Cassandra Tracy A unique young lady full of volunteerism and creativity.

I can't believe the time has finally come to leave Tanzania.  I know I will miss it dearly.  Over the past 3 months, Tanzania has become my home. I've ridden in bajaj's, squishy dala dalas, gotten soaked in the rain, trekked through swampy, muddy settlements (and gotten mud/water inside my boots), seen the nightlife, tasted the food, laughed, cried, been on safari and Zanzibar, been kissed by giraffes, experienced the heat and power outages and swam in the ocean.
Some people live their entire lives in one place and I can definitely understand that, because leaving is so hard.  The people you live with become your extended family. Unfamiliar paths become "your streets," "your neighbourhoods."  But it's an experience worth having.  You can learn so much. 
Now I am about to embark for Frankfurt, Germany. A new adventure awaits and I'm incredibly anxious. I also am excited to return to Canada.  I'm bracing myself for the culture shock. Everything is about to get a lot more expensive and the people I encounter will speak an entirely new language. It's time to pull out my iphone and embark on a crash course in some German. I will post more on end feelings and new beginnings later, but for now I am sad to leave my friends behind but excited for what new experiences I'm about to have.

This post is inspired by my friend who asked me this question in not so many words.  To be honest the opportunity came up and it scared me.  A trip to Africa? I would lose a semester's worth of school and some work. I'd miss my friends and family. Plus how could I ever afford it?  On the other hand I thought of all the positives. Africa was a place high on my list. (I had a 5 year plan and I had thought I would do Africa in 2013 spring). There was also $6500 available in funding. In my mind at the time, I thouhgt that would cover most everything. Now I know it doesn't, but that's another blog.  This was an opportunity to make a difference. Do research, volunteer and actually LIVE somewhere diffierent.

Still, I was scared out of my wits, but that's why I did it; Because I was scared.  Plus it was something I'd never done before. When my professor told me I had received the internship the emotions sunk in and I nearly cried. I was overwhelmed with joy and a little frightened at what I had gotten myself into. But eho knows where I'd be if I hadn't of done it.  I'm not scared anymore. I love Tanzania.  The people I've met are amazing.  I've been six feet away from elephants, stung by jellyfish, swarmed by tanzanian scouts, waved to by little children, cared for by women who work here, had the best fish I've ever tasted, had a ridiculously perfect Valentine's Day, danced in the sand, swam in the Indian ocean, shared a bathroom with a cockroach, made irreplacable friends, enjoyed beautiful sunsets and found a home away from Canada.  Now, I don't want to leave, but I know I will always cherish my time here and the incredible impact it's had on my life.

To anyone asking themselves the question, should I go here? Yes. Especially if you're scared.  Fear of the unknown is the only thing holding you back and not knowing is really the scariest option.

A little about the currency... In Tanzania we use Tanzanian Shillings (Tsh). The money comes in denominations of 50,100 and 200 shilling coins. Then there's the bills: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10 000. That's as high as it goes. Because of inflation $1 CDN is approximately 1500 Tsh. Here is a link to my spending here. And a link to my spending template here. Transportation is the biggest expense, followed by eating out and activities. One activity I went on was Safari which cost $275. Zanzibar was another big trip costing around $325. But relatively we live like kings. We have power 5 or 6 out of 7 days of the week, we have 3 meals a day, we ride the bajaj to work and we get to partake in fun activities.

In a place where a cold could mean the death of a child, it's extraordinary the attention one receives when not feeling well.  A couple of fridays ago I was not feeling well at all. My stomach was in knots all day and I wasn't hungry. I'd want to curl up in a ball and then stretch out. I pretty much spent the entire day in bed.  I took pepto-bismol pills but that didn't help.  Soon, the ladies that work at the guest house where Paul and I are staying learned that I was under the weather. They were very concerned for me. One woman who is in her late thirties (or so I think) made me a special water/sugar/lemon mixture.  I was basically ordered to drink it.  I did as I was told and by dinner time I was able to stomach a little bread.  I also decided to take some Cipro.  I only took two pills because the next day I felt infitely better. I must say, Cipro is extremely effective and it's important to drink more water than usual if you take it as it can mess up your system for quite awhile afterwards.

The next day I was up and about again. As I encountered the different ladies everyone asked me multiple times how I was doing. I could tell they were very concerned.  I guess in a place where malaria is coming and feeling unwell can literally mean death, they take illness very seriously.

I felt well loved and cherished.  These women have been a huge part of my life here. I see them everyday. I practice my swahili with them, I help clear dishes and wash up with them and I even cook with them sometimes. They clean my room twice a week and do my laundry when I ask.  Sometimes I ask them for advice.  One woman, is the same age as me.  It's interesting to see someone my own age with only a elementary education who works 14 hours a day.  Whenever I see these women I make sure to use their names as a person's name is the most wonderful sound to them.  I appreciate this ladies so much and I know that I will miss them when I leave.  I'm hoping I can think of a way to truly thank them.  Like aunts and cousins they've become part of my extended family.

This is post is a mystery follow this LINK to find out what this post is about. :D

One aspect of life worth mentioning here is the way you dress. How you dress is incredibly important here. Clothing may take up a large part of the average African's budget (I learned this from a book I'm reading right now called Into Africa). The first thing one might think to pack for Africa is a pair of shorts, but rarely is this the most suitable article of clothing. Much of Africa is either Christian or Muslim. The latter of which implies a dress code for women showing no legs (mostly knees or higher) or chests or shoulders. One region where this is especially important is Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous state just off of Tanzania's coast.  Sometimes if a non-Tanzanian woman bares her shoulders or knees she will get  a great deal of unwanted attention. This is because some people actually think she may be a prostitute.  It's best to make sure to be respectable.

Here's a some great outfit ideas I've found "works" well...

A nice blouse-like t-shirt and a long, high waisted skirt, paired with flats or heels.-This look is fairly cool as skirts are breezy and as long as the knees and shoulders are covered you look professional. I've also found that most women wear heels in the workplace environment. However, I usually wear flats for practicality (I'm also tall at 5'9").  Sometimes I also wear pretty flipflops. After awhile you start to just "know" what's right and what's not.

What if my Skirt is above my knees?

I have one skirt I really love, but because of my height it just brushes my knees. Generally I've found this length okay, but I wouldn't wear it to a workplace meeting. Above the knee is okay if you're going to the beach or a tourist place though and don't mind being "pegged" as a tourist.

Why Scarves are Wonderful

Sometimes if you're on your way somewhere tourist-ee, you want to dress more conservative on the way. Scarves are amazing because they can cover your shoulders, you can sit on them, wrap them around your waist, use them as a swimsuit cover at the beach and them come in many colours and patterns. They're also reasonably cheap here. I got a printed one for 6 000 Tsh ( $4.20 CDN) and some plain ones for 2 500 Tsh each (~$2.00 CDN). It also helps when you buy in bulk. That's how you can get the best deals.

Flip Flops are Your Friend

I practically live in my flip flops, so it's important you have comfy pairs that aren't going to cause you blisters. I'd advise bringing two pairs. One basic and one more fancy and workplace appropriate. Neutral colours will go well with anything you wear and look more professional.