So here we are just an hour away from leaving our home of 5 weeks to fly back to the US. I am going to miss Tanzania so much. This has truly been the most eye-opening experience of my life...the culture, the poverty, educational system, and the people. My last day of placement was Friday and I never wrote about it so I wanted to write about it before we leave.
It was a very rainy day so we spent the entire day inside. I was in the P1 classroom (kindergarten age) and Catherine came from her hotel to join me and tell the children bye. The teachers and students put together a little good bye ceremony and presented us with khangas (the colorful wraps that women wear here). We brought peepee (suckers) for the kids as a farewell gift. Catherine and I both teared up when we had to say our last good byes and give our last hugs. The children at Tumaini School have enriched my life in so many ways...it was hard knowing that I will never know what will happen to any of them. Well, I've got to run eat dinner before we go to the airport. The next post will be the U.S.!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Big Kili Climb
I returned home from my big 5-day climb of Kilimanjaro yesterday and have wonderful news....I made it to the very top of Mount Kilimanjaro- Uhuru Peak right at 19,341 feet-Africa's highest point! My total climbing time was about 35 hours and I am feeling pretty good. The most amazing part...I did it all by myself (well me and my guide Bakary). Surprisingly, I was one of the only people climbing it alone and got called all sorts of funny things along the way by all of the European climbers- Miss America, Miss Independent..etc. I made some friends along the way and decided that maybe all the friendly people from the world were climbing Kilimanjaro at the same time I was. I roomed with people from Korea, Sweden, Australia, France, Norway, and Uganda. I ate dinner with Canadians, Danish, Americans, and South Africans. Everyone was from around the world but somehow totally connected through their common goal...really a powerful experience.
Well, before I get too sappy, I guess will let you know the details of the trip. The climb took 5 days and went progressively more and more difficult as the days continued, mostly because the altitude was such a strain on my body. Your muscles tire out so easily that something that appeared easy became strenuous. Even my last night at the hut before the summit (about 15,000 ft) I was tossing and turning in my sleeping bag and became out of breath just because of the altitude! My climb "party" consisted of my guide, 2 porters (to carry my stuff, food, equipment, etc), and myself. It is incredible that one climber needs 4 people to come with them just to be prepared for the top! The porters were one of the most incredible parts of the climb....they are all very thin and young (18-25) and they carry huge packs on their backs and even bigger packs, bags, baskets, or pots on their heads the entire way up! Incredible!
Day 1
Lauren was able to come with me and we arrived at the Marangu Trail gate for registration and to begin the climb. There were tons of climbers and porters all waiting to get on the trail. We finally started our climb and it was pretty gentle, just like hiking at home. It was so nice to have Lauren along for my first day/night! The land around us looked a lot like a jungle- very lush, green and vines were hanging from the trees. We saw monkeys and mongoose (or is it mongeese?) came out while we were eating lunch...really scary because they look like brown overgrown ferrets. Finally we made it to the the 1st huts- simple triangle-shaped huts with 4 beds inside. Their is a common dining hall for all of the climbers and this is at the center of the camp. Lauren and I roomed with an adorable couple from Sweden who were around our age (Biana and Erick). We had tea and popcorn in the dining area, then went to explore a crater close-by. Our cooks prepared dinner (cucumber soup, veggie stew, and an entire mound of potatoes) and our guides tried to convince us to eat all of the food by saying- you need the energy. We went to bed around 10:00 and I wished Lauren was staying for longer!
Day 2
We woke up at 6:00 to get the day started with breakfast (eggs, toast, and really soupy porridge) then got started on the hike. Lauren hiked for the first 30 minutes where the scenery began to really look different (more desert-Santa Fe). I was very sad to say goodbye to her, and wish she could have stayed for the entire journey! I made it to the 2nd camp where I had 3 new roommates (a man from Uganda and 2 women from the United States). I was given a tiny bucket of warm water to "wash up", but really was only able to wash my face and arms. Bakary (my guide) basically talked to me this entire day about American rappers and Obama....this got old REALLY fast after 5 hours, so I went to bed early and enjoyed the company of some other Americans. It was even colder at this hut and I slept in my entire ski outfit (ski hat, gloves, and 2 pairs of socks).
Day 3
Another early start to my day with breakfast (tea, fried egg, and toast) and we were off to the third hut (about 10 Kilometers). The terrain looked even more like a desert here,but we had finally climbed far above the clouds. Looking down, you could see clear blue sky above your head and what looked like an ocean of fluffy clouds, as if the sky had been turned upside down. This was truly one of the most spectacular things that I have ever seen, especially at sunrise. Bakary continued to talk about Snoop Dogg, Obama, and Beyonce...eventually he even played songs outloud on his cell phone. When I could barely stand it anymore, I told him blatently that I didn't vote for Obama...He didn't talk as much after that. whewww.
For the first time, the altitude really started to affect my muscles.I was drinking at least 4 liters of water during my climb and still felt dehydrated. What seemed to be a gentle hill at first glance became difficult and my muscles ached...I had to stop every half hour or so to take deep breaths.We made it closer to the final hut and it was incredible. I had a perfect view of both peaks now (Uhuru and mawenzi). Uhuru is the peak that I would climb and Mawenzi is a more rocky, older peak unfit for climbing. The sight was breathtaking and a little surreal to think of climbing that in a matter hours!I had an early dinner (around 5:30) and went to bed at 7:00...we would be starting the climb at 11:30 PM that evening.
Day 4
I was woken up at around 11:00 PM to eat some "breakfast" and get ready to climb to the summit. Breakfast came...cookies and tea. I opted for a power bar because I would be climbing for over 10 hours and I just don't think that a cookie would give me the boost I needed to climb in the middle of the night. I bundled up in 5 layers of clothes (on top- dry fit shirt, 2 long underwear, 1 thin fleece, 1 thick fleece, and a very heavy jacket...also 5 layers on the bottom, 2 pair socks, 2 hats, a face mask and 2 pair gloves). I looked a bit like the michelin man, but I was determined to stay warm! The temperature on the summit was around 12-15 degrees Farenheit, but the gusty wind made it feel MUCH colder.
I don't know if they require you to start at night because they don't want you to see the steepness of the mountain you are climbing or to prevent sunburn. Either way, the hill felt unbearably steep as we snaked accross in a zig-zag to compensate for the steepness. I was walking at about the pace of an old person with a walker so very "pole pole (slowly" as Bakary kept reminding me. The wind was beating down and it became very difficult to breath. For every few shuffled steps, I would have to stop and breath very deeply. My muscles ached from lack of oxygen and people around me began to get sick from the altitude (throwing up, ugh).
We continued only concentrating on the moonlit path ahead and taking each step slowly and carefully. My mind felt hazy and I tried to block the thought that we were still 6 hours away from the summit...under the beautiful full moon it all felt a little like a dream. I couldn't feel my body because I was pushing it so hard, my fingers felt frozen, but with my mind so cloudy I pushed on. People all around kept stopping, some turned back, some sat to catch their breath....but I knew that stopping would only make me colder.
After my water had frozen and we had been climbing for about 5 hours, we reached a very rocky area full of huge boulders...now I had to use my hands and all my muscles to climb over them. Rocks slipped under my feet, but somehow I was concentrating too much to be afraid. I did find out later that a man in a group behind me had be hit by a rock and his nose was nearly taken off!!!
