The Tanzanian Crews

Though we did not get to “know” them really, all the people who worked hard to make our trip so memorable were welcoming, friendly and unfailingly helpful. Big smiles always greeted our appearances at the dining tables, in the main lodges wanting something to drink, at our tents when we asked for showers, even walking us back to our tents in the darkness at the various campsites. Naturally some of this is training for the tourist industry, but nonetheless, we all felt that the Tanzanians are a happy people who appreciate visitors from other cultures and enjoy their work. Our own friendliness helped, we are sure. Our group was not demanding and unreasonable and, from what I observed, unfailingly polite and appreciative of the crews’ efforts on our behalf. I was reminded of a little poem by Matthew Arnold about the occasional behavior of cats and I endeavored never to be perceived in that way by the friendly Tanzanians.

“Cruel, but composed, and bland Dumb, inscrutable, and grand

So Tiberius might have sat

Had Tiberius been a cat!”

Our Fellow Travelers

Our group of 15 was quite compatible and none of them objected to my presence on the trip; of course most of them did not know I was along. They will be surprised to see Kay’s DVD which will reveal that I was there all along, enjoying everything as much as they did. After all, as the wise French author, Colette, observed, “Time spent with a cat is never wasted!” Also instructive about human relationships with cats is an old proverb “You will always be lucky if you know how to make friends with a strange cat.” And absolutely to the point is Robert A. Heinlein’s belief “How you behave towards cats here below determines your status in heaven.” Hear, Hear! I say.