So today s Saturday May 14th. I will break up thise 3 days into sepersate posts, as I have too much info to share!
So far I've hardly had any problems with the jetlang, a benefit of being neqarly nocutrnal at home I am thinking!
So Thursday May 12th I mer with the volutneer coordinator of TVE, Sarah who lives here in Dar and she was amazingly helpful! She showed me around and took me where I could take out money. The exchange rate is crazy sounding here. 1,540.00 TZ Shillings is equivalent to 1.00 CND. So it feels like you are carrying around way too much $ all the time! I think I've nearly adjusted now though!
After getting out my money I also bought my bus ticket to Arusha, which was 28,000 shillings (18-19 CND). I also bought a phone which was 38,000 shillings (24-25 CND) As well as a SIM card for about 1CND dollar. If you want my TZ # message me on facebook or email me!
Sarah and I went to a local place where I tried Chips Mayai, this is essentially a french fry omlette and was actually really tasty! I tried out my first dala dala which are basically vans or mini buses, and they get crazy packed sometimes, and cost about 300 shillings (20cents) We took the dala dalas to Slipway a weekend craft market, though it wasn't very busy because it was only Thursday. It was at slipway where I saw the only other Mzungu (white person) of the day besides Sarah and I. From there we took a pajahji (i'm totally spelling it wrong but it's pronounced....pah-jaw-gee. They ar three-wheeled covered trike type things with no sides, they're super fun and cheap. After Sarah told me some good places to eat and left. I went to a restaurant called Chef's pride and had what I think was BBQ Chicken and Chapatti for 5,500 shillings (3.50 CND). All in all my first full day seemed to be a success and I already am loving it, though still not fully comprehending the fact that I am really here.
Will write more next time I get online, though it may be a few days away - I have so much to tell though I'll try not to get behind.
Miss everyone back home!
Those pajahji sound exactly like tuk-tuks (also probably spelling it wrong)in Guatemala! Thats a crazy exchange rate. I thought that it was a lot in Russia where there are about 28 Rubles to on US dollar, but 1,500 to one CAD is unfathomable!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely trip so far. Stay safe and enjoy the heat!