Stop 1: Tanzania
Greetings from Zanzibar...
After a rough start in Dar Es Salaam we made our escape to Zanzibar, an island about 2 hrs away by boat, where we found a quaint little beach (Paje beach) on the east coast with white sand and deep green water. Paje is a small fishing village and we spent our days swimming in the Indian Ocean and our afternoons lounging with cold drinks as we watched families help the fisherman unload their boats. This was a perfect way to shake the last few years of work.
Life here in Tanzania, is much slower than back home and we were both quick to adopt the phrase "hakuna matata" , meaning no problem or its ok. After Paje we made our way back to Stone town (the main town/port of Zanzibar) on the daladala - a bus or more like a truck with a roof over its bed. We thought we were getting great seats when we climbed to the little bench parallel to the cabin, but little did we know that in Tanzania there is room in the daladala for everyone. Within about 10 minutes there was weight of 23 people pushing us into the cabin. Never the less it was a fun experience and now our favorite way to get around in this country - plus it only cost us about $4 vs the $30 we payed on the way there (we actually thought we were getting a good price ;).
As in any country that we have been to thus far, Todd has been able to pick up Swahili quickly to sweet talk the old ladies on the daladala with his Chikamoo's (a respectful way of saying hello). The majority of the people here are Muslim and I felt a little awkward with my bright white knees sticking up in the daladala while most of the other ladies were fully covered and some wearing a hijab . I think the old lady next to me was a bit offended as she continued to softly poke my knee with her finger - so, I am now on a hunt for my first ancle length skirt! The women here are quite different and I saw my husband's expectations quickly climb as he saw a woman get off the daladala and put, what seemed like, a 40 pound rice sack on her had. I have since stopped complaining about my 20 pound back pack.
It has been nearly impossible to sleep for the first three nights with the 11 hr time change and sizzling hot temperature that won't lay off at night. So Todd and I have spent our nights tossing, playing games and waiting impatiently for the 5:15 am beautiful calls to prayer by the nearby Mosques. While Tanzania is not as cheap as we have hoped we are learning to keep our budget down to below $40/day. The first night we were able to settle into a modest hostel, Safari Inn, in centre of Dar for about $20. In Paje we paid about $40 a night for a simple room right off the beach with our own bathroom and here in Stone Town we were able to score a pretty nice room (w a shared bathroom) in the Zenji Hotel (run by a sweet woman from Holland and her husband) for about $25.
Other than the huge white crab that tried to box Todd in Paje's waters, the people here have been very nice to us and bring up Obama or California Dreams when we tell them we are from California.
Today we catch the ferry (which is a steep $35/person) back to Dar and will catch a bus up to Arusha tomorrow to get ready for our 6 day Mt. Kili climb that we start Wednesday morning.
Cheers! Tatyana and Todd
After a rough start in Dar Es Salaam we made our escape to Zanzibar, an island about 2 hrs away by boat, where we found a quaint little beach (Paje beach) on the east coast with white sand and deep green water. Paje is a small fishing village and we spent our days swimming in the Indian Ocean and our afternoons lounging with cold drinks as we watched families help the fisherman unload their boats. This was a perfect way to shake the last few years of work.
Life here in Tanzania, is much slower than back home and we were both quick to adopt the phrase "hakuna matata" , meaning no problem or its ok. After Paje we made our way back to Stone town (the main town/port of Zanzibar) on the daladala - a bus or more like a truck with a roof over its bed. We thought we were getting great seats when we climbed to the little bench parallel to the cabin, but little did we know that in Tanzania there is room in the daladala for everyone. Within about 10 minutes there was weight of 23 people pushing us into the cabin. Never the less it was a fun experience and now our favorite way to get around in this country - plus it only cost us about $4 vs the $30 we payed on the way there (we actually thought we were getting a good price ;).
As in any country that we have been to thus far, Todd has been able to pick up Swahili quickly to sweet talk the old ladies on the daladala with his Chikamoo's (a respectful way of saying hello). The majority of the people here are Muslim and I felt a little awkward with my bright white knees sticking up in the daladala while most of the other ladies were fully covered and some wearing a hijab . I think the old lady next to me was a bit offended as she continued to softly poke my knee with her finger - so, I am now on a hunt for my first ancle length skirt! The women here are quite different and I saw my husband's expectations quickly climb as he saw a woman get off the daladala and put, what seemed like, a 40 pound rice sack on her had. I have since stopped complaining about my 20 pound back pack.
It has been nearly impossible to sleep for the first three nights with the 11 hr time change and sizzling hot temperature that won't lay off at night. So Todd and I have spent our nights tossing, playing games and waiting impatiently for the 5:15 am beautiful calls to prayer by the nearby Mosques. While Tanzania is not as cheap as we have hoped we are learning to keep our budget down to below $40/day. The first night we were able to settle into a modest hostel, Safari Inn, in centre of Dar for about $20. In Paje we paid about $40 a night for a simple room right off the beach with our own bathroom and here in Stone Town we were able to score a pretty nice room (w a shared bathroom) in the Zenji Hotel (run by a sweet woman from Holland and her husband) for about $25.
Other than the huge white crab that tried to box Todd in Paje's waters, the people here have been very nice to us and bring up Obama or California Dreams when we tell them we are from California.
Today we catch the ferry (which is a steep $35/person) back to Dar and will catch a bus up to Arusha tomorrow to get ready for our 6 day Mt. Kili climb that we start Wednesday morning.
Cheers! Tatyana and Todd
What a great way to start your adventure. We are with you in thought. Can't wait to hear about Mt. Kili :)
ReplyDeleteD&J
Wow, sounds like you have had a great adventure already. I love the part about the woman poking at your knees....hilarious. :) Can't wait to read about the 6 day mountain climb.
ReplyDeleteKim
Yay! Thanks for the update! I'm looking forward to many more.
ReplyDeleteI was reading Dr. Ayibolit to Iza last night and just realized - are you guys trying to follow his footsteps? :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck guys. We miss you already.
keep the updates coming!
ReplyDeleteHi! Don't have your email address with us so thought we'd post a comment instead! We leave for the Machame route tomorrow morning so should see you on the route for a couple of nights at least, exciting! managed to get exactly $900 each with an ok-looking company which is ideal. hope arusha is nice. see you soon xx
ReplyDeleteA traveling tip - once you know what things cost in an area - polish up your bargain skills. Just offer up slightly less than you know the going rate is, and smile. I got back to the states and was caught trying to make a deal at Target. lol. We continue to be so excited for you guys! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteThat's my boy! Whoot whoot! Boone Boys rollin' deep!
ReplyDeletePunch the crab in the junk sucka ;)
So I was riding the bus the other day and an Amish guys started tugging on my hair... I went out on a hunt to buy a black rimmed hat.
Just kidding sis, love you and miss you a bunch, so do the boys except for the fact that your tv is way better to play the wii on ;)
much love.
Hey Tanya,
ReplyDeleteParents read your last posting, said go climb your kilimanjaro mountain, good luck
Lena
Mom said your apt's deposit check + interest is in your bank account now !!!
ReplyDelete