We spent what feels like the majority of the day in transit. We had an overnight flight from Cairo to Ethiopia, which stopped in Sudan. But Karla and I slept right through that layover. In Ethiopia, we awakened from our stupor to change planes. We had been called to board and got on the bus to go to the airplane, when some airline attendants told us to get off the bus. Once everyone had gotten off, obtained a new boarding card and settled back into waiting at the gate, they called for our flight to board again. We still have no idea what that was about.
Anyway. This flight was more comfortable because our seats reclined (!) But less comfortable because we weren't sitting together and were both sitting in the middle. Oh well. At least we got some sleep.
Hellen, the Tanzanian coordinator of Life Project (www.lifeprojectafrica.org. Check it out!) picked is up from the airport and took us to lunch. There, we met one of the doctors who worked at the clinic built by Life Project, and who now teaches at the medical university in Dar Es Salaam. We relaxed and had a delicious meal of roast pig and bananas (plantains) in a tomato-based sauce. Annnnd, just like we'd read in our travel guide, we ate with our hands. I'm gonna love it here!
After lunch, Hellen took us to our hostel - it's fun to stay at the (everybody!) YMCA! Unfortunately, they're doing renovations on the bathroom literally across the hall from our room, which are EXTREMELY loud, but made Hellen far more upset than us. At least until they wake us up in the wee hours of the morning. If only those mosquito nets in our room would keep out noise too!
Hellen left us, and we decided to go for a quick walk before sunset. We walked down to the beach (a 10 minute walk), and just got a feel for the place before turning around and coming back to the YMCA. We've just finished dinner of rice, sauce and chicken (we ate with utensils. Like foreigners. I think we're going to need a tutorial when there's rice involved!), and I think bed is in the near future...
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
4 comments:
You'r in Dar, or the mainland? Whichever, visit the other :). They're very different. Have fun! Love from London. - Martin & Mary & Theo
Mother's are always worried about things, so here's one more...You mention that you have Deet everywhere and sticking to the clothes....As I recall, the deet is only for areas that are EXPOSED. If not areas of the body have clothes on, then you put the DEET on the clothes, but never on skin that is covered. I'm sure that once won't hurt, but be careful in the future.
Ups, mothers not mother's
I checked out the Life Project for Africa website, and was so impressed that I made a small donation...The video is really interesting, especially since Alicia's parents are on it. And I got to "meet" Hellen who is also on the video.
Post a Comment