Settling in to our new home

 

Yesterday, I was walking to the back of my apartment to get a bottle of water and it suddenly dawned on me that I live here. Not just that I live in this apartment, but that for the next 10 months of my life, we will be living in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Of course I planned to live here and I actively sought a grant and housing and other things to make it possible, but it was a strange moment to realize that we actually live here and that we will not be in the United States for the next 10 months. I had slowly been processing thoughts about the length of time, such as when I might see a friend again and or being happy that I don’t have to attend certain meetings for this school year. But, the reality has set in and in turn a bit of a schedule and routine.

 

My home office

My home office

This past week, we went to the economic capital of Dar es Salaam to the US Embassy to do our orientation and security briefing. This was the first time that Keith had been to Dar in seven years since we got on the airplane there at the end of my student Fulbright. He was able to see how much it had changed and all the growth and big buildings. We also saw a fellow Fulbrighter and enjoyed the view from their balcony.

View from a rotating restaurant called Akemi in Dar es Salaam with great food and views on the 21st floor.

View from a rotating restaurant called Akemi in Dar es Salaam with great food and views on the 21st floor.

A balcony view of the ocean in Dar

A balcony view of the ocean in Dar

On my social media, I have been posting pictures on my lunch views and enjoying the beautiful Indian Ocean and the delicious fresh juice. My aunt and my mother asked me if all I did was eat and look at pretty views.

View of boats while eating lunch

View of boats while eating lunch

Avocado and passionfruit juice

Avocado and passionfruit juice

While part of me wanted to say yes and part of me wanted to say no, the truth is that we are developing our routine and the semester here does not start until the middle of October. In addition, we are waiting for our work and my research permits to be processed, so at this time we are tourists who can spend some time getting to know Zanzibar and enjoying its beauty and food. I also can spend time as a tourist working on various pieces of writing and research that I have not had the time to do in the last couple months/year and get some of that work out for review. So here is my home office that I have set up and try to get a couple of hours of writing in each morning. We also can do some preparation for our upcoming work.

Sweaty and happy after my workout

Sweaty and happy after my workout

I have also gotten back to working out and doing my yoga. I found a yoga class here that meets twice a week that I hope to try soon.

On the list of other accomplishments, we are finally learning our way and I am particularly proud that I was able to find my way home the most direct route yesterday from shopping and lunch. When I ask directions, they commonly tell me just turn left or right here and then go straight till you get to whatever it is I am looking for.

The winding streets and alleys of Stone Town

The winding streets and alleys of Stone Town

 

 

I am learning that straight and follow the road have a similar meaning, but still lead to me getting lost sometimes in these curvy alleys.  

5 comments to Settling in to our new home

  1. Verlon Stone says:

    Thanks fora very complete update of your current life and work in Stone Town prior to school starting. Nice office. V/D

  2. lisa says:

    Networking within the industry is a critical element of music promotion. Establishing connections with music producers, managers, record label executives, and other artists can lead to collaborations, mentorship, and valuable insights. These connections can also help in securing opportunities such as sponsorships, endorsements, and partnerships, which can further elevate an artist’s career. Music promotion is a continuous and evolving process that requires adaptability and a willingness to experiment with new approaches. It demands persistence and resilience, as not every effort will yield immediate results. However, with dedication, creativity, and a well-thought-out promotional strategy, artists can navigate the complexities of the music industry and achieve their goals, reaching new heights in their musical careers.music promotion

  3. lisa says:

    This technology has profound implications for the field of preventive medicine. It enables early detection of abnormalities and diseases, making it a powerful tool for health screenings. By identifying potential health issues at an earlier stage, patients can receive timely interventions, significantly improving their chances of successful treatment.visbody 3D Full human Body Scanner Machine

  4. JoyceD says:

    ANGELASTONE is an absolute vision! Her impeccable style and radiant look truly captivate. And for anyone curious about her secret to maintaining that timeless beauty, look no further. If she ever needs to order order durolane, she can always find it on https://ogomed.com/product/durolane-60mg-3ml/ website. Here’s to beauty that’s effortlessly chic and readily available!

  5. ลาว ส ตา ร์ วัน นี้ says:

    You are sharing a very informative and great post. ลาว ส ตา ร์ วัน นี้

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *