Friday, June 20, 2014

Three days of travel

Hello all my dear friends and family!  After a very long and tiring week of traveling, we are finally in the village of Berega in Tanzania- my home for the next year.  So much has happened already, I don't even know where to begin but here goes.  I had a wonderful time with my family in New York City, it was the perfect way for me to end my time in America.  We went to all the best tourist spots (the 9/11 museum was amazing!), got to see an incredible Broadway show (The Lion King- the best way to send me off to Africa!), and ate some awesome food (including Chinese in Chinatown and pizza in Little Italy!).  I really had so much fun with my beautiful family, I miss you all so much.

Scott got to NYC Monday evening and we had a terrible time catching a taxi with all the luggage he had.  After dinner, we all tried to go to sleep early since Mom and the kids had to leave the apartment at 3 am so we only ended up getting about 3 hours of sleep.  I woke up to see them off to the airport and it felt like I was never going to see them again, I was so sad. But I know this year will fly by so fast and I'll see my loved ones before I know it!

Me and Scott's flight was at noon but we got to the airport around 8am thank goodness, because it took over 2 hours for us just to check in our luggage. After moving clothes around between suitcases, weighing and re-weighing our bags, bargaining with the desk attendants, and shelling out $500 we finally checked in all 6 of our bags and made it through security. The 10 hour flight to Istanbul wasn't bad, we had the exit row so had lots of leg room!  Turkish airlines also had tv screens in front of each seat so we could watch movies, listen to music, and play games. I couldn't sleep unfortunately, so I was extremely tired by the time we arrived in Istanbul. Since we had a 13 hour layover, the airline offered a city tour so we didn't have to stay at te airport the whole time. As tired as I was, I'm so glad we went on the tour.  Istanbul is amazing!!  We visited so many mosques and churches, learned about the history of the city, and ate two authentic Turkish meals. I can't wait to post pictures of the mosques, they were truly awe inspiring. We also met several other travelers, including two people from Spain who were also traveling to Tamzania. So we went back to the airport with those two and waited the last two hours before the plane left.

Another 10 hour flight to Dar Es Salaam and I still couldn't sleep, but I watched 3 movies and listened to lots of Taylor Swift (thought about you Mariah :)).  By this time I'm almost delirious because two days without sleep doesn't sit with me well. We got to the airport safe and Abdallah, the Hands4Africa driver, was there to pick us up. He was such a nice guy and even drove our two friends from Spain to the bus station so they could get to Moshi. It was about 4 am by the time we dropped them off and then Abdallah took us to the Holiday Inn. Our wonderful director, Brad, got us a room so we could sleep before we made the 6 hour drive to the village.  I don't think I would have lasted another hour without sleep!!  The room was very comfortable and nice, we only slept about 5 hours but it was totally worth it.

Abdallah picked us up the next day around noon and we started the drive to Berega. The traffic was terrible (you should see these African roads..) but after we got out of Dar we had the most beautiful drive through the countryside of Tanzania. There are so many mountains and trees, what a scenic  place this is. I just couldn't believe after so many months of planning, we were finally back in Africa. I felt so grateful just to be here. We arrived in Berega around 9 pm last night to several of the local villagers who greeted us and showed us our home.  I had serious low expectations of the place we would be living in but I was so wrong!  Hands4Africa really outdid themselves and did everything they could to make us feel at home. We had brand new oak furniture, a kitchen with a sink and brand new stove and refrigerator, a bathroom with a real toilet and shower- complete with running water. AND we have electricity!  The water and electricity don't always work but some is better than none. The best part is our backyard has an incredible mountain view and will be the perfect place for prayer and meditation.  I fell asleep immediately (under a mosquito net already set up) and slept til 4 pm today. I have never felt so tired and am still pretty jet lagged, but I definitely slept well.  As soon as I woke up, another volunteer Logan came over and gave me and Scott a tour of Berega.  The village is much different than I expected, very green and lush, but still very dusty. I met many of the children who attend St. Mary's, the school I will be teaching at. They are all so cute!!  I can't wait to start work on Monday. There will be so much to learn.. I will post pictures soon!

I've got to go, my phone is dying and we have to wake up early. Logan and others in the village are going on safari tomorrow in Mikumi National Park so we are leaving around 7. I'm so excited to go on safari again!!  I miss all my family and friends, but I can tell this is going to be the best experience of my life so far.  I will blog again when I can and use Viber to contact those who wish to talk when I have internet again.  Take care and Habari usiku!