Aging is the extraordinary process whereby you become the the person you always should have been.

Dave Bowie

Day 5:Well this is interesting. Began yesterday with another drive about, again with lots of animals and birds , but this time add in the lots tourists. The day called for and acknowledged a long drive When asked Simon how far he had difficulty answering and now I know why. Basically last 2 hours was 4 wheel driving. But began on highway heading west to see the eastern rift rising above the Savannah’s. Lunch before the climb was near a beautiful waterfall but could see little of it die too hot outside of forest and in the sun.

Then began a steep climb I estimate some as steep as 20%. Very windy then down the rift into the valley at about 1600 meters whereas high point was at 2000 meters (6200 feet) and the park yesterday at 1200 meters. Wondering if road is passable as worsening, at one point Simon saw a fellow sleeping on side of toad and asked him if road was passable to the health clinic where we wanted to drop medical supplies from Esther. He said yes but still some in other car opted out of one section and walked it. Clinic closed as it was Sunday but somehow they found head village officer and he accepted the gift.

Then a road at what they called the swamp, rough although drivable. Then onto “hadza ” land finally at camp just after dark, after a very rough drive. Who know/ how far the day was. GPS says 80 km from last night but long drive. Dinner and the locals had killed a genet cat in camp. And we ate it.

Slept to a rain storm, our awning came off during night when stake’s ripped out which then covered door keeping it dark until after we had dressed and opened door to find it light outside.

Day 6: Off to a hadza camp to learn hunter gatherer life. Dug out tubers, shot arrows and and I was able to stop a tree in its tracks from attacking us I got up to 20 feet which was close enough. Just missed it by inches as close as the kids (maybe young teens ) who shot from 100 feet. They demonstrated how to make a fire, just with a stick. They took their time explaining it, so took 4 minutes to finally light the grass. I failed at my attempt to start fire although I did get smoke from base of turning stick. Off to collect honey from some trees with bees. Nice. One hive inside the baobab tree had already been taken when the one fellow braved going in. Probably another Hadza family a bit ago.

Now in siesta, which was nice to have a break and from the go go activity. Afternoon the Hadza came to our fir and demonstrated making arrows. Dorobo had brought some nails and they were pounded out to make arrowhead. One nail 15cm(6”) makes two arrowheads. The stick from a local bush charred in fire , bark peeled away, straightened, and ends made flat where arrowhead drilled into end and the other end feathers fastened with ligament. The builder makes decorative marks and we now have our own arrow.

Up to top of rock above camp with all, for “sundowner” then dinner and bed. Tomorrow we hunt

Hunt was good although no results, although our hunter, Jeanne and I did travel a bit. 5 k (3.4 miles)

Maybe 10 arrow shots although only maybe 4 real potential. Did bend 3 arrowheads when hit rock. Mostly Hyrex (a non rodent closed related to elephants, looks sort of like a rabbit.) Simon before we left gave us three hadza words so we could sort of communicate. Because my memory at language is horrible I wrote them down. “Semama” is stop. “Cambini” is camp (like return to camp)- and “pole pole” is slow down. All one needs to know to communicate while hunting with someone who speaks no English.

Most interesting seeing this culture. A hunter gatherer group in is true sense. They are nomadic hence have no address. (A problem for census takers) They do no preservation as no way to store food if moving. Apparently one of 5 or 6 remaining hunter gatherers in the world. Dorobo our tour company has worked a system with them. Basically barter but not paid and we are warned to not give them anything. It is a cashless society and sharing. In our case Dorobo brought the nails for arrowheads and some beads. They will go into town for some items traded. The kids can go to boarding school if desired, but one fellow after school came back because he liked the life here better. And a happy people always seem to be laughing. Akuma Matada (no worries),

A evening up on rock sundowner. Questions back and forth between Hadza and us Simon and founder translating from English t9 Swahili and Hadza. Our hunter wanted to know if Jeanne /nd I saw the leopard prints. And another wanted to know about problem of Israel and Palestine and if Jesus looked like us. Then after dinner they presented us with sons and dance.

Ok enough of this. We had a day of driving and time to enjoy this resort. Sorry for the mid editing and such but a busy place