another birthday shout-out...

...to arrin k. happy birthday arrinster!!!

i had my first 2 real dives in the indian ocean today! it was awesome. i saw TONS of fish and coral reefs. i must admit, with my fear of otters and ocean current, i was a little freaked out but just for the first 30 seconds or so and then, it was all cool. tomorrow, i head on my last 2 dives with my instructor before i become fully certified. wish me luck, i hope to see some turtles tomorrow.

after my dives, i met up with charlie, an american who is a peace corps volunteer here in zanzibar and also a divemaster who showed me around town like the locals...i rode the local dawa across the island which is just a pickup truck with bench seats and a metal top. on my way back to town, the dawa was so crowded that they made a little kid get up so that i could sit down...he ended up sitting on my lap all the way back...well, the ride only cost me the equivalent of 20 cents instead of a $2 cab ride.

i just found out that south african airlines might be going on strike starting tomorrow---in perfect timing for my return trip to the states, how convenient!