have a bit of wireless so thought i’d take the opportunity for a quick update, from the past couple of days, here in tanzania…
DAY ONE
flight in tampa delayed 1 hour, 15 minutes
delta wouldn’t wave $200 fee on bag of donation items
ran to my gate in detroit
had to run much faster and farther, to my gate in amsterdam
visa line long
stopped by customs
sweating bullets and about to cry in customs office
customs man kept saying, “what do we do?”
i kept replying, “i don’t know, what DO we do?”
had to pay customs $100 to clear my two donation bags
better than the $247 that customs man calculated
hotel is nice
hotel and restaurant folks are super friendly
visited boarding school (usa river academy), where most of the TFFT children are
the kids at the boarding school are so precious (always wanting to touch (my hair, camera, etc.) and be held)
DAY TWO
went into town
interesting and sometimes a bit scary
mobbed by people wanting to sell you something
had to keep my camera in bag most of the time
town locals like to call me rasta
saw a family of wild monkeys this morning at my hotel
cars everywhere
never seen so many people crammed into a single bus (more like a van)
honking all the time, which is a language all it’s own — means watch out, thank you, i’m coming, you pissed me off, etc.
no stop lights
people drive on the left most of the time
food has been great (eggs, chicken soup, chicken masala, butter chicken)
headed to lunch with a big group today (TFFT and another foundation)
so excited to see and photograph one of the orphanages this afternoon
last day of wireless at my friend’s hotel
hopeful to have wireless on day five of RIDETZ
feeling so incredibly blessed and grateful!!
my hotel
the students at usa river academy
the 16-year-old TFFT student, who was selected to do RIDETZ
saying good-bye, for the day
a wild monkey, at my hotel
center of town
hoping to share more photos in a few days. :-)
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve stayed at that hotel! It all gets better once you leave Arusha. Have a great trip–enjoy it all! Tanzania is an amazing country. And watch out for those monkeys–they will grab your stuff!
LOVING your Internet connection!! Be safe xoxo
Wow, so crazy. What gorgeous children! Have fun and stay safe out there, Rasta lady.
you know how much you are inspiring me to do a trip….i have been itching for it since college….i cant wait to hear of your experiences. xo, be safe and be in the moment its going to be over before you know it.
wow, deb. such an amazing experience!!!! i know it will be filled with so much beauty, newness, some discomfort, tons of affirmation, etc, etc. I’m proud of you& so excited to see and hear more! xoxoxo
So happy to follow your trip. AND, I will be sending a nastygram to delta (so not cool)…
wow this is so wonderful. and what an inspiration you are. i know you must feel lucky to be there helping these people and sharing your wonderful talent with them. and also, how lucky they are. to have such a real person with such a huge heart filled with so much love and care for the world. you are awesome deb.
It is so nice feeling like we were there with you. I know it is not the same…. but at least you brought us closer =)