This I posted a few days ago in a different place. Promises to post a new blog soon.
So I have been in Tanzania for almost two days now.
The trip over was not that eventful, the night before I could not sleep very well, and then I started to cry when I called my parents. My mom was helpful in telling me that everything was going to be alright.
Plane ride
The plane ride was down right boring as hell, they even that these little teasers just to make you realize that you are never going to get to you destination. It is a map that shows where the plane is in regards to the flight and that damn plane doesn't move fast enough. My lower limbs swelled like twice the size they should be, it looked like I has sprained both ankles, but it went down the next day. Oh interesting thing that I noticed at Nairobi , was the two groups of armed guards. Dad will be happy to hear that.
Lost Checked baggage
So when I was at Nairobi we had to pick out our checked luggage and they would throw it on the plane, well my luggage was not there. We ended up leaving without my luggage, kind of frightful. I got my luggage the next day. What happened was that the SFO-KLM guy put the tag that my final destination was Nairobi not Kili so my luggage was left there.
Meeting people
So I don't know why this happens but of the males that I have met so far (which is actually only two), when I start talking to them this is the line of questions that I get, "So where are you from" (US) "what are you here for?" (teaching through a internship for the college that I attend) "what subject?" (bio) "Oh, are you married?" (no) "boyfriend?" (yes his name is Alex) "What does he do?" (student- computer science). … I don't understand, even the married one asked me similar questions.
I feel that a more honest line of questions should be
where are you from…are you available.. is there any chance that I could be more appealing the current guy?
Lost in translation
So I finally realize that if people are going to go to a different country they should know at least some of the language. Not only do I know almost zero (and by that I mean that I know 3 words, I could do better in an Arabic country,) Kiswahili; but the English that people do know is not American English, its English English and I have enough trouble trying to translate what British people say. My plan is to stop trying to translate the words and just think of the words in Kiswahili.
I really don't like the fact that I can not understand anyone AT ALL, at least with Spanish and some Arabic I can understand somewhat. But this is learning right. Not to mention that most of the people around here understand more than one language I makes me sad for the USA school system.
Stepping on toes
So I know that I have been looking into the customs and culture of Tanzania, but I still don't know how many toes that I am stepping on. First example tipping… a guy helped me carry my stuff to my room which I was very grateful for, should I tip.. I tried with one but he wouldn't take it. Personal space. I know Americans like their space and I like even more space than most Americans. A few people (guys) have kind of tried to shake hands or slight touching (no elbows yet Alex ), but I don't really know what it means are they hitting on me to see of I pull away (not interested) or are they just doing what their culture taught them?
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Amersterdam
Amersterdam events
Baggage Lockers in AMSThis will be short.. I wanted to put most of my carry-ons in a locker because they weight a million pounds and I didn't want to worry about them getting stolen. Anyways I asked four different people if they could show me how to work the locker payment computer. The last person that worked at the airport had to try it twice before it worked for her. And later I couldn't find it and then found out that the locker and my gate was on the other side of the airport.
Amsterdam coffee shop
So I was really nervous about the coffee shops in Amsterdam. I figured that I should try it since Im in Amsterdam. Anyways this nice Moroccan guy helped me pick some out that was suppose to wake me up a little. I went in the back because the sits were soft, and smoked by myself. I felt really self-conscious because I'm retarded. My whole body was tingling almost like I was going to throw-up. And all I wanted to do was sleep. I had a 9 hour plane ride and 3-4 hours walking around on tired feet. After what felt like hours, I got up, only smoking half, I walked out and realized how blazed I was. I turned a couple of corners and found myself in the red light district. I found this hilarious because I have just spent the whole time prior keeping any eye for it. I was too blazed to even try to keep track of my camera if I took it out, so I guess that I have to go back so I can get pictures. I made my way back to the train station and got on the train that was at 15B not 15A after I asked two people if it was going to the airport and they said it did. What they failed to tell me/me ask them was that it was on a 3 hour loop me 20 min loop like the one I wanted. So I ended up taking a nice ride around Holland and falling a sleep for a hour-ish about 2or 3 AM Oregon time which I think helped me out.
Baggage Lockers in AMSThis will be short.. I wanted to put most of my carry-ons in a locker because they weight a million pounds and I didn't want to worry about them getting stolen. Anyways I asked four different people if they could show me how to work the locker payment computer. The last person that worked at the airport had to try it twice before it worked for her. And later I couldn't find it and then found out that the locker and my gate was on the other side of the airport.
Amsterdam coffee shop
So I was really nervous about the coffee shops in Amsterdam. I figured that I should try it since Im in Amsterdam. Anyways this nice Moroccan guy helped me pick some out that was suppose to wake me up a little. I went in the back because the sits were soft, and smoked by myself. I felt really self-conscious because I'm retarded. My whole body was tingling almost like I was going to throw-up. And all I wanted to do was sleep. I had a 9 hour plane ride and 3-4 hours walking around on tired feet. After what felt like hours, I got up, only smoking half, I walked out and realized how blazed I was. I turned a couple of corners and found myself in the red light district. I found this hilarious because I have just spent the whole time prior keeping any eye for it. I was too blazed to even try to keep track of my camera if I took it out, so I guess that I have to go back so I can get pictures. I made my way back to the train station and got on the train that was at 15B not 15A after I asked two people if it was going to the airport and they said it did. What they failed to tell me/me ask them was that it was on a 3 hour loop me 20 min loop like the one I wanted. So I ended up taking a nice ride around Holland and falling a sleep for a hour-ish about 2or 3 AM Oregon time which I think helped me out.
pictures
I wrote a bunch of stuff but forgot to put in the correct program so I'm just going to post some pictures. The first is my second lunch meal with the headmaster. The things in the top middle are boiled bananas, and there is a little green ball on the left, I don't know what it is but it was very sour. The second is a minibus that they cram like 20 people into.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Traveling to Africa
So Im not going to be able to use this site because all I get in Africa is a bunch of question marks, and Im just guessing and clicking. Ill post a new blog when I get one.
