Ever since I left Bangladesh, I had been feeling so nervous. All these scary thoughts started going through my head... what if I forgot something important? What if I couldn't remember any Swahili? What if my host family didn't like me? What if no one was there to pick me up from the airport? Three flights later, I have finally arrived at Kilimanjaro International Airport. I presented my vaccination record proving I had my yellow fever immunization, and a printed out visitor's pass allowed me to cut the immigration lines. I showed my visitors pass, had my passport stamped, and arrived at the baggage claim conveyer belt where my giant duffle bag was already sitting there waiting for me. Well, that was easy! One guy asked me if I needed help with my bags... and I absolutely did, but I reluctantly said I was okay on my own, thanks. When I walked out of the airport, there was a dude in khaki safari pants and a short-sleeve safari shirt (much like my dads safari outfit) and a giant green rastafarian-like hat (much like something my dad would never wear). He was holding two signs, one that said "cornell student" and another that said "Rachel N." Heyyyy, that's me!!!!!!! When I approached him, he had a great big welcoming grin across his face. At last, I was relieved of all stress and nervousness. He also relieved me of my bags, woo!! He motioned to his car and said "karibu," meaning "welcome" in Kiswahili so I got into his car and he said we would have a 50 minute drive to the Uhuru Hotel where everyone in my program would be staying for the night. His name was Sadeek (sp?) and he was a pretty cool and friendly dude. He rolled the windows down and turned on some Bob Marley allowing me to enjoy the African air and jam out to some jams. During the drive, I saw many familiar things: signs written in Kiswahili that I could translate to Kiingereza (English), farmers, ladies in beautiful bright clothing balancing baskets on their heads, Maasai boys in their checkered toga-like robes, acacia trees, and mountains in the distance. We pulled up to the hotel and the guy at the reception desk informed me that I was the first student to arrive. He showed me to my room, and it was a cute little room consisting of a bathroom, a wardrobe, a desk, two twin beds with mosquito nets hanging above them, a night side table, and a porch that overlooks a field. Now I'm just sitting on my porch listening to the singing of various birds and enjoying a BEAUTIFUL view of the snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro. I love Africa!! It feels good to be here.
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| And there it is....!!!!! |
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| Seriously amazing!! These pictures do not do it justice. AHH!! |
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