Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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Ok. So it’s month 7. We’re all a little tired. We’re all missing home. And I am no exception. I want Zaxby’s and Wawa hoagies, not rice and beans. I want my cute sundresses, not one of my well worn 4 outifts. I want my hair to be in its ringlets, not frizzy, crunchy and under a bandana. I want real coffee, not instant, and showers that don’t come out of buckets. I want silence!

That’s where I’m at. Enter Tanzania Safari Awesomeness.

We got quite a deal for a one day safari because we booked with family friends of the owner of the place. That, along with some birthday money (thanks Dad and Lizzy!) allowed me to join along on this crazy adventure. We still weren’t really sure what we were in for, though, until we arrived at our lodge.

It. Was. Unbelievable.

First of all the food. Watermelon, cinnamonon buns, french press, quiche, broccolli! Broccolli! I haven’t seen that in months! Our dinner was served in a dried up riverbed with candlelights and peach cobbler for dessert! We ate with a church group from Minnesota so there was no language barrier.

Then there was the room. Caley and I got to stay in the honeymoon suite because it was the only available room. Gorgeous. Hammock and couches, which ps apparently no one else in the world uses couches except Westerners. A real toilet, not a squatty potty and a hot shower completed the unrealness of the place. I almost cried when I saw the shower. Plus, I used two fluffy white towels!!! Two!

Before dinner, we went on the actual safari. We ended up going on 2 safaris, one when we first arrived and another early the next morning before sunrise. Tons of beautiful giraffes, zebras and antelopes. We saw warthogs, jackals and yes, lions. Lots of lions! Even adorable cubs! It was incredible, as we sat on a rock drinking our afternoon tea and watching the sunset. Unreal.

My favorite part of the excursion was the next morning, though. The night before a worker at the place had asked me what time I wanted to be woken up. My initial reaction was “Sir, I’m an adult. I can wake myself up, thank you.” Or so I told him until I realized that they woke you up with a cup of coffee. Immediately, I changed my tune. At 5:20 am, I woke up and was handed a delicious cup of coffee made exactly the way I like. I sat on our little couch under the stars and just sang worship songs and reveled in the silence. Silence. The Race is never silent, but that morning was gloriously quiet.

When we left, I could truthfully say it was the most luxorious 24 hours of my entire life, not just the past 7 months. But it was exactly what I needed. I feel rejuvenated and excited and ready for the next 4 months! Here we come Uganda!