Much has happened recently. Many many exciting things.

Most importantly, Jane visited. I have a hard time believing that I live in Jane Goodall's house, and so I'm sure you can imagine how hard it is for me to believe that I lived WITH her for a period. I don't think I even accepted the fact as truth until I went to bed after the first evening with her, and woke up the next morning to find her in the kitchen.

We had two events here in Dar es Salaam showing the new film about her life called Jane's Journey: one in the afternoon for R&S students and one in the evening for diplomats and ambassadors. The film was absolutely beautiful, truly every aspect was a wonderful work of art. The cinematography, the music, the subjects on the screen, and the story behind the film are all inspiring. I also knew most of the people in it (Jane's family, colleagues, friends) and so that also added an exciting element for me. Jane told me later that she thought that this was the one film that really portrayed the message that she is trying to get across to the world, and so I encourage each and everyone of you to see it if you're given the chance. I should have details later about how to see it - and I will undoubtedly be harassing everyone I know to see it until they do. There is even a scene at our house, and you can see my bedroom window!

I am amazed that Jane talks about hope, R&S initiatives and making the world a place even in her spare time. She spends 2-3 weeks a year with her family here because she is so devoted to spreading a message of hope across the world (traveling 300+ days a year), and yet, her conversations with family and friends do not veer far from her messages that one might hear in a lecture. She is a beautiful, strong person with a tremendous amount of energy and I am left in complete and utter admiration.

Sadly, there is a 2 year old chimp that is being kept (and mistreated) at a "zoo" here in Dar that JGI is trying to save. Jane asked my colleague and I to write letters to the editors of the English papers here to raise awareness that this chimp cannot survive in the current conditions, and so, of course, we did. When Jane Goodall asks you to write a letter, you write a letter! I never did see it published, but I found out today from my friend in Arusha whom I met the last time I was in Tanzania, that it was published! I'm quite excited! What are the chances, I know one other person living in Tanzania, she (uncharacteristically) bought a newspaper one day, and it happened to have a letter by me published in it

I also spent a day last week representing the Jane Goodall Institute at an exhibition for Tanzanian environment and tourism, and was honoured to have been mistakenly identified by many Tanzanians as Jane Goodall. It was a laugh. However, I discovered that many Tanzanians do not have an opportunity to even see quality pictures of their national wildlife. Many were just amazed at the pictures that we had on display, and I commonly received questions about whether baboons, chimpanzees, and gorillas have differences or are just different names for the same animal. It was really disturbing. I now plan on developing a small mobile library to bring on school visits with us so that students can see some animal books. (If I can find funding). Reading books on animals from the school library was one of the reasons that I fell in love with animals - and it is truly a shame that students here do not have the same opportunity.

It's been a crazy few weeks surrounding Jane's visit, and I'm glad things have calmed down a bit so that I can catch my breath.

Next week I should be traveling 2-3 days to do some school visits.

Here are a few recent "only in Africa":

I finally went to see Harry Potter here yesterday at the theatre. It was a bit of a trip - riding to the theatre seeing women carrying water buckets and firewood on their heads, knowing that in half an hour I'd have 3D glasses on and be watching a new release.

The male turkey wandered into our house last week when we left the back door open. I was in the kitchen, and heard GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE extremely loudly and screamed. He was chased out promptly.

I have now been asked to play a piano piece at a house concert in 2 weeks time. The man who asked me is so nice that I simply could not refuse. I'm not too sure what I've gotten myself into, but he assured me that it is informal and they have a grand piano, so I'm sure it will be a great (and crazy) experience.

I accidentally wandered into a big cocktail party for the General Manager of a big fancy hotel last week, and ended up being an honoured guest and sitting with the GM.

Ludacris is coming to Dar es Salaam this Saturday, tickets are 15000 Shillings, so roughly 10 dollars. Of course - I will be going.