So I tried to type up my blog before I got to the internet cafe, but I guess windows will not let me copy and paste into my blog, so I have to re-type it all. Oh well :) This is my fifth day as a peace corps trainee. This is the first time with access to the internet becasue I am staying at a hostel in the capitol city of Dar es Salaam. The plane ride was pretty long consisting of two eight hour flights but I was able to sleep through most of both. This totally threw off my sleep schedule, but all is well now. The first night was around 80 degrees with 100 % humidity. I thought I ould be unable to sleep, but once my head hit the pillow I fell right to sleep. The next day started at 7am! We recieved some fried wrap stuffed with beef (samboosa) a pink sausage and a crepe like bread. All of it was wonderful. Most of the food here has been fried or seasoned really well. I have grown to love it and will continue I am sure throughout my entire stay. The trainings have lasted between 8-9 hours a day with various topics ranging from language to safety. Lunch and dinner usually consist of rice, beans, a protein and cabbage, again I am LOVING the food. The Kiswahili classes are challenging but are lots of fun. In Tanzania everyone is so friendly and love to teach their language so they dont mind when you attempt to talk to them in their local language. Yesterday we were able to travel off of the hostel property and see some of the city. I was unsure what to expect, but it reminded me of a large flea market downton. It was full of vendors and people buying. We went on Sunday, and I have heard during the week it is packed and people are crammed together prohibiting much movement. We were able to take a Dala dala for the first time. It is a large bus/taxi that goes around the city full of people. On Wednesday the group and I leave for Muheza where we will meet our host family. We will spend the next nine weeks learning the language and the culture. I am so excited to have this opportunity. Thank you all for the supprt and prayers, I can really feel them. I love and miss you all and hope to update soon.
Much love,
Justin
P.S. I am sorry for the spelling and grammar mistakes, I am super rushed.
heyy its craig!
ReplyDeletesoundsss veryyy cool! glad yer enjoyin the food! the upstairs is a pig stigh.. alicia does not clean up my messes as well as you did :(
sounds fantastic :-) Missing you here in Kalamazoo...it's just not the same without you. Already looking forward to reading the next blog post! Take care of yourself my friend. Much love
ReplyDeleteHey Hey! So happy to hear you're adjusting well. Missing you here, but you're doing great things! Stay safe, learn lots, and take tons of pictures! Love love.
ReplyDeleteHi Justin
ReplyDeleteIt's Aunt Judy and Uncle Chuck and mom and dad. Glad to hear you everything is going so well. Glad you are enjoying the samboosa it sounds delicious....we had pizza at Library Pub - saved you a piece. Love and miss you too
Hey Jus, so happy you made it and are adjusting so quickly to the food and humidity. You are missed and loved much. So glad you feel our prayers. What does Uhuru na Umoja mean? Your Greatest Aunt...
ReplyDeleteHi Honey
ReplyDeleteIt was so great so see your blog posted. I'm glad you are enjoying the people and the food. Today is Wednesday, so you will meet your host family. Can't wait to hear about them - if you are staying with a family with kids or not and how old they all are. I hope you continue to feel our prayers. You and your other volunteers are in our daily prayers. We love you so much. Be safe - take care. LOVE YOU
Justin! This all sounds so wonderful! Keep telling! We can't wait to hear about your host family! We love and miss our coolest relative.
ReplyDeleteBeth, Brian, Whitney&Sam
Hey! Sounds like you're having a great time :) I can't wait to hear about your host family.
ReplyDeleteLots of love!
Hi Justin,
ReplyDeleteJust read Dorene's comment. Please humor her 'cause we both know who your greatest and favorite aunt is . . .
miss you - love you
love,
aunt jude