Best Paragraph on Life in Dar Es Salaam
Jeff January 25th, 2008
Quintin wrote probably the best paragraph summarizing a typical day in Dar Es Salaam that I have read.
Archive for the 'Travel' Category
Business Class
Jeff October 25th, 2007
Getting up on the morning of the 23rd was a bit strange as I had been up late the night before packing. It didnt really seem real that the time had finally come and I was actually going to Africa. I have to hand it to my mom, she wasnt even upset when she dropped me off at the airport. Good work ma! 
For the first part of the plane ride from Seattle to Amsterdam, I sat next to a Canadian with dreadlocks. He was a really nice guy and we had a great conversation; he informed me of all sorts of interesting facts, the most notable being:
- We (Americans) dont actually have to pay income taxes. To think that all these years I have just been donating to the cause! I wonder what GW will do when I ask for a refund?
About a half hour into the flight, it felt like the plane hit something and the safety video that was playing shut off. Then the captain came on and said that we were going to have to turn around and land in Seattle as we were having some electrical problems and ‘not to worry’. I wasn’t too excited about this as I only had 3 hours to catch my flight from AMS to Tanzania but what could i do? Then the little screen came on in front of me, started showing some DOS commands and the safety video came back up. The captain came back on and said that everything was sweet so we were turning back around to carry on with the flight.
The best part of this first flight was when Nancy (Jeff’s Mom’s friend) came back and got me to take me up to Business Class. It was so great to grab my stuff and walk past the aisles and aisles of envious faces up to the front of the plane. Not only did I get to sit in business class that has a chair which adjusts pretty much anyway you want it to, but there wasnt anyone sitting next to or behind me. I could recline all the way, bring the chair back up, and generally just do anything that I wanted to! 
The food was amazing and someone came by about every 15 minutes to ensure that I had everything that my little heart desired. When you asked for water, they gave you a whole bottle. (Not just the little half glass that is prone to spilling). I was able to watch about 3 movies on the way over with time for a few short naps and some reading. Towards the end of the flight, they came out with a hot towel and I had to surreptitiously glance at what my other friends in business class were doing as I had no idea what to do. Apparently it is to wipe your face with… Maybe from all that sweat you build up by flying? 
The airport in Amsterdam is pretty cool. Almost more of a mall than an airport. They had a museum that was kinda fun to visit. It made me really wish that I could get out and have a look around. Maybe on the way back…
For the second leg of the journey, I was relegated back to coach. I wanted to cry at the injustice of it! This plane (MD-11?) didnt even have a screen for each person to control like the last one did; there was just one screen for every ten rows that happened to play the same movies i watched on the first flight. Bad luck. I may have to ask for my flights back as to how much it costs to upgrade to business class. I am spoiled now.
After many half naps and terrible airline meals later, we finally touched down in Dar es Salaam. The jetway was having difficulty so we had to deplane from the back which was almost more fitting. The temp was quite a bit different than when I got off the plane in AMS as it was very warm and humid for that late at night. As soon as I got off the plane I had those famous words go through my head, ‘We’re not in Kansas anymore…’.
I was so thankful that I already had my VISA as I was able to walk right up to the immigration person and after a quick chat with her supervisor (I think she was wondering what I was going to be doing for 56 days in the country) I was through and getting my bags. Jovine was there at the airport to take me to the hotel. I haven’t been out of the hotel yet really as yesterday I got up late, then met with Greg to discuss some details of this project. Today we are actually heading out to check on the equipment and meet with Simbanet so it will be good to see some of the city.
Rugby World Cup 2007
Jeff September 5th, 2007
I could not believe my eyes when I saw that a tv station in the USA is actually going to be showing the Rugby World Cup and if my timezone math is correct, will actually be live for some of the games! The station is Versus; they have a calculator so you can figure out which channel they are on in your area. They have the schedule listed here on their website. I have to say I will be rooting for whoever is playing England as they won in 2003 by playing for penalties with Jonny Wilkinson. That is no way to win a match. Go for tries or go home!
I have a Date!
Jeff September 4th, 2007
That may have got your attention; but it is not the kind of date 99% of you were thinking about. I have the date I am scheduled to take off for Tanzania: Oct 29th. Just in time for the weather to get ridiculous! But I am still excited anyway! For those that don’t know, I am heading over there as part of a project to install VSATs, wireless networks, and personal computers so that we can have better connectivity with our field offices. This is going to be one of the best experiences of my life and I just cant wait to go! Lots of little things to tidy up though before I leave, so it is good that I have some time. If five years ago (maybe even 3 years ago) you had told me I would be going to Africa I would have told you that ‘I have a letter confirming your reservation at the nut house’! Let alone heading over there to use my computer skills to do God’s work. Life is great.
Man vs Wild
Jeff June 18th, 2007
Since I may be heading to Tanzania, I have become completely enraptured with this show… A fellow youtuber was kind enough to put together a highlight reel of Bear Grylls in action. This guy does it all, drinks fluid from elephant droppings, jumps into sub zero water to show you how to get out, and seems to skydive into the location about every other episode.
Note: Thanks to ShadyKing for tip on turning off rich text editor for embedding youtube videos!
Good lord I miss it…
Something I came across
Jeff April 21st, 2007
I was having a look through a bunch of old files on my computer this afternoon and came across this quote that I wrote down while I was traveling. It was in the first hostel I stayed at, in a book that the guests wrote stuff in. It isnt word for word but was the best I could remember at the time. I liked it because a lot was said in just a few sentences…
Don’t live your life conforming to rules laid out by our society and the media. Write your own script, your own lines… You only have one life to live, one chance at every day. Don’t try to fill a role you have set up for yourself, worrying about what others think, giving strangers so much power over you life as to influence you in how you live the one life you have been given. Every moment is a gift from above as we are not owed anything and should be treasured.
These words, like many others you have read before, are now yours to do with what you want to.
