Swahilli time

I woke up this morning to the sound of knocking on my door. I checked my little radio alarm clock and quickly reconfirmed that it was only 7 am in the morning. i opened the door and there stood one of the hotel workers greeting me with a smile. You should get ready for your bus. In the background was Mr. Mitha's voice.. "yes anil you should get ready for you bus you are getting late". Totally confused I walked outside my room in my pajamas wondering what the chaos was all about. It was only yesterday that I purchased a ticket from the Sumry bus ticketing office for a ticket to Mbeya that was supposed to depart at 12:00. I had many hours left!! I was soon to find out a new concept one that I faintly remember way back in my days in social studies class in elementary school.. SWAHILLI TIME! I realized that 12:00 was the swahilli time equivalent of 6 am. Slowly things starting fitting together and I faced the sudden realization that I had missed my bus! Doh! Swahilli time.
Quickly we headed out to the bus station to see if i could somehow make it on the 8 o'clock bus. Despite many quarrels done on my behalf by one of the men who came with us, I realized that I was destined to stay in Sumbawanga for another day.

Sumbawanga is a really pleasant town. It's small however very pleasant and friendly. I really feel like I am in Africa and it has a unique feel and vibe one that I really can't explain in words. People here are just too friendly. The place I am staying at... is just superb and the owners are just too warm and hospitable. They even serve the best indian food one can imagine--which is esp great for me, because I'm a really picky eater. I had dinner with them one night which was too nice of them and it will definately be a lasting memory when i head back to the states.

i now feel that back at home, we are always in a hurry... whether this may be to eat, to get to where we are going, to make money, to deal with situations. We really don't slow down much and just enjoy the moment and take time to just enjoy the present. That's what africa has taught me thus far and I know that I'll definately view the pace of my life back in the states with a little more scruitny.

I also learned a great deal about Sumbawanga's past and even present beliefs in the powers of witch craft. In fact it is still believed and practiced in some areas.
Well, the plan today is just to relax and tomm i will make it on the mbeya bus at 8 am which is 2:00 in swahilli time. From mbeya I will head out to Dar es salaam, before taking a ferry to the island of Zanzibar-which i hear is a must! Unfortunately, for now, my trip is kind of coming to an end as I have to back in the united states on March 19th to find out where I matched for my internal medicine residecy. From Dar es Salaam I will fly back to Johannesburg and make brief stops in Krueger natinoal park and Cape town before heading back to the United States. WE'll see where I decide to go from there