I arrived safely into Dar es Salaam at 9:30pm. Mary Crave, one of the people I will be working with for the next two weeks before she returns home to the United States, picked me up at the airport and brought me to our hotel. At the hotel, I received some delicious complimentary apple juice and then I tried to sleep. I think my body is a little confused of the time right now. I went to bed at 11:00 pm and woke up at 1:00 am...and every hour after that. I decided to get up at 6:00 am and watch the sun rise over the harbor outside my window.
I had the most delicious fruits for breakfast. They served fresh papaya, pineapple, mango, and watermelon. I then met Susan Naburi, the woman in charge of the 4-H program in Tanzania who I will be working with this summer. Susan drove Mary and I around the streets of Dar es Salaam. She took us along the beachfront where all of the embassies are located. I do not think I have ever seen such elaborate embassies in my life. They were all huge and overlooked the Indian Ocean. The most incredible embassy was the United Arab Emirates Embassy, which looked like an Arab palace.
Susan then drove us out to a beach resort where one of Mary's friend was staying. The resort looked like a picture you see on a postcard. Although it looks like paradise, ten minutes in the sun would be enough to give you a painful sunburn. When we arrived, it was low tide so the fishermen were out with their nets. As the tide came in, six boats with fishermen came in with their catches in their nets.
Although this looks like paradise, what you cannot see are the slums along the road leading to this resort. The streets are lined with little shacks with people trying to make a living selling their goods. Women walk along the side of the dirt road balancing their goods on their heads. There are people selling fruits, plants, furniture, and even bushels of sticks. Cows, chickens, and goats roam freely across the roads. There are new buildings being constructed everywhere, but the scaffolding is built from tree branches tied together that looks like it will crumble the minute someone steps on the branch.
Even though most of the population does not live in excess wealth, I have never in my life met people who were so kind and generous. Their kindness is almost overwhelming because they will do anything and everything for you. Someone will open the doors for you, they will bring you anything you need, they carry every bag you have. It's hard to believe that these people can give what little they have without any hesitation while we sometimes get so caught up in our own priorities.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I had the most delicious fruits for breakfast. They served fresh papaya, pineapple, mango, and watermelon. I then met Susan Naburi, the woman in charge of the 4-H program in Tanzania who I will be working with this summer. Susan drove Mary and I around the streets of Dar es Salaam. She took us along the beachfront where all of the embassies are located. I do not think I have ever seen such elaborate embassies in my life. They were all huge and overlooked the Indian Ocean. The most incredible embassy was the United Arab Emirates Embassy, which looked like an Arab palace.
Susan then drove us out to a beach resort where one of Mary's friend was staying. The resort looked like a picture you see on a postcard. Although it looks like paradise, ten minutes in the sun would be enough to give you a painful sunburn. When we arrived, it was low tide so the fishermen were out with their nets. As the tide came in, six boats with fishermen came in with their catches in their nets.
Although this looks like paradise, what you cannot see are the slums along the road leading to this resort. The streets are lined with little shacks with people trying to make a living selling their goods. Women walk along the side of the dirt road balancing their goods on their heads. There are people selling fruits, plants, furniture, and even bushels of sticks. Cows, chickens, and goats roam freely across the roads. There are new buildings being constructed everywhere, but the scaffolding is built from tree branches tied together that looks like it will crumble the minute someone steps on the branch.
Even though most of the population does not live in excess wealth, I have never in my life met people who were so kind and generous. Their kindness is almost overwhelming because they will do anything and everything for you. Someone will open the doors for you, they will bring you anything you need, they carry every bag you have. It's hard to believe that these people can give what little they have without any hesitation while we sometimes get so caught up in our own priorities.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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