Because I should get an F for updates this month. So, first off, I apologize. I haven't had a single one this month! I attempted to draft one recapping my teaching experience and my last days with my family in Arusha. And talking about my amazing Spring Break in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire National Park and all the breath taking animals and scenery. And updating you about the ins and outs of life in Dar. But, when I should have so much to say, I have close to nothing. And I have close to nothing because I have so much. Blek, hate when that happens.
I haven't really been able to gather all of my thoughts enough this month. The fact that this experience is almost over is pretty overwhelming. Only a few days now. But, I think it's better if I get something out, so you all know I'm still alive and well. So, Dar is different from anywhere we've been. It's huge. Not necessarily in area, but in mass. Take away the street venders, food shacks, crazy driving and the knowledge that you're in Africa, and you might think it's a modern-day city. Well, because it is, it's quite modern. Huge hotels and office towers shoot up in the sky (the fact that they can be built in a few months says something about the care put into them though). The dress is more modern. The roads are PAVED. There are actual street lights and maybe a Subway.. (which I have not eaten at). And pretty western bakeries. Rather than a large tourist city it's a business and education city, so there are actually hardly any tourists and attractions, making it a little difficult to do anything but walk around the streets.
So that we have. We've walked all over finding things that we aren't always able to find again because its easy to get lost. But everything leads back to the main road so it's easy to find our way back too. I'm living with a man and his wife in their small but adorable apartment walking distance from where we're holding class and from the city. Tinno is his name and he studied in America for 8 years before Clintons time. Since he was there before Clinton, we were quizzled by the portrait of Bill hanging on their wall.
"Tinno," we asked, "why do you have Bill on your wall? Do you just like him?"
"Oh, oh yes," he said, "I am a democrat." And he walked into our room to spray the bug spray for the night.
So he is quite americanized. We have a TV with movie channels and news. Two things I haven't had. Because its just him and his wife, Feroza, my roommate Becca and I have had alot of freedom to come and go and feel free in the house. Their daughter is 20 and lives at her university during the week. We share the room with her on the weekends.
School has been our focus again this month, after our two months of swahili focus, internships and spring break. We got back into the swing of meeting every day, hearing lectures, reading text books and such. I was reading my roommates blog (from America) a few days ago and she mentioned having to do a report on Muslims and technology. I thought, "How the heck is she going to do that while she's in America!" (thinking about all the Muslims we've met here and our direct interaction). Well, of course she'll do research and all the same stuff we've always done. But, it made me realize that being IN what I'm learning about has been key to learning so much. Our home stays have been our number one educators. Our research has been interviews with people on the streets. Our observations have been direct! The value of traveling to study is so great. And I've been blessed to experience it.
We've had two professors from the University of Dar es Salaam as teachers this month and have visited the two major political parties and the two major universities. Needless to say, we've had some great field trips.
So, in the next 48 hours I will write one more small paper about religion, complete my take home final, find the tea and coffee I've been looking for, PACK and make no-bake cookies for my host family.
And so, with my internet time running out, I must say goodbye for the last in from Tanzania. I promise some better updates upon my return.
Much love and thanks to my family and friends.
See you soon all.
