Things I've Learned: Dar es Salaam to Nairobi

Just a sampling, once again...

Things I've learned:

- A bargain is only a bargain if you want what they're selling.
- Small bills are easier to use than large ones.
- Don't pick a fight; it will find you soon enough.
- No one is colour blind. This does not have to be a bad thing.
- Learn to spell the name of the place you're in.
- Sand lingers.
- Lock the door, shut the windows.
- The line between paranoia and precaution often blurs.
- Carry spare batteries.
- Routine is inevitable.
- 9 people can take up the same amount of space as 17.
- Take every opportunity to stretch your legs.
- Know your limits.
- Wet-dry-wet. This is what happens to laundry when you leave it out to dry, overnight.
- BYOTP.
- The time granted to the __ second rule depends entirely on how much you want the thing you've dropped.
- The buddy system isn't just for swimming.
- Where there's a will there's a way, particularily if you're a mosquito.
- It's possible to spend 24 hours a day with people, for weeks at a time, and not know them at all.
- There's nothing in life (or at least in traveling) more satisfying than a good shower and clean clothes.
- The ETA is only an estimate.
- When you gotta go, you gotta go (even in the Serengeti).
- You can tell how fresh a foot/paw print is by the level of detail in the impression.
- Always leave room for an elephant between tents.
- It costs nothing to be nice. Usually.
- It's been a good day when you have to start weeding out your lion photos.
- Will you still want this bowl/spoon/bracelet/painting when you get home?
- Talking about food -particularily food you want and cannot get- will only make you hungrier.
- Clarify whose "left!" and "right!" you are meant to be looking out of.
- Never under-estimate the power of camera envy.
- Things aren't always where ou left them.
- Big cats are surprisingly similar to small cats.
- Whatever will be will be, but be prepared.
- A few words in another language go a long way.
- Babies are cute in any species.
- When looking for animals, look for tourists.
- If in doubt, blame the hippos.
- Men want to be hunters. The prey is irrelevant.
- Don't break the windows!
- Breathe "in through your nose, out through your mouth". Repeat.
- You don't look like your passport photo. Thank god.
- Goodbyes do not get easier the more of them you say.
- "Don't fuck with a tourist, mate!"

N.