After lunch at Maji Moto, we continued southward along the eastern shore of Lake Eyasi. The landscape here felt almost lunar. It is flat, it is dry, it is desolate, it is dry as bone. It seemed impossible that anything could survive in such a barren, desperate, and harsh expanse. Yet life endures and the Hadza themselves manage in this marginal environment.

After what seemed like several hours in this desolation, we turned eastward and out of Eyasi’s dry basin toward Yaeda Valley. As we ascended the ridge that divided Lake Eyasi and Yaeda Valley, the emptiness suddenly gave way to woodland and our road became little more than a winding track weaving around rocks, acacia, and majestic baobab trees.

Eventually, we came to a water crossing - a small but flowing stream. It was here that Douglas suggested we attempt a second try at rehoming our friend. After our first rehoming attempt, the snake had been affectionately named Lucy by the students. While Lucifer was the inspiration for the name, it became clear by the snake's rather pleasant demeanor during its trials and tribulations with us that it deserved a kind name. So we brought Lulu, packaged safely in the garbage sack, near the stream and let it go. This time Lulu seemed much happier in this setting and glided away into the underbrush.

We had grown fond of our limbless friend and felt it was our responsibility for its safe return to freedom. With our goodbyes to Lucy said and wishes for safe and happy life given, we took advantage of the opportunity to rehearse a song and dance (this will come into play later in our adventure) before continuing on.