Home Again

     I realize that I haven't posted for about a month now! When I got home, things got a little crazy, and the last thing on my mind was to blog about it. The trip home went great! We made each of our flights (some of them just barely!) and made it home with the causality of only one bag which was left in Amsterdam. First stop on the way home, Cafe Rio! Oh how we missed our Cafe Rio.  That night I hung out with the family playing games like Settlers of Catan, and talking. About 2:00am that morning I woke up with a furious stomach who didn't agree with being back in the states, and continued throwing up for the next 16 hours, missing my orientation for nursing school which was scheduled the next day. Luckily, after about a day I was able to rest and continued sleeping and resting for the next few days.

     I had the most wonderful experience in Africa. I miss it daily as I look at the pictures posted all over my room, on my laptop, and talk to other friends enjoying their own experiences elsewhere in the world. Luckily I have still been able to keep in touch with friends from Tanzania (thank goodness for skype and facebook!) and miss them all very much! What I miss more than anything though, would have to be my kids. They are in my dreams almost every night and I miss their laugh's, attitudes, and most of all, their hugs and kisses! I hope that whoever is out in Tanzania right now is taking care of them for me.

      If anyone is interested in volunteering abroad, this was the way to do it! It was affordable, and edifying. Overall my trip cost me $3000, not including spending money. My plane ticket was $1600, the hostel (which included and amazing breakfast and dinner) was $1100 for 9 weeks! and then you're required to purchase a visa and a volunteering permit totaling about $250. The hostel was great with setting up volunteering experiences of every kind whether you're interested in working with children, adults, disabled children, schools, orphanages, administration, business, and construction, they had it all. I loved not having a tour guide and being able to explore and learn the language on my own (well with the help of a few friends), but overall, fending for myself, jumping on the back of trucks and bikes, and tasting the true african food in little huts and restaurants, etc. I would highly recommend this adventure to everyone! It definitely broadened my perspective, was a great volunteering and growing experience, as well as eye opening.