The Chaga People and a Waterfall

When we were on safari in Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, we saw lots of Maasai.  They are a local tribe that has actually been given special permission to continue living in the area of the Ngorongoro Crater (which is why it is a conservation area as opposed to a national park). You see them everywhere carrying sticks and herding goats.  David lives in Moshi, which is Chagga territory, but they share a rather violent history with the Maasai.  We learned this from David and a guide at the Chagga Caves, caves in which the Chagga people would hide from the Maasai during raids.  Then we had the opportunity to look through some examples of the traditional homes of the Chagga.  Pretty sparse, of course, but warm and cozy!

 Down in the caves, making sure we aren't going to get bopped on the head!

 




 A banana tree!!!




























Traditional Chagga huts: 

 

And inside the homes ~

 

The bizarre pineapple plant!

We even saw some long-horned cows on our way to the waterfall!! 










We had quite a little hike up to the waterfall.  It wasn't particularly steep or far, but it was very slippery!!!!!  The views along the way were great, thank goodness!!

 Of course, as slippery as this trail was for us, the locals had no trouble at all!!!!  *sigh* 

We had fun, though!!! :)

Well, except for when we found this slug!  

 Checking out the lower "falls" ~

Totally cool horned lizard!!!

Made it!

The slippery walk was worth it. Coming from the Northwest where waterfalls are plentiful and beautiful, I am sort of a waterfall snob, but this one was truly lovely ~