On Saturday, February 21, I boarded a very small plane for the first of my three flights to get me to the Lake Manyara/Ngorongoro Crater area. After landing on a dirt airstrip in Lake Manyara (again, thank you for the prayers; nervous flyer), my guide, Nahto, drove me into Lake Manyara National Park. The park covers some 125 square miles including 89 square miles of lake surface.

Earlier today, Fr. Nestor drove me 3-1/2 hours to Mbeya, where I boarded a flight to Dar es Salaam. I was greeted at the airport in Dar es Salaam by Oda, a police officer and longtime friend of Fr. Nestor. After leaving the airport, we picked up Fr. Nestor’s sister, Sr. Beatrice (an oncology doctor in Dar es Salaam). Sr. Beatrice had to make sure that I arrived safely to my hotel for the night; I love her thoughtfulness and kindness.