No worries folks, despite common misconseption I am alive and am currently doing very well here in Lushoto. Let me first apologize for my un-timely update; this is the first internet cafe I've found since my journies commensed just over a week ago (and I have honestly not held it too high on my list of priorities as this is my vactation.....although, mother, I'm sorry there was a miscomunication and am sorry that either I forgot to tell you or you forgot to remember that I wasn't dead I was just vacationing all over the northern coast of Tanzania.....i love you). Anywho, I had planned to let you all know via post last Friday before I left what my plans were and that there was a good chance that I might not be able to update until I returned to Dar, which I will be doing this upcoming Wednesday, but was sourly denied when the power went out at the Univ. and left me with the poor excuse of a post that you saw and no other option to reconcile my misfortune. To clarify, two of my good friends from the program, Kristin and Becky, and I decided to use our alloted two-week vacation time to check out Tanga, Pangani, and Lushoto, all of which are North of Dar and two of which are on the coast. As of now we have already sufficiently exhausted Tanga and Pangani, and are now on the last leg of our journey here in Lushoto, a quiet little mountain village tucked away in the Usumbara Mountain Range. Despite only being there for two days, Tanga was amazing and left a great taste in our mouths, what with our breathtaking bike ride to and tour of the Amboni Caves just 15 miles outside of Tanga and the best Indian food I've ever had in my life....and the spiciest.....boy was it a kick in the pants (sidenote: not only was our guide, Kassim, one of the nicest people I've met since I got here......which was one month ago today by the way, happy anniversary to me!......he's also an official member of the International Spelunking Association and was actually the first person ever to discover one of the caves that he walked (and crawled/climbed/jimmied) us around......amazing......spelunking is a fun word.) Pangani was nice and offered us a couple wonderful days at this pristine and deserted little beach, dotted with thousands of kick-ass seashells and palm trees (actually reminded me a lot of LOST...), but also treated us to a bought of sea-sickness aboard this motorized canoe on steroids (technically a motorized dhow) that was suppose to take us to this little island popular for prime snorkling and dolphin spotting in less than an hour, which in reality took nearly two and brought us to a mole hill that dissapears at high tide and offers about as much good snorkling and dolphin spotting as my back yard. But hakuna matata, it was an interesting experience nontheless and convinced me that any sortof career that may involve water is definitely not for me. Anyway, now we're in Lushoto and are geered up to do some sweet hiking all over these beautiful mountains with our new friend, Omari, who works for the same company as Kassim and has sufficiently hooked us up on a killer deal....2 days and 3 nights of backpacking all over the northern region of the Usumbaras for $50 a person, which includes three meals a day and lodging/camping, plus administration, park and guide fees. But yeah, I'm alive and am definitely enjoying some quality relaxation time. Unfortunately, due to the poor performance of this computer thus far and the expensive rate of this shitty cafe, I am affraid I must cut this post somewhat short. I promise that once I get back to Dar I will try and find the time to clear up any confusion about my travles, and apologoize for having to be so brief. Just wanted to take a moment to assure you all that I am safe, in good health (no malaria yet), and will be back at "home" shortly. Best wishes and safe travels to my main man Johnie Meyer as he gets set to embark on his own journies to Switzerland and beyond....good luck buddy! In other news, I've decided that after college I am moving to Finland. They've got things figured out, it's the smartest nation in the world, is home to a lovely and very attractive couple I met last night at our hotel, and has a women President who looks like Conan O'Brian. Sweet. Until next time....... p.s. please forget any negative comments I may have made about this lovely little cafe and its pleasent owner. I have just found out that my time spent here is free due to the fact that I am a friend of Omari's. Uhh gurl! Ok peace.