I left Moshi feeling like I was just starting the “alone” part of my travels, even though technically I’d been on the dusty African road solo since I left for my safari.  But if you ever don’t want to feel lonely, try sharing a tiny tent with two strangers, three mosquitoes, and everyone’s luggage (and mosquitoes don’t pack light).  That’s what I did on the safari, so I wasn’t exactly feeling independent. 

And then when I arrived in Moshi, I was embraced by an amazing crew.  Friends of friends generously put me up and I’m not exaggerating when I say that I haven’t felt that welcomed in a home for years…and I’m including my family home here.  (Sorry Mom and Dad, but they served homemade banana bread every morning.  Plus they never asked about my plans for reallocating my 401(k) funds.  Not even once.)  In addition to those two, there was the bar owner who wound up inviting me to his traditional Tanzanian engagement party, and a few other ex-pats who gave me the warm fuzzies. 

Leaving was hard, but I’m a rolling stone, folks.  So, I packed up and headed to Lushoto.