Chapter Two

Well, I did it.  Graduated college after what were undoubtedly the best four years of my life to date.  However unfortunately as the saying goes, “time flies when you’re having fun”, and these four years were also some of the quickest I can remember.  I swiftly, and sadly, left the bubble of happiness known as the University of Delaware with a degree in International Relations, amazing memories, and the best friends family I could have ever asked for. 

Most people after college pursue an entry level position semi-related to the field they studied and/or wish to go into, or struggle to find anything paid in this still horrible job market.  Well, I’m not exactly “most people” and I’ve never really been normal.  So I turned down the logical career oriented option of a really awesome (but unpaid *cough, cough*) internship in DC and decided to accept an amazing opportunity in Tanzania.

Huh? Where? For how long? With what program? Doing what??? You would.

These are the questions/comments that I’ve been getting for the last few weeks and I’ve decided that another blog would be a great way to keep everyone posted and explain what in the world I’m actually doing with my life.  Plus, I just like talking about myself. (gasp).  I really enjoyed writing my last blog (www.liza-plastino.blogspot.com) and a bunch of people told me they loved reading it so hopefully this one will be somewhat as entertaining and interesting (although I can’t promise any revolutions this time)… But anyways, since this blog post is already getting a bit long, I will try to briefly answer these questions.

Huh? Yeah.. I know nothing I do ever makes sense. Just go with it.

Where? Tanzania, it’s on the east coast of Africa… just west of the Congo and South of Kenya.  If you’re reading this you’re on the internet and if you don’t know where it is… Google it.  I’ll be living at the sight of a tented camp on Lake Eyasi. 

For how long? Leaving today, be back in Wisconsin around October 15^th

Doing what? The big question.  What could possibly send me to Africa alone for nearly 5 months?  Well as my dad jokes, “Liza will go anywhere that someone will pay her to go.”  Completely true.  And so off I go to Tanzania to the middle of nowhere to work as a tutor/teacher/homeschooler/au pair/adventure buddy for two young boys.  Sound random?  It is.  Here’s the most basic breakdown of an explanation I can give:  My mom went to Africa in February, befriended the people who own this camp, found out they were in need of a tutor since their old ones had to leave for personal reasons, I got in contact with them right away, and after they chose my unqualified self for whatever reason, decided that was going to be the most exciting option for my summer and accepted immediately. 

You would.  Of course I would.  I’ve already admitted that I’m not normal.  As I sit up in bed unable to sleep from the excitement knowing that my flight will take off in about 15 hours, I can’t help but smile.  I know I’m a very happy person so this isn’t really out of the ordinary, but the thought that keeps crossing my mind is that in just a few days (after the crazy long flights) I will be meeting the family that will soon become my family.  It’s amazing to think that four people I have never met will undoubtedly be some of the most important and influential people in my life.  But enough with the sappy stuff… time to wrap this one up. 

Essentially what I’m saying is: please bear with me once again as I ramble on about my strange cultural realizations, my adventures, my new “Tanzanian” family (they’re actually Argentinian and German), my attempts to become Eliza Thornberry, and my efforts to teach these two kids.  It is certain to be a learning experience for us all.  I’ve been told that I should have pretty good internet access, but as I learned in Egypt you can never be too certain of that.  Either way, I’ll try and add pictures if I can and update once a week or so.  Feel free to pass this on to anyone who loves to travel or just needs another website to wander to while bored at work. 

I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes that a friend reminded me of today:

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page" -Saint Augustine.  

Let's just hope the animals aren't in the mood for a revolution. 

Liza