I'm here!

After a long journey - I'm here. And it's absolutely incredible, and quite an incredible journey. Today is Farmers Holiday so we will not start classes till tomorrow. I am working with the nursery in the morning and will be coaching soccer in the afternoon!

Yesterday we had orientation and today we went swimming - It's warm here! I was so glad to finally be out in the sun and in the water. I was worried I wouldn't be able to enjoy the summer.

There are about 50 volunteers here! - we have a full house. Everyone is great, the volunteers and the staff. I think I am the oldest of the volunteers. They are all about to start college, in college or just finished.

A funny story on my travel here...

I don't know if I have mentioned before but there are tons of Americans here in Africa. And I kept thinking I want to be somewhere where there are no Americans - and my wish came true. My flight from Jo'burg to Tanzania had an overnight in Ethiopia. I assumed that I was either going to have to be responsible for my own hotel or I was going to be sleeping in the airport. They ended up putting us in a hotel and shuttled us in buses. I was the only American - I think everyone else was from somewhere in Africa. Everyone was really friendly though, it was just odd being shuttled to a hotel and not really knowing what was going on. When we arrived we were told to take our luggage upstairs and then come for dinner. I was at a point where I was not thinking on my own and did as I was told. I came down and ate the worst food only to look at my watch to realize it was midnight! During diner we were watching the news cast and they were broadcasting on Americans celebrating Independence Day. Only what they were showing was the hot dog eating contest and interviewing Americans to see if they really know the history (I don't think they were interviewing the brightest of the bunch). Everyone was giggling. I just bowed my head and finished dinner - why couldn't they have just shown a nice parade or fireworks?!?

More soon.