So different than I expected but so much more

I couldn't get it through my head that I was really going to Africa, not until I was on the last plane into Dar es Salaam and watched the little animated plane flying over Tanzania. Why it took that to make it all seem real, I don't know, but my heart began racing with excitement. I'm going to Africa... is all I could think. We arrived in the night, so I couldn't see much, just the airport, a few crazy looking trees, and a nice hostile where we spent the night. I could hardly make myself fall asleep, partially because of the time change, but mostly because all I kept thinking was that I'm finally in Africa. Okay so I may sound crazy to you, but I have been waiting for this day for longer than I can remember. It has always seemed like such a distant dream for so long but now, right now, I'm here.
In so many ways it is different than what I had anticipated, but in no way less than I had hoped. The people are so welcoming. When they great you, they shake your hand but they don't just let go, they really shake your hand. They hold your hand while looking you in the eye and welcoming you into their country. And their eyes...they're so friendly, like nothing I've ever seen. The people here, they walk so slowly, and it seems so strange to me. They're never in any hurry. They just enjoy eachother's company along the way and get there when they get there. I feel like I'm always walking on the back of there feet because they walk so relaxed, it's wonderful. I'm sure that I look ridiculous when I walk a normal pace, like I'm running frantically. Even the little things are different. 'Up' on the lightswitch is off, and 'down' is on. Who would have guessed? Also, I had not anticipated having a warm shower at all, but come to find out, even hot is an option...though one I doubt I'll be exploring very frequently. My room is huge: three rooms in one. I have a main room with a table and chairs and a book shelf, a bedroom with two beds and two closets, and my own bathroom with shower. I feel spoiled and am a little uncomfortable with it all. I was expecting a little closet like room with a bed and a community bathroom, something more like I would get at Wartburg. Who would have thought that I would live better in Tanzania than at a private school in Iowa.
So it is only our second day at LJS and we have already begun with Swahili classes. It's very intense, but the structure is in a lot of ways similar to spanish and I feel like I'm catching on quickly. I will struggle with pronunciation because English is a language spoken on the tip of the tongue and the front teeth, but Swahili is very much a full mouth language. It's difficult to move the words to the back of the mouth, like in German.
Well I think I shall go do a little studying/review of our morning lessons before we begin our afternoon session. K, well I'm going to say goodbye for today and it may be a few days before I write again as Pastor Haferman will be taking us to visit some villages this weekend and also on Tuesday and Wednesday. I hope all is well for everyone back home and that you're surviving the cold whether. I'll spare you the details about the warm sunshine, green grass, and chirping birds as I'm sure it would make you all envious.
Mom and Dad, please don't worry about me while I'm here. I think I'd be happy here for a lifetime.