The flight from Charlotte to Tanzania was long (thanks to an 8 hour layover in London!) and exhausting.  I left the US on a Friday night, landing in Nairobi, Kenya – the last stop on my trip – before sunrise on Sunday.  Despite only dozing intermittently on the flights, I was surprisingly awake and alert.

I was in Africa.

I couldn’t wait to get to Tanzania.  The flight from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro International Airport is a mere hop, skip and jump.   Still, we climbed above the clouds…sad, because I didn’t have a chance see what Nairobi looked like from the air.  But that disappointment quickly dissipated, as I was rewarded with a view of Mt. Kilimanjaro’s glorious snow-covered peak. (Which was wonderful, because it’s been covered in clouds ever since!)

As we descended, I was struck by how verdant and green this part of Tanzania was.  Even more so during the drive to Arusha.  Flowering trees, lush palms, greenery everywhere – so beautiful!!

I met the entire team later that evening, and I have to say, it’s like I’ve known them all my life.  No awkwardness at all.  Such open, warm, truly friendly colleagues.  I am so lucky to be part of such an incredible team.  Later, I will write about my experiences meeting the TFFT scholars and partners, and seeing TFFT’s work first hand.

But for now, I am in Africa, and I am loving it!!