Louisiana's Finnish friend, who now lives in Greece with her husband, has just returned from her honeymoon in Eastern Africa. She writes to her friend in America to let her know that she is now back in Greece, safe and sound.
Late Tuesday night, 14 June, 2005, Athens, Greece~
Dear Louisiana~
Hai! Miita kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaas! Or, as they would say in Africa, Jambo! Habari gani? M'zuri sana, asante sana!
As you can probably surmise, this is Sari, Sari Constantinos, writing. Nikky and I just got back from Kenya and Tanzania the day before yesterday, and we are both TIRED. We had a wonderful time, and we saw animals galore; and we saw the Masai people..very interesting culture, but so primitive in their living habits and way of life! (Kind of makes me appreciate what I have; I don't think I could live without food nearby or water or the comforts of home!) I did try some of their milk with blood; that was disGUSTing, and I don't know HOW they can call THAT "appetizing"! I got sick the very first time I tried it, and I couldn't drink it! Nikolas liked it somewhat, but then, what do I expect from a man who loves cheese that tastes like dirty feet?? LOL
I enjoyed the cheetahs the most; they were so elegant in their spotty-dotty coats, and they have such sad faces! I can see why people refer to the cheetah as "the cat who cries" because it looks like they ARE crying, what with the black tearstripe on their sweet little faces! But they sure do sound like birds when they meow (do cheetahs meow?? LOL); it was so charming! I even got to hold a newborn baby cheetah, and I was doing okay until it peed on my lap! That was exciting!! LOL
I loved the people in Kenya and Tanzania; they went out of their way to make our stay as enjoyable as possible, and I never thought I would see the day where I would be eating food like zebra, wildebeest, impala, or ostrich! (I am becoming well versed in exotic foods, aren't I?? LOL) I also tried to learn Swahili, but I found it quite difficult at best, as did Nikolas; but we still tried our best. All I learned was "Jambo! Habari Gani? M'zuri Sana, Asante Sana!" LOL Oh! I also learned "Kwaheri", which means "Good-bye" and "Duma", which means "Cheetah"! The weather was quite pleasant, and it was sunny most of the time we were there; but we DID have rain on the day we left. When we left Kenya, I cried as I boarded the plane; I really enjoyed our African safari!
Louie, you should go to Africa if you ever get the chance to! It is so exotic and unlike anywhere else in the world; and the people are so friendly and helpful! And you see things that you would never even DREAM of seeing! Snow, mountains, desert, desolate villages, teeming cities...Africa has it all and so much more!!
We did get you some things from Kenya and Tanzania, so we will be mailing those off as soon as we can. I think you will love what we got you, so be on the lookout for a package from us! We also sent you some postcards, but we don't know if you got them or not. Please let us know if you did! Thanks!
So how are things with you? How is Bill, and how are the children? I pray and hope that everyone is well! Things are well with both Nikolas and myself, and it is so nice to be back in our apartment; we have really missed Athens terribly!
Well, I know this isn't much, Louisiana, but I just wanted to let you know that we are bsck from Africa, and all went very well! Take care, and God bless your beautiful family always! Give the kids (and Bill) hugs from both Nikolas and myself! We really miss you all!
Kwaheri for now, or as I say, Nakemiin!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend, the "Little World Traveller", Sari Gustaffssenn-Constantinos from Athens, Greece, by way of Ivalo, Finland. *grins*
being from Africa and having lived in both Kenya and TAnzania, the scenary and wildlife is not exciting. what excites me is the way you make it sound.
typically african scene if you ask me. thanks for that.
have four more days on the den. will try to read your stuff before my time expires
kwaheri
mungu awe nawe(God be with you) thats what it means
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Late Tuesday night, 14 June, 2005, Athens, Greece~
