Jambo from Tanzania, Africa. I felt fear heading alone into the African continent but I pushed on and soon was in a taxi heading to my hotel. The dirt streets of the city gave way to crowds of  people who stared at me. The next morning, I boarded the 40 foot  ferry passing hordes of  people wanting to help me and or make a little money too. The boat headed off as the city woke up and the smell of smoke and fish lingered in the humid air. During the journey I spotted flying fish jumping out of the water and flying for about 5 feet. Once in Zanzibar I met my friend from University of Vermont and we began exploring the culture together.

Like many islands, Zanzibar has its own unique cultures and rythyms. Ruled in the past by Muslims from Arabia who taught the people the Islamic religion, I was suprised to  see african people wearing traditional Arabic prayer clothing. The Zanzibar people  are very respectful, conservative, and helpful. Though its hot and humid,  I  wear pants and sleeves as men wear; and though 'Im left handed, I eat with my right as is the custom.

Gretting are very important here, and the coversation usally goes around and around, asking how are you, good how are you, good,.....ect. The people speak some english but primarly Swahili which is a mix of arabic and african tribal language.

So far Africa has been fun and challenging. There is no power on Zanzibar unless a petrol powered generator is used. This can mean showers with a bucket from well water, and sweaty nights without a fan. The fruits and fish are all very fresh here and the people make their livings through these means.The public transport is buses and boats. the buses have Korean writing on the side of them and assume they are reused from a Korean church.

Tomorrow I head to Musoma, Tanzania to start my volunteer work.

Thanks for reading.