Dar by Daylight

Well, my first full day in Dar certainly didn’t disappoint. After falling asleep to the sound of the surf pounding and waking to watch the sunrise, I spent the morning walking the beach and enjoying the sea. Having grown up with the sound of the surf and a fog horn through my bedroom window, I love to be by the sea. As Botswana is a land locked country my only access to water has been the Chobe River and the Gaborone Dam. While satisfying in the moment, the chance to swim in the Indian Ocean eclipsed these smaller bodies of water. Like hitting all four corners of the continent, my toes have dipped into many great bodies of water other than the Atlantic ocean which I grew up swimming in. I have dipped them in the Pacific Ocean, the Seine (I know it was rather gross), and the Mediterranean to name a few. My dip into the Indian Ocean did not disappoint. The water was very warm and big breakers. It was lovely!

 

 

Following my relaxing morning, I placed myself in the hands of Athomasanu once again. I had been told that the best way to navigate around Dar to all of the best sights and places was in the hands of a taxi driver. Having proved his worth to me last night I knew that he was the man for the job. You see, Dar is not the safest of cities especially for a single white woman. While in my younger days I would have turned up my nose in scorn at not fending for myself, the evolution of Cheryl has meant that I am now happy and content to place myself in the care of someone I can trust. I am learning to love having someone actually take care of me. I know! Who would ever have thought I would not only believe that but actually admit it out loud!!!! But it is true, I am growing very soft in my old age and Africa is certainly teaching me how to not be so fiercely independent. God only knows what changes will be wrought in the next twelve months!

And it keeps getting better – Athomasanu, not only is a great teacher, protector and driver. He also accompanied me shopping and helped me chose kengas (traditional Tanzanian material to wrap around your hips that also have a saying in Swahili on them) along with other items. What is the world coming to!!! I really am getting soft or at least certain African men are gentlemanly enough to be able to coax me into allowing them to treat me like a lady. I don’t know if it is perception or fact, but I certainly feel like there are far more gentlemen here in Africa than back home in Canada. Just another reason to love living here!