So how exactly does one begin a blog about a future life-changing experience?
To be perfectly honest, this whole blogging thing is a bit new to me. This blog is meant to be a chronicle of my experiences studying and living abroad in Tanzania, East Africa. Most of the experiences mentioned here will probably be just day-to-day activities as we begin our studies of Swahili (or Kiswahili, whichever you prefer) at the University of Dar es Salaam and then move to our host family's place for a week before having our break (do I hear Mt. Kilimanjaro calling?), and then we're off to our fieldsite in Tarangire where we stay for six weeks in tents with access to Tarangire National Park, Olduvai Gorge, Laetoli (insert squeal of delight from a nerdy anthropologist here), and with interaction opportunities with some of the last hunter-gatherer and pastoralist tribes on Earth, namely the Maasai, before we head back to the University to complete our final exams, papers, and big presentation on our research while living with our host families. In all, we're going to be taking intensive Swahili classes, combined with courses in Research Methods, Human Evolution, and Ecology of the Maasai Ecosystem. Wow, just thinking about the fact that in 18 short days I will be living this reality, is a little mind-boggling. There are so many opportunities for things to go awry along this epic journey - I think I can safely say that it will indeed be epic - but of one thing I am sure, this is going to be an amazing experience unlike any that has happened, or will happen in my life, and I can't wait!
And so the countdown begins. But before touchdown in Tanzania, there's London-town (The Clash song "London Calling" never fails to sound in my head at the mere mention of London), Texas, and a visit to Duluth to think about. Not to mention the part about packing four months of academics, base camping, climbing, and life into two overly large duffle bags. There's also the end of summer work at the Leinenkugel Brewery, goodbyes to family and friends, several textbook articles and books about Tanzania to be read, and I suspect a couple more trips to the REI mecca in Bloomington to add in to the mix as well. Side note:
if anyone has any recommendations for sweet places to visit in London, I'm open to suggestions! I've gotten several, including a performance of Les Miserables, but would love to hear more opinions of options.
I can't promise anything with this blog as far as structure. Entries will most likely be sporadic with the numerous power outages and limited internet connection. Maybe I'll structure it with songs, like "Africa" by Toto, or maybe around meals, like my first experience trying banana beer or the Maasai drink of goat or cow's blood mixed with milk, or maybe around experiences, like the rush of adrenaline when I climb Mt. Kilimanjaro? Who knows? There's a world of possibilities to explore!
