Atravelynn, I knew I was going to forget that! :)

Yes, there was a genet living in the rafters/roof of the restaurant/bar area. She was quite entertaining as she looks like a cross between a cat with a crazy long tail, and a rodent of some kind (body of a cat, face of a weasel). At one point we saw a young one go scurrying from the ceiling, across a beam and back into the ceiling.

Iowa,

That is too bad about the trip to the Masai...I hope your told your guide how you felt.

I think too many people go to Africa and flash their money around and then it makes everyone a target - this is especially apparent in the tourist areas.

When you travel away from the parks and wildlife, people are less likely to see you as a means to money.

Although, I did receive an email asking me to fund 65 bunk beds for the nursing school I work in;)

Fortunately the organization we volunteer through has very strict rules about financial contributions or gifts in order to prevent this sort of thing.

"I decided to ignore the massive pile on my bed and just stay in the guest room again (which was probably going to happen anyway). I'll finish cleaning up my closet/drawers this week, remembering Africa is so much more fun!"

Glad you got your priorities straight! ;)

Regrettably I had a similar experience in both villages I visited. There's really got to be a better way where both the guests and the village have a more positive experience. I don't mind being charged a reasonable admission fee to the village however attempting to fleece the guests just stops them from returning.

Loved how the auntie managed to lower the berm for the little baby!

Bookmarking---I'm really loving this report.I'm doing research on a possible trip later this year. Thanks for all of the insight.

Hey, I am still following your adventure .

Glad you got good views of Kilimanjaro.

Boy you really got pressured at the Masai Village !!

I was not pressure at the Village I visited in the Serengeti

Maybe because we were two men , and men usually don't shop (!! when their wives or lady companions are not around :) )

What an entertaining and enjoyable read--thanks for sharing! Love the baby elephant story, not to mention the comparison of coworkers in heels vs the gentle footsteps of the elephants.

You are fortunate to have had clear views Kilimanjaro--I visited Amboseli late August 2010 and in between the clouds and the dust, could barely see the top. Maybe it's the time of the year, because on a previous trip in November it was clear. What an incredibly awesome sight!

I can totally relate to your experience in the Maasai village--same thing happened to me which was quite disappointing. Shouldn't be that way. I felt the same pressure at the roadside souvenir shops. We finally told our guide not to stop at any more. Sad....

Unfortunately, whether in Africa, Southeast Asia, Turkey or Egypt, or other like countries where poverty is quite evident... whenever there's a stop at a village of some sort, it's pretty much the same, and can be quite uncomfortable for many travelers. Unless, of course, one likes what's for sale and is good at bargaining, which I'm usually not!

Besides learning a few words in the local language - please, thank-you, where's the toilet, how much, too much... I've found the most important seems to be "an emphatic NO"

Sorry for your experience.

However, loved the 'ellee' story; love even more that for the babies, how it takes awhile for them to get a handle of what to do with their trunks! Too funny! :)

So glad I could jog your memory of the genet. Thanks for the info.

I agree with sandi:

I learned quite a few words and sentences in their language, it was fun learning for me because a Cardiologist friend of mine is from Tazania and he would quiz me over coffee !!

I would not have wanted to miss out on the Masai Village welcome singing and the tour of the place including the school.