Act one of corrupted do-gooding . . .

Up early, maybe 6.45, packed and headed to breakfast where I sat chilling reading, reading me book and having a few servings of the local oatmeal, mmm yum yum yummy.

After I comletely packed I sat and painted my nails which judy finds funny.

I joined rox and shermin for a nother cuppa then headed to the street with stephan to go and view the rice field that was maybe 300meters away crossing over a railway track and past the farmers and children. On the walk back saw rox and sher so walked back down with them. I love how the scarecrows are made outta plastic bags and the fact there is a huge solid gate stood proctecting nothing as it has no walls attached.

Back at the hotel we sit and wait, pick up was meant to be 10 but I think it was closer to 12 maybe by the time we left.

All aboard the car and I sat in front, off to arusha. And deary me there are a hell of a lot of speed bumps on the way, even enngland has no where near as many in a row.

So maybe 90mins or so, listening to the radio which is amusing as it has old old songs on it, bringing back my youth, the music I was brought up on by the parentals.

Once at arusha we checked into outpost hotel. Here I got a twin room, where my roomie isn't joining til 2am ish as she is flying in from heathrow.

So after we all dump out stuff I sit round the pool sunbathing til we gather and sit down for dinner, and are all pleased with our accomadation. Its a quirky little place and it serves good food, always a bonus.

We also meet our new guide for the safari part of the trip, his name has temporarily slipped my mind. But he is an energetic enthusiastic kinda guy who is a huge joker and has a laugh that makes you laugh.

So after a couple hours for dinner and everyone has started hitting the beersn I possibly couldn't in this heat, we head off to the tananite centre.

Here we are given a tour, as they hire mutes and deaf africans to make jewerlly from recycled glass. It is to support, show and educate locals not to keep their children hidden away from society and deprive them from an education, as they are still capable of working and learning if they are mute.

So they recycle glass and make it into beads, which is then made into necklaces and braclets. So I purchase myself a braclet in a do-gooder way to support the cause, while the others decide which piece of tanzanite they will purchase. After a trip to the loo, which is luxury, huge with a setee in it, I lie outside on a bencgh with big beautiful cushions.. After they discover that the card machine isn't working we head back to the car, as noone is carrying a couple of grand cash in their back pocket. The centre is a lovely layout and peaceful, once in the car we head to the city centre where we are dropped off. I venture off alone while the rest stick together going to the bank to sort out money.

I was a bit dissappointed to see that all the stuff you can buy is exactly the same as in kenya, I thought there woulda been a difference. So its all wood carvings, paintings, spears, and everything based around the masai people jumping or the safari animals.

So I get some bananas and a corn from the street. And oh my oh my oh my, the corn is so incredibly dry, all the chewing I need a jaw replacement.

Back at the hotel I have a nice hot shower, pop on some make up and head to the 6pm gap meeting. We meet two new guys in the group-david and olic.

I thought it was going to be a 30minute meeting, 2hours later we are still going over the same ground and I've ran outta paper to doodle on, I don't know how everyone had the patience to sit so quietly.

So then it was tea time where I had some amazing pumpkin soup with heart shaped bread, everyone else tucking into their steaks! I musta headed to bed arounded 10 where I chilled listening to my ipod and reading the book judy had given me. I dropped off to sleep and my roomie never arrived, so was nice to have an undisturbed sleep.xx