It’s funny how people in this little town called Mazabuka were all a-frenzy about celebrating Valentine’s Day. Up until last Saturday (two days after Valentine’s), girls and guys all over town were parading their fancy red outfits on the streets, buying windmill lollipops and planning romantic dinner dates with their loved ones. I didn’t really expect that from a whole population that rarely makes a big deal out of birthdays, anniversaries and the like.

Not that I was ever a big fan of Valentine’s to begin with. But this year, it was somehow even more difficult for me to grasp that we were in the midst of another “red letter day”. This, perhaps, is due to the fact that I’m still dreaming of pristine white sand and endless beaches under azure skies on lazy, yuletide days. I’m still hung over from my Tanzanian Holiday.

The thing is, since my housemate Inge and I got back from our 3-week vacation last month (January 12), we barely had time to dust off our feet from our long travel. Instead, we plunged head on into a sea of work and social commitments (and household chores!) faster than we could even say, “We’re back”. Soon, the blur of activities had me wondering if those three weeks spent soaking in the Tanzanian sun actually did happen. My friend, however, was quick to point out two proofs that we didn’t just dream up our vacation: (1) my ultra-tanned skin, and (2) the gazillons of photos we have from our trip.:)

No arguments there. Our pictures speak for themselves (but do permit me some comments…can’t help talking about our adventures:D):

December 21-23: Zambia (Mazabuka-Lusaka-Kapiri Moshi) to Tanzania (Dar-es-Salaam), Aboard the TAZARA Express

48 hours on the train? No sweat! It was actually a pleasant ride. Witnessing the changes in landscape as we crossed the Zambian border and went deeper into the Tanzanian countryside made the long hours cooped up in a small cabin worth it. Plus, seeing all those magnificent animals—elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes—in the wild was a real treat. It was like going on an inexpensive Safari! In fact, I consider the whole train ride to be one exciting adventure in itself.:)

December 24-December 30: Zanzibar, The Spice Islands of the East

Beautiful beaches and endless shorelines. Sumptuous seafood and exotic spices. Coconut trees and a variety of tropical fruits. A Filipino Christmas Day celebration. Huge tortoises and a “tour group” (Inge, Sharon, Alexandra, Earl) gone crazy. Old stone houses and narrow streets. Beaches, beaches and more beaches.

It really felt a lot closer to home.:)

December 31-January 6: The Kilwas

14 hours of travel through rough roads. 6 nights of camping in an ant-infested site. 2 historic islands visited. Countless “ruins” admired. A total of 8 hours of sailing via the dhow (local fisherman’s boat). 3 ventures into the town market. 2 books read cover to cover. And lots of lots of time lying on the beach, under the Tanzanian sun!

Now, that is what I call a “holiday.”

January 7-January 12: Dar-Es-Salaam and nearby towns

After living in a municipal town for 8 months, Dar-es-Salaam seemed to be one big colourful urban jungle to me! They had tall buildings (i.e., more than 3 storeys…hehe), nice restaurants and cafes, and posh shopping centres too (think Eastwood or Greenbelt 3). There was also a myriad of things to choose from everywhere—food, spices, clothes, footwear, accessories, fabric…you name it, Dar has it! I find the people genuinely warm and friendly and the language (Swahili) so much easier to learn than Tonga. Plus, I find it a wonder that we weren’t ripped off as much. Bargaining with taxi drivers, shop owners and marketeers for discounts (in Swahili, mind you!) was so much more fun in Tanzania than in Zambia where all the prices are jacked up 3x as much for muzungus (foreigners).

Aside from exploring the city, another visit to a nearby beach (Kipepeo Beach), a frenzied ferry boat ride (almost a stampede!), a tour of an old colonial town with a “slave trade” past (Bagamoyo), and a series of gatherings with new friends (Inge’s old pals Vera and Pete; Earl, Ricky and the Filipino community in the Oysterbay area) made the last leg of our vacation well spent.

January 12: Dar-es-Salaam – Lusaka – Mazabuka

As the cliché goes, time flies fast when you’re having fun. That certainly holds true where our holiday in Tanzania is concerned. All too soon, I was back to the reality of my placement. No complaints though. Like the Tanzanians say, “Hakuna matata!” After all, we did have our three weeks of fun.:D

~ pol, 02/17/08