tanzania. a story. moja

if you didn't have the pleasure of sitting on my list of email addresses in the first half of 2016, you likely missed out on my semi-monthly emails, updates, and stories from my life in Tanzania.

Tanzania changed my life. my Tanzanian families, friends, baboons, and story are carved forever into my bones. I am forever blessed to have such luck and life bestowed on me from the universe.

the first chapter of story...

MOJA

How I Got to Tanzania

I had been curious about going abroad for months now. I had sat in Cloud’s office, a campus advisor for study-abroad programs, who pointed me to consider the programs in Africa.

“They revolve around your personal interests, Francie. Wildlife conservation… ecology and evolutionary biology.”

It was my junior year. I was living with two of my girl friends in a tiny upstairs of a duplex with a few more of them living below us in the bottom unit. My room was a shoebox and I had become utterly un-infatuated with the idea of college parties. I wanted to experience something brand new. I wanted to experience something that excited me and began to shake something sleeping inside me.

By this time, it had been over a year since Litsey had died and, obviously, I was struggling. Academically though, and perhaps ironically, I excelled after the tragic loss, never seeing anything but an A on my transcript for the rest of my college career. On top of everything, my beloved best friend and furry soul mate, Pug the Puppy, had died. Most days I felt alone, numb, and tired.

So, I submitted my applications. I applied to the organization SIT’s (Students in International Training) program of Tanzania: Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology. I honestly don’t recall feeling much anticipation or eagerness until I finally received my acceptance email in October of 2015. I opened up Gmail and saw the title of the email read, “Congratulations!...”

I felt ecstatic! Tanzania what? Tanzania who? I knew nothing about this country and I felt no fear. I had never been more ready to do something in all my many few years. I called my parents and let them know I had been accepted. My father and my mother are the two reasons why I was able to live in Tanzania and become a person on that incredible program from January to May of 2016.

October 12 2015 • Monday

I can’t believe I’ll be in Tanzania in 3 months. Wait, I’m actually mildly unprepared. Mentally I’ll be fine… I’ll mostly GROW!

But physically not as ready. I’ll get there.

…

But now I carry you everywhere, Litsey. We will walk the ancient land of Africa together.

Nana and Grandpa came into town a week before my trip. I was showing them all I was doing to prepare for the trip including practicing and learning how long it takes for me to set up my 1+ person tent. A beautiful green and grey tent, crafted brilliantly, and my future home as I'd camp in the Tanzanian national parks for more than five weeks. Nana unrolled my sleeping matt and tried it out herself. She always knew how to make us laugh and how to support her grandchildren. It all went into the backpacking pack lent to me from my sweet cousin Lila who had spent her own time in Mozambique.

My family and friends gathered the day before I left to celebrate my send off. It was heartwarming and bitter sweet. I hugged my Papa goodbye towards the end of the night. I would miss him dearly and will be forever grateful for his generosity that allowed me to take this journey.

The next morning, my Mom drove me to the airport but, before we left I checked my malaria medications only to realize… Oh my god! What? Mom looked at me with a worried look on her face.

“My malaria pills!” I exclaimed.

While packing the final items into my packs that morning, I realized I had only half of my needed supply - leaving me with 3 months instead of medicine instead the full 6 months! Well… that won’t do. We threw everything into the car and rushed to the nearest Walgreens pharmacy as the clock inched closer and closer to take-off time. Mom used her motherly ways with the kind pharmacist to quickly get the other bottle of my meds from the man in the pharmacy window. Disaster avoided.

We parked in the short-term airport parking lot. She took a picture of me and my bags in one of the cement passageways. We checked in at the desk. Then she watched as I drifted through the security line and out of sight, both of us with tears in our eyes as we waved goodbye.

January 21 2016 • Thursday

I said goodbye to my family and friends and departed the country yesterday. I’m so thankful for them and how much they love me and support me. I can’t believe it’s here! In about an hour we will land in Tanzania. Not sure what is in store for me, not only for tonight but for the next few months. I’ve slept a lot on this flight which I think has improved my attitude. I’m thrilled for this adventure!!

My second and final flight took off from Amsterdam, where I had finally met some other students in my program. Other students who would be my new normal for the next 6 months.

I had a window seat. I like the window seat. There I can rest my head on the side of the plane, settle into the corner, and look out as the world becomes simultaneously smaller and larger beneath me. But, when I reached the aisle that held my highly anticipated home for the next 8 hours, a small gray haired woman pointed to the back of the plane where I saw a familiar looking, small, gray haired man waving at me. The woman asked, “Dear, would you mind switching seats with my husband so we can sit together?”

And what did I do? You may be thinking I looked at this woman and said, “sorry, no! I love the window seat and it’s mine.” But, then you’d be wrong. Something came over me and I let this little gray haired woman sit with her husband. Was I glad about it? No. Was it the right thing to do? I don’t know. Did I let my politeness get in the way of my comfort? Likely. So, I tipped my hat and started walking back to switch spots with this old man. And I kept walking. And walking. Until I found myself at the very, very last aisle of the plane.

I settled into the violently vertical seatback and took a Benadryl for the first time ever. There was no one in the seat next to me but instead just one woman on the other side of the middle seat. That way, I could bring my feet up into that middle seat if I felt like it.

I buckled up, the plane took off, and I began to drift. Quickly I fell into an incredibly deep slumber for the entirety of the plane ride. At one point a flight attendant poked me. I squinted one eye up at her, and realized my mouth was hanging wide open but I didn’t have the energy to close it.

She said to me with a look of worry forming across her forehead, “You haven’t eaten anything! Would you like any food?”

I grunted at her, shook my head and fell back to sleep.

We landed in Tanzania hours after the sun had set. When I finally shook the slumber from my mind I looked over to the woman who had been sharing the row with me. She looked at me incredulously and said, “You slept the entire flight.”

Yep, I sure did. “How on earth are you going to be able to sleep tonight?!” This woman obviously has no idea that I can fall asleep anywhere, anytime. I told her that would be no problem for me and not to worry and I prepared to step off the plane and into Tanzania after 24 straight hours of travel.