July 2, 2005

After breakfast we set out on a nature walk into the Ngorongoro forest. We stared at our farm and visited the flower gardens and then it was through the vegetable gardens. We saw huge avocado trees just dripping with fruit. The main farming product here though is coffee. All of the beans are picked by hand when they turn red. They are then put through a machine that looks like a spinning cheese grater where the outer husk is spit out onto one side and the bean on the other. These beans are then dried in the sun for six days and then they are hand-peeled and are ready for roasting.

On the forest hike the path was good but it was very steep in many places. The entire trip was 3 ½ miles long and we saw, besides vegetation, a wonderful view of the valley below, a nice waterfall and elephant caves. Phebe was brave and crossed the river on rock stepping-stones and climbed the steep, slippery path up to the caves. Elephants sometimes slide down the embankment and are killed. Some of the buffalo that enter this area get stuck in the mud and die. There was a skull from such a beast. Andrew pointed out that in small holes in the horns of the skull were moth larvae.

The trip back only took one hour and we arrived back very tired and hungry for lunch. We had no time to rest though because Andrew had arranged for a very special outing. One of the waiters at our lodge had a cousin who was getting married and it was a coup that we received permission to go and take all of the photos we wanted.

We arrived at the Lutheran church in Katuro just as the official ceremony was ending and people were exiting. There were four men playing brass instruments and all of the attendees were colorfully dressed. Everyone was singing and dancing.

The two decorated wedding cars were brought in and then there was a parade of the wedding party to the cars. There was a cute flower girl, ring bearer, the bride, groom and attendants.

All other guests then piled into the back of trucks and we headed down a dirt road honking our horns as the band continued to play during the procession.

The final destination of this leg of the journey was the newly completed home of the couple. The first order of business here was the presenting of gifts, which included two sheep (though they looked like goats to me) and a large piece of luggage. This is given to the bride so that she may pack the things from her family's home to move them into her new home.

The minister then blesses the house and the couple enters. They were inside for about 15 minutes where another ceremony takes place. The couple then exited and everyone loaded back into the vehicles and this time it took nearly 40 minutes as we slowly proceeded through the entire town to the "hall" where the reception was to be held.

A backdrop of purple paper (the bride's chose theme color), balloons and a long table had been set with several kinds of soft drinks, At this place there were also two electric guitar players and two rows of women singing and chanting. We watched while the wedding party approached. When they were finally seated an announcement was made that we had been invited guests from America to film the festivities, George presented a card to the couple along with our $5.00 per person donations. We then departed but on the way out Andrew signaled me over to take a look inside the ramada where women were preparing food for the guest. It appeared that there would be rice, meat, fruit and other goodies.

When back at our lodge was the real highlight of the day. We were able to make phone calls home. It was wonderful to hear Pat's voice though we had to make it a short call.

During our nightly information meeting we learned about the volcanic crater Ngorongoro that we will be visiting the next two days.