i got in safely and soundly last night at a ripe old 11pm, local time. there is nothing more frustrating than sitting by an airplane window with a stop in kilimanjaro in the pitch black darkness. the mountain was out there, but my very un-catlike eyes can't see a thing. the flight itself was fairly uneventful except for this pair of really annoying spaniards (i know!!!) on my last leg. they sat next to me and i didn't say a word to them the whole flight, which was some feat. mostly they were just being jerky and rude to the flight attendants. i was embarassed for my kind and tried to be overly polite to compensate. the other highlight of the flight (or low-light) was the crappy soup whose lid read, i kid you not, "soup has been in the diet of humans since 6000 BC. early ingredients consisted mainly of hippopotamus." no wonder hippos don't like humans so much.
dar es salaam is nothing like i expected. granted, i haven't seen too much of the city yet (late night careening through the streets in the cab doesn't really count), but i wasn't expecting to see a home depot and a mercedes benz plant right out of the airport. welcome to globalization.
i'm glad i'm a florida girl, because it is hot and humid like nobody's business. my hair is still struggling to dry after my shower 10 hours ago. now i remember why i moved up north so many years ago: sticky weather and ana don't mix all that well. i'll have to figure out some strategies on keeping myself cool that don't expose too much for the mosquitos to munch on (they've already found the one swath on my feet that my mary jane slip-ons don't cover). that might be tricky.
my hotel is cute! i kind of have to beat down some very tropical foliage to get to my door, but it kind of reminds me of my parent's back yard. except, instead of squirrels running around outside my window, there are these mongoose-type creatures that keep chasing each other into the ground cover. if they weren't so speedy, i'd try to snap their picture.
i have a meeting at muhimbili university in 1 hour, so i'd best prepare for it. hugs to all!
5 comments:
Ana: I'm so excited to hear that you made it safely and can't wait to widen my horizons by reading your African journeys posts. Take care and keep the blogs coming! ~ Melissa (Wood) Joy
Ana, We were very happy to know you arrived safely and it appears from talking to Eric this afternoon that you have a nice hotel. Humidity and Brenda don't mix too well either, but consider the alternative - 12 degree temps with wind chills below 0!! I look forward to reading your updates . . . keep in touch as connectivity permits and takes lots of pictures!!!! Bob & Brenda
HOORAY FOR HOT AND HUMID! Please send some this way! Your hotel door is so cute!!! I miss you! It's totally irrational, but I do, yes I do! Write again soon please!
Ana – I’m so excited for you! There’s so much to love about Africa. Great photo of your door. I hope you don’t mind that I copied your blogging idea and I’m doing the same for my Thailand trip. Technology rocks! -Kelly
Hello from the Winter Wonderland! We're happy to see that you accommodations are modern and you're enjoyiing the sea food -- as Kyle said, we need more details on the food . . . .
Take care of yourself and post more when the spirit moves you!
Love, Bob & Brenda
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