Four Continents, Two Days

Habari za mchana! (Good afternoon!),

I love Africa. That is an understatement. I love love love it here!

I left Glenview for Africa on Thursday night. Three flights, two long layovers, and four continents later, I was in Dar Es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania. My travels went flawlessly, none of my flights were late, and all of my baggage arrived with me in Dar...PTL (a Fuchsism.."praise the Lord," which I sure am doing a lot of lately). I spent 9 hours in Heathrow Airport in London and 5 hours in the Dubai International Airport in the UAE. Dubai was such an intriguing place - so much different than I expected but definitely some place I would be interested in returning to. Also, if you ever have the chance to fly on Emirates Airlines, do it! I have never been on a more luxurious economy class flight. We had 190+ movies and TV station, five course meals, and lot of leg room. Five of us from my program met up in Dubai for our last flight and met the other seven volunteers when we arrived at Dar.

Saturday evening was laid back. We arrived in Bagamoyo by van right before dinner time, ate dinner, and got to know each other the rest of the night. The food here is amazing! This may surprise you, as many of you think I'm a picky eater. But here I have tried practically everything and enjoyed all of it. African food is unique and incredibly delicious. The CCS property is so home-y and wonderful. I am staying in the Main House in a single room with half of the volunteers, and the other half are across the street in the Annex House, but we all share meals and free time together.

Sunday was an adventurous day. Unfortunately, I threw up my entire breakfast that morning because I took my anti-malaria pills before eating (but at least I don't have malaria!). After orientation all morning, the whole group went on a tour of Bagamoyo by van. We visited the fish market and beach, a couple of art markets, the Caravan Serai, and the Kaole Ruins. My school is right down the street from the school I am working at, so we saw that on the way.

This morning, we were sent on a mission to meet the neighbors. Tessa and I were told to go to the Arts Centre down the street. Kids can take art classes there, stay there, or just hang out. Melica and Emily, two of the other volunteers, were also brought there by the neighbors they were visiting. The best part of the whole experience? When impromptu drumming, dancing, and singing started. Not only that, but we knew the first song they sang - in Swahili! We got to play the drums with them and learn some dance moves and new songs. It was poa sana (very cool!).

We got to eat lunch and meet with our Partner Programs today. All of the Partners came to CCS for lunch and then we split off and got to talk with the people we'll be working with. I met with Timoth and Msomba from the Kaole School and they told me that I will likely be teaching in their preschool or Standard 1 (grade 1), which means 5-7 year olds. I am elated about that and can't wait to go tomorrow for my first day! We also had our first formal Swahili lesson today, though we've already begun to pick up on Swahili from our staff and meeting others around town. I can have a basic conversation with someone now (or at least ask them how their day is going and introduce myself). Swahili is such a beautiful language and I can't wait to learn more and use it more.

For now, that is all. I forgot my camera cord when I came to the internet cafe, so unfortunately I cannot post any pictures, but I will try to get back soon. Love you all!

PS - Africa is WAY cooler than Africa in the Animal Kingdom at Disney World. And real Baobob trees are WAY cooler than the Tree of Life in Disney World.

PPS - just a few shout-outs to everyone at home:
- Jenny - good luck on AP's tomorrow!!!
- Scharmy - hope you got back from France okay and are adjusting back to the US - I was sad I couldn't be there at the airport when you arrived!
- Erica Nimri - girl, I thought of you ALL the time when I was in Dubai! Everything is in Arabic there and I couldn't understand any of it, but I knew you would.
- Joe - news on Nine?? You have to let me know!
- Kiely - Tuma is on leave until the 30th, which is when I leave! I will try to leave your letter here for him, though. Also, we have two volunteers at the Imuma Orphanage (that's where you were, right?), so I will get news on how things are going there!