The Motherland

(ps=pre script - this is my third time writing after two previous rntries have failed on account of power outages, but all of them will start with...)

...Oh My God,

I made it. Africa. On Monday I had an authentic English meal, fish and chips with mashed peas. Yum. I didn't do much because I wanted to show up to Heathrow early and thank God I did. It resembled an English refugee camp with all the people, confusion, and craziness. My flight to Dubai wasn't comfirmed untill about a half an hour before we were sceduled to leave. By the grace of God, it did. I had the most amazing conversation with an Iraqi from the UK. We talked about life, The Koran, and football. Dubai was hot and sandy and I wasn't there for very long. More over, I hadn't slept and it was already Wednesday. I boarded the flight and was dumbfounded when the entire plane filled up except for the seat next to mine. I had the perfect opportunityto lay out a little and catch some shut eye, but yet again, no sleep.

I arrived in Dar and went directly to immagration. After about 2 and a half hours, and a bunch of sweat, they stamped my passport giving me freedom to step into Tanzania. I pumped my fist and was out the door. I looked all around for the people there to meet me but did not see them. This guy came up to me and asked me if I needed a phone, I said yes and he took me to this place so I could call Angela. When I called her she told me she was at the arrivals point and I said I was the big muzungu (white person) in the red jacket. We found each other and I was so relieved. Angela is from Tanzania as is Luis. Hannah was also there with us and she is from Finland. The 4 of us drove out of the airport and into Dar. You should know that these are just straight up good people. I made them all laugh so hard (partly I believe because I was so punchy). I also suprised them with how much I knew about Tanzania and Swahili. All that preperation is payng off a little. The drive through the city was exactly how I expected it from all the pictures, tv shows, and movies I had seen. At the same time I was so consumed that it was so obviously like NOTHING I had ever seen. The people on bikes, shanty houses, the colors, the garbage, fires on side of the road, wow.

I arrived at the volunteer house and met all my roomates. There is a lady from the UK. Two from Canada. Four from the US. Five from Tanzania. I am the only guy. Not all that psyched but it's poa (poa=swahili for "cool"). After exchanging pleasentries, I started to try and set up my mosquito net. This is point in the story where not sleeping started to really work against me. I unraveled my net and the power shut off. I got a candle and on the top bunk of a rickety bed, while sweating my balls off, I wrestled with the net and my exaustion and my weariness. Right about then Bethany, all I could think about was you. Missing you comes in funny places, but I knew if you were there with me at that moment, I would have been ok. I feel like I can take on the world with you at my side, but without you sometimes, I wonder how I've made it this far. I almost had a breakdown when the woman from the UK, Louise, found me after 45 minutes and said to "not worry about it love, theres one in our room already set up, you can just stay with us in there, look at you you're exsausted, come get something to eat". One word. Angel. I finally crashed (sorry Pop) went to bed.

I got up this morning at 7am and saw everyone off and waited for Angela to give me orientation. I helped with the dishes and learned some more swahili while I was at it. It was cool because once all the volunteers left it was just me and the Africans. Angela finally came and we walked down to the hotel which about a half mile from where I'm staying. The Indian Ocean is beautiful. We went to the internet cafe and the power went out, for that matter, the water has been out the whole time too. I couldn't care less (most of you know that I skip a shower or two anyways!) Then the most amazing part of the day, we went by a nursery thats on the grounds here at the hotel. It is run by Mama Rosi and older Tanzanian woman. When I came through the door these 4-5 year old kids came rushing up to me. Some hugged me, some touched me, they all were like vieing for posistion to be around me. They were amazed by my glasses so I strted to put them on all of the kids and they loved it. They were so curious and in an instant, I knew why I had come. It was such an amazing feeling. I picked two of them up into my arms and kissed them on thier heads. I told Mama Rosi, I would be by to see everyone again and it was time for her to get control back of her class. I said goodbye and we moved on with orientation. I learned some more swahili and Angela told me some more stuff about where i will be at etc. I had some rice and lentil from lumch and then I went to the beach to get wet. I took a nap on one of the longe chairs and when I awoke I hung out with the 2 ladies from the Bronx. I know what you're saying, thousands of miles away and still with the friging Yankee fans, but alas, they are Mets fans. Phew. We had great conversation and know I'm here with you fine folks.

All in all it dosn't even feel real yet. Angela will escort me to the orphanage I'll be working at tomorrow. I have to take two dalla-dallas which are sort of like a bus but scarier to get there. For now though, I'm going to have dinner with Mama Rosi, Hannah, and Angela at thier place. I have to get going. This is so amazing. I miss you al so much and you're in my prayers.

Saalam,

Nathan