My First Few Hours in Tanzania

I have been in Tanzania for only a few hours and (surprisingly, I know) I already love it!  I was picked up from the airport by a very kind man named Innocent, who would not let me carry any of my three 50+ pound bags and who taught me my first few words in Swahili.  Stepping off the plane and smelling the warm, familiar African air was all of the confirmation I needed to assure me that coming back to Africa and leaving my wonderful friends and family (both in Michigan and NYC) for six months is exactly what I am supposed to be doing right now. The hour car ride from the Kilimanjaro airport to the Stella Maris Lodge was so pleasant as Innocent and I shared stories about America, Tanzania and Ghana.  As we drove down the main road from the airport to my new home, I took in as much as I could: the shadows of the landscape, the people walking alongside the road, the absence of city lights and noise.  When I was in Ghana, I always felt such peace and happiness, and all is right in the world as I already have that same feeling here in Tanzania!  My body has no idea what time of day it is or whether it should be hungry, tired, etc, but as it is almost midnight here in Tanzania, I am going to attempt to rest so that I can be ready for my first full day in Tanzania tomorrow!