Klub Africo

HatuJamobo!

In the last few days we have been learning LOADS of Swahili and already whether its on the 'dola dola' or the streets of Tanzania I have been able to make my way around and even carry on conversations with the local people. Although yesterday we were in a group with 3 boys and two girls and I'm pretty sure I was asked to marry the guy we were talking to. My friend Bergen started talking to him and then he grabbed my hand and was pointing to his heart and all the girls in the shop were giggling at me because I didn't know what the heck he was saying! This kept going on for a few minutes until he realized we had no idea what he was trying to say to me. Many interactions like this happen but for the most part whenever we are traveling with boys people ask if we are their girlfriendS (notice girlfriends is plural), when we say Hapana (no) they give us a very surprised look.

other than that we are now staying at a place called Klub Africa. We rented out the whole hotel which consists of 7 huts, a place to eat and a bar. Everyday we have been taking 4 hours of Swahili in the morning and then are set free to get our own food and do whatever we want the rest of the day. It is a really big reality check stepping out onto the street from the hotel and seeing the drastic change from the place we are staying where more wealthy Tanzanians come to being in a relatively poor neighborhood. You see children as young as 2 just wandering around outside of their "houses" or playing with a stick and ball or even glass bottles sometimes. Talking to the little kids is my favorite because when you say "mambo" which is whats up, you see their faces light up as they say "pao" (its cool). Sometimes they even come over and bow their head at you waiting for a blessing which is very humbling.

 At night after the nightly discussion about different readings we eat dinner do homework and then sorry mom and dad but spend a little time at the bar playing pool and trying all the different kinds of Tanzanian beers, which are delicious! We have met lots of different characters at the bar and for the most part Tazanians come up to us constantly wanting to talk and ask about the politics of the United States. Sadly I think the majority of Tanzanians are more up to date with American politics than the majority of our country is. They are very interested in our views and what we think of Obama.