestones in Maasai culture.

Afterwards we left and headed back to the hotel for lunch and our final meal together. Keith and Cole had left the previous day so it was just Drew, Steve, Johnny, and myself. Steve and Johnny left at 3:30pm for the airport. We met them in the lobby and said our goodbyes but reassured each other that we’d keep in touch. At 6pm, it was time for Drew and me to leave. While our flight was delayed, we reminisced about the trip and what the future holds for us. While we had the same flight to Amsterdam, we knew we weren’t going to see each other for a while given where we were seated and our layover schedule. We said our goodbyes while boarding.

I’ve delayed writing this blogpost as I struggle to accept that the trip is over. While it will be nice (very, very nice) to go back home to our own beds and to see our family and friends, I can’t help but feel a bit of melancholy knowing the adventure is over. Whether it’s playing soccer with little kids in Lehgo Village or the tribulations of climbing Kili or all of the laughs and serious conversations in between (mainly laughs), I’m confident that this adventure made us countless memories and friends for life. It was even more special spending that time with my fellow brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Phi Alpha!

Signing off until our next trip.

Pamoja Pamoja. Together Together.