You're going WHERE?

::My disclaimer- For those of you following my travels who don't know me very well, please realize that I try to have a sense of humor about things, and I'm sure that will come through on here. I won't be completely objective about what I see, because I am not going to research a culture. I am going to be moved and affected, and I hope I will be able to translate what I am feeling and experiencing for those back home::

Now, let's get to the good stuff! I asked for a Christmas gift this year far from my average Louis Vuitton bag request. I asked for a trip to see the world, and help where I thought I could. Before going out of business, I enjoyed working at Linens N Things, but my job was far from rewarding. Fun, yes, but not rewarding. And when I thought about what I could do to see what true reward feels like, this trip was the first thing that came to mind.

I found an organization called Cross Cultural Solutions (http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/), and threw a trip together just 5 weeks before the departure date, a few months shy of the suggested 6 months in advance. I had the option of going to about 15 countries where they have volunteer programs, and for some reason, Tanzania called to me more than any other place. I am intrigued by a minimalist, tribal culture that is so far opposite of my own. I will be staying in the Karanga village, just a few miles outside of Moshi, a city near Mt. Kilimanjaro, which is the highest peak on the continent.

The house I am staying in is the family house of a woman who works for CCS in Tanzania. She is our house mama, and we will have 2 other house mamas as well, who will care for us while we are there. There are 19 volunteers arriving on the 17th with me, and 1 volunteer already there who is completing a 3-month stay in February. So, 20 of us will stay in this home, which looks pretty comfortable. The home is comprised of two buildings. The first is home to the mamas, our security personel, and our drives, and houses the common areas like the kitchen and living room. The second is the volunteers' home, which can accomonate about 35 volunteers. The bedrooms hold 2-4 people in bunk beds, and each bedroom has a bathroom. The house is quite modern looking, very clean, and beautiful. I hear there are gorgeous gardens on the property as well. All in all, it looks much more comfortable than what I had envisioned I would be seeing every day. (Dale family- I am expecting to see a parallel between the home and our group cabin at high point!)

Meals will be provided at the home base. I am not quite sure what I expect the food to be like, but thankfully I am not a picky eater. In general, the rule is to only eat hot, cooked food, or fruit that you peel yourself. Anything else is off limits. I can bring snacks from home, too, so I'll be loading up on granola and CHOCOLATE! The home base also provides unlimited clean drinking water, as the tap water is unsafe for drinking. (Note to self: Keep mouth closed in the shower) There will be hot water, but not all the time, which might be a blessing in disguise- the average day is 90 degrees, so a cold shower may be a treat. The house does have screens on the windows, but we will still sleep in mosquito nets. The house has electricity, and one computer, but electricity in the area is intermittent. It goes out about 1/5 of the time, from what I'm told, so I am bringing a flashlight. Hopefully I will be able to get into town frequently to use the internet cafe ("Internet cafes in Africa?"yeah, thats what I was thinking too.) I would like to be able to post every 2 or 3 days. The cafes have computers with fast internet, and they cost $1-3 per hour to use. I think I can swing that.

As many people have asked me, be assured that I have gotten my immunizations, and will be taking a daily anti-malarial medication. I am bound to get a few mosquito bites, despite the fact that I will be bathing in hunters-grade bug spray a couple times a day. I have been on a wild goose chase to track down some products that CCS recommends, which is bascially every beauty/cleaning product with no fragrance to not attract mosquitos. So far, I have found everything except fragrance-free shampoo. I never imagined that would be the most difficult thing I have to find.

Tourists to the area usually wear shorts and tank tops, but because we are more integrated into the community, we are asked to cover our shoulders and knees to reflect local customs. Women traditionally wear only skirts, but I will be able to wear capri pants because my volunteer placement involves working with children, and I'm going to get dirty. Once we arrive in Tanzania, we have the option to have local women take our measurements and make us clothes, and that is one of the things I am most excited about. We can pick our own fabric, and have our clothes made to fit for very reasonable prices. (The fashionista in me can't wait to play dress up!!) I will be able to wear shorts and tank tops at the home base, so hopefully I can take advantage of being 10 degrees from the equator and get some sun in the garden! (Yes, I'm bringing sunscreen)

This is only my first post and it's way longer than I planned, but like I said I have a ton of information, and I want to share it all! I don't think I will have this much time to write when I am there, so just hang in there with me until I leave! Only 6 days!