Saturday, May 17, 2008

finally

Well after many hours i am finally in Tanzania! \i have spent over 20 hours on a plane in the last 48 hours. i am beat! but really excited to finally be in AFrica.

i met my group thursday in minneapolis. we caught a plane to D.C. and slept there for the night. not really slept, maybe just rested my eyes. it was hard to sleep while sitting upright in a chair. friday we woke up headed for Ethopia. The plane ride was uneventful, especially since i slept for the first 6 hours. So was only awake for 4. We then took a plane for tanzania.

And that is where i am now. In the first few minutes from getting out of the airport, we had beggers asking for money. It is so sad, and all you want to do is give it to them... There was a boy standing by our car while we were loading up. He was in ragged clothes and was walking around with no shoes on. It broke my heart. He wasn't asking for money, I think he was mesmorized by 10 white kids! from the airport we went to the monastary. while driving there we tons of people just standing in the streets, not going anywhere, just hanging out. it was the oddest thing. many of them were alone, just standing in the streets. i asked nick, our guide, what they were doing and he replied #they don't have jobs, or are off of work, what else are they going to do#

as soon as i got to the monastery i took a shower, and flooded the entire room. in the bathroom the water falls right on the toliet. i stood and took a shower. and when i was done i saw that the bathroom floor was flooded. no big deal i thought, as i saw it was draining, at a slow pace, but draining. when i opened the door to go to my room, keep in mind the bathroom is connected to our room, much to my surprise i saw that they entire flood was covered in water!!!!! lesson= take quicker showers!

we are staying in the monastery for 2 days. tomorrow we are going to church, and then the beach. i am hoping to go to bed early, hopefully.

so this is a long one, i don't know how often i am going to be able to write. these computers are extremely slow.

write again soon...

love always,
MaryAlice

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm sooo happy you made it safe!!!! I'll be praying for you often!! Have a blast Be Fri and take lots of pics!! i love u!!! Riss

kaiserfritz said...

glad you made it okay. enjoy. tim home last PM (friday night). take care. love, dad

kjrudnitski said...

MaryAlice-

I'm so glad you made it safe! Try to catch up on some sleep and work on that whole shower thing! It sounds like you are going to have a wonderful experience! Can't wait to hear all about it! Take care my dear!

Katie

Lizzy said...

COME HOME!!! I am too, roaming the streets alone, with nothing to do!! WHERE IS ASSIE!!! Have fun!!