AROUND TOWN
#RynsWorldTour Dar es Salaam #inREALlife
I remember when I decided I was “ready” to visit Africa. Yes, it was a conscious decision, to be ready (don’t judge me). For years, my good friend and travel buddy Lillian would say to me “are you ready to visit Africa yet?” and I’d say no, not yet! It was, and still is difficult to articulate why I wasn’t ready, but something in my soul kept telling me to wait. I had traveled to other parts of the world at that point, and looked forward to stepping foot on soil that my ancestors called home. In my mind though, I still had some growing to do before I could truly appreciate the continent, and receive what it had to give me.
So, in 2015, I said "I’m finally “ready”" and we made our way to South Africa. While I loved it, I thought to myself, girl you were tripping for no reason! I had fun, and learned A LOT. However, my experience was comparable to other places I’d visited around the world, meaningful yes, but not transformational (for lack of better words). So in 2017, when I decided to go back to Africa, I expected to continue growing and learning, but I was unprepared for the bonus.
So, in 2015, I said "I’m finally “ready”" and we made our way to South Africa. While I loved it, I thought to myself, girl you were tripping for no reason! I had fun, and learned A LOT. However, my experience was comparable to other places I’d visited around the world, meaningful yes, but not transformational (for lack of better words). So in 2017, when I decided to go back to Africa, I expected to continue growing and learning, but I was unprepared for the bonus.
On our first full day (still my favorite day of the trip), we got a taste of Dar’s reality with Afro Roots Tours. Moving through the city by bajaji, and foot, we ventured off the beaten tourist path and explored the real Dar es Salaam; a community of people working, living, and loving together regardless of background, or religious faith. A community where children were safe to play outside with their friends, barefoot boys kicking around their soccer balls, and little girls in beautiful dresses, reading, chatting, slaying, doing what girls do. There was black girl magic and black boy joy all over the place. That on top of the nostalgic value (another story for another day) changed my life and perspective.
I was so enamored that I kept forgetting to take pictures (I’ll work on balancing that better in the future) but I feel that what I do have to share, gives you a taste of what we experienced (special thanks to my friend Lillian for sharing her images as well for this post).
I hope you enjoy...Dar es Salaam #inREALlife
Riding round and getting it in our Bajaji
Woman selling yummy treats
Trying not to burn the Chapati
Chapati lesson
Kids of Dar
Sweet girls who stayed with us until we left
Boys Playing
Say Cheese :)
Exploring the open market
Standing in front of the Senior Wife's Hut at the Village Museum
That's all folks!
Karibu,
Ryn Rose
P.S.
Have you been to East Africa? I'd love to hear about your experience! Share in the comments below.
Karibu,
Ryn Rose
P.S.
Have you been to East Africa? I'd love to hear about your experience! Share in the comments below.
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