Culture SHOCK!

The alarm sounded early, as we scurried to eat breakfast and board the crowded bus around 6:30 am. Though the seats were crowded we were thankful to be sitting amongst such a unique family. The parents of which were born and raised in Africa before moving to the states. They were now embarking on the task of taking their 5 young children, 4 girls, and 1 boy (Timmy) back home to meet their extended family for the first time. It was so neat to see how excited the children were, it is safe to say we were all smiling from ear to ear and their joy.

We hung out in a cafe for a few hours, enjoyed some Fanta and differently tasting Pepsi, before boarding our flight at 9:35 am. This boarding process was the first of our cultural diverse experiences. Unlike most flights in the US, people were crowded in masses to board. Though you were called up by color, it was hard for most to understand and or follow the specific directions. Also unique to the boarding experience, was the fact that we had to go down from the terminal to hop on a large bus that took us to the steps up to the airplane. We made our way to our seats, much closer to one another this time. After getting settled, most, like Tonya were busy already occupying their time with books or some shut eye and obliviously to that fact that a harem of Aribic men and women were boarding the flight in fenzy. The men were shouting back and forth between one another wearing torbans while the women stood silent sporting full on face covered drapery. It was evident that they were confused and unable to find where their seats were. After nearly 20 minutes of back and forth full on shouting across the opposite ends of the plane they took their seats. Meanwhile, all but Melanie who was familiar with the cultural psychology aspect of the situation, were shaking with fear at what was really going on, mainly due to the fact that we could not understand the language nor decipher what the hubbub was all about!

Throughout the flight the younger of the gentlemen continuously visited to the seats in which the women were seated in. It was as if he was checking up on them to see that they were "doing the correct thing." We were served a meal on this flight which brought on some even more interesting experiences with the Arabian folks. The oldest of the men was seated next to Marilyn. Anything and everything that he did not desire to eat on his tray he, without asking, put on either one of his neighbors, including Marilyn's tray. Eating was no small task for the women with the face drapery. They had to, with their black gloves on, pick up food, lift their veil, place their food in their mouth, and begin chewing once their veil was down. What was so interesting about this was that upon one of the visits from the gentlemen up front, he slapped one of the women's hands because she had taken her glove off to eat. The last of the manic experinces came when the plane arrived. It was as if someone had screamed fire and everyone decided they need to shove and get off at once. All of us were taken aback, but quickly made our way through customs, found our luggage and the JM Tour guide Ephreum without trouble. Ephreum drove us to the Peacock hotel down the overly crowded and noisy streets of Dar es Salaam. We stored our luggage, met up and headed out for a walk through the city. The sites and sounds proved to be much different but altogether eye opening!

With rumbling tummies, we caught a taxi back at the Peacock and headed to the Slipway. At the slipway we enjoyed beer and pizza on the dock overlooking the Indian Ocean with the sunset in view. It was such a relaxing ending to our long 2 day journey of travel!

We look forward to our tour of Dar tomorrow.
All for now! <3 you all!