When I initially read the Wildlife Connection volunteer orientation packet and, particularly, the waiver form, I was almost overcome with fear about my impending trip. The forms mention seeing snakes and even a crocodile or two! How would I possibly manage to avoid these creatures that – at least in my imagination – would be waiting for me around every turn? Would I ever be comfortable in the place that was to be my home for almost three months? Or would I always be scared and waiting for the next creepy, crawling creature to appear? But even though I was afraid, my desire to see Africa – and most importantly, elephants – and to contribute in some small way to their conservation far outweighed my fear.
So I set out for Iringa and beyond. Within the first week of my arrival in Tanzania, all my fears dissipated. Living here is not at all as I had expected, and there have been many times when I have been pleasantly surprised. Sure, sometimes we see a baby snake or a mysterious looking bug, but it has been wonderful to spend almost all of my time outside and to be so connected with the environment around me. For example, on days when we have a few hours of downtime, I often head out for a walk. Seeing Tanzania by foot is a treat. In addition to taking in the beautiful scenery, I often share friendly greetings with Tanzanians as they go about their days. When the other volunteers and myself walk through the villages, many of the children run out to greet us, waving their arms frantically, huge smiles on their little faces. No matter where you are, Tanzania and its people always make you feel welcome.
At our camp in Pawaga, sunrise walks are almost as peaceful as those at sunset. The clouds are painted in striking colors, and because it is the rainy season, I have seen a handful of beautiful rainbows. And while the days are hot, the river that runs right by camp is a perfect way to cool off as well as a great place to play frisbee. My absolute favorite part about spending most of my time outside is the night. Since I come from a large city, it is very difficult to see more than a dozen stars at night. But the first time I walked out into the night in Tanzania and looked up to a clear sky, I caught my breath. Hundreds, if not thousands, of stars light up the sky each night. And there are many nights when all the volunteers eat and laugh under the stars.
For me, Tanzania has changed from an intimidating land of unknown creatures to a place full of beautiful surprises. I feel lucky everyday to be able to see so many new things and to be able to spend so much of my time connected to and learning about the environment around me. Although new places can be daunting at first, my experience so far has taught me a lot, not only about the environment of the Southern Highlands in Tanzania, but about myself. And I know that once I return home, every time I look up at the sky at night, I will miss my time here.
~Amanda Woomer
