So have been home for a few weeks now and feel like I have settled back into western life, finally.

There were quite a few problems involving our intake of volunteers and all in all it was a different expereince to the one I expected.

I was forgotten about on arrival - so stood for 3hrs in Dar airport, not the most comfortable place for a tired, young, western women. Was sensible enough not to follow instructions and get a taxi to Moshi for my orientation as with my little knowledge of African geography I knew Moshi was closer to Kili and that Kili was quite a distance from Zanzibar!! Finally collected after a few confused phone calls. Then taken with Ali (my darling adopted husband) to the Dar House. This was also not as I expected. Basic would have been fine, but it was grotty, dark (no working light in my room) and all in all miserable.

Suze and the others arrived a little later and had just as horrified expressions on thier face as me I showed them the room. But hey-ho - on we go and the first night (minus a midnight panic for one other other roomies) went by fairly uneventful.

Then off to Zanzibar. If you can - book a flight straight into Zanzibar and just skip DAr and the boat ride entirely. Expected to be met by Kari (Art in Tanzania Organiser) but turns out hes the CEO and despite him emailing me lots before i arrived is not supposed to be dealing with volunteers. Collected by Nicole - best thing about Art in Tanzania by far - and get to Stone Town house which is much better than Dar. Only issues with this accom was when power and water went out across the island which can't be helped!

Turns out schools are mostly closed for Holidays or finiishing of exams which means no real teaching required. This was very dissapointing.

Other volunteers had signed up to work in orphanage - which closed in 2009 - and just had to wing it teaching with the rest of us, so lots of unhappy faces all around really. This all seemed down to poor communication between the organisations and then the on-the-ground teams.

Stone Town itself though is Very cool. Great mix of Indian and African and Islamic culture and really (if sometimes too much so) freindly people. Was wise to have long sleeved tops on as you get alot of attention as young white women without inviting further comment by dressing appropriately. Also, by the time we left we felt just as offended as the locals when loud and scantily clad tourists (mostly Americans) strut around past mosques. Places to check out are Mercury's Bar for sunsets, The Spice Route for curry, and Tembo Hotel to use their pool which although technically ONLY GUESTS ALLOWED can be used discreetly if you make a habit of having a few drinks and a piece of chocolate cake (MMMMmmmmm) in between your lengths! :-D
Theres also a great little local bar just to the left of Tembo Hotel where Konyagi spirits is 1000schilling (50p) for 4 shots!! Lethal stuff though so 4 shots was plenty for me! lol
Also theres definately a Rastafri presence in Stone Town and they can be very cool guys. But one in paticular - recognisable by his blood shot eyes and distane for Brits - who can be quite agressive and once youve spotted him - best to AVOID like the plague! lol

After quite a horrific, 10 day long, bout of stomach flu - shared with Suze and Jana as I wouldnt want any of us to miss out on such an expereince - we travelled up to Kendwa for a night. This was great fun but is mostly backpackers so not the 'real' African expereince.

Will sign off now, but if anyone wants any tips or to chat about the expereince do drop me a message.

Peace Out.

Nadine

• Tanzania
• zanzibar
• africa