We reached the first, lowest summit (Gillman's Peak) and it was still dark. Part of me wanted to rejoice in reaching this point and a part of me was exhausted, desperate for air and ready to turn back. Somehow I pulled up the energy to continue the 1 1/2 hour climb to the highest peak (Uhuru). We walked and climbed over rocks and after what felt like days, we made it just as the sun rose. It was stunning- the bright moon still high in the sky, surrounded by huge peices of ice, the clouds far below and the sun peaking up through the clouds. I have NEVER seen anything so beautiful...it felt like a different planet. I took pictures and we headed down the moutain (this took only 4 hours rather than 7).
Once back at camp, I rested and ate then we headed another 11 kilometers to the lower hut.
Day 5
My body was hurting a little and I had had a VERY good night's sleep despite the hard beds. I roomed with 3 Korean men and they all seemed to be very nice, but spoke barely any English...I think the only thing they said was "You are Gorgeous." and late they said "African rice is not happy".
We climbed the rest of the way down the mountain (about 20 Kilometers) and finally made it to the gate. The journey seemed to pass so quickly and all felt a bit surreal. Looking back at the summit from such a low point made me feel even more accomplished.
Well, before I get too sappy, I guess will let you know the details of the trip. The climb took 5 days and went progressively more and more difficult as the days continued, mostly because the altitude was such a strain on my body. Your muscles tire out so easily that something that appeared easy became strenuous. Even my last night at the hut before the summit (about 15,000 ft) I was tossing and turning in my sleeping bag and became out of breath just because of the altitude! My climb "party" consisted of my guide, 2 porters (to carry my stuff, food, equipment, etc), and myself. It is incredible that one climber needs 4 people to come with them just to be prepared for the top! The porters were one of the most incredible parts of the climb....they are all very thin and young (18-25) and they carry huge packs on their backs and even bigger packs, bags, baskets, or pots on their heads the entire way up! Incredible!
Day 1
Lauren was able to come with me and we arrived at the Marangu Trail gate for registration and to begin the climb. There were tons of climbers and porters all waiting to get on the trail. We finally started our climb and it was pretty gentle, just like hiking at home. It was so nice to have Lauren along for my first day/night! The land around us looked a lot like a jungle- very lush, green and vines were hanging from the trees. We saw monkeys and mongoose (or is it mongeese?) came out while we were eating lunch...really scary because they look like brown overgrown ferrets. Finally we made it to the the 1st huts- simple triangle-shaped huts with 4 beds inside. Their is a common dining hall for all of the climbers and this is at the center of the camp. Lauren and I roomed with an adorable couple from Sweden who were around our age (Biana and Erick). We had tea and popcorn in the dining area, then went to explore a crater close-by. Our cooks prepared dinner (cucumber soup, veggie stew, and an entire mound of potatoes) and our guides tried to convince us to eat all of the food by saying- you need the energy. We went to bed around 10:00 and I wished Lauren was staying for longer!
Day 2
We woke up at 6:00 to get the day started with breakfast (eggs, toast, and really soupy porridge) then got started on the hike. Lauren hiked for the first 30 minutes where the scenery began to really look different (more desert-Santa Fe). I was very sad to say goodbye to her, and wish she could have stayed for the entire journey! I made it to the 2nd camp where I had 3 new roommates (a man from Uganda and 2 women from the United States). I was given a tiny bucket of warm water to "wash up", but really was only able to wash my face and arms. Bakary (my guide) basically talked to me this entire day about American rappers and Obama....this got old REALLY fast after 5 hours, so I went to bed early and enjoyed the company of some other Americans. It was even colder at this hut and I slept in my entire ski outfit (ski hat, gloves, and 2 pairs of socks).
Day 3
Another early start to my day with breakfast (tea, fried egg, and toast) and we were off to the third hut (about 10 Kilometers). The terrain looked even more like a desert here,but we had finally climbed far above the clouds. Looking down, you could see clear blue sky above your head and what looked like an ocean of fluffy clouds, as if the sky had been turned upside down. This was truly one of the most spectacular things that I have ever seen, especially at sunrise. Bakary continued to talk about Snoop Dogg, Obama, and Beyonce...eventually he even played songs outloud on his cell phone. When I could barely stand it anymore, I told him blatently that I didn't vote for Obama...He didn't talk as much after that. whewww.
For the first time, the altitude really started to affect my muscles.I was drinking at least 4 liters of water during my climb and still felt dehydrated. What seemed to be a gentle hill at first glance became difficult and my muscles ached...I had to stop every half hour or so to take deep breaths.We made it closer to the final hut and it was incredible. I had a perfect view of both peaks now (Uhuru and mawenzi). Uhuru is the peak that I would climb and Mawenzi is a more rocky, older peak unfit for climbing. The sight was breathtaking and a little surreal to think of climbing that in a matter hours!I had an early dinner (around 5:30) and went to bed at 7:00...we would be starting the climb at 11:30 PM that evening.
Day 4
I was woken up at around 11:00 PM to eat some "breakfast" and get ready to climb to the summit. Breakfast came...cookies and tea. I opted for a power bar because I would be climbing for over 10 hours and I just don't think that a cookie would give me the boost I needed to climb in the middle of the night. I bundled up in 5 layers of clothes (on top- dry fit shirt, 2 long underwear, 1 thin fleece, 1 thick fleece, and a very heavy jacket...also 5 layers on the bottom, 2 pair socks, 2 hats, a face mask and 2 pair gloves). I looked a bit like the michelin man, but I was determined to stay warm! The temperature on the summit was around 12-15 degrees Farenheit, but the gusty wind made it feel MUCH colder.
I don't know if they require you to start at night because they don't want you to see the steepness of the mountain you are climbing or to prevent sunburn. Either way, the hill felt unbearably steep as we snaked accross in a zig-zag to compensate for the steepness. I was walking at about the pace of an old person with a walker so very "pole pole (slowly" as Bakary kept reminding me. The wind was beating down and it became very difficult to breath. For every few shuffled steps, I would have to stop and breath very deeply. My muscles ached from lack of oxygen and people around me began to get sick from the altitude (throwing up, ugh).
We continued only concentrating on the moonlit path ahead and taking each step slowly and carefully. My mind felt hazy and I tried to block the thought that we were still 6 hours away from the summit...under the beautiful full moon it all felt a little like a dream. I couldn't feel my body because I was pushing it so hard, my fingers felt frozen, but with my mind so cloudy I pushed on. People all around kept stopping, some turned back, some sat to catch their breath....but I knew that stopping would only make me colder.
After my water had frozen and we had been climbing for about 5 hours, we reached a very rocky area full of huge boulders...now I had to use my hands and all my muscles to climb over them. Rocks slipped under my feet, but somehow I was concentrating too much to be afraid. I did find out later that a man in a group behind me had be hit by a rock and his nose was nearly taken off!!!
We reached the first, lowest summit (Gillman's Peak) and it was still dark. Part of me wanted to rejoice in reaching this point and a part of me was exhausted, desperate for air and ready to turn back. Somehow I pulled up the energy to continue the 1 1/2 hour climb to the highest peak (Uhuru). We walked and climbed over rocks and after what felt like days, we made it just as the sun rose. It was stunning- the bright moon still high in the sky, surrounded by huge peices of ice, the clouds far below and the sun peaking up through the clouds. I have NEVER seen anything so beautiful...it felt like a different planet. I took pictures and we headed down the moutain (this took only 4 hours rather than 7).
Once back at camp, I rested and ate then we headed another 11 kilometers to the lower hut.
