This morning’s breakfast was quite similar to yesterday’s, but with yams and omelettes this time. The sausages caught my attention because they were bright pink inside, which was surprising, but they actually tasted good.
We left at 9 am in the mini bus, originally planning to visit the tourism board. However, plans had to change last minute since the guide wasn’t available yet, so instead we stopped by an art museum which, funny enough, felt like a perfect example of the quote from day one about staying flexible and going with the flow.
Right by our hotel, we passed something called the Banana Market. As we drove along, I noticed so many people outside smiling and waving at us. That moment really stuck with me, especially when Jo said, “Money doesn’t buy happiness.” She’s right. Seeing how happy the locals were, even without fancy houses or expensive things, really reminded me that happiness isn’t tied to wealth it’s about enjoying life, dancing, singing, and spending time with loved ones. To me, that is the ultimate goal in life.
The drive itself was beautiful. Everything around us looked so vibrant just endless greens and fresh landscapes. When we arrived at the museum, the gift shop was full of beautifully crafted statues, jewellery, and keepsakes. Inside the museum, the art was even more incredible. There were paintings, beaded furniture, and beaded furniture. As we were leaving, a man sung us “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran.
Next, we made our way to a place called the Arusha Coffee Lodge, where the SHANGA Foundation is located. I found out that the name comes from the fields surrounding it full of coffee bean trees “kahawa” trees, as I learned today. We were given a tour and shown how they loom blankets, sew clothes and bags, bead bracelets, and even blow glass all using recycled materials. Out back, they had loads of bottles and trash bags, which they transform into something beautiful. The man leading the tour said something “Turning trash into treasure.” It was such a powerful message.
What made this place even more special was its mission. The foundation exists to support people with disabilities. During our visit, we even learned a few words in Swahili sign language, like “hello,” “how are you,” and “good job.” On one of the walls, there was a quote: “Kindness is a language which blind people see and deaf people hear.” That line really sums up everything we experienced there. Compassion and creativity.
Afterwards, we went to a sports bar-style restaurant for lunch. Since the staff couldn’t really describe all the dishes to us, they gave us a full kitchen tour. Each dish was being prepared in different rooms, and we could choose what we wanted right from there. I ended up having rice, fries, and lamb and honestly, it was the best lamb I’ve ever had in my life. Every bite was so flavourful. The portions were huge though, so we ended up sharing together.
Later on, we finally made it to the tourism board. They explained how they promote attractions across Tanzania’s regions and shared how they work to preserve not just the sites but also the environment and the local culture. It was nice seeing how involved they are with both nature and community. We took some group pictures with them before heading back to the hotel.
The rest of the evening was calm we relaxed by the pool until dinner. Tonight’s meal was simple, vegetable soup to start, and macaroni and potatoes.
Today felt very influential and it was really nice to see all the beauty and heart in this town and country.
Here’s a cool fact I learned today about the Tanzanian flag: The green represents the environment, the yellow stands for the country’s natural resources, the black represents the people of Africa, the blue is for the water.
