Arrival and Orientation

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Here I am! I stepped off the plane into a muggy, un-airconditioned airport in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. This will be my home for the next few years! We had a pain-free arrival (after 24 hours of travel, mind you), wherein our visas were waiting for the group at the customs counter, and ALL of our bags had not only arrived, but already been pulled off of the ONE luggage carousel so that we just had to roll them away!

We were met outside by the lovely administration staff and escorted promptly to our rooms at the Holiday Inn for a night. I collapsed straight into bed, only to be wide awake at 4:15am, and unable to get any further sleep. So, I hopped in a bubble bath and then sat at my window to watch my first African sunrise. Cheesy, I know... but sometimes you just have to give in to it. We met the rest of the newbies at breakfast and our first orientation meeting, after which we checked out and were shuttled to the IST lower school campus (ie. where the apartments are also conveniently located). We were shown to our apartments and given some time to unpack before field trip number 1 began.

For the rest of the week we were treated to bus rides all over the northern part of Dar (also known as "The Peninsula"), which are the main ex-pat. areas of the city. We did some home shopping, grocery shopping, etc. and were treated to lunches and/or dinners nearly every day. Not an ounce of work orientation happened during the first week, it was really just time to "get to know the area," and I know we ALL appreciated that.

What a change to have a 3 week adjustment period!

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Photos

Gang at Slipway
Here we are at Slipway, one of the shopping centers that I frequent for restaurants, groceries, African ware, etc.

Me at Birthday Dinner
Here I am at Garden Bistro on the night before my birthday... this is when everyone sang to me and brought me cake, upon knowing me for 24 hours.

White Sands Beach Resort
These are Cassie and Christy, two of my fellow IST teachers. We went to a nearby beach resort for the day on my birthday. It cost all of $5 to use the amenities all day!

White Sands again
A scenic shot...

Rooftop gathering
A little get together on top of one of the apartment buildings.

Elementary Campus
This is where I work!

Some new friends
Myself, Christy, Ros, Cassie at a dinner during week 1.