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TANZANIA - FIELD UPDATES - WEEK 4
by Kate
This week has been another successful one on Osotua camp with the highlights including finding another satellite camp, Prague, Hannah joining the group an the away leg of the Simba cup at Snake Park.
Monday began with the usual transect walks and English teaching. We also began thinking about researching our individual projects. On Tuesday we all went on a recce to the other side of Mt Eluai to find a new satellite camp. The way was a very early start for Jay and Catherine who not only had to make eggy bread for breakfast but also made Chapatis and a tomato sauce for a picnic lunch. Their effort was definitely appreciated when it got to lunch and everyone was tired and hungry.
The walk up Eluai was tough for everyone, especially as it was a beautiful, but baking, day. We were all rewarded however with wonderful views over both Eluai village and the rift valley, and when we reached the other side we found not one, but two possible sites for the new camp. We chose the lower site as it was a better place to survey, despite the higher one having a much nicer view. Liz was very excited when she found an old boma already there so we just had to clear the grass and dig the toilet.
On Wednesday Dave and I went to Arusha for the resupply and to pick up Hannah. I was crammed into the back with Isaya, a Maasai man who smelt of frankfurters, his wife and a baby. In Arusha we quickly did the Shoprite shopping then caught a taxi to the airport to pick up Hannah. After a four hour wait due to unreliable African airlines Hannah finally arrived. This meant that we would have to stay in Arusha for the night as we still had a lot left to do. Meanwhile, back on camp the other had a normal day of science and English but with exploding dough balls for tea. These were Natalie’s creation and due to the air inside, exploded whilst they were cooking, causing everyone around to duck.
Thursday everyone had to spend the day in Monduli as the food on camp had run out. They attempted to explain to the chef at the Monduli hotel how to make fried eggs but were unsuccessful as they still ended up with omelette. People then went to the market to buy extra jumpers as it is so cold on camp and Jonathon and Adam decided to buy pink granny knickers for Liz.
At the end of this week everyone made a start on their individual projects, Natalie and Jonathan with grazing quadrats, Jay and I successfully found a herd of impala and Catherine and Adam, along with Alex and Dave spent a night in the hyaena hide with Nguvu repeatedly asking “itanaure” whilst people were attempting to sleep. Jonathan had us all digging invertebrate traps, which although not catching any invertebrates yet, did catch a root rat on Sunday morning.
This week also saw the first meat on camp other than Bob the goat as Liz and Dave bought sausages as a treat from Arusha. Saturday night was party night which started of with a game of Roxanne. Once Natalie’s MP3 player died we all joined in Maasai chanting. Later on we all watched an amazing display of shooting stars then most people went to bed early in preparation for Sunday’s first leg of the Simba cup.
At Snake Park we had burgers and toasties for lunch before heading to our dressing room for a tam talk. The game seemed like it may be doomed from the start as it looked as if a storm was coming. The rain cleared up quickly however and the game was soon underway. Osotua United started well, what with Enkini’s enthusiasm for the game, Adam’s violent tackles and Liz’s solo attempt at cheerleading, however by half time we were 2- 0 down. Despite a valiant performance in the 2nd half we finished the match 3 – 0 leaving the pressure on for the return leg. After the match we got talking to a few of the opposition and Hannah was surprised to find that their goalie was a guy she knew from secondary school. W all finished the day with as many burgers and sausages as we could manage before heading back to camp exhausted.
