Well, it was 3 weeks ago since I left the rainy shores of England and arrived in Mwanza. I still can't quite believe that my dream of teaching in Africa is finally coming true.
After waiting for 3 hours to check in for my transfer flight from Dar to Mwanza I was certainly thrown into the African speed of life, especially when they decided to change our flight from 11am to 1pm just because they felt like it. It made me realise I had arrived. When we were finally greeted by a view of lake Victoria, our luggage was piled into the back of a pick up van and the adventures in Mwanza had begun.
The first week seemed like a holiday as we were welcomed by fun day trips and delicious meals out. By the end of the week I had, enjoyed a beautiful red sunset from a boat on Lake Victoria, climbed to the top of the 'Dancing rocks' on the hills surrounding Mwanza and tasted the local speciality of 'Chips mayai' (an omelette containing chips). These were just a few of the highlights from a jam packed week getting to know the sights, sounds and smells of Mwanza as well as lots of lovely people who made us feel very welcome. It was hard to imagine that after a week of fun I would have a class of 20, hopefully smiling, children looking at me that I had to impart some knowledge to and a very bare room that need to be transformed into a classroom very soon!
One of the lasting memories of my first week were the delightful noises that greeted me as I settled into the new flat. We arrived at the block of flats to hear the chanting from the local football stadium and the megaphone from the local church blasting out. What had I done! I was so excited about looking round the flats and discover where I was going to be living that I forgot about the noises, especially when we saw the view of the lake from our roof terrace. It was only when the sun went down and I settled under my mosquito net for the first time that it felt like I was inside a club. The humming of the crickets was being drown out by the thumping of the African chanting and the preacher was sharing his views with the whole of Mwanza. I really thought I was never going to get to sleep. Luckily the 20 hours of travelling took it's toll, until I was woken at 5am by a bird who imitated a car alarm, the call to prayer from the local mosque and 20 dogs barking from the house next door.... it made a great alarm! Don't worry even after just 3 weeks, it is amazing what you can sleep through!
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