Tuesday's Tanzania

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Safari, Day 3 - Seregenti and Ngorongoro.  But before we begin some background on "Just who is that German couple following us around?"

Now, first, you need to understand that Tanzania is a large country - 364, 898 square miles to be exact - coming in at the world's 31st largest country.  Not a very small place where you would just be running into people you might "know" on a regular basis. 

On our trip over, we had a layover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - where we found out the hard way that once you go through security for your gate, there are no amenities other than restrooms and the overcrowded gate seating areas.  No restaurants, shops, vending machines....just a long wait at the gate with limited seating.  Fun :)  We were sitting at our gate and being the rude Americans that we inadvertantly were, had placed our carry-ons on a seat next to us.  A couple approached us, both strikingly attractive, and motioned to our bags which we immediately removed and smiled at them (attempting to amend the "rude Americans" appearance) as they sat down next to us.  They talked quietly so we couldn't quite pick up the language or accent.  We finally boarded our plane to Kilimanjaro and didn't see them again...or so we thought...

Our third day of the safari continued in Seregenti with some incredible lion pride sightings.

In one area were some lionesses and the cubs...

...and, a bit further down the road, the lion of the pride, was off alone, mating time, with one lioness.

                                              We also saw two leopards - which are sometimes difficult to find.  These pics are my favorites from the day's sightings.

As we were heading down the dirt road out of Serengeti National Park, we came upon a safari jeep from another tour company parked on the side of the road with its hood up.  We pulled along side it, and Swalehe jumped out to talk with the other driver/guide about what the trouble was.  Glancing over at the passengers, we saw....yep, you guessed it - the couple from the Addis Ababa gate, now standing in the back of the safari jeep, shading themselves from the hot afternoon sun.  They recognized us, smiled, and waved.  We waved back, started laughing, and explained to Andrew the connection.  Swalehe returned after a bit, saying that their jeep was having some engine difficulties, but the guide thought they would still be able to make it - but Swalehe had left his cell number just in case.

We continued on to the Ngoronogo Crater - my favorite of the safari sites in terms of scenery. The crater is:

a large, unbroken, un-flooded caldera, formed when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed some three million years ago. The Ngorongoro crater sinks to a depth of 610 metres, with a base area covering 260 square kilometres. (http://www.ngorongorocrater.org/craters.html)

 After driving around the crater's rim and a few zebra sightings,

we headed for our lodge (remember that we arranged for an upgrade after last night's tenting experience). :)  We stayed at The Rhino Lodge and found it to be the perfect match for us - although we still knew we were really "on safari" when we were shown our room and told to be sure to lock the porch door due to the possibility of wild animals at night, including lions -- and when we came out of our room after dark to go to dinner, we found that the central courtyard was blocked off with guardrails, protecting the walkway in front of our room doors from the possibility of any straying animals. 

Dinner that night was an incredible buffet of American, European, and African cuisine - and a wine list, yes!  We were just settling in with our first glasses of wine and going over the day's stories when a heavily accented "Hello" greeted us - yep, it was "them" again - the same couple from Addis Ababa and the broken down safari jeep earlier that day.  The woman explained that at first they had tried running the jeep back on "one piston" (?) but that gave out, and their guide finally had to call for someone to come get them (we later learned that Swalehe had rescued them and brought them to the lodge).  I was beginning to think we were being stalked, lol ;)  We guessed that the gentleman perhaps did not speak English as he never spoke - just smiled, nodded.  Hubby later explained that from the accent and bits of conversation we gathered from the jeep stop, they were probably German.  After that third encounter, I told hubby if we met again, we were going to have to ask for names and email addresses.  The following week when we were awaiting our flight in Kilimanjaro I really half expected to run into them again - or in Addis Ababa for our layover - but no, third time was the charm, I guess. We'll never know the rest of the story - at least not on this trip.

Next week - "Circle of Life" in Ngorongoro

The Times, They Are a Changing...Maybe?

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I watched this past week, along with many around the world, the new ceremony of a papal retirement, complete with helicopter, Mercedes, and waiting summer castle for the now "pilgrim beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this earth."  And I will wait and watch as the Cardinals gather for the conclave, the process to determine who among them should lead the Catholic Church from this point forward.

Any selection of a new pope is an historic event and one that usually occurs infrequently in one's lifetime.  The historical, liturgical, and ceremonial curtains shrouding the process add to the sense of mystery and yes, even, holiness, that seems to surround the conclave and its actions.  The public awaits for the sign of smoke to appear from the small chimney atop the Sistine Chapel - hoping for the white smoke signaling that a new pope has been selected.

Yet, this time is different in so many ways - right from the very beginning.  Yes, first, we see a pope "resigning" - stepping down - "retiring" - not keeping his papal title until death as every pope has done before him in almost 600 years.  And yes, this comes at a time when the leadership of the church is swirling amid investigations, accusations, rumors, confessions, and even further resignations of leaders for moral conduct issues.

