The Beginning

Hello from Nakuru, Kenya! Finally arrived here yesterday and it feels good to be at a final destination for a few months! I can hardly believe I have been in East Africa now for a little over 2 weeks (August 17 I arrived in Tanzania)! The past two weeks have been full of travel to many places in Tanzania and it was a fabulous time! It was a great opportunity to see friends and meet a lot of my boyfriend, Octavian's family!

Here is a brief overview of my travels….

Spent 3 days in Dar es Salaam with Octavian’s sister in law and her family

Traveled to Morogoro (3 and half hours by bus) with Chris (Oct brother) and stayed 4 days with Mary (Oct’s sister) and her family

Traveled to Ifakara (5 hours by bus) with Chris and Masadi (Oct’s neice) to visit Octavian’s parents

Stayed 3 days in Ifakara then traveled back to Morogoro and stayed 2 days and then traveled 13 hours by bus with Chris to Nairobi

In Nairobi we stayed 4 days and on the 3^rd day Octavian and his friend Winston met up with us

On the 4^th day Octavian, Winston, and I traveled to Nakuru (3 hours by bus from Nairobi) to the final destination for a while!

One of the best things about traveling are the random and ridiculous sights and signs you see

Here are a few of my personal favorites

-          In Switzerland airport – sign says…..Be relax

-          In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania- sign advertising …Real California haircuts ---  what is a real California haircut and how is it possibly found in TZ?!

-          In Morogoro, Tanzania – Toto Fashion …. At first glance I assumed toto from the wizard of oz its actually meaning children

-          In Ifakara, Tanzania – a person sporting a santa hat with sticker stars on it…in the middle of August…then again, it is just a hat.

-          In Nairobi, Kenya supermarket – bottle of baby cologne….why do babies need cologne?

-          Previously when I was in TZ popular songs blared from Dala Dalas (bus) were “Barbie girl” or “Macarena” … this time has been “Don’t Go Chasin Waterfalls” and old school Britney Spears…..I’ll take it!

-          In Nairobi, Kenya supermarket – VERY old man using a VERY small shopping cart (clearly for children) to go around the whole store and shop! … there were adult sized carts available

There is much I am still processing and learning but just wanted to give a good update since there has not been one yet!

Napenda,

Hallie (Mbiki)