But enjoy the news if you want email me with comments. besteph04@yahoo.com
Baggage Lockers in AMS
This will be short.. I wanted to put most of my carry-ons in a locker because they weight a million pounds and I didn’t want to worry about them getting stolen. Anyways I asked four different people if they could show me how to work the locker payment computer. The last person that worked at the airport had to try it twice before it worked for her. And later I couldn’t find it and then found out that the locker and my gate was on the other side of the airport.
Coffee at a Amsterdam coffee shop
So I was really nervous about the coffee shops in Amsterdam, basically because I usually need someone more experienced than me to make the decisions and load. Anyways this nice Moroccan helped me pick some out that was suppose to wake me up a little. I went in the back because the sits were soft, and smoked by myself. I felt really self-conscious because I’m retarded. Well I think that it was the first time I actually got high. My whole body was tingling almost like I was going to throw-up. And all I wanted to do was sleep. I had a 9 hour plane ride and 3-4 hours walking around on tired feet.
After what felt like hours, I got up, only smoking half, I walked out and realized how blazed I was. I turned a couple of corners and found myself in the red light district. I found this hilarious because I have just spent the whole time prior keeping any eye for it. I was too blazed to even try to keep track of my camera if I took it out, so I guess that I have to go back so I can get pictures. I made my way back to the train station and got on the train that was at 15B not 15A after I asked two people if it was going to the airport and they said it did. What they failed to tell me/me ask them was that it was on a 3 hour loop me 20 min loop like the one I wanted. So I ended up taking a nice ride around Holland and falling a sleep for a hour-ish about 2or 3 AM Oregon time which I think helped me out.
But enjoy the news if you want email me with comments. besteph04@yahoo.com
Baggage Lockers in AMS
This will be short.. I wanted to put most of my carry-ons in a locker because they weight a million pounds and I didn’t want to worry about them getting stolen. Anyways I asked four different people if they could show me how to work the locker payment computer. The last person that worked at the airport had to try it twice before it worked for her. And later I couldn’t find it and then found out that the locker and my gate was on the other side of the airport.
Coffee at a Amsterdam coffee shop
So I was really nervous about the coffee shops in Amsterdam, basically because I usually need someone more experienced than me to make the decisions and load. Anyways this nice Moroccan helped me pick some out that was suppose to wake me up a little. I went in the back because the sits were soft, and smoked by myself. I felt really self-conscious because I’m retarded. Well I think that it was the first time I actually got high. My whole body was tingling almost like I was going to throw-up. And all I wanted to do was sleep. I had a 9 hour plane ride and 3-4 hours walking around on tired feet.
After what felt like hours, I got up, only smoking half, I walked out and realized how blazed I was. I turned a couple of corners and found myself in the red light district. I found this hilarious because I have just spent the whole time prior keeping any eye for it. I was too blazed to even try to keep track of my camera if I took it out, so I guess that I have to go back so I can get pictures. I made my way back to the train station and got on the train that was at 15B not 15A after I asked two people if it was going to the airport and they said it did. What they failed to tell me/me ask them was that it was on a 3 hour loop me 20 min loop like the one I wanted. So I ended up taking a nice ride around Holland and falling a sleep for a hour-ish about 2or 3 AM Oregon time which I think helped me out.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Friday, June 1, 2007
Important Docs
I finally got my plane tickets and visa and all my shots.
In one week I had five freakin shots, plus a rash from my yellow fever shot it hurt so much. I dont understand how I can/like needles from tattoos and piercings but cant stand a actual shot its like what a 20 gauge needle but it hurts.
My padre got my my tickets (until I pay him back). Thanks dad... I fly out of SFO at like 3 pm on June 26th (less then a month yikes) ... then I fly to Amsterdam, then Nairobi then to Kili were I will be picked up my ...someone at like 8/9ish in the morning. Lucky the west coast is 11 hours behind to its like 10/11 ish at night so I should be wide a wake. I dont think that the whole "Im going to live in Africa for 6 months will really hit me until I get on the plane. And freak out. I know I can handle but this is going to be a trip.
As far as the visa thing goes.. I had to send my passport to New York, that was scary. I just got the thing and now I had to send it away with the chance of it getting lost or stolen. While I was at FedEx (they can track your stuff) I was getting ready to put all the stuff in the package, I kissed my passport and said "Come back to me." The guy that was helping me probably thought I was crazy. I it did come back with a lovely stamp for my visa.
In one week I had five freakin shots, plus a rash from my yellow fever shot it hurt so much. I dont understand how I can/like needles from tattoos and piercings but cant stand a actual shot its like what a 20 gauge needle but it hurts.
My padre got my my tickets (until I pay him back). Thanks dad... I fly out of SFO at like 3 pm on June 26th (less then a month yikes) ... then I fly to Amsterdam, then Nairobi then to Kili were I will be picked up my ...someone at like 8/9ish in the morning. Lucky the west coast is 11 hours behind to its like 10/11 ish at night so I should be wide a wake. I dont think that the whole "Im going to live in Africa for 6 months will really hit me until I get on the plane. And freak out. I know I can handle but this is going to be a trip.
As far as the visa thing goes.. I had to send my passport to New York, that was scary. I just got the thing and now I had to send it away with the chance of it getting lost or stolen. While I was at FedEx (they can track your stuff) I was getting ready to put all the stuff in the package, I kissed my passport and said "Come back to me." The guy that was helping me probably thought I was crazy. I it did come back with a lovely stamp for my visa.
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