Traveled to Arusha by bus today – about a 12 hour ride. Although, the long drive was worth the amazing hotel we get to stay in. (Thanks Dr. Koti and Dr. G.) The driver has done a great job so far, the traffic is still interesting. I have found the best way to survive is just simply, not to look. We got to see a lot of the African country side and there is a major difference between here and Dar. I am gaining a deeper understanding and respect for the African people. This really makes you appreciate home a lot more and watching the children play in the streets puts a smile on your face.

We traveled through a rift valley and saw the effects on the countryside because of the mountains it has created.  It is very interesting when you travel with a bus load of geographers and let them see cinder cones, basalts, soil profiles and different agricultural patterns. (FYI, you can only understand this statement if you know a geographer…. otherwise, we just sound crazy. You might even think that we have never seen a rock or dirt before.) Highlight of the trip was see

Look at that smile!

ing Mt. Kilimanjaro at sunset! I have heard that it is good luck to see the mountain and we got to see an impressive view.

The view of Mt. Kilimanjaro

agsmith

Hello everyone, this is Amanda. I am a graduate student in the Geography Department’s Geo-Spatial Science Program and an assistant for the Physical Geography field labs. I am from the ‘big town’ of Lutts, TN (you may have seen one of the numerous signs pointing to there, but probably never actually been there.) I graduated from Waterloo High School. I have a long background at UNA. I received my BA in Sociology and my MA Ed in Secondary Education from UNA. I am also a firefighter/EMT. I love helping people and teaching all ages. I enjoy anything to do with the outdoors - from gardening to kayaking, to camping and hiking.

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