Living in Arusha, Tanzania

It's Sunday, and I think I am finally all settled in Arusha. Time to recap the last few days of moving to Arusha.

I left the states on Tuesday afternoon.  I flew from Lexington to Detroit to Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro.  It was actually the smoothest travel I have ever done, even smoother than most domestic traveling.  I left at 3:30 on Tuesday afternoon and arrived in Tanzania on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. (my new time) and about 12:30 p.m. (my old KY time).  It was two very long flights, but luckily I slept a lot of the trip so I felt pretty good upon arrival.  It took only about a half hour to get through customs since I had valid visa from my last trip to Tanzania.  I went to the baggage claim, and my bags were there which was a huge relief.  I went outside the airport, and I found my driver from the UN.  We had a few stops before I arrived at my temporary housing.  I finally arrived at the temporary house where two other female interns were also staying.  We had Internet at the house so I was able to call my family and Eric and let them know that I arrived safely.  It was good to hear their voices, but it also started to sink in that I was going to be away from loved ones for four months.  I have definitely been homesick for the past few days, but I finally am starting to get in a routine, make some friends, and am excited about what's going to happen over the next four months. 

Thursday, September 1, I started my internship at the Tribunal.  It was pretty surreal driving back up to the gate, checking through security, and looking at the buildings knowing this would be my second home for the next few months.  Thursday was a really long day because we had to go in small group to get our badges made which allow us to get into the tribunal every day, so most of the day was spent sitting around,  So far I have met other interns from: other parts of the US, Australia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Israel, France, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.  I was shown to the Office of the Prosecutor section within the tribunal.  Within that section, there are two divisions: trial and appeals.  I am working in the trial division, and will be working in a room with nine other interns.  I am going to try and post a picture of that later once we all get assignments so you can get a picture of the chaos and excitement in the room. 

On Friday, September 2, I moved into a house which I think looks like a mansion.  It is called "The White House."  It was one of the options for interns and apparently there is a lot of responsibility with living in the house as historically it is the hangout/party house.  It is huge!  I am living with four other female interns: Faith from Australia, Jane from California, Kris from North Carolina, and Katariina from Finland.  So far everyone is great, we have so much space so I am doubting there will be much conflict as we have lots of room to spread out and live.  Yesterday, we walked around the city and did some errands.  Today, I slept late which was nice.  After I woke up, Faith, Katariina, Jane, and I went to the local market to buy groceries.  I ended up with a nice selection.  Here's what I got: 4 avocados, grapes, 3 passion fruits, 2 limes, about 15 bananas and 1 green pepper for about $8.  Then I purchased bread, peanuts, and some banana chips for about the same from a corner shop.  I am hoping to take my camera next week and take some pictures.  I wanted to get comfortable in the market before taking my camera, so hopefully pictures will come soon.  We just got back and fixed some lunch.  Tonight we are going to have dinner with an intern who just arrived and legal officer we know at the ICTR.  It should be fun.  I also contacted Wilfred, my safari driver from my study abroad trip, and I am hoping to see him in the next day or two. 

Here are some pictures of the house

 We have a giant turtle as a pet...

 The White House in all its glory

My bedroom

Didn't want to get too close, but this is my UN badge

Closet

 Trying to "nest" a bit, pictures of friends and family

                                                                      Bathroom

Living Room with TV

Dining Room (connected to the Living Room)

                                                
                                                                         Kitchen

Well that is about all that I have to update today.  Next week, I will get assignments at the UNICTR, meet my supervisor, and will get an "official" orientation.  More to update next week!  Lots of love from Tanzania.