Day 5
My body was hurting a little and I had had a VERY good night's sleep despite the hard beds. I roomed with 3 Korean men and they all seemed to be very nice, but spoke barely any English...I think the only thing they said was "You are Gorgeous." and late they said "African rice is not happy".
We climbed the rest of the way down the mountain (about 20 Kilometers) and finally made it to the gate. The journey seemed to pass so quickly and all felt a bit surreal. Looking back at the summit from such a low point made me feel even more accomplished.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Happy Saba Saba!
Happy Seven seven! July 7th is farmer's holiday in Tanzania so I did not go to placement at Tumaini School today. Instead CCS took volunteers to visit Mama Sara and some of her group members living with HIV. Mama Sara and I (Catherine too) have become friends over the last couple because we have made a point to go do home visits with her in the afternoons. Getting to know Mama Sara and the other group members has been a moving and truly heart-wrenching experience. It has made the poverty and HIV problem in Africa real for me and made me aware of the how desperately these people need help. I hope to continue to keep in touch with Mama Sara once I return to the states, and continue helping her build her group.
Today we visited four group members that I had not met before. When we go to visit members of the HIV group we walk to their homes. It is very sad how many people are living with HIV in such a small area. It never takes more than five minutes to reach the home of one of the members. Mama Sara is working hard to create awareness and offer a support system for those effected by HIV. She is a great lady so today it broke my heat when I found out she was having trouble paying her rent. I asked her how she was feeling and she said something along the lines of stressed because her landlord has been harassing her to pay her rent. I asked her how much it was and she said 60,000 shillings (about 45 or 50 US dollars) for three months. I have been her in home and it is tiny. She supports three children herself because her husband died of HIV a couple years ago, needless to say it took all my energy not to just fork over the money. I just feel so bad because she keeps the donations people give her for her HIV group and doesn't touch that money for personal use. It is so difficult to see people living like this. We are all so blessed!
Today we visited four group members that I had not met before. When we go to visit members of the HIV group we walk to their homes. It is very sad how many people are living with HIV in such a small area. It never takes more than five minutes to reach the home of one of the members. Mama Sara is working hard to create awareness and offer a support system for those effected by HIV. She is a great lady so today it broke my heat when I found out she was having trouble paying her rent. I asked her how she was feeling and she said something along the lines of stressed because her landlord has been harassing her to pay her rent. I asked her how much it was and she said 60,000 shillings (about 45 or 50 US dollars) for three months. I have been her in home and it is tiny. She supports three children herself because her husband died of HIV a couple years ago, needless to say it took all my energy not to just fork over the money. I just feel so bad because she keeps the donations people give her for her HIV group and doesn't touch that money for personal use. It is so difficult to see people living like this. We are all so blessed!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Kilimanjaro
Yesterday Catherine and I left CCS Karanga (our home in Tanzania) with a crew of guides, porters, and cooks and headed to Mount Kilimanjaro. Catherine was prepared for her 5 day hike to the summit, which reaches an altitude of 5895 meters (around 19,000 feet), ski clothes and all. I opted for a two day hike instead. The base area where you begin hiking is about an hour drive from Moshi, but on a clear day Kilimanjaro looks much closer because it is so massive.
Once we arrived at the gate of Kilimanjaro National Park it was already much colder than in Moshi. Our starting point was at an altitude of 1970 meters/ 6400 feet. We signed the Marangu Route log book and waited to begin our hike with our head guide Barcary (sounds like Barcardi without the d) who could not say my name properly. He kept calling me “Lion” so we just laughed and went with it. Catherine and I both agreed that we looked ridiculous in our backpacks, rain jackets, kaki walking shorts, and tall hiking socks, but we did look the part. We even had trekking poles which definitely came in handy once we finally began our 3 to 4 hour hike to the first huts (8.4km). The slope was much gentler than I envisioned. The very difficult part does not come until the hike to the summit. Evidently it is very very steep and intense hike of seven hours.
The vegetation on the hike to the Mandara huts was gorgeous! It rains a lot around the bottom of the mountain so the forest area is incredibly green. The trees are huge and are covered in dark green moss and a much lighter dusty green moss hangs from all the branches. There are tiny purple and white wildflowers that grow along the trail. There is also the relaxing sound of a creek babbling down from the snow capped summit. Ahhh the sounds of nature. I have to mention that we did listen to Chris Brown, Rihanna, and T.I. on our hike as well. Bacary is a huge fan of rap and hip hop music and he just couldn’t resist playing some of his favorite songs from his phone. He sang them in a Swahili accent which was hiliarious to say the least. I’m sure Catherine will have many more stories about Bacary when she gets back.
After we hiked halfway to the first set of huts we stopped to eat our boxed lunches while a little mongoose popped out now and again to search for scraps. Mongooses are really freaky by the way. My lunch was a hamburger with a fried egg on it and Catherine had a veggie sandwich that tasted like beer. Thank goodness we bananas and muffins were included.
We made it to the Mandara huts where the terraine actually looked very much like New Mexico or parts of Colorado. The trees were smaller and everything looked much drier. It is very true what the say about there being micro-climates on Kili. In three hours we went from mossy rainforest to tall grasses, smaller trees and more rocks. We walked to a crater about 15 minutes from our hut. The center was filled with tall grass and from rim we could actually see Kenya!
We got settled in our tiny hut with our Swedish roommates Eric and Bianca (a couple from Stokholm who were really nice and spoke great English).Then we had dinner in the dining hall area and went to bed. Everyone on Catherine’s climbing schedule is really nice so I think she is going to have a great experience.The people sitting with us at dinner were from Canada, Norway, and London.People literally come from all over the world to climb Kili!
After a night of sleeping in two pairs of wool socks, gloves, a t-shirt, a fleece, jeans, and a raincoat and breakfast with our international friends Catherine and I parted ways. We both got teary eyes and agreed that it was a stupid decision for me not to attempt to climb Kili...it is always more fun to have your sister (dada in Swhaili) by you side. I miss Catherine already. It was not the same hiking down with just a guide.Keep Catherine in your prayers.She will begin climbing the summit just after midnight and reach the summit around sunrise on Wednesday morning (Tanzania time).Five to seven hours up to the summit and two to four hours down to the third set of huts. Go Catherine!
Once we arrived at the gate of Kilimanjaro National Park it was already much colder than in Moshi. Our starting point was at an altitude of 1970 meters/ 6400 feet. We signed the Marangu Route log book and waited to begin our hike with our head guide Barcary (sounds like Barcardi without the d) who could not say my name properly. He kept calling me “Lion” so we just laughed and went with it. Catherine and I both agreed that we looked ridiculous in our backpacks, rain jackets, kaki walking shorts, and tall hiking socks, but we did look the part. We even had trekking poles which definitely came in handy once we finally began our 3 to 4 hour hike to the first huts (8.4km). The slope was much gentler than I envisioned. The very difficult part does not come until the hike to the summit. Evidently it is very very steep and intense hike of seven hours.
The vegetation on the hike to the Mandara huts was gorgeous! It rains a lot around the bottom of the mountain so the forest area is incredibly green. The trees are huge and are covered in dark green moss and a much lighter dusty green moss hangs from all the branches. There are tiny purple and white wildflowers that grow along the trail. There is also the relaxing sound of a creek babbling down from the snow capped summit. Ahhh the sounds of nature. I have to mention that we did listen to Chris Brown, Rihanna, and T.I. on our hike as well. Bacary is a huge fan of rap and hip hop music and he just couldn’t resist playing some of his favorite songs from his phone. He sang them in a Swahili accent which was hiliarious to say the least. I’m sure Catherine will have many more stories about Bacary when she gets back.
