Jambo
from Tanzania!! This is the first time I’ve had a chance to post a blog this
week because I don’t usually have access to internet, but I’m adapting well to
life here in Africa! Let me give you a rundown on what things are like here:
Accommodation
I
am currently living with my host family, which consists of my Mama Mary and
Baba (father) and their three daughters: Eva (20), Rachel (17), and Dorcais
(14). The girls speak great English, and they find it hilarious when I try to
practice my Swahili with them! They also have lots of other family members who
come around often. The house is simple but very nice, and it
does have running water and electricity but the electricity goes out frequently. They
treat me like a queen! I have my own room with a king-sized bed and they feed me
VERY well…
Food
They
make me a HUGE breakfast every morning (omelet, bread and peanut butter, tea,
banana, oranges, all just for me!), and I have dinner every night with the girls.
Dinner here doesn’t vary too much, it normally consists of rice or pasta with
beans or a sauce with meat. They also serve fruit for dessert… no real desserts
here!! I might lose 15 pounds!
Toilets
The
GSC office and hotels have toilets like in America (although the flusher doesn’t
always work…) but most homes, including mine, have toilets in the floor. It
flushes, but there’s nothing to sit on! Yikes!
Bathing
As
I said, my home has running water, but it has no hot running water. So instead
of taking a cold shower (which would not be enjoyable because it is quite cool
here) I take bucket-baths. My family provides me with a bucket of hot water to
bathe myself in, perfect! Right? I gave up on using conditioner.
Transportation
To
get from my home to the office, first I have to walk about 10 minutes to the “dala
dala” stop. The dala dala is like a taxi van that can hold 17 people, but
they stuff about 25 people into it. It’s very crowded, but very cheap! Guess
how much it costs in total for me and the other four students to ride? A dala
dala bill!! One dollar! hahaha I know everyone misses my word-play.
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