Africa.... the one place I always dreamed of going.  My dream came true last September.  We flew into Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania late at night.   We toured the city the next day with a delightful guide provided by Pierr’e.  I’m from Dallas, Texas so I’m used to the big city, but that was the most bustling place I have ever visited.  On the streets I saw people in traditional African dress next to folks in business suits.  The contrast of the old versus the new was very evident in many ways. I loved walking on the salt flats and seeing the women in their colorful dress collecting sea shells they would sell in the market.  They had baskets on their head and I wanted to take their picture, but even though I don’t speak their language the message was loud and clear to stop!!  At last the day came to board the twin engine Cessna for the Selous and watch civilization fade away.  From the air the land had short trees and grassy fields and wide rivers.  Uncle Ray, Pierr’e and the group that was departing on our plane greeted us.  Once they were gone our luggage was loaded in the back of the truck and we headed for camp on the dirt road.  There is a comfortable bench in the back of the truck for scenery and animal viewing.  Camp was located on the banks of the Kilambero River and was surrounded by a thatch fence.  Within the compound there were several tents with a mess hall in the middle.    It even had a refrigerator with cold drinks and a table and chairs for dining.  I chose a tent next to Uncle Ray...little did I know how much he snores!!  My tent had 2 twin beds in it with a mosquito net over each, a locker and an end table with a candle.  There was also a generator powered light which ran set hours each evening...a word to the wise.... don’t dilly getting ready for bed after Pierr’e says goodnight...you’ve got about a half hour before that generator goes out and it is DARK!!  The first night I was scrambling to find my flashlight!!  I felt pampered there...each evening when I’d go to bed I’d find the bed had been turned down with the mosquito net in place and a candy on my pillow.  What a nice touch! The meals were deliciously prepared and served.  My dirty clothes would magically disappear and reappear the next day washed, ironed and folded neatly on my bed.  Each morning I’d be greeted by a gentleman walking by my tent delivering a bowl of hot water.  At the back of my tent was my own private bath with a real toilet and a shower which never ran out of hot water.... what more could you need??  The first night was so funny.... I kept hearing a thump on my tent and would crawl lower into my covers. The next morning I learned the monkeys who lived in the tree above me would leap between my tent and Uncle Ray’s.  Our days were spent looking for animals in the truck and hiking their trail. My favorite animal was the elephant.  They have wonderful natural camouflage in the trees.  I never tired of riding in the truck and soaking up the sights.  A couple of days we spent in camp and watched the hippos and crocodiles in the river, played games, napped...it was heaven.  The last night as I lay in my tent I listened so hard to the night noises so I wouldn’t forget, but the memory has sadly faded away.  Guess that means another trip to restore that memory!!