Be Free

In the olden days, when a white person remained in a British commonwealth country for longer than 4 or 5 years without visiting England, they were at risk of "going African." It was like by being in Africa for too long without returning to Europe for some frame of mind, you would become distorted and you would become Africa.

Now it is official. I have gone African.

No disrespect to the people of these beautiful countries, but I have become completely accustom to the idiosyncrosies of African culture. When a bus begins to drive off with me hanging out the side, I don't flinch. When I haven't showered for days, (and I do mean about 6 days) I dont notice. When I wear the same outfit for over a week (and I do mean, mroe than a week) it is hakuna matata. "I've gone to the motherland, and I'm coming back a brothaman." 

We arrived in Dar Es Salaam after a 26 hour train ride that took us through some beautiful Tanzanian countryside. Including, a wild game parkwhere from our window we could see giraffs, warthogs, and wildabeast. It was very cool. We met a guy named Chris who has begun an NGO in Malawi, right where we were jsut staying. The sad thing is, this guy's programm is inthe travel book that we use. You can volunteer fora day or twowith this NGO and learn a lot about Malawi. I already mentioned that Nathan and I didn'tlearn anything about Malawi but that it was a "break from our travels." The sad thing is,this Mayoka village was so much fun, it was too efficient. It has such a monoploy on the tourism in Nkhata bay that great programmslike Chris's hardly stand a chance. (That is an exageration, I ams ure Chris willbe very successful,but I continue).

In Dar es Salaam we met Joshua. Joshua and I met online... that sounded awful. I eailed Joshua a few months back and asked for some traveladvice in tanzania. He immediately began working on accomodation for us. He assured me that we would be staying with him and visitinghis church and pastor. After waiting in line for an hour after gettingoff the train (look foran upcoming blog about the innefficiencies of business here) Joshua greeted us and quickly told us "Be Free!."

Joshua has such an animated face. He cracks me up in theway he talks andhis blithe spirit. I am so glad to have met him. Be Free! Make yourself at home.

He introduced us to his pastor and other members of the church. He has such a golden heart. Today he has takenus on a tour of the city. I am completely free! Dar es Salaam would not be nearly as interesting without him!

Thanks for the comments from my friends. Dave, you message was hilarious in every way.

The toilets here are just a hole in the ground. It takes a yoga master to use it. I am learning.