IT'S BEEN AWHILE

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Hello to all,

It's been awhile since I've chatted with many of you and just wanted to touch base and say hello. Many of you have had the chance to experience my blog on my trip to Tanzania, Africa...for those who haven't feel free to take a look at http://www.tanishaintanzania.blogspot.com/

Not much going on with me, just working ALOT. It's been HOTTTTTT and the gas prices are killing me! In other news, my girlfriend Angela Hutchinson had a beautiful and healthy baby boy named Alexander ---ain't he a cutie pie. Look how at peace he is in my arms! LOL! I'm playing I was scared to hold him because he was soooooo tiny.

TANZANIA :SATURDAY -,MAY 31- MY ARRIVAL

I boarded a plane in LAX on Thurs and made a stop in DC. Another stop in Rome. A crew change in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and finally after 18 hours on a flight. The staff on Ethiopia airlines was the best and the food was 'surprisingly' even better. I tried to sleep most of the way, however, you can imagine my anxiousness to GET OFF THE PLANE!!!!! So, it was great to get such a warm welcome. The Internet is hard to come by...so, check here every couple of days for updates. Here is a little footage of my arrival.

I tried to take as many photos of I could of my drive to the hotel, but,mostly just families walking along the side of the road and driving through small shanty towns. Looked like Inglewood too me, just less resources. :)

As we drove into the entrance of our hotel, I was in awe of the architecture of this hotel. It was very modern and had a beautiful lobby. Once again, we were greeted with amazing hospitality as conference attendees and Masai tribesman and women danced in front of the hotel while staff greeted us with warm clothes for our hands a glass of freshly squeezed passion fruit juice. UMMMMM.

The Naura Springs Hotel was actually built specifically for the the Leon Sullivan Foundation Summit, so, we were the first to stay...and I don't think they were actually "ready"....check out my video below. All in all I made it work..the staff was great to me and I made alot of friends so many of my wishes were met immediately. Only thing that was missing was the digital television that was promised from the hotel website and room service that I have become so accustomed to in my previous travels. So, far...so good. LOL! We went down to the reception later that night which introduce a couple of the host of the Sullivan Foundation. Jesse Jackson led us in prayer and Chris Tucker told a joke or two and quickly disappeared. It was now time to retire. Oh, but, due the power/energy structure here in Tanzania they often have brownouts like every couple of hours. So, guess what happened when I wanted to turn tonight? Yes, and guess what floor I am on in the hotel? The 10th.....Well, at least I have been getting a bit of a workout!

TANZANIA: SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2008-VISIT THE 8TH WONDER OF THE WORLD

Today I had to wake up at 6am to get on the bus to the Nogrongoro Crater and Conservation Area. Often referred to as the "Africa's Eden" it is known as the eighth wonder of the world, this caldera, 610 metres deep and 20 km in diameter, 149 km from Arusha, is the home of hundreds of thousands of animals and birds. The largest intact crater in the world, Ngorongoro was an active volcano some 8 million years ago whose cone collapsed leaving a caldera of 311 sq.km. Within the Ngorongoro you can see: Ngorongoro highlands, Olduvai Gorge and Traditional culture.

I took alot of photos on the 2 hour drive there. The terrain is very rough once you get onto the crater area, but, it is massive and an amazing sight to see. CHECK IT OUT: (CLICK ON THE X IF YOU CANNOT SEE PHOTOS)

Along the way we met a young boy named Moses who sold bannans with his father roadside, stopped at an orphanage and also met a young Masai girl. She was stunning and everyone in the bus wanted to tell her. But, as you can see in the village the little boy to her left had other ideas. LOL!

CHECK OUT VIDEO : (HIT X IF CANNOT SEE VIDEO)

TANZANIA: MONDAY JUNE 2-1ST DAY OF LEON SULLIVAN SUMMIT

Today I wanted to go shopping in the city and look around. My driver Tito picked up my roommate and I and took us out on the town. I bought some beautiful statues and pictures etc.... From what I am hearing it a bit more expensive here in Tanzania vs. Ethiopia...but, I also hear the Ethiopian poverty level is even worse than Tanzania. Honestly though, most of the people I have seen EXCEPT FOR THE TIMES WE HEAD TO THE BUSH AREAS, are carrying cell phones, dress in suits. I mean, obviously the locals don't have "money" per say...but, they seem way happier than we are in America..even with all we have. Here's some photos while I was out on the town.

(CLICK ON X IF DOESN'T SHOW)

After my shopping expedition, I decided to head over the AICC Convention Center to check out the Fourm for the Role of Youth in Africa's Future. They allowed the children to get up in speak from their hearts one their thoughts...etc. I cried and was very touched by each and every one of them. Africa's children are born leaders.....and eloquent speakers. TAKE A LOOK. Later that night therew as a beautiful reception with the President of Tanzania, (CLICK ON X IF DOESN'T SHOW)