After we hiked halfway to the first set of huts we stopped to eat our boxed lunches while a little mongoose popped out now and again to search for scraps. Mongooses are really freaky by the way. My lunch was a hamburger with a fried egg on it and Catherine had a veggie sandwich that tasted like beer. Thank goodness we bananas and muffins were included.
We made it to the Mandara huts where the terraine actually looked very much like New Mexico or parts of Colorado. The trees were smaller and everything looked much drier. It is very true what the say about there being micro-climates on Kili. In three hours we went from mossy rainforest to tall grasses, smaller trees and more rocks. We walked to a crater about 15 minutes from our hut. The center was filled with tall grass and from rim we could actually see Kenya!
We got settled in our tiny hut with our Swedish roommates Eric and Bianca (a couple from Stokholm who were really nice and spoke great English).Then we had dinner in the dining hall area and went to bed. Everyone on Catherine’s climbing schedule is really nice so I think she is going to have a great experience.The people sitting with us at dinner were from Canada, Norway, and London.People literally come from all over the world to climb Kili!
After a night of sleeping in two pairs of wool socks, gloves, a t-shirt, a fleece, jeans, and a raincoat and breakfast with our international friends Catherine and I parted ways. We both got teary eyes and agreed that it was a stupid decision for me not to attempt to climb Kili...it is always more fun to have your sister (dada in Swhaili) by you side. I miss Catherine already. It was not the same hiking down with just a guide.Keep Catherine in your prayers.She will begin climbing the summit just after midnight and reach the summit around sunrise on Wednesday morning (Tanzania time).Five to seven hours up to the summit and two to four hours down to the third set of huts. Go Catherine!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th of July!
We hope that everyone back in the States is having a wonderful Independance Day full of sun, time on the lake, BBQ, and fireworks! We are having a slightly different celebration here in Tanzania, but are working hard to bring some of the All-American celebration to Tanzania with us!
Last night we toasted at midnight to the 4th of July at a local bar while listening to Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A" in a bar full of Europeans in the middle of the African jungle. And today we are looking forward to some relaxation with the other Americans at the Home Base...maybe even hamburgers (although they will be veggie and kinda African style) and watermelon.
Yesterday we saw the most beautiful view of Kilimanjaron yet, the sky was completely clear and all of the trees around our Home Base framed it perfectly! SOOO pretty and made us so excited for the week ahead. Tomorrow we start our climb of Kilimanjaro (Lauren will be hiking for 2 days, 1 night and Catherine will hike to the summit in 5 days, 4 nights). The first day will be a 3 hour hike and we wil stay in huts along the way each night. The night of the climb to the summit is intense and long as you wake up at 11:30 at night to climb to the top and then spend a few hours climbing back down (it is too cold to stay for long). I am sure we will have tons of stories about our adventure when we return.
Last night we toasted at midnight to the 4th of July at a local bar while listening to Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A" in a bar full of Europeans in the middle of the African jungle. And today we are looking forward to some relaxation with the other Americans at the Home Base...maybe even hamburgers (although they will be veggie and kinda African style) and watermelon.
Yesterday we saw the most beautiful view of Kilimanjaron yet, the sky was completely clear and all of the trees around our Home Base framed it perfectly! SOOO pretty and made us so excited for the week ahead. Tomorrow we start our climb of Kilimanjaro (Lauren will be hiking for 2 days, 1 night and Catherine will hike to the summit in 5 days, 4 nights). The first day will be a 3 hour hike and we wil stay in huts along the way each night. The night of the climb to the summit is intense and long as you wake up at 11:30 at night to climb to the top and then spend a few hours climbing back down (it is too cold to stay for long). I am sure we will have tons of stories about our adventure when we return.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Catherine's last day at Tumaini school
Today was my last day at our placement (Tumaini English Medium School). After trying to capture so many memories during my last week, it was hard to believe that this part of our adventure has come to an end. The two other volunteers that have been working with us all month at Tumaini (Valerie and Stephen, brother and sister) also will be leaving the placement. We have gotten along with them so well and it seems that everything has worked out so perfectly for us since we arrived...the children are incredible, we had a wonderful teacher at the school to help us and I just know that we will stay in touch with Valerie and Stephen long after we leave here!
Today was really special as we said all of our goodbyes, the school had prepared a little ceremony for us including cookies, muffins, and punch. They even gave us gifts (wood carvings and a kanga-colored and patterned cloth that women wear around their waist as an apron). All of the teachers told us it was "our day" with the children, so we play games, sang and colored all day long. Lauren, Valerie and I all started crying because seeing the poverty around this area makes you realize how much work and sacrafice was put into this celebration. The teachers at our school support their families on a salary of $80 a month. I am so grateful for this experience and for becoming humbled, welcomed, and loved by the people at the school. All of the children gave us lots of hugs as we left, but many of the small ones seemed to not understand what was going on.
I wanted to use this post to reflect on some of my very favorite memories from Tumaini and all of the children there:
#1) The Elephant song-
The kids burst out in song every time we see, draw, or mention elephants...truly precious. "Elephant, elephant go to the bus. No No No...Why Why Why?..Because I'm too big!...Because I'm too big!"
#2) The entire school chanting and jumping as we arrived everyday "TEACHA! TEACHA! TEACHA!"
#3) Beatrice (my favorite little 7 year old)
We lovingly called her "Beatay" and she has the biggest case of ADD (super sneaky and knows she is cute). She dances around the room ALL the time, recently lost a front tooth, and has huge, mischievous eyes. One day I decided to have a dance circle with them and Beatay created a new dance move to the tune of the Limbo song...she basically rubs her stomach around and around while she swings her hips. She knows it makes me smile, so now she does it ALL the time. I wish I could take her home with me.
#4) Porridge time
At 10:00 each morning, all of the children take a break to eat "porridge" before they have play time. They all scramble outside and grab different colored plastic cups and bowls (many are bigger than their faces) and gulp down what looks like flavorless, watered down grits.
#5) Clara (/Corrola/ Crala/Krala)
While it took an entire month to find out what her name actually was...Clara is one of the most beautiful children I have ever seen! She is 3 1/2 with a tiny little voice and she wonders from classroom to classroom to say "hello", ask for a pencil, or get picked up. I wish I could put her in my pocket.
#6) Awkward questions from the teacher David
Every day since our arrival, we have gotten a variety of questions about culture, traditions, and beliefs in the US. David (the head teacher at Tumaini) has offered a wide variety of strange ones including: "Do you have a different tribal language in the United States so that you can't understand eachother?", "Why don't you have children yet (at age 24)?", "How is your mother no longer having children? (my reply "ummm she is 56") and a variety of others.
#7) The recited morning greeting from the children each day
"Good morning teacha!"- good morning class, how are you today?
"I'm fine teacha, thank you. How are you too?"
#8) All of the children yelling "me goose, me goose" during Duck, Duck, Goose
#9) Valerie and Stephen
We just have way too many funny stories about everything from upset stomachs to language barriers to making up random things to teach when we had NO idea what we were doing.
#10) The girls playing "beauty shop" with my hair everyday
Many of the girls at Tumaini were totally fascinated by the way that my silky hair felt different than their hair. Almost everyday, my ponytail was down as they tried to smooth out the curls and make it stay (they way their's does). I always left Tumaini with a new (usually not very attractive) hairstyle.
