As our students are flying through the hemispheres on their way to their next adventures, we wanted to post this last blog written by Savannah on her final day here in Dar Es Salaam (we had some power outage issues, so she determinedly typed it up on the Carpe iPhone so we could post it later). Check back in later for a final blog from the leaders, and we are wishing everyone Safari Njema (safe journies) as they head back home!
This last week has been a whirlwind, and it will certainly be a challenge to summarize via iPhone, as our quarter of Dar es Salaam is currently powerless. After leaving Ohana Amani, we began our long journey back to the capital. Our first short day trip to Njombe was uneventful, save for the 28 scoops of ice cream from a quaint, old German-run mission. The next day was the hardest: 15 hours from Njombe to Dar es Salaam via bus, with five or six squished into a row built for three. Tu li banana! We spent the night in Dar at the YWCA, which might not have provided the comfort some were expecting after a long travel day. Rumored (by us) to be an old psychiatric ward, the overly-simple rooms with barred windows and blood-stained walls were mildly terrifying; we were relived to head out the next morning for Zanzibar!
Our first ferry experience was enlightening. We met visitors from Pakistan, Dubai, other African countries, and some others from the States. The hustle and bustle of the ferry station is something I truly can’t describe, but I can say it was loud and up-close-and-personal (ever come face to face with a sweaty
back?). Arriving in Zanzibar, we could already see its difference from the mainland: Arabic influence everywhere, old colonial buildings, narrow alleyways, millions of stray cats, and seafood everywhere you look. The best way I could describe it is the “Venice of Tanzania,” easy to get lost in.
Our three days in Stone Town were mostly free, packed with exploring and eating. We shopped both the local and tourist markets, searching through every nook and cranny to find a good deal. “Shopping” may be an understatement; most spent exorbitant amounts of money at these markets, but honestly I don’t know who wouldn’t. Drums, shirts, kangas, jewelry, antiques, art, books, figurines – even some rainbow-pony boxer briefs for the boys. We also managed to purchase lots of local spices after touring one of the farms nearby. Eating consisted of a combination of smoothies and chips from local eateries, and the night market. The night market, posted every night next to the Indian Ocean, introduced us to such delicacies as Zanzibar pizza (Nutella, anyone?), octopus, and a variety of fruit. Though we would’ve stayed in Stone Town forever, we left Wednesday for Matemwe Beach.
If possible, Matemwe was even more glorious. White sand, turquoise water, and palm trees lining the coast: a perfect resort to end our last few days. Many of us were nervous to start scuba, take our first breaths underwater, and even pass the swim test, but soon these fears dissipated. In our time being fish out of water, we only wanted to dive back in with Richard, Boko and Patrizia, our instructors. Underwater, we made even more new friends: angelfish, rainbow shrimp, lionfish, scorpionfish, eels, and for the more advanced divers (Avy), sea turtles and sharks. Hopefully pictures to come!
Now we’re back in Dar es Salaam after a stormy ferry to the mainland (both in terms of the weather and people’s stomachs). We’re off to the airport in a few hours, but still haven’t said goodbyes! I’m off to explore while I still can!
Love,
Savannah
(Sent from Carpe’s iPhone)