Mount Meru Poo

Just outside the noisy, dusty, crowded city of Arusha lies one of Tanzania’s great National Parks, Arusha National Park. It is not as grand as the Serengeti, and most tour books say that it can be visited in one day. But Jeremy and I were eager to get out of the city, so on Saturday morning, we packed our bags and took a daladala to the outskirts of town…

Yes, we took the daladala. We quoted a few excursions with tour operators, who wanted to charge us $200 Round Trip for transportation to the park. But with some research, we learned that the daldalas go out to the small village of Usa River for 1000 TShs round trip (less than $1!). So Jeremy and I each forked over the equivalent of 50 cents and began our journey. Once at Usa River, we took a taxi (they line up and prey on white tourists!) to the Meru View Lodge. Again, another score. The hotel said they could pick us up in Usa River for $5 one way trip. Our taxi only cost 5000 TShs, which is about $3. We certainly don’t blend in, but Jeremy and I should NOT be mistaken for ignorant tourists!

Meru View Lodge was great. Listed in Lonely Planet as a “great value” option, we think it was pretty damn nice. Our reservation included three meals each, so we enjoyed lunch upon arrival. I had my first serving of ugali, Jeremy had chapatti. We were both in heaven. Ugali is kind of like polenta, only more dense. And seriously, I cannot get enough of the peas and carrots in Tanzania! Amazing. Jeremy’s chapatti was almost like a burrito, so of course, el fue muy content. Afterwards, we lounged by the pool and read all afternoon. It was amazing to listen to birds chirp instead of the damn dogs across the street barking. And the rooster next door crowing. And the recordings of chanting from the mosque around the corner…

Around 7PM, we enjoyed a three course dinner. Cucumber soup, skirt steak and potatoes, and a frozen banana chocolate dessert. We also had some wine. Then we went back to our room, settled into our bed, closed the mosquito nets, and fell asleep around 9PM. No television, and we’d already spent the day reading. It was a much needed relaxing day. And it was awesome.

Until about 3AM. Jeremy woke up and wasn’t feeling well. Seriously, I could hear his stomach squirming and churning and being quite disagreeable. And just like in Peru, Jeremy got sick with what I like to call, Traveler’s Runs. Poor guy. He felt pretty terrible. So terrible that we had to cancel our camel safari through Arusha National Park on Sunday. So terrible that we went home to Arusha and he just lied in bed all day. And so terrible that he didn’t even go to work on Monday.

Thankfully, our doctor gave us a prescription for Cipro before we left the USA. Jeremy has been taking it since we arrived home on Sunday, and he’s now doing much better. I am so relieved. So we didn’t get to see any animals yet, nor did we get to experience a camel ride with a local Masai! But we’ll be back to Arusha National Park and Mount Meru. And the only poo we encounter will be that of a camel.