Sunday started out pretty slow but ended up quite unexpectedly!

So I woke up and started unpacking. I had to change my bed around (I cannot sleep with my feet facing away from the door. Blame it on my superstitious mother!). Then Sheena my roommate woke up. She made a pretty light breakfast. (Tea and bread).

But I learned a lot about her over breakfast. She is 29. She was raised Muslim, but converted to Christianity about two year ago. She likes to watch these televangelist shows where people come with diseases or demons and then the preacher touches them and they are cured. Seems a bit dramatic for my tastes, but who am I to judge? (I mean at the point at which I openly admit to believing that not only was a man born of a virgin but he also walked on water AND died and rose again in 3 days, I can't really go around saying what isn't fantastical, can I?). But I digress...

We bonded pretty quickly over breakfast. Mostly over how not matter if it is America or Tanzania, Black men are all the same! She had some pretty hilarious stories.

We were supposed to go to Church (which I was really excited about!) but the timing didn't work out. She said we would definitely go next week. She also said she would take me to a place where I could by a Kiswahili Bible (yay!). So I finished unpacking, took a shower, washed my hair and chilled. She was nice enough to let me us an extra phone she had (which was great because me and Saidi's efforts yesterday proved unsuccessful.).

Around 3pm we left for lunch. We went to this place called Sine Club. It was great because it was a restaurant on the beach, so it was right on the water and the floor was sand.

We met her "friend" Dr. Lover (obviously not his real name but he is actually an important figure in Tanzania so that is what we will call him for the sake of this blog). As his name suggests, he is a doctor. He was pretty nice but we only exchanged a few words. He was more into Sheena, so I just minded my own business and listened to the live music.

When I ordered water to drink, he and Sheena gave me a look like I had a third head. Then, he tactfully asked "You don't drink?". This kind of surprised me since (1) anyone who knows me knows the answer to that question and (2) it was sunday.

I saw he ordered a vodka and red bull and Sheena had a gin and tonic. When the waiter came around for the second round, he asked me what I would like. I hesitated for a moment, then ordered a Rum and Coke, (When in Rome, right? Plus, it's my 20's!)

We were actually there for quite a bit of time. Dr. Lover was pretty consistent with the drinks -which wasnt a problem because they weren't very strong. By 8pm or so, we decided to head out.

Sheena and I went with her cousin-in-law, John, who she calls her Kaka (brother) to this other place called George and the Dragon to meet some of John's friends. On the way, John, who is a Chemical Engineer, explained how he can never leave Tanzania because he has too many friends in importants places. One of his friends is the CEO of a bank here, the other one is a government Minister, etc. Meanwhile, I am thinking what in the world am I gonna have to speak to these men about?

Soon after we arrived, that question was quickly answered.

Given these people's position, I was expecting some elaborated establishment. But it was just a bar. All of John's friends were really nice. (Some might even say a bit too nice!)

I am sure I my wide-eyed expression and broken Kiswahili instantly marked me as fresh meat to this old men.

Luckily, Sheena's cousin, Jamal, was also there. He was really nice and very helpful. I somewhat stuck to him most of the night. He was pretty funny and had this great British accent! Apparently, he went to boarding school in the UK. He even lived in New York for a bit, so we talked about that. Now he works as a Civil Engineer. Did I mention he was also a Mac lover?! (When I heard that last part I was sold!)

Anyways, at some point, I made the mistake of admitting that I love Tequila (which I do). After Bariki (the bank CEO) heard this he kept trying to order me more tequila shots. Luckily, (1) the shots here are half the size of the ones in the States and (2) after the 3rd Jamal assisted me in saying No, Thank You.

After we all left there, we went to this placed called Anna's. They had great live music. I danced a bit with Jamal and then we all had to go. We did have work in the morning after all. So Jamal drove Sheena and I home, since he lives by us.

Summer Romance Alert

Ok. I will be real. I did like Jamal. He was nice and SO funny (which is really the key to my heart). But most importantly, he was such a gentleman. The British accent was just a cherry on top of it all. So I am not gonna lie to you, America. I did give him my number and there was a small peck goodnight. Very innocent. Very PG-13.

That is all. He is leaving for London in like 2-3 weeks, so we will see what happens...

In all, not a typical Sunday, but definitely full of surprises.

All in all, i would rate my first weekend in Tanzania 8.5 on a scale of 10.