Ibu is the Indonesian word for mother. On Bali, surely one of the most fertile places on earth, this simple word appropriately carries much grace and dignity. Women are respected and regarded as equals in Balinese culture. So after a few days on Bali, when men and women alike began calling me ibu, I felt welcome. My sister had leased a villa in quiet East Bali, far from the popular tourist locales of south Bali and under the shadow of Mt. Agung, the island's highest and most sacred volcanic mountain.
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Navigating the serpentine streets of Stone Town, Zanzibar, is an exercise in patience. Put aside thoughts of reaching your destination in a timely manner. Instead, follow the undulating curves of the alleyways, pause to take in a group of schoolboys playing a pick-up game of soccer or watch a barefoot child roll a tire down a narrow passageway. Beautiful women in flowing black hijabs walk purposefully, eyes downcast. Vendors call out from crumbling doorways, hawking antiques, mancala boards and souvenirs. Seagulls cruising the Indian Ocean screech overhead.
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On the outskirts of Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania, micro- enterprise is making a difference in the lives of rural villagers. Central Tanzania is reminiscent of the American southwest: red clay earth, simple mud-brick dwellings, dry riverbeds and deep blue skies.
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"Poverty can be a thing of the past if all of us consider the other person's lot rather than focusing on our successes or failures. It is amazing how small sacrifices in terms of time and financial resources can change the fate of the under-privileged."
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Winter in southern Africa - June, July and August - is an excellent time to visit the Southern Hemisphere. Cape Town and surroundings are cool but still lovely, with charming restaurants and delicious wines. Namibia remains dramatic and wide open, and the wildlife viewing is at its best in Zambia and Botswana. The combination of city life and thrilling animal encounters appealed to our entire family.
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The city of Arusha in northern Tanzania is a jumping off point for many travelers to the Serengeti and Mt. Kilimanjaro. But there is another, perhaps more compelling reason to visit this small outpost.
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