I just realized looking at the history, that I haven't talked about my crazy marine experience...or zanzibar but first the marine story! Beers and brats is how it starts...that's right, Oktoberfest! The German Embassy sponsered an Oktoberfest in Dar that a bunch of us went to and it was great fun. Great meat, beer, and a great German band! I don't think my ancestors are from Bavaria, but for the night I pretended. The real craziness started after the evening though. Our cab didn't return to pick us up as planned and so we started hitching for rides and who would pick us up, but the US Marines. There are about 6 marines in dar who guard the embassy and they had also been at Oktoberfest. They picked us up in their brand new landroover and said they'd give us a ride, but first we had to go to the Marine House. We reluctantly agreed and as soon as the car door shut, the tires started squealing. We were flying around Dar...130 km/hr which is almost 80mph I think! It was bad. The worst part was the marines in the car were being absolute jerks to the Tanzania driver, talking down to him and saying things like "that's an order not a suggestion" and "you can go faster than that!" I realized then why so many people hate Americans! I would too if this is what I saw of America. Well, we arrived at the Marine house and it really should have been called the marine mansion. There was a pool, and pool table, two bars, a library, two computer, and beautiful wood furniture...all for 6 guys who seemed to care more about having enough shot glasses than experiencing any part of tanzania. Well, they said everyone who visited had to take an "independance shot" and they continued drinking the whole time we were there, before they left for the bar. It was kind of sad actually to talk to them and hear how much they hated living here and realizing they just hang out with each other and drink almost every night. Well, we left the peninsula where they lived and made it back to the university in 9 minutes...usually it's a 45 min trip! I was very excited to get out of the car in one piece!!