Chapter Two

The Estate, my Home

The estate lay between Arusha and Moshi. It was vast, the land reaching to the horizon, as far as the eye could see. It was bordered on one side by savannah and on the other by low-lying hills with coffee plantations. Nature filled in the gaps left by any uncultivated land with acacias and baobab trees. In the distance, the majestic Mt Kilimanjaro dominated the landscape like a huge shadow, its summit hidden, laced by clouds.

The house stood on a small hill in the midst of an extensive garden planted with tropical trees and plants. The flowers attracted the attention of numerous butterflies and exotic insects. The garden was a riot of colours and vibrant life: a testament to the loving care that was bestowed upon it. The house had large windows and a huge verandah all along the front. Nearby were a guesthouse, a large storehouse and a small hut where the askari(*1) lived. At the rear of the house were a productive vegetable garden, the laundry room and some storage spaces. There were five members of staff, all male: a cleaner, a person to see to the laundry, a cook, who was Grandma’s right hand in the kitchen, a gardener and our trusty askari.

Grandma was in charge of all the staff, and she not only oversaw all their duties but also took part in all the work because she believed that everyone worked better if she did so. The manicured grounds, the sparkling cleanliness of the house and the harmonious working relationships were evidence that she was absolutely right in her belief. Everyone loved Grandma and respected her.

When Tanzania(*2) gained independence, almost all the land owned by Europeans was nationalized.

(* 1) guard in Swahili

(* 2) After Tanganyika gained independence, it was united with the island of Zanzibar and renamed Tanzania in 1964.