Djibouti Diaries: Living on a Student's Budget in the Horn of Africa

Okay, so I'm here in Djibouti. Yeah, that's where I am now. Not exactly the first place people think of for a gap year, but hey, the *desert is hot, the market is chaotic, and the sea is blue. I just checked and it's... well, it's basically summer all year here, so bring your sunscreen and a sense of humor. Seriously, the sun will burn you if you're not careful. I mean, it's 27.87°C right now, feels like 29.93°C, so yeah, pack light, pack cool clothes, and maybe a hat that doesn't look ridiculous. Oh, and the humidity's 66%, so don't expect to dry off quickly after a swim. The sea level is 1012, but the grnd level is 1003, whatever that means. Pressure's 1012, so the air's thick, like the traffic sometimes. If you get bored, hop on a bus to Ethiopia or Somalia-just don't forget your passport. Someone told me that the local fish market is a must, but another person said it's a total tourist trap. Take your chances, I guess. I heard that the desert tours can be hit or miss, depending on the guide. Check out some budget hostels on TripAdvisor, like that one near the market-the reviews are mixed, but it's cheap. For food, try the street food stalls; Yelp says the sambusa is legit, but be prepared for spice levels that might challenge you. Oh, and the coffee here is strong, like the locals. Don't miss the local board for events; someone mentioned a music festival coming up, but I haven't verified that yet. The weather is pretty much a constant, so embrace the heat or find the nearest air-conditioned spot. Just don't expect it to cool down much. The neighbors* are close, geographically speaking, but culturally, it's a whole different world. Anyway, that's Djibouti in a nutshell-hot, dusty, and full of surprises. Hope you like that kind of thing.

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