See You Later, LA

While I was preparing to leave, the surrealism that surrounded me was astounding. The combination of Aloni's (my grandmother's partner) tragic death and the seemingly insurmountable task of packing for Tanzania for four months was unreal. (Not that those things are even slightly comparable). My mom took off on a flight halfway across the world, and my dad, while incredibly well-meaning, didn't exactly know how to prepare me for this journey. Well, he claims that he would have been able to do so expertly, but I was a little bit more than slightly skeptical.

For my last night in Los Angeles, I decided that my farewell meal would be held at Monte Alban, a Oaxacan restaurant on Santa Monica Blvd, which, ironically, is the same restaurant that I stormed out of five years ago, angry tears and all, after my parents informed that we would be traveling around the world for seven months. I was devastated at the time (because missing the eighth grade Astro-Camp trip and my middle school graduation was clearly the end of my 13-year-old world). After about five minutes in Tanzania, I realized that my parents might have been right in taking us on that trip. Ever since the beginning of that life-altering trip, I have known that I would take a gap year, and that as part of the year, I would return to Tanzania.

After nearly 24 hours of traveling, I finally arrived in Kilimanjaro. I was greeted by Kim and Edward, with whom I will be living for the next three and a half months. As we got closer and closer to Moshi, even in the dark, the familiarity astounded me. When we finally turned into Rau Village, it was the unpaved, bumpy dirt roads that immediately brought me back to my prior experiences here. In true African fashion, when we got to Kim's house the power was out, which, as I was quickly reminded, happens 5-6 times a week.

My first full day in Moshi was spent, primarily, trying to get internet for my iPad. This was quite the adventure. After 2 atms, 3 phone stores and a guy at a kiosk with a pair of scissors, I finally got my ipad working.

When we finally determined that I had internet, we went to Matumaini (the orphanage) for the first time. Seeing the kids again was an amazing experience. While there are a lot of new kids, the kids that were there before remembered me, and were all very excited to see me.

The next day, we went back to Matumaini, only this time, we came bearing gifts. In addition to bringing them Kim's computer and "Tarzan" and "Tom and Jerry" for the kids to watch, I had an entire duffle bag full of games and clothes. We spent the afternoon taking ridiculous pictures, blowing bubbles, and completing puzzles. That day reminded me why I have so desperately wanted to return to Tanzania for so long--I have also decided that I really need to learn Swahili.

All in all, my first couple of days have been exhausting, but rewarding, and I am so excited to be here.

Pictures will be posted later!