Looking at the Ocean In The Morning

Its 1130 am on Sunday June 27th here in Dar E Salaam. I'm sitting in my 4th floor hotel room looking out over the harbor, there's a church service going on across the street, and the backdrop is beautiful water, with palm trees blowing in the wind. There's a working harbor in the distance, so the ships come and go into the docking stations.

The last few days have been amazing. On Friday, we had religious ceremonies for Nirav and Niki. It was poolside in the hotel...it was hot! ;) The chairs shifted as the sun put more of the patio in it's view. Then we had a nice lunch, and it was time to relax for a while. Anna and I walked around the city some, and it very much reminded me of India. Lots of hustle and bustle in the streets, as vibrant life is all around. Unfortunately, I still didn't know where my bag was, but the agents at the airport were looking into it. At that point, I didn't terribly mind, since I had enough clothes for the night and the wedding. The biggest loss of the bag would be the stuff I brought for the orphanage.

As it got later in the day, we got ready and went to the Hawaii Party throw by Niki's brother in law's family...what an AMAZING sight! We pulled up to a house...no a compound, actually we went through the gates, down a long drive, and come up to a house...got out, walked around back to see a Magnificent backyard...Steps lead down to a huge pool theat curves and leads you down a path to the ocean! Palm trees lined the sides of the walkway, and tiki torches lit the way! There was a DJ booth up on stage above the pool, with the bar nearby, and speakers put everywhere, so all could hear the music. Tables setup around the pool, stretching all the way back to the end of the pool, where multiple stations were setup for food. Beyond that lay the path to the beachhouse, and the water, shimmering in the moonlite. A wonderful atmosphere for a wonderful occasion. We ate, chatted, drank, swayed to the music, and then were asked to sit down...the show was to begin! It started with a gong, and fire breathing man...drums beat, and men and women came running out for the african dance show. 3 shows, of dance, acrobatics, and sheer beauty!

We danced late into the night...and we'll never forget the drum getting knocked into the pool, the flower bouquet toss...times two, because the first one went into the pool...the michael jackson tribute, Nirav going up to sing snoop...then him and I singing coolio...the food, the drinks, the weather, the place...phenomenal...

So Saturday came...I got up early, went tot he airport, to find that my bag was going to be delivered that night...so we relaxed, woke up slowly (really, I went back to "sleep"), went to Emporio to eat some nice turkish/medditerian food...came back and got ready for the wedding! The wedding was set in the Patel Samaj, which was a big ground and mandir setup for events. The mandap was beautful...but paled compared to the bride. Amazingly, though the place was not the norm, the feelings were, the ceremonies were great. I did manage to get my jhubo messed up a little while hiding the shoes...We laughed, cried, ate (of course), and enjoyed the ceremony...

When I came home...low and behold, my bag was being delievered! I got it...opened the first zippered area...and my shoes had been stolen! I was mad, but of course, who could I be mad at...I may make the claim with KLM at some point, but for now, I'm happy that I got the stuff back. The shoes...well, I hope that someone who took them uses them, and needs them more than I...

Okay...well it's almost time for lunch, and...the trees are swaying, the water's moving gently...
TIA...This is Africa...

Day 2

Hi everyone,
So I got here last night, and found that my bag apparently hasn't made it yet. Hoping that it will come tomorrow. Luckily, I did pack clothes in my handbag, so I have a few days worth, and stuff for the wedding. I got off the plane, dealt with folks at the airport, and was taken directly to the mendhi party, where I found a great outdoor party. looked like something out of an indian movie, with food, music, and dancing. everyone was having a great time, and welcomed me even though I looked terrible from all the flying. This morning was fun, the religious ceremony for nirav, pictures forth coming. we walked around the city a little, very remenicent of places in India. More later, hopefully I will get my bag back tomorrow!!

In Africa

So the internet on my phone does work. I'm actually on the plane inkilamanjaro, waiting to go to Dar. Trip has been fine so far. I satnext to an older gentleman on the way to amsterdam, and she sharedmany stories of his upbringing and his life. While most stories andthoughts were of an average retiree in America, he told me some veryinteresting things. First, he was on his way to budapest, to see acousin, who he got in touch with within the last ten years or so.He's third generation American, yet he sought out his roots, and goesto visit the family every year. This year they will be going to theukraine by bus, and doing a tour. Also, in the early 60's, he wasstationed in Berlin. He shared stories of how life was there in thefour zone city.
Flight to KJO was less talkative, I sat next to a couple from Arusha.Nice people. I helped them use the entertainment system. The wifekept trying to look out the window, wanting to see the sea. I thoughtthis was odd, since water is the most boring scenary from a plane, butshe must never have seen it. Flying over the sahara desert wasinteresting...just vast tracks of sand, and what appeared to benothing else!

Off to Africa

Well its been quite a month...DC bachelor party, refinance of my condo
after finding all the credit problems, "meeting" Akta's parents, the
two of us truly commiting oursleves to each other, and
getting/starting my new role as a manager. Now the vacation to Africa
is finally here. Nirav is going to getting married on
Saturday...crazy! I am finally excited about seeing Dar, the wedding,
the safari after, and most about going to the orphanage in NBO. I am
sad that Julie isn't going to be coming with, but hanging out with
Nirav and Anna will be great! I'm going to miss Akta, but knowing
that we'll be thinking about each other will make it easier. So I'm
sitting at the airport waiting to go...2 connections, and I will be
there! So this funny, I have 3 blackberries with me, each with a
unique purpose. One is the phone/email which will work in africa.
Another is for music/podcasts, because I couldn't transfer it. The
last is for work, not to be turned on until I come back. Left the
laptop at work, so I figured the bb to check email when I come back is
ok.

So keep coming back for updates and thoughts on the trip!

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Test post to see if blogging via email off of smart phone works.

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