Poa Kichizi Kama Ndizi Kwenye Friji.

Officially, we’ve only been in Tanzania for about eight days, but it feels more like a month (probably because our clothes smell like it’s been…). Although our Kiswahili is lacking, everyone on the program and I have started on the fast track to assimilation into Tanzanian life. On Wednesday, we moved from Ndarakwai Ranch to the big city of Arusha. With the move, we lost the stars and our cadre of escares (guards), but we gained some luxuries- cold drinks, access to laundry soap, and even a “real” shower (complete with 50° water)! We all became responsible for getting ourselves to the city center for a lunch of rice and beans each day, which involves navigating the local transportation system called “dala dalas”- 16 seat vans that, no matter what, will always have room for one (or 10) more. Needless to say, we are getting very close. Kiswahili classes started on Thursday. We have five teachers who are all incredibly patient and fun. One of their favorite methods of teaching is by making us sing. While we may not be ready for Broadway (yet), our rendition of Hujambo Bwana is not too shabby. I think that the highlight of Arusha so far has been attending a send-off ceremony for a Maasai woman, headed to Dar es Saalam for her wedding next weekend. One of our teachers had connections and managed to get us the invite. It was a wonderful night of showing up underdressed, attempting to fake Swahili ability and failing, yet being accepted anyway, giving up my vegetarian diet in order to not offend new friends Maureen and Fatima, and getting pulled onto the dance floor by some locals, despite the fact that I made it clear that I couldn’t dance. I was hesitant to go to the party at first, but the experience helped me feel so much more connected to Tanzanian culture. While we will all remain “mzungus” forever, for now, we are poa kichizi kama ndizi kwenye friji- cool as a banana in the refrigerator. Well, we’re trying anyway. We leave tomorrow for two weeks on Safari in Tarangire National Park and the Mazumbai Forest Preserve. I can’t wait!     
 

Dala Dala

City street