It's only been a week?! I feel like I have been here for a month. I don't mean that in a bad way, I love it here, I just mean that I feel like I live here. Some of us went to breakfast this morning and there were so many tourists (or I guess I should say white people). I feel ridiculous because I look at them as if they are outsiders and I'm not...and it's only been a week! It's cool though because we ate at a place where a lot of tourists were eating and people who want to sell things hang around outside and wait for them to come out. We don't get hassled anymore, though, because everyone knows us. Plus I've become good friends with a few of them and hang out a lot.
On Thursday night we decided to check out a place called ViaVia. It is a club that has live music on Thursdays and it is literally a straight shot about half a mile from our apartment. We walked there to kind of test the waters as far as walking after dark goes. It was ok because we were all together and within sight of the hotel. ViaVia is really nice, its open and under the stars. The only thing is that it kind of seemed like a place where white girls go to make out with "natives" and the local guys go to find "white girls". Maybe I was just hyper sensitive to it, but I definitely am still working through all that when it comes to interacting with other tourists. Luckily I was with my group and my friend Michael was there so I stayed with them. Also we ran into our law professor decked out in his night-time garb...so funny to see your professor at a bar.
I went back with Rose and Josh earlier than the others and Michael and John, another friend, rode back in the cab with us and then went back to the club. It's so funny to me how people walk you to where you are going here. And I guess they ride back wtih you to where you are going too! It was good though because I felt a lot safer riding back with them. It only costs like $2 to get back to the hotel in a cab. Unfortunately we didn't get to bed until about 3:30 and had to get up at 7:30. We are the only ones in our classes, so the entire class was exhausted all day! Our poor professors...
Yesterday Michael took some of us around town and showed us where the stadium is, and I think we are going to see a soccer game today. It only costs about 30 cents. Also Josh, Kaliya, and I are going to try and find some bikes.
I forgot to mention earlier that there is a Mosque (or a lot of them) behind our hotel and sometimes I can hear the call to prayer at 5:30 am if I wake up. It's so beautiful!
Unfortunately Valentine's Day can't be avoided even in Tanzania. I'm a little homesick, but I also wouldn't want to leave. I can tell that I'm going to learn Swahili pretty quickly, and I think once I have it will be a lot less effort to go places. I wish it were easier to talk to people from home. The internet is slow and not in my apartment, and phone minutes cost a lot. I have written a few letters but I haven't gotten any yet hint hint HINT :)
I hope everyone is safe and happy. I have to do homework.
Love,
Sarah
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3 comments:
heh sarah, i tried to get ahold of you via skype between 9:30 and 10:30am our time saturday morning. it just rang and then said your line was busy. i'll keep trying, but i suspect that maybe you ran out of minutes??
Hi Sarah - I love hearing about all you are doing! It sounds like things are equally tough and exciting. I am sure that you are doing everything just right. Go slow, and let it all absorb. You are so great - and I am so envious! I too have tried to call a few times but haven't gotten through. Take good care and keep the blog going if you can. Love you - Fran
going to call you soon......when I get paid and put money on my skype!
Hope all is well we miss you!
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