#11) The smiles
This trip (and especially Tumaini) has helped me gain a greater appreciation for the power of a smile when nothing else seems to make sense. The crooked teeth, the bright white ones, the newly missing front teeth in contrast with the dark skin of all of this children will probably be the picture that I always keep in my head.
Today was really special as we said all of our goodbyes, the school had prepared a little ceremony for us including cookies, muffins, and punch. They even gave us gifts (wood carvings and a kanga-colored and patterned cloth that women wear around their waist as an apron). All of the teachers told us it was "our day" with the children, so we play games, sang and colored all day long. Lauren, Valerie and I all started crying because seeing the poverty around this area makes you realize how much work and sacrafice was put into this celebration. The teachers at our school support their families on a salary of $80 a month. I am so grateful for this experience and for becoming humbled, welcomed, and loved by the people at the school. All of the children gave us lots of hugs as we left, but many of the small ones seemed to not understand what was going on.
I wanted to use this post to reflect on some of my very favorite memories from Tumaini and all of the children there:
#1) The Elephant song-
The kids burst out in song every time we see, draw, or mention elephants...truly precious. "Elephant, elephant go to the bus. No No No...Why Why Why?..Because I'm too big!...Because I'm too big!"
#2) The entire school chanting and jumping as we arrived everyday "TEACHA! TEACHA! TEACHA!"
#3) Beatrice (my favorite little 7 year old)
We lovingly called her "Beatay" and she has the biggest case of ADD (super sneaky and knows she is cute). She dances around the room ALL the time, recently lost a front tooth, and has huge, mischievous eyes. One day I decided to have a dance circle with them and Beatay created a new dance move to the tune of the Limbo song...she basically rubs her stomach around and around while she swings her hips. She knows it makes me smile, so now she does it ALL the time. I wish I could take her home with me.
#4) Porridge time
At 10:00 each morning, all of the children take a break to eat "porridge" before they have play time. They all scramble outside and grab different colored plastic cups and bowls (many are bigger than their faces) and gulp down what looks like flavorless, watered down grits.
#5) Clara (/Corrola/ Crala/Krala)
While it took an entire month to find out what her name actually was...Clara is one of the most beautiful children I have ever seen! She is 3 1/2 with a tiny little voice and she wonders from classroom to classroom to say "hello", ask for a pencil, or get picked up. I wish I could put her in my pocket.
#6) Awkward questions from the teacher David
Every day since our arrival, we have gotten a variety of questions about culture, traditions, and beliefs in the US. David (the head teacher at Tumaini) has offered a wide variety of strange ones including: "Do you have a different tribal language in the United States so that you can't understand eachother?", "Why don't you have children yet (at age 24)?", "How is your mother no longer having children? (my reply "ummm she is 56") and a variety of others.
#7) The recited morning greeting from the children each day
"Good morning teacha!"- good morning class, how are you today?
"I'm fine teacha, thank you. How are you too?"
#8) All of the children yelling "me goose, me goose" during Duck, Duck, Goose
#9) Valerie and Stephen
We just have way too many funny stories about everything from upset stomachs to language barriers to making up random things to teach when we had NO idea what we were doing.
#10) The girls playing "beauty shop" with my hair everyday
Many of the girls at Tumaini were totally fascinated by the way that my silky hair felt different than their hair. Almost everyday, my ponytail was down as they tried to smooth out the curls and make it stay (they way their's does). I always left Tumaini with a new (usually not very attractive) hairstyle.
#11) The smiles
This trip (and especially Tumaini) has helped me gain a greater appreciation for the power of a smile when nothing else seems to make sense. The crooked teeth, the bright white ones, the newly missing front teeth in contrast with the dark skin of all of this children will probably be the picture that I always keep in my head.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Weekend and Coffee Hike
This past weekend was very festive...After our cooking class with Wilfred, we relaxed and headed out with 3 other volunteers to our favorite "mzungu" (white people) bar in Moshi called the Watering Hole. The bar is decorated rustic and with an African feel, it is full of Europeans and Americans and we always meet interesting people there...many are headed on safari, are teaching English here, working on a phD in AIDs/public health. On Saturday, we were some of the first customers there and we had one of our best nights yet. We are now very good friends with the bartender (a German guy named Olaf) and by the end of the night a drink had been named for Catherine ("the Cathrita"-a margarita with beer in it). We paid a little respect to Michael Jackson by listening to his greatest hits all night (who knows how many times we listened to "Man in the Mirror"). Olaf even agreed to open the bar for us on Sunday night (usually they are closed).
Sunday morning came too soon and we woke up early to go on our 9:00 AM coffee hike. In our sleepy daze, we were quickly surprised to see an old white van pull up to the Home Base to pick us up. This was no ordinary van- it was blaring Swahili rap music, both the interior and exterior were covered in old, poor quality photos of American rappers (Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, and even Beyonce), the seats had been covered in electric green fake leather, and the ceiling had broken disco lights hanging. Our guide, a 24 year old athletic-looking guy named Oscar got out of the car wearing a tight black shirt and ARKANSAS RAZORBACK pants....so random and hilarious!? We knew then that the day would be interesting.
On our 30 minute drive to the coffee hike, we listened to the same Beyonce song on repeat. We drove through the mountains as rain sprinkled down and quickly realized that the van wouldn't make it up anymore muddy hills, we would have to walk. All 7 of us got out of the car in a small village of wooden/mud shacks and for the first time in my life I felt like a total alien...we were completely surrounded by about 300 Tanzania children, women, and men wearing church clothes and staring at us. The activities of the entire village seemed to stop when we walked out of the car...clearly these people had rarely (or maybe never) seen white people before.
We started the trek to where we would be tasting the coffee. We hiked for 2 hours through the thick mud and our shoes quickly became heavy stilts of thick layers of mud. We fell numerous times and at one point Catherine completely flipped over on her back (covered head to toe in brownish orange mud). It was hilarious and we laughed basically for the entire way...imagine the stares we got as white people walking on dirt road all completely covered in thick layers of mud. Beyond the stares, we also got plenty of swahili yells from the men leaving the homeade banana beer pubs. Oscar was singing and walking briskly the entire way and we took a milllion pictures of his Raorback pants.We were high up in the mountains surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenary I have ever seen (miles of banana trees, corn fields, and mist...Kilimanjaro was in the background).
We finally arrived at Oscar's wooden house in the mountains. All of his family lived in this hut (mother, father, brother, cousins) and they were very friendly upon our arrival. It was an amazing experience to see the coffee from berry to cup. We picked berries from the plants right outside of Oscars house, removed the seeds, removed the shell, roasted the seeds, ground roasted beans, brewed the coffee and drank it. Honestly some of the best coffee I have ever had! Oscar sang and made up songs about every step of the coffee process ("twanga, twanga, twang" means squash). We were told that the coffee beans were always the job of the men and women tended to the bananas...after this experience I understand the hardwork of the coffee process, but I LOVED the experience.
Next we hiked an hour hike to a local waterfall through the mountains, trees, and streams. The waterfall was tall, huge, and so clear. To see this landscape in comparison to that of the dry, flat Serengeti is incredible! We hiked 2 hours back to the vans and drove back to the Homebase totally covered in mud 8 hours later....quite a long day, but definitely and incredible one!
