First Impressions

Karibu!

I made it! After months of planning, preparations and exciting expectations I am now sat on my porch (yes I have a porch) looking out to the magnificent Kilimanjaro. Tanzania is more than I could ever have imagined (and more) but let me not get ahead of myself and I’ll start from the beginning.

So the airport was a tad of a kerfuffle to say the least. After being told that my 4 cases were all waaay overweight and the hassle of taking things out and distributing the weight; on top of a very emotional farewell to my family, I finally got on the plane.

The flight from London to Amsterdam went by within a flash; excitement and nerves kicked in all at once at the realization that I, really was going to Tanzania. Nerves went on hold when the lovely stewardess came down with a scrummy looking apple Danish and breakfast roll, however, much to my disappointment I could not eat (damn you gluten free) But hey the next flight was incredible.

I don’t know if anyone has ever read the Hunger games trilogy, because I absolutely loved it and much to my excitement the film (which I have not had chance to watch so far) was being shown on the plane. So with that keeping me amused and the extra mile the airline went to making me feel very welcome with yummy gluten free meals, it was a successful trip.

So I get to Tanzania and I’m picked up by 2 of the missionaries out here. Seriously, no joke we turn up to this hugeee peachy coloured house enclosed by big double gates and I’m told that this is my house for the next year! Amazing! I am greeted by our guard; yes I said guard and he is called George… adorable!

There are 3 rooms in the house for the 5 teachers to share. I went in one room and it just screamed my name, there were 2 cute twin beds with flowers picked from our garden in little pots so I casually just put my suitcase on the bed and the rest is history.  

It hasn’t really hit me that I am in Africa its so surreal. Although when I was putting my clothes in the wardrobe I saw a lizard running around inside. I stayed calm and tried to look mellow as if I was completely cool that there was a lizard rummaging around my clothes, but inside I was screaming and screeching like a little girl. Haa.

So after a lovely cozy nights sleep in my mosquito net which I like to think more of a princess net as it reminds me of the beds they have in fairytales. This makes the fact I am sleeping in something to keep out lethal and deadly mosquitos that little bit more innocent. We went for breakfast at Ryan and Stacey’s and met a lot of great people. I was made a special breakfast (as I am gluten free) which was called Rice milk which I guess is pretty self explanatory, it consisted of rice and milk and was pretty tasty.

We then went to see the school, which is INCREDDDDIBLEEEEE (said in a high pitched screech) we met all the lovely Tanzanian helpers that are going to be working at the school. The school has a library and an art room and the classrooms are great. I am bias as I think my room is the cutest (oh I’m so childish) It is a blank canvas for my creativity to just take over and go wild, there is so much potential so keep posted of how it transforms.

Lunch was then served at Ryan’s (who is head of the ministry) and was served by a lovely house-made called Colletta which was rice and some sort of chickpea (my 1^st African meal, yey) With the other 2 girls here we all went back to our HOME hehe and played some getting to know you games. I can honestly say that my house-mates are absolutely lovely. There is Rebekka from Alaska, Melissa and Megan from California and Becky from my very own England.

Our house is so beautiful and I am so blessed to be living here. Not only that but one of my dreams have come true and in the next week we are getting little baby chicks to have in out garden, so keep posted for pictures. YEY!

 Until next time…