I'm Here!!

After 2 days of travel and hearing flight safety information in 5 different languages I have finally arrived!  Despite my three layovers, I arrived with all of my luggage safely yesterday morning.  We had a little time yesterday to meet one another before we started orientation.  I’m experiencing a little bit of information overload right now because there is a lot to take in. However, there isn't as much of a culture shock as I had anticipated.  I thought wearing skirts everyday would be weird but it is so much easier and cooler in the heat.  The heat actually isn’t unbearable and we went snorkeling today so swimming in the ocean was refreshing.  The snorkeling was amazing! We took a 30 minute boat ride to an island off the coast of Zanzibar to see the coral reef and the different species of tropical fish.  This morning we had our first Swahili lesson ( more information overload), so now I can at least greet people I cross in the street. 

Everything about this trip is surreal: the people, the food, the culture, the lifestyle.  The food is great with fresh mango and pineapple at every meal. It’s fun just to sit on the porch at the hotel and watch the kids play in the street. 

Tomorrow we get a chance to explore more of the island.  Let’s just hope we don’t get lost!

The birthplace of Freddie Mercury is a 3 minute walk from our hotel. 

View from the porch at the hotel

View from the porch at the hotel

Local wildlife seen from the porch

Local wildlife seen from the porch

Kids playing in the street