“This is Shinoy Mathew reporting from Dar es Salaam for CNN!”

It’s a brand new year and I’ve moved again. This time, to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Africa has always fascinated me especially because I know so little about it. Now, here I am in the heart of East Africa to try and get a feel of this beautiful, largely neglected and grossly misunderstood continent.

2008, was a year in when my nomadic way of life reached new heights. The first half of the year saw me struggling through the daily rigour of life in Mumbai. Then it happened. I quit and set off to spend some quality time with my folks in the US of A. After 3 months there and loads of mum-made food later (oh and the Philly Cheesesteaks), I had to leave. Kerala in South India was my pit-stop before I scooted off to Kolkata, the city where I grew up, in the eastern part of India. I spent many an afternoon in Kolkata steeped in nostalgia, whiling away time in a manner only a true-blue Kolkattan could. Tea in earthen cups (bharer cha), street-side Chinese fare, egg rolls, mutton biryani, ‘phish-phrai’ and mishti doi are just a few of the mouthwatering fare that made my Kolkata experience extra special. Boy, what a year that was.

2009 looks promising. It sure has started in the most unexpected manner with my move to Dar. The possibilities seem endless. Africa here I come!