And tomorrow's forecast? Hot with a whole lot 'o humidity...

So I hear things at home are beginning to show signs of a full transition to autumn chills with winter barking at its heels. Well, it's still the perpetual summer, the never-ending August, hot and getting hotter here south of the equator! Being that the seasons are opposite from home, Dar will hit its peak in temperatures in January/February, although right now I am convinced that it cannot get much hotter than this.

One of the fun parts about Tanzania visually is the wide range of vegetation that can be found in different areas of the country. A lot of the vegetation everywhere here seems very tough with thicker trees and huge roots, as it must withstand harsher climates and grow in harder and dryer dirt. But at the same time, it is almost as if there's some of everything: grassy plains, wooded groves, wet and vivid green jungles, tropical fruit trees, rugged mountains, dusty desert strips, the Indian Ocean and great beaches (oh yeah...), red dirt, brown dirt, dust (lots of dust) and some of the time I forget I'm in Africa because the soft rolling hills and trees beside the road transport me back to Minnesota. But I don't think the banana trees would last to November!

In Arusha, it was quite cool; when we arrived in July at the tail end of the long rains (we are in the midst of the short rains right now until December), it was actually much colder than at home. Being that we're right on the Indian Ocean, the climate is quite tropical, and the sunshine is so beautiful and hot. And did I mention humid? Here in Dar, if you're not sweating by 7 am, it means you've probably not moved from your bed yet. And as of late, we don't even have to move to sweat (I knew it was bad as I sat at my desk doing relatively easy homework and was still sweating profusely, or - as we ladies like to call it - “glistening”....)

So if you're looking for a new weight loss program, just buy a ticket and come hang out with me until December. You can eat all the rice, beans and fruit you want, then just sweat all day and maybe lose ten pounds. :) Just joking! Well, only about the weight loss part; you're all more than welcome to come visit!!