But, as an almost life-long active"church" (non-Catholic) member (of various Protestant denominations), as growing up with a best friend in the Catholic church and given the opportunity to attend Mass with her family and finding great peace in the liturgy and sense of holiness I experienced, as a full-time lay worker in the Lutheran church for more than 10 years where I found a close connection through the liturgy and communion to the spirit I felt in my early experiences in the Catholic church, as one who now identifies herself comfortably as "spiritual but not religious" having not found another church home after serious issues with leadership in the Lutheran church, and having now married a hubby who says he is often referred to as a "cafeteria Catholic" as he officially finds the church to be his home, but is not in agreement with many significant issues, we are both watching and waiting through this conclave with many greater expectations.


We are hopeful that this will be a time for significant change in  what we would like to call our church - what hubby still calls his church.  I can't call it my church yet as right now as that would require for me to acknowledge that my first marriage never existed (an annulment, not a divorce) and that my dearest three children were not born in wedlock - I could never agree to that.  My hubby would have to agree to the same regarding his first marriage and his son.  We will not abandon our children for the sake of the church.  Yet, in order for me to commune and be one in community with the Catholic Church as it exists right now - that is what is required.  I can, and have, attend mass - and yes, the liturgy still draws me and moves me.  But when I am not welcome at the table, I feel cut off from my Lord - and from the community that surrounds me.  This is a major change we hope the new pope will embrace and lead the church through.

The other point I struggle with greatly is the exclusion of women leadership within the church.  In my adult years with my church journey, this is an exclusion I have experienced and "traveled" through first-hand.  My early experiences with the Lutheran Church were through the Missouri Synod, an ultra-conservative group which does not permit women in leadership (no women pastors, no women elders in some churches, and in some congregations, still women not having the right to vote).  This was such a difficult road block for me, along with several other conservative stances, that when first presented with the invitation to be confirmed into the church prior to my first marriage, I declined.  A few years later, following the birth of our first child, and upon meeting a much more liberal and open-minded pastor, I agreed to join the church.  However, when our growing family's journey took us on a move to New York, we discovered an even more liberal LCMS congregation where women in leadership were welcomed and encouraged, and communion was open to all.  I knew at that point there could be no turning back for us, and when several years later we found ourselves back in the Midwest, we sought out the more liberal ELCA, the Lutheran Church which ordains women, welcomes all to the table, and now, as of 2009, is a body of welcoming congregations - ordaining LGBT men and women.

You can imagine our hopefulness when we heard the news  that Argentinian Cardinal Leonardo Sandri spoke out saying,

"The role of women in the world has increased and this is something the Church has to ask itself about...They must have a much more important role in the life of the Church ... so that they can contribute to Church life in so many areas which are now, in part, open only to men ... This will be a challenge for us in the future."

So, yes, we are, along with much of the world, watching and waiting, with greater expectations this time.  Will a new pope mean status quo for the Catholic Church?  Or will this truly be a chance for a new Church, a Church for the 21st century, a Church ready to embrace everyone and call all who will listen.  We are listening.

Friday Feature - Orion Designs

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I am SOO excited about today's feature artist, Vicki Potter, of Orion Designs, as she is one of my "oldest" (as in longest) virtual beading pals.  I took the very beginnings of my jewelry designing to the internet market via Etsy in June of 2007 and "met" Vicki through one of the Etsy teams soon thereafter - besides being an incredible artisan, I've found her to be a supportive and inspiring friend during challenging times and one of those internet friends I would really like to meet in person some day :)  Welcome, Vicki!

Explain the story behind your shop name.

I selected the name Orion Designs because that constellation seems to follow me wherever I go.

Explain how and why your work has changed in the last  years.

My jewelry style has changed much in the past 5 years. I used to focus on bead earrings and strung necklaces. Now I work primarily with gemstone briolettes and sterling silver wire.

What influences your work?  What motivates you?  How do you find your muse?

I’m influenced by the beauty of the gemstones that find their way into my collection. Freshwater pearls are an item I use a lot as well. I am motivated by their natural beauty. My muse? Well, she comes and goes.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I love working at my own pace in my own space.

What is your favorite piece in your shop right now and why?

This labradorite necklace features a large slab and some pearls woven in a manner I had never done prior to making the necklace:

Vicki's work can be found in local shops and juried art shows if you are in nearby....Alaska! For the rest of us, aren't we lucky to know that her beautiful jewelry is just a click away in her Etsy shop, Vickiorion.  You can also learn more about Vicki and her adorable dog, Jet, by following her blog, Orion Designs and "liking" her page on Facebook, Orion Designs.

Remember, "Friday Feature," is a highlight available to artisans/bloggers who follow this blog - just become a "GFC" (Google Friend Connect - in the right hand column) and I'll forward you the information.  If you know of someone you might like to be featured, let them know about this opportunity!    

Have a great weekend, everyone!  I got some new beads in the mail this week - hope to find some time to exercise the muse myself :)