Wow, do i ever have tons to update on. So i began with having a “few” delays with flights.. first we were 1.5 hrs late in leaving toronto cause the luggage door wouldnt close.. but that got figured out and we left. it was a good flight to amsterdam, and the layover only ended up being about an hour.. then the fun began. we left on the flight and were just about to fly over egypt (we had been in the air for about 3.5 hrs), when the pilot comes on and says ‘we had a couple technical difficulties and we are going to be returning to amsterdam’….we were not too happy about that, but worried also.. turns out that the cabin pressure was lost for a short period of time (the pilots had to wear oxygen masks) but it came back luckily.. however if we were to continue to our next stop over, we would have waited for about 2 days to fix the plane..so once we were back in amsterdam, we changed airplanes and were back in the air.. that flight was about 8.5 hours to kilimanjaro for a quick stop, and then finally only another 45 mins flying to get to Dar es Salaam. we spent the first 3.5 days there doing orientation etc. it was quite a layed back week because we were all adjusting to the weather and the jet leg.. maaaaan is it hot here, you don’t so 10 min without sweating!! it was also VERY humid in Dar due to so much pollution.. we learned very quickly to stay clear of the roads! they drive on the opposite side of the road than in canada, and speed limits mean nothing to them..also, pedistrians mean nothing either!! either you move, or you get hit! we stayed at a nice little hostel called the YWCA and got our first taste of ugali (some flour mixture), chapati (deep fried bread), walli(rice), kuku(chicken), and a few others..and also to eating with your hands.. it is actaully fun to eat with your hands!! yesterday morning (friday) we split from the zanzi. volunteers and headed off to moro. it was a GEORGOUS drive here, especially once we got close and could see the mountains.. they are right out my front yard! i am now comfortably moved into my house that i will be staying in while i am here. it is awesome and so is the family! they are very welcoming and willing to help me with my swahili (which i am learning the basics pretty well) i have had my first experience with squat toilets and bucket bathing.. its not so bad!! My room is awesome, it looks right out the front and has 2 windows to create a nice breeze.. there is a tv in it also!! i seem to live in a pretty nice house. the other girls who are in moro have a huge stereo system, and a computer! ha..but i am happy to not have that cause i like the more rural experience.. moro is a widely spread out place, so you walk a lot or sometimes take a dala dala (bus). we got a little taste of some of the stuff we will be doing today at the Fraja Trust Fund play day. it happens once a month for children who are living with HIV/AIDS..it is a place for them to get away from the stigma and play with other kids.. we got absolutely mobbed when we arrived, but it was amazing! there were just so happy to get hugs and have people to play with..there are about 120 kids there.. i also found out the type of programs i will be doing and a couple of them have to do with teaching youth, which is awesome!! i have so much more to say, but my time is running out! hopefully i will be able to update more often!! miss everyone, talk to you soon! xox