Life in Tanzania: I finally made it!

  I know it is three days after the fact, but I finally made it to Tanzania! The flights were long as to be expected, and I tried to sleep as much as possible, but of course from LHR to DAR there were about 35 Danish teenagers that I swear each drank 3 redbulls before getting on the flight. The gentleman next to me was very nice and kept to himself so I did end up getting some rest. It turns out there were 3 other CIEE kids on my flight (hidden amongst the crazy Danes). Immigration and what little booth they consider customs went really well for three of us, but unfortunately one of the boys' luggage was left in Heathrow! This was on Sunday and as I am writing this (Tuesday) his luggage just arrived! Everything runs just a little late in East Africa...
  Despite many warnings from the program director Ken I was near losing consciousness and was forced to spend much of Sunday napping...so much for warding off jetlag! It all worked out anyway because our group dinner (intended to last maybe 2 hours?) and get together went on until the late hours of the night. Dinner was served on the beach side of the hotel (rooms are across the road with the bar/restaurant on the other side) and we were lucky enough to have our first get together on a designated party night. There was East African music playing and lots of people dancing on the dance floor...even some of the CIEE kids got up and tried to do some African moves! I hadn't quite recovered from the lack of sleep so I didn't get up and groove with them, but I assure you it will happen! I was a little disheartened to hear that "Fly like a G6" has made it to Africa. Anyway, dinner was ordered around 730 and didn't show up until around 830 which would usually have really bothered me, but I really enjoyed the relaxed meal experience. No one is in a hurry in Dar and I really enjoy it.
Monday was packed full of events from a delicious breakfast in the morning to a campus tour in the afternoon (so hot!!) and another lovely dinner at the Jangwani beach resort in the evening (that yes, took a loooong time). Breakfast consists of fresh squeezed juices (Passionfruit, Pineapple, Watermelon), chapati, and assorted meats and fresh fruits. Before I go on I need to note that literally every meal is either a curry or fish (with rice, rice and more rice) and I don't mind a bit! The curries are served either in the Chinese, Indian or East African style and guess what! They come with rice...! Everything is fresh and delicious=)
The tour of the campus and the shopping trip to Mlimani City (an air conditioned mall near UDSM), while extremely hot and resulting in a super sweaty Jennifer, were amazing and eye opening. The campus is beautiful and covered with palms and other flowering African trees. There is apparently even a local group of baboons that have made the UDSM campus their home! It was nice to see that the majority of the students spend their time in between classes studying in the many grassy and shaded areas around campus. While it may be hot and humid, I know I will enjoy living on campus...how can I not?
  Today is another packed day and it isn't over yet! Another lovely, healthy breakfast followed by some boring but important paperwork (you know, updating my visa and stuff so I don't get kicked out of the country...no big). But after all of that we got to go out to Bongoyo marine reserve and study Swahili under a cabana on the beach. I vote all classes are taught this way from now on!! The waters of the Indian ocean are pristine and warm and I actually worked up the courage to swim a far way out! Thankfully there were no sharks to nibble on my legs.