Sunday morning came too soon and we woke up early to go on our 9:00 AM coffee hike. In our sleepy daze, we were quickly surprised to see an old white van pull up to the Home Base to pick us up. This was no ordinary van- it was blaring Swahili rap music, both the interior and exterior were covered in old, poor quality photos of American rappers (Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, and even Beyonce), the seats had been covered in electric green fake leather, and the ceiling had broken disco lights hanging. Our guide, a 24 year old athletic-looking guy named Oscar got out of the car wearing a tight black shirt and ARKANSAS RAZORBACK pants....so random and hilarious!? We knew then that the day would be interesting.
On our 30 minute drive to the coffee hike, we listened to the same Beyonce song on repeat. We drove through the mountains as rain sprinkled down and quickly realized that the van wouldn't make it up anymore muddy hills, we would have to walk. All 7 of us got out of the car in a small village of wooden/mud shacks and for the first time in my life I felt like a total alien...we were completely surrounded by about 300 Tanzania children, women, and men wearing church clothes and staring at us. The activities of the entire village seemed to stop when we walked out of the car...clearly these people had rarely (or maybe never) seen white people before.
We started the trek to where we would be tasting the coffee. We hiked for 2 hours through the thick mud and our shoes quickly became heavy stilts of thick layers of mud. We fell numerous times and at one point Catherine completely flipped over on her back (covered head to toe in brownish orange mud). It was hilarious and we laughed basically for the entire way...imagine the stares we got as white people walking on dirt road all completely covered in thick layers of mud. Beyond the stares, we also got plenty of swahili yells from the men leaving the homeade banana beer pubs. Oscar was singing and walking briskly the entire way and we took a milllion pictures of his Raorback pants.We were high up in the mountains surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenary I have ever seen (miles of banana trees, corn fields, and mist...Kilimanjaro was in the background).
We finally arrived at Oscar's wooden house in the mountains. All of his family lived in this hut (mother, father, brother, cousins) and they were very friendly upon our arrival. It was an amazing experience to see the coffee from berry to cup. We picked berries from the plants right outside of Oscars house, removed the seeds, removed the shell, roasted the seeds, ground roasted beans, brewed the coffee and drank it. Honestly some of the best coffee I have ever had! Oscar sang and made up songs about every step of the coffee process ("twanga, twanga, twang" means squash). We were told that the coffee beans were always the job of the men and women tended to the bananas...after this experience I understand the hardwork of the coffee process, but I LOVED the experience.
Next we hiked an hour hike to a local waterfall through the mountains, trees, and streams. The waterfall was tall, huge, and so clear. To see this landscape in comparison to that of the dry, flat Serengeti is incredible! We hiked 2 hours back to the vans and drove back to the Homebase totally covered in mud 8 hours later....quite a long day, but definitely and incredible one!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Cooking with Wilfred
Most of the food here in Africa is a little bland- lots of rice, beans, lentils, and the same tomato sauce on everything. A few weeks ago though the chef at our Homebase, a quiet man named Wilfred, made the best Veggie burgers that we have EVER had. So of course we had to ask for the recipe and he kindly invited us back to the kitchen today to learn. Before today, I had NO idea how hard this man works...
While lunch isn't until 1:00 PM everyday, we started cooking bright and early at 9:00 AM. About 5 of the volunteers crowded into the small, very basic kitchen to watch Wilfred's every move. He got us straight to work using the dull broken knives in the kitchen to chop and grate vegetables. He is a fabulous cook and made us look pretty terrible because we took 3 times as long as he did to do anything in the kitchen. After lots of chopping, mixing and explaining the recipe in broken English, we cooked the burgers over a charcoal oven on the ground...yes a pot filled with oil over a charcoal fire (yikes!) Then we started making homemade buns for the burgers (the very best part). After a few hours of hard work, we gained a new recipe and a BIG appreciation for modern appliances. It is hard to believe that absolutely everything here is made from scratch with very basic tools, but I think when we repeat the recipe, we will use a food processor.
While lunch isn't until 1:00 PM everyday, we started cooking bright and early at 9:00 AM. About 5 of the volunteers crowded into the small, very basic kitchen to watch Wilfred's every move. He got us straight to work using the dull broken knives in the kitchen to chop and grate vegetables. He is a fabulous cook and made us look pretty terrible because we took 3 times as long as he did to do anything in the kitchen. After lots of chopping, mixing and explaining the recipe in broken English, we cooked the burgers over a charcoal oven on the ground...yes a pot filled with oil over a charcoal fire (yikes!) Then we started making homemade buns for the burgers (the very best part). After a few hours of hard work, we gained a new recipe and a BIG appreciation for modern appliances. It is hard to believe that absolutely everything here is made from scratch with very basic tools, but I think when we repeat the recipe, we will use a food processor.
Friday, June 26, 2009
It's Friday!
TGIF! We have finshed 3 weeks of placement at Tumaini English Medium School and we still love it. Despite the language barrier (although the children speak quite a bit of English) and the fact that we are in Africa it is true that "kids will be kids". The children here are not much different than home at the core...they love hugs, laughing, playing games (duck,duck,goose and the limbo), singing (head, and shoulders, knees and toes,)they tattle on their friends, they pick their noses, and they fight over who gets to hold teacha's hand. The lack of school supplies, electricity, a real toliet (it is truly a hole in the ground), a snack (besides poridge, which looks discusting) does not get these children down. Neither does the fact that some of the kids walk alone for miles to get to and from school everyday or that they wear the same clothes....these children are happy and thankful for what they have. They are curious just like children at home...they scratch our skin because it looks different and love to touch our hair. It seems that they are learning by seeing different types of people. These children have really taught us a lot about life and finding happiness in simplicity. This experience is amazing and I'm so excited we still have more time here to learn about the culture.
The lead teacher at the school, David, is such a kind man, but has absolutly no clue about what goes on in the U.S. He asked Catherine if we could all understand each other or if we had tribal languages like they do here....we attempted to explain that we all speak English, but have different accents. Today he asked if we knew any black people in America...again we attempted to explain that there are many black people, as well as other ethnic groups. He asked if we all get along and can understand each other's language and culture. David seemed a bit confused when Catherine told him that all students go to school together and people of different ethnicities interact all the time and are friends. I am pretty sure his view on America came from some really dated books. We are trying update him.
On another note we traveled to Arusha (which is about an hour away and much bigger than Moshi) the other day with our program and went to see the Rwanda trials. The U.N. created a tribunal to put away the people that commited the hannis acts of genocide back in 1994. They decided on Tanzania as a more nuetral and less corrupt place to hold the trials so this is why we got to see them. They have convicted many people, but the trials will continue for years to come. We want to give more details, but I will have to wait until the internet is working at our homebase so I can have the trial information in front of me.
Now we are off to go eat dinner at IndoItaliano (Indian/Italian) restaurant in Moshi. It should be interesting. We will continue about Rwanda tomorrow....
The lead teacher at the school, David, is such a kind man, but has absolutly no clue about what goes on in the U.S. He asked Catherine if we could all understand each other or if we had tribal languages like they do here....we attempted to explain that we all speak English, but have different accents. Today he asked if we knew any black people in America...again we attempted to explain that there are many black people, as well as other ethnic groups. He asked if we all get along and can understand each other's language and culture. David seemed a bit confused when Catherine told him that all students go to school together and people of different ethnicities interact all the time and are friends. I am pretty sure his view on America came from some really dated books. We are trying update him.
