Day 31

Sienna & I made grilled cheese sandwiches
this afternoon - delicious!! Also, notice the stylish
petrol station t-shirts we are wearing, and the backs
say "I love Jesus". Only in Africa...haha

Nyumbani tamu nyumbani :)

It has been over a month since I have been here now, and I am happy to call this place home (or, nyumbani in Kiswahili). As much as I miss my real home, or rather as much as I miss the people that make up my life back home, I am finally adjusted to life here. I know enough Kiswahili to get around and buy things. I have enough contacts that if I ever needed help or just wanted a tour of the city I could call someone up. I have made a place for myself in the house, and in the city.

All of us living here are almost like a family. We have learned how to cook and bake "African style", and found our own favorite places or ways to spend our days off. We have made this a home. We can invite people over, we can cook what we want, we can feel comfortable putting our feet up and taking a break, or find a quiet nook to study at. We've found the best angles on the roof top for tanning, the best place to eat pizza, and the best local brews. It's definitely a home!

This is Joel. How could you not fall in love with that face?

Yesterday was a really fun day off. Joel has really opened my eyes to a whole new way of looking at the world. He is so wise (on top of millions of other amazing qualities). I don't know what I, or anyone else here, would do without him. Joel is working at Ardhi University. He has basically taken over 28 PhD students research projects. He is mapping Dar and everything in it. It's a lot of work but he's up for it. Joel is a dime in a world of penny's. Yesterday he worked out for 32 hours. I think I saw him bench pressing some elephants during his daily work out routine. He has adopted over 1,000 orphans so far in the first month we have been here. He says he is planning on making Tanzania's economy the best in the world by the time he leaves and I believe him. Joel... a friend? Yes. A hero? DEFINITELY.