The Flight In: Volcano, Yellow Fever, and the Maasai Dog

Volcano: Flight to Amsterdam became flight to Detroit, then Amsterdam - leaving 2 hrs earlier. This was inexplicably due to the volcanic ash from the Angry Sister in Iceland. Mmkay. Had to scramble to leave. B/c of the delays, and upon the advice of both my mom and a very maternal Delta agent, took both bags as carry-on. Didn't empty the bag initially intended for checked luggage. Got stopped by gigantic red headed TSA agent called Kinner who proceeded to remove everything out of said bad and confiscate bug block and contact lens solution. :( Best part: I packed ink cartridges+ flavored salt + electric plug adapter/ converter into a neat little box that apparently looks exactamundo like a bomb from the scanner. So it was not one but 3 guys digging through my underwear. They tested the salt. Took a half hour. F#%^ volcano.....

Yellow Fever: 19mins to landing in Kilimanjaro. My neighbor in window seat suddenly curses and discloses that she forgot her yellow fever vaccination card. Me too. Frank - you have to mail me this unless you want me to stay in Tanzania. Please.

Maasai Dog: Landed in Kilimanjaro and took shuttle bus (with removable "Ambulance" sign) to KIA Lodge. Gorgeous little hut. Hot shower kicks ass.

Hut inside:

View out in the morning:

Crazy bird in breakfast cafe:


Breakfast was in an outdoor cafe. I have never seen this variety and quantity of birds. Apparently something like 70% of all birds in East Africa are in Tanzania - or so I was told. I believe it. This bird had been zooming around all morning. Wild blue color. Like a giant bluejay with an orange/red chest. Fearless little thing.
















On my way to breakfast and while I was waiting for the shuttle back to airport to catch my last flight (to Mwanza) I met the "Lodge Animal." The cutest dog ever (except Dave.) Name is something like Katika. Attitude is something like dalmatian on meth. As I tried to take a pic with her and the Maasai working at the lodge as porters/greeters, she kept trying to play.

Maasai dog!!!

(P.S. Check out the dude behind me to my left. Bad Maasai, baad!)