That's 'Happy New Year' in Swahili. I love that phrase because it gets such a great response when I use it. Anything beyond greetings in Swahili is quite an achievement and so people get very excited when you show off the new phrases you've learned.
I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year's Eve and a great start to 2012. We've had a huge weekend here. It started on Friday afternoon with a drumming lesson from Freddy at Via Via. This was excellent. When you see performers here singing and dancing to drumbeats only, you begin to realise how important and instinctual rhythm is for these people. Its in their soul. Us poor little white mzungus...not so much.
Freddy did his best to introduce us to some basic techniques and rhythms. In the end we got the hang of it. But then he decided there should be a singing and dancing component and he had us moving around and chanting something like 'hey ya ya hey ya ya hey'. I think it was more for the entertainment of his friend who was watching rather than our benefit. He had us doing some moves which I haven't seen anyone else here doing - I'm pretty sure he was trying his best to make us look like fools!
Then on Saturday we decided we should treat ourselves to celebrate the end of 2011. We went to lunch at The River House about 20mins taxi ride out of town. The idea is to turn up and take a seat on the lounges out in the garden while someone brings you a complimentary champagne. Then, once you've worked up the energy, you can stroll around the beautiful grounds and try to spot some monkeys playing in the canopy above. Then you move in to the tented restaurant and have a five course meal (including buffet) - all for 25000TSH ($16AU). We loved it. It was such a luxury.
Would you believe me if I told you there is a monkey right in the centre of this shot?
New Year's Eve we ended up back at Via Via. We had so much fun. Dance-floors in Africa are certainly on another level. Our New Year's Day adventure was incredible as well but you'll have to wait till tomorrow to hear about that one!
Till next time x
Wow Ash what an amazing experience... I'm talking about the music, not the imaginary monkey in the centre! Wondering if you packed your tap shoes for the trip? Big hugs for the new year X
ReplyDeleteHi Ashley ,Happy New Year Mate (Aussie Style) A bit late I know, How did the Mountain climb go? it looked pretty high to me .Anything higher than Mt Warning is too high for this little black duck. Did you see many wild animals? Its such a great experience to see them in the wild ,You will never go to a Zoo again.Well better go (time for a beer )Cheers Steve and Marilyn.
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