3 Weeks in Dar

I have now been in Dar for almost 3 weeks. The weather here is definitely something hard to get used to, but having the ocean so close by has its perks.

Work here is very different to what I am used to. I feel like a data entry specialist (40 hours a week), and that is very hard to get used to. I love my laptop and all, but I cannot stare at it for that long. The data I am working with is also very hard to understand, either because of the language issue or because of the “issues” we have encountered. I was warned that this dataset might have to be “trashed” because there were many issues with it, but being who I am, I am doing my best to salvage as much as I can and make sense of the responses staring at me! I am not giving up yet, but boy is it tempting every so often. I wonder if the data collecting people realized how important their work would be, and how difficult it is to analyze their work if not done properly. I will keep this truth in mind in my own future data collection adventures.

As our ride to work has gone on holiday, Jamie and I have decided to walk to work. We can do it! It’s not that far! (So it seems-LOL) Jamie and I get to work in 40-50 minutes (when walking at a fairly slow pace) and manage to get there drenched in sweat. My pores are loving me right now. Our CARE colleagues cannot believe we would walk all the way, but Jamie and I both love to walk and have not officially exercised since we got to Tanzania. I need to shed a few pounds before I head back home!

The food has gotten much better for me these days. “My stomach is finally adjusting,” I thought to myself. Then I spoke too soon. Just yesterday I had to run to the bathroom to throw-up. I was doing so good since getting to Dar, but something went awry yesterday and has not gotten better.

I leave for my in-laws’ in a couple of weeks. (I hope they don’t mind me calling them that already.) Can’t wait for a change of scenery and activities.

I miss home. I miss my family, my love, and my cuddly puppy. Boy what I’d give for a calzone from Mellow Mushroom (mushrooms, spinach, and pineapple, YUM). Oooh, and a nice t-bone steak, how grand would that be? Maybe some pupusas, or lasagna, or my mother’s famous pepian. 28 days left, and boy am I counting!