Paige grimaced. “I did not say that. But I wouldn’t mind mosquito nets. Not a fan of mosquitos, or bugs.”
“Or lizards,” Elizabeth said, heading into the hall. “Or snakes,” she called back over her shoulder.
Paige turned to Jack, exasperated. “I sometimes don’t know why we’re even friends.”
Jack flashed a quick smile, his straight teeth white against his tan. “Are you sure you’re not sisters?”
“We should be.” She gestured to a chair. “Want to sit?”
“I’ve got some grading to do, but I wondered if you’d want to get dinner sometime this week, or even this weekend?”
Some of the tension within her eased. “I’d love to.”
“Good. Think about what works best for you. I’m pretty open.”
“I’m picking up Ashley from the airport tonight, and I’ll find out her schedule and then let you know.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He paused. “You’re good to share the news with our class today that we’ve got a change of plans?”
“If you’re good to do the sharing. I have your pdf on the program in Arusha, but I assume you’ll break the news, then send the pdf after?”
“Dr. Keller’s office will be sending all parents and guardians the same pdf today, along with a letter from him.”
“I’m glad he’s being so supportive,” she said.
“He’s a good administrator, and he’ll be talking up the program to all the media, so there’s that. See you in class?”
“I will be there.”
Paige watched him walk out, admiring his broad shoulders, the long muscular legs, his thick tousled hair. Her insides did a fluttery flip. He was hot. She loved looking at him. Loved kissing him. Would she love making love? That she didn’t know.
* * *
Two hours later they were wrapping up the Wednesday class they taught together when Jack looked at Paige, eyebrow lifted, and she knew what he was asking. Was it time to break the news? She thought so and nodded yes.
Paige stepped aside so Jack could take over. He didn’t waste time, letting the students know that due to the recent hurricanes battering the Caribbean and eastern Central America, Monteverde, like much of Costa Rica, was under water, and that they were unable to host the students for the field program. However, Jack had been in touch with one of the programs he worked with when teaching at Princeton and they were happy to accommodate the students from Orange.
“We’ll be working with Tanzanian partners at the Center for Wildlife Management Studies,” Jack said, “focusing on natural resource conservation, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change, using the Arusha National Park and neighboring migratory corridors for the basis of our studies. Instead of studying the behavioral ecology of the Costa Rican forests, we will work with the Arushan community to study, and tackle, some of their environmental conservation challenges.
“Some of my Princeton students spend a semester in Tanzania, others are there for four weeks. We only have two weeks, so we’re going to make every day count,” Jack added. “The cost for the field studies remains the same, though, and the university is working with a travel agency to handle the shift in arrangements. We already have copies of your passports and will be applying for the necessary visas to Tanzania. Vaccines will be necessary, and student services here on campus will take care of necessary shots and antimalarial prescriptions. It’s your job to make an appointment with student health. Do not procrastinate.”
He glanced at Paige. “What am I forgetting?”
“The description of our Arusha campus. I’m sure everyone would like to know more about where we’re staying.”
“Good point, yes.” He turned back to the class. “There are a number of different centers that house students on international study programs. We’ll be staying at the Center for Wildlife Management Studies—hereafter referenced as the Center—which sits on the outskirts of Arusha, and just a few kilometers from the entrance to Arusha National Park, making it the ideal base for our studies as well as visits to the national parks—and there are many within a short drive. Our campus is a former hotel, with extensive grounds and a pool. You’ll be two to a room. We’ll have classes on the second floor in the conference rooms.”
“Dr. King will be sending out a pdf after class with all the information he just shared along with a packing list,” Paige said. “The packing list is not a suggestion; it’s important you adhere to it. Tanzania is predominantly Muslim, and conservative, so, girls, no leggings and no skimpy outfits allowed, and that includes shorts and skirts above the knee, no midriffs, bare backs, low necklines.”
“Thighs covered always,” Jack added, “for both men and women except for swimming at the Center’s pool, and then before you leave the pool area and go back to your room, cover up. For packing purposes, short-sleeved shirts are fine, but no halter tops, tank tops, as your shoulders should be covered. We do not want to give offense.”
He glanced down at his notes before continuing. “I have some notes on cultural differences in the pdf, but we’ll be discussing in-depth at the airport, as we’ll have several hours between checking in and departure, but obviously wardrobe needs to be sorted soon. Pack lightly, though. The Cessna Caravans have a weight limit and you don’t want to be the one with the heavy bag that gets left behind. Your backpack and suitcase combined can’t weigh more than twenty kilograms, which is forty-four pounds for you Americans.” He smiled as he looked around the lecture hall. “As much as we love the convenience of roller bags, you’ll need a soft duffel bag as once we’re in Zanzibar we’ll be transferring to smaller aircraft, and their cargo holds can’t accommodate larger luggage.”
“Read through Dr. King’s packet carefully,” Paige said. “We’ll answer questions Friday. See you then.” She turned to Jack as the students began talking animatedly among themselves. “That went well,” she said.
“How many emails do you think we’re going to get between now and Friday?”
“Oh, maybe fifteen, twenty?”
“I say twelve,” he said, packing his things up.
“I’m going to go with nineteen as my final answer,” she replied. “Whoever is closer wins. Whoever loses pays for dinner.”
“Deal.”