On another note we traveled to Arusha (which is about an hour away and much bigger than Moshi) the other day with our program and went to see the Rwanda trials. The U.N. created a tribunal to put away the people that commited the hannis acts of genocide back in 1994. They decided on Tanzania as a more nuetral and less corrupt place to hold the trials so this is why we got to see them. They have convicted many people, but the trials will continue for years to come. We want to give more details, but I will have to wait until the internet is working at our homebase so I can have the trial information in front of me.
Now we are off to go eat dinner at IndoItaliano (Indian/Italian) restaurant in Moshi. It should be interesting. We will continue about Rwanda tomorrow....
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Harsh reality
Yesterday, we were able to visit a local club for people with HIV and AIDs. This was our assignment for missing a day of our placement when we went on our Safari. We didn't really know what we were in for when the 12 of us drove out a few miles from our Home Base, but it was the most eye-opening experience yet.
We were greeted by a Madame Sarah, the leader of a group of 20 members living with HIV and AIDs in the local community. They have come together for support and guidance in a community that has ostracized them for their illness. The club meets every few days in a small shop that sells sodas and beer during the day (its owner allows them to meet after closing). Many of the members are unable to meet because they suffer from TB and other diseases contracted as a result of their weakened immune system. We each brought a small gift of rice, sugar, bread, or beans...little did we know what a large impact this seemingly insignificant gift would make for each member.
The streets were busy with shoeless, dirty children yelling "mzungu!" and holding our hands as we walked by tiny mud shacks...we truly felt like we were in a "save the children" infomercial. We visited 3 members who were too sick to go to meeting that week. Mama Sarah was so happy to bring us and to bring gifts for the members. We first arrived at the home of Leonard, a short, weak man with no front teeth who hobbled out to see us on crutches...he suffered from TB and didn't have any food to eat with his medicine, so his legs have become near unusable as a result. He lives alone, with no family or wife and struggles to pay his rent on a tiny (closet sized room). This was the first time that I understood the severity of the situation. We wished him well and he was very thankful to see visitors as he doesn't have them often.
Next we visited a woman who discovered her HIV when her husband got sick and died unexpectedly. She has a 2 year old girl (without HIV) who was being bathed outside when we left and lives with her mother in a small apartment. She looked very thin and sick, and was a bit shy and seemed embarrassed of her situation. Her mother offered us tea and encouraged us to come back, they were thankful to have dinner for the night hugged us as we left.
The third house was by far the most difficutl, it was the home of Grace...a woman of age 35. SHe was fvery unhealthy-looking and so thin, you could break her. Her eyes were yellow and half closed, as if it was hard to see the person beyond the sicknesses she was suffering from. She currently has malaria and her AIDs is rapidly progressing. Her home was the size of half of a closet and was made entirely of dirt and sticks. It smelled musty and besides her bed, there we a few wooden stools on the floor. She cried as we arrived and after two other difficult visits, it was all we could do to hold off tears as long as we did. She held her hands up to God to thank him for the gifts and kissed all of our hands. AIDs felt real for the first time in her tiny little house.
We went back on a few visits today and it was amazing to see the power of human relationships and religion. We made a few of the same visits (Grace and Leonard) and visited a few others.
This time we prayed and brought more food. Dispite the language barrier it was incredible to feel a connection through prayer and thankfulness. We are plannning to go back as much as we can and helping Mama Sarah to buy medicines and food after we leave.
We were greeted by a Madame Sarah, the leader of a group of 20 members living with HIV and AIDs in the local community. They have come together for support and guidance in a community that has ostracized them for their illness. The club meets every few days in a small shop that sells sodas and beer during the day (its owner allows them to meet after closing). Many of the members are unable to meet because they suffer from TB and other diseases contracted as a result of their weakened immune system. We each brought a small gift of rice, sugar, bread, or beans...little did we know what a large impact this seemingly insignificant gift would make for each member.
The streets were busy with shoeless, dirty children yelling "mzungu!" and holding our hands as we walked by tiny mud shacks...we truly felt like we were in a "save the children" infomercial. We visited 3 members who were too sick to go to meeting that week. Mama Sarah was so happy to bring us and to bring gifts for the members. We first arrived at the home of Leonard, a short, weak man with no front teeth who hobbled out to see us on crutches...he suffered from TB and didn't have any food to eat with his medicine, so his legs have become near unusable as a result. He lives alone, with no family or wife and struggles to pay his rent on a tiny (closet sized room). This was the first time that I understood the severity of the situation. We wished him well and he was very thankful to see visitors as he doesn't have them often.
Next we visited a woman who discovered her HIV when her husband got sick and died unexpectedly. She has a 2 year old girl (without HIV) who was being bathed outside when we left and lives with her mother in a small apartment. She looked very thin and sick, and was a bit shy and seemed embarrassed of her situation. Her mother offered us tea and encouraged us to come back, they were thankful to have dinner for the night hugged us as we left.
The third house was by far the most difficutl, it was the home of Grace...a woman of age 35. SHe was fvery unhealthy-looking and so thin, you could break her. Her eyes were yellow and half closed, as if it was hard to see the person beyond the sicknesses she was suffering from. She currently has malaria and her AIDs is rapidly progressing. Her home was the size of half of a closet and was made entirely of dirt and sticks. It smelled musty and besides her bed, there we a few wooden stools on the floor. She cried as we arrived and after two other difficult visits, it was all we could do to hold off tears as long as we did. She held her hands up to God to thank him for the gifts and kissed all of our hands. AIDs felt real for the first time in her tiny little house.
We went back on a few visits today and it was amazing to see the power of human relationships and religion. We made a few of the same visits (Grace and Leonard) and visited a few others.
This time we prayed and brought more food. Dispite the language barrier it was incredible to feel a connection through prayer and thankfulness. We are plannning to go back as much as we can and helping Mama Sarah to buy medicines and food after we leave.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
sSorry for the delay, we returned from the safari late last night and the electricity/internet at our Home base has been somewhat spotty. We visited the Serengeti this past weekend (Thursday-Sunday) with 10 other volunteers and saw so many incredible things. Even more than our last Safari, it looked like a scene from the Lion King (rocks like “pride rock”, flat grassy land, and tons of animals roaming). We learned on our drive that the Serengeti got its name from the Maasai word for “vast plains” and that is a true explanation. It is the vastness of the plains that brings it beauty; feeling like the only people for miles surrounded by some of the most fascinating animals in the world is quite an amazing feeling.
We spent Thursday night at a campsite about 4 hours away from our Home base and were SO excited to have nice restrooms (with real toilets, not holes in the ground) and fancy tents with wooden beds. The next morning, we left early for the 3 ½ hour trip to the Serengeti. When we arrived, we were able to look at some of the animals that are currently going on the annual migration to Kenya (nobody knows why they do this, “it is natural” as our driver said). There were miles and miles of thousands of Zebras and Wildebeasts covering the land as far as you could see just roaming and playing in the grass. They Zebras make noises like barking dogs and the wildebeasts sounds like belching pigs and are all really loud when you drive through them. The coolest thing we saw was a group of 5 cheetahs (a mom and her 4 almost-full-grown cubs) all lounging in the sun close to the car; suddenly the cheetahs ran at full speed toward a gisele and tried to attack it! They failed, but it was so amazing to watch! It is really rare to see even one cheetah in the Serengeti, and even more to see 4 full grown cubs because the mother is left with the responsibility of hunting and nursing her cubs so many times the cubs are eaten by hyenas before they are full grown. We also saw leopards hanging from trees and the most beautiful skies and sunsets that I have ever seen. The sunsets look like orange, pink beams from heaven peaking through the clouds with the biggest sun I have ever seen sinking into the miles of plains. UNBELEIVABLE!
