Let's talk about what makes the ideal place to live. Perhaps after several weeks of fog, one begins to contemplate emigration to a warmer climate. What makes a place special? Is it the geographical location, the people (or lack of them), the type of house (cave, boat, tipi, etc.) or the weather? Whether you would like to live in the centre of a metropolis, in comfortable suburbia or alone on a windswept mountain come along and exchange points of view in English on Thursday at 4pm or Friday at 7pm. For mere details please go to the information desk.
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"Out of Africa" - Memoirs of Tanzania"
Talking about “the ideal place to live”, I would like to share with you one of the best experiences in my life. Well, some years ago, in 2006, one of my dreams came true: to visit Africa and, in this particular case, Tanzania. Lots of photos and infinite memories. How to define my African experience? Surprisingly easy, really. It can be summarized in a single word, one that visitors will hear a dozen times daily, no matter where they travel in Tanzania, or how they go about it: the smiling, heartfelt Swahili greeting of “Karibu!” – Welcome!
Tanzania is known by its magic mountains, its vast extensions burned by the sun and splashed by the impressive baobabs (the trees of life), its volcanos that soar from the centre of the earth, its enormous prehistoric lakes surrounded by wild animals and, what is more important, its people full of mystery and ancient customs. The sights are spectacular and I say with sadness that I may not return so I would like to treasure this instant in some place where I could recall it and re-live it through these emotions …
Tanzania is where you’ll find Serengeti, Ngorongoro or Tarangire National Parks, Manyara Lake or Zanzibar – names that immediately conjure up the breathy tones of David Attenborough:
"I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills..."
Do you remember Meryl Streep pronouncing these words in the film Out of Africa? Although I am not Karen Blixen (as you know, the writer of the book, and the main character in the movie), nor do I have some lands in the continent (although part of my soul is there), I will try to tell you my experience, even though I am sure that any of these words or pictures will convey the feelings and mental images that I keep.
To see the sunrise on this very special land is a unique moment …
The aboriginal look of the people or the intense colours of their lands were sinking into my deepest heart and, without being conscious, I was getting lost in this thought: the desire of dreaming Africa that was living in the deepest of my being and the company of the simbas (simba means "lion" in Swahili) made me feel that time had stopped.
In the loneliness and the silence I discovered a new country in my soul. I could see the life of the nomadic Maasai tribesmen in their manyaras (the typical huts), their women with their incredible adornments … this world that runs parallel to my own and that I ignore constantly …
From the highest part of the Ngorongoro it is possible to observe the whole crater, with his 22 km from diameter. It is a striking vision … in the center there is a salty lake, the Magadi, which contributes a spectacular beauty. A backwater of peace that he invites to the reflection and the silence. During the day I see zebras, magnificent giraffes, elephant, impalas, ñus, ostrichs, monkeys, hyenas, big cats, crocs, buffalo, hippo, rhino – as well as all sorts of apes and birdlife, like flamingos, and even a magnificent lion. We are lucky to see a precious leopard female with her baby, resting in the branch of an acacia. I do not get tired of looking at it and the harmony of the image will not be able to take form of a photography; it is amazing!
Words do not exist to describe such a grandeur; it has to be lived to experience these instants out of the time. It is since like I have seen it often in the documentaries, but here and now it is impressive, the contemplation of the cycle of the life.
Here it finishes our adventures in this incredible country.
And if you are interested in knowing a bit more about this magical and incredible place here you are, one video produced by Tanzanian Tourist Board with the aid of European Union:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg8fuc1_-d8
I hope you enjoy it and, maybe one day it will encourage you to visit this breathtaking place that I strongly recommend you.
Elena Herrero
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