More Ramblings about Animals (12/17/2005)

Kenge, have you ever heard of such a thing? It is a Tanzanian word for a type of very large lizard. I saw one the other day when I found the the waterfall near my house. It was the middle of the day and very hot, I thought a relatively safe time to be walking around looking for new places. I was very pleased that by following a path and sounds of the water I was finally able to find the gorgeous waterfall that has a huge cave behind it and is surrounded by jungle. I nearly started to run to the water's edge when about ten feet in front of me a log started to walk. Upon closer inspection I realized the log had a head and four legs and was now in the water. It looked like a lizard the size of a crocodile and though it swam away and so I was no doubt quite safe I decided it would be better if I were to admire the waterfall and Kenge someother day, preferably in the presence of some of the students or other Tanzanians.

I was last in water during the days we were in Dar es Salaam. There is a very nice beach (Kipepeo) that is a short ferry ride away from Dar. I was able to swim in the Indian Ocean and spend the night in a grass hut. Dale, one of the PCV's, was warning those of us of the dangerous stone fish said to live in warm salt waters. I don't know if they exist in Africa but it is one of the animals I would prefer not to know about, and needless to say I was very happy not to discover them.
Adventuring in Tanzania,
T.