Portfolio-Statement

Markings Of Africa

With this portfolio I wanted to show comparisons between the landscape, animals, and people of Africa. In these comparisons we can also see the relationships between all three. During my trip to Tanzania I saw more and more how the land, animals, and people are all truly connected to each other and how greatly each relies on the other.

Portfolio-Statement

A Day Of Safari

With my portfolio I hoped to show a photographic depiction of what a day is like on a safari. I start with the morning mist, the bottom picture, and work my way through to end of the day with the sunset, the top picture. I wanted to show a progression through color and light as the day progresses through the changing landscapes, animals, and people encountered. I hope everyone can get a small taste of what a safari experience is like!

Portfolio- Markings of Africa

Portfolio- A Day of Safari

Tanzania- Journal

June 22, 2009

Plantation Lodge is gorgeous. Who knew Africa was this lush and green. The weather is so cool here. The lodge is so to die for. Its so so so beautiful.

We went into the crater today and it was crazy to think it was a volcano once. Its massive inside it. We saw cheetahs, wildabeast, zebra, hippo, rhino, and lions. We saw the lions so close. They weren't bothered by us at all during their nap. One got up and walked away and it completely disappeared into the grass. Their coloring is totally adapted to the environment. Then we saw a hyena not 5 feet from our car. And it just continued to lay there too. I felt in no danger at all from the animals. I think people are scarier.

Later we had a nice lunch by the lake. And climbing back up the crater at sunset was stunning. It's all soaking in now, but we are leaving. I dont think this will all hit me til I get home. I know I'll never be able to fully explain Africa to someone else and do it justice.

Tanzania- Journal

June 20, 2009

We met with the Hadzabe tribe today and went on a hunt with them. It was so cool. I loved seeing the hunt in action. They were so skilled. Way more than just shooting a gun. I got a little queasy when they killed the bush baby and monkey (esp. when they beat it's head to finish it off), but mostly I was fine. I wish I could hunt better. They shot a black faced monkey and we all had a piece of it. It was hard to see a Bush Baby on a stick though, but that's the "Circle of Life". No Bush Baby no food for the tribe. They are nomadic so they only hunt. They dont keep cows or grow crops, only hunting and gathering.

After the hunt we danced with them. It was so much fun. This 90 year old woman pulled me in and I danced with the eldest man of the tribe. The dance was was really fun and easy. It was all in a circle and all together. Not like the Maasai, which was mostly jumping.

Oh and I shot a bow, which was so awesome. I hit the target, but I have a nice welt from the string of the bow popping me.

Later in the day we went to see a blacksmith. He melted locks and bullets to make jewelry, arrow heads, and spoons. All the girls bought some bangels. I'm obsessed with all the jewelry they were, which is made of simple materials anyone can find. All of it is so bright and colorful.

I've loved the people and the animals, but I will never forget the faces I've seen here. I will miss being with Babu. He's like my real grandpa.

I've also noticed how the people don't have a "personal bubble". They touch much more. They aren't afraid to come close to you and touch you. They just grab your hand and say lets dance. They pull you in and you dont have a choice. ha! Again I am in awe of this land!

Tanzania- Journal

June 19th, 2009

So I skipped a day. Yesterday we were on top of the escarpment at Lake Manyara. It was so beautiful up there. You could see over the entire lake.

We went to a town, "Mosquito Creek", I've forgotten the Swahili name. We walked around and had lunch. We tried banana beer, which was interesting. We went by a school and the market, but first we went to a hospital. That was pretty intense for me. I almost cried. I thought alot about my dad there. He wanted to come on the trip, but couldn't and I know how much he would have wanted to see the hospital and help!

We saw maleria sick children. It was so sad to see them suffering, but at least they were in the hospital. I find it crazy to see how easy life is for me. We dont have all the diseases to worry about or lack of food or water. We really don't want for anything. I feel like there is a greater sense of community here than in the U.S. Everyone here seems to understand their neighbor. but they think the same about us too. So says Jackson. I like Jackson so much. We call him "Babu", which is Swahili for grandpa.

Oh, today in Eyasi we all went out onto the lake bed to take pics. There were children there herding goats and fetching water. They came up to me and asked me to take their picture. So I did. And one little boy started flipping for me. It was so cool and so are the pics. These other kids kept touching my hair and my skin. I think they were surprised how fair I am.

I was so surprised, more than I thought I would be, at how little they've seen outside of their simple world they know. It slightly disgusts me how much we have, which is really all excess. I mean we still love it though. I just see how blessed I truly am.