I made it to Africa, Life in Dar

Where do i start ..... hmmm.

I arrived Tuesday morning 7AM, at Dar es Salaam Airport. It was hot, humid, i was sweating constantly, but i looked out across the airport field and parking lot, and thought to my self, Oh my God I am in Africa again.

Culture Shock: I was in a world of friendly tour operators, cab drivers, and security guards. The taxi drivers would all approach you and say, sir, taxi, taxi. I would just shake my head, trying to relay to them i was ok.

There was a Baha'i youth from Ireland who was meeting me at the airport, I did not know what she looked like, when she would arrive, if she would arrive at all.

TRAVEL TIP number 1: when in africa, have a back up plan.

I told myself, if she doesn't arrive or if we dont connect, I will take a taxi to a hotel, and call her from there. Or other contacts i had in the country.

*** FAST FORWARD ****

She arrived and we met and i was so happy to see someone whom was going to get me to my billet home while i stayed in DAR.

I am staying with a persian family (whom are more African than Persian, 14 years now) and they received me with great hospitality. Claire, the Irish year of service youth who met me at the airport was also staying there, so for the next day or so, she took me around town to purchase some supplies like a cel phone, also to change my US money, and also meet with the Baha'is of Dar. My plan is to go to Morogoro, two hours west of Dar for the weekend for a Baha'i gethering (National Convention) and to see Alicia and Shana who are two Baha'i youth in Tanzania from Canada (Southern Vancouver Island in fact, Alicia is from Shawnigan Lake, and Shana is from View Royal)

Then after the weekend, off to Iringa. I will continue the story from there.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF TANZANIA

People are very friendly and want to help the tourists as much as possible, Everyone who speaks english (Swahili is the National Language) always says "You are welcome to Tanzania"

Dar Es Salaam is too big for me, 4 million plus, it seems there is rush hour all day, the Traffic is nuts, I dont plan on driving in Dar (maybe in Iringa)

Its hot, muggy, and we are in the rainy season, I wonder what its like when its dry season, yikes

The locals want to know as much as they possibly can about Canada, people have already asked me if there is work there, and how expensive it is to fly there. (Maybe Service BC is looking to hire, just kidding guys, HEHEHE)

Anyways, I could go on and on and on, so i will stop there, and please check back in a week or so for my new adventures in Tanzania

IF YOU WANT TO EMAIL ME please use

ozamani9 at gmail.com (at sign doesnt work on this keyboard) I am hoping not to check my yahoo after a month, the server is much slower, and i get way too much spam.\

everyone should convert to gmail.... so long from Tanzania

Photos before I leave

The blog is ready for viewing

Welcome Everyone,

This is the place I will share my stories and pictures with the world. Currently I have a photo album of some past events in my life. I hope to share these with the kids in Tanzania that attend Ruahu Secondary School in Iringa, Tanzania.

There is a map of Tanzania below. Dar Es Salaam is the capital city (Dodoma is the Administrative Capital - where the government will reside). Iringa is about a days trip by bus from Dar Es Salaam. My friend Alicia is in Tabora which is a two day trip from Dar by bus and train.

To the North of Dar and very close to the Kenyan border is Mt. Kilimanjaro and to the west of that is the Serengeti (world famous wild animal reserve). Lake Victoria is one of the biggest lakes in Africa and it borders Uganda and Tanzania. I hope to visit its shorelines while i am there.

Check out some of my family and friends in the photo album.

Before I go .....

Welcome to my first ever BLOG spot.

I am about to embark on an adventure that will change the course of my life and I am getting very excited as i count the days down. This is where i will live in cyberspace over the next few months.