On Friday and Saturday evening we came back to our campsite around sunset (people are not allowed to be out driving in the Serengeti at night) dusty, tired, and ready to for dinner. Our safari meals all were all very different, but for some reason tasted exactly the same, like spicy tomato sauce. While lounging at the campsite we enjoyed watching the monkeys run around, the giraffes eat the acacia trees, the mongoose rummage through the trash, and listening to the hyenas as we fell asleep. By the way, hyenas do not make any sort of laughing noise, they make noise that sounds like a combination of a witch cackle and a dog howling. At night we always heard them around our tents and it was totally freaky!
Overall, it was an amazing, unforgettable weekend. Even the drive to/from the Serengeti was pretty as we saw Maasai children dressed in their traditional red clothing hearding cows and sheep in front of Kilimanjaro, women carrying pots on their heads with babies on their backs, and sunflower farms. Today, we attempted to explain the animals that we saw in the Serengeti to the children at our school and attempted to learn their Swahili names, but were somewhat unsuccessful in acting out/drawing the animals and learning their Swahili names. J Oh well! After two busy weekends, we are planning on staying around the Home base this weekend, exploring Moshi, and going on a coffee plantation hike.
We spent Thursday night at a campsite about 4 hours away from our Home base and were SO excited to have nice restrooms (with real toilets, not holes in the ground) and fancy tents with wooden beds. The next morning, we left early for the 3 ½ hour trip to the Serengeti. When we arrived, we were able to look at some of the animals that are currently going on the annual migration to Kenya (nobody knows why they do this, “it is natural” as our driver said). There were miles and miles of thousands of Zebras and Wildebeasts covering the land as far as you could see just roaming and playing in the grass. They Zebras make noises like barking dogs and the wildebeasts sounds like belching pigs and are all really loud when you drive through them. The coolest thing we saw was a group of 5 cheetahs (a mom and her 4 almost-full-grown cubs) all lounging in the sun close to the car; suddenly the cheetahs ran at full speed toward a gisele and tried to attack it! They failed, but it was so amazing to watch! It is really rare to see even one cheetah in the Serengeti, and even more to see 4 full grown cubs because the mother is left with the responsibility of hunting and nursing her cubs so many times the cubs are eaten by hyenas before they are full grown. We also saw leopards hanging from trees and the most beautiful skies and sunsets that I have ever seen. The sunsets look like orange, pink beams from heaven peaking through the clouds with the biggest sun I have ever seen sinking into the miles of plains. UNBELEIVABLE!
On Friday and Saturday evening we came back to our campsite around sunset (people are not allowed to be out driving in the Serengeti at night) dusty, tired, and ready to for dinner. Our safari meals all were all very different, but for some reason tasted exactly the same, like spicy tomato sauce. While lounging at the campsite we enjoyed watching the monkeys run around, the giraffes eat the acacia trees, the mongoose rummage through the trash, and listening to the hyenas as we fell asleep. By the way, hyenas do not make any sort of laughing noise, they make noise that sounds like a combination of a witch cackle and a dog howling. At night we always heard them around our tents and it was totally freaky!
Overall, it was an amazing, unforgettable weekend. Even the drive to/from the Serengeti was pretty as we saw Maasai children dressed in their traditional red clothing hearding cows and sheep in front of Kilimanjaro, women carrying pots on their heads with babies on their backs, and sunflower farms. Today, we attempted to explain the animals that we saw in the Serengeti to the children at our school and attempted to learn their Swahili names, but were somewhat unsuccessful in acting out/drawing the animals and learning their Swahili names. J Oh well! After two busy weekends, we are planning on staying around the Home base this weekend, exploring Moshi, and going on a coffee plantation hike.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Waterfall
Today we traveled with all of the other volunteers to a Waterfall located about 30 minutes away from Moshi. It was nice to have a day to sight see, but unfortunately last night it rained really hard and the roads and grounds were very muddy.
We left for our trip at 8:00 this morning and made a few stops on the way. The land all around us changed during our drive from flat green plains, to dry arid plins, to lush green forest. We visited a small village in this forest with a blacksmith selling a variety of instruments and spears. One of the blacksmiths took us to visit his house, where there were 300 year old caves underneath some of the huts. The houses are very simple huts made of wood and grass with small simple stick huts for the goats and cows next to each house. The local tribe in this area is the Chaga (the tribe known to live around Kilimanjaro). In the 1700s and 1800s, the Chaga tribe and the Massai tribe didn't get along, because the Massai have a belief that they have rights to all of the cows in the world. When the Massai would come to Chaga villiages to take the cows or rape the women, the Chaga would hide in these caves with their animals. We were allowed to crawl into these caves, but because of the rain Lauren and I decided not to go. Apparently it was really dark and sticky down there.
After our excitement in the caves, we started our journey to the Waterfall. The roads in Africa are difficult to drive on, especially in the rain. (Think of the WORST road you have ever driven on and times it by 10). After one van got stuck and had to be pushed out of the mud, we made our way to a local market where fruits, animals and textiles were being sold. It was a kind of beautiful chaos with all of the women wearing colorful fabric head-to-toe carrying loads of Bananas on their heads or sometimes carrying live chickens, loud Swahili conversations all around us, piles of what looked like Salvation Army clothing being sold, fruits scattered on various mats for sale. At one point a woman waved a dead chicken at Lauren and even touched it with her saying "Habari" (how are you?). It was scary. One woman noticed my pink shirt and decided I needed a matching turban, so she quickly created one and demanded that I buy it...After looking in the mirror, I decided not to.
By the time we made it to the Waterfall, we were all hungry and grabbed some lunch. Starting our steep climb to the waterfall was muddy, slippery and full of rocks through what looks like a rain forest. Our drivers told us to "take everything with us", so we were tromping along wearing our purses and backpacks (this definitely didn't help with our balance). We made it down "pole pole" (slowly) only to fall a few times and be covered in mud. But the waterfall was worth the work... It was stunning. Falling from the rocks on the mountains and sparkling in the sun. The water was cold, but we made our way through the water shoeless to get a little closer (Hopefully we didn't get any sick parasites). After viewing the waterfall, a few volunteers decided to swim in the water and then we trekked back up the mountain to head home.
We are headed on a 4 day safari today into the Serengeti (7 hours away) where some of the animals are migrating to Kenya. It should be beautiful and we will see LOTS of lions, cheetahs, and interesting animals. Looking forward to a post when we get back on Sunday!
We left for our trip at 8:00 this morning and made a few stops on the way. The land all around us changed during our drive from flat green plains, to dry arid plins, to lush green forest. We visited a small village in this forest with a blacksmith selling a variety of instruments and spears. One of the blacksmiths took us to visit his house, where there were 300 year old caves underneath some of the huts. The houses are very simple huts made of wood and grass with small simple stick huts for the goats and cows next to each house. The local tribe in this area is the Chaga (the tribe known to live around Kilimanjaro). In the 1700s and 1800s, the Chaga tribe and the Massai tribe didn't get along, because the Massai have a belief that they have rights to all of the cows in the world. When the Massai would come to Chaga villiages to take the cows or rape the women, the Chaga would hide in these caves with their animals. We were allowed to crawl into these caves, but because of the rain Lauren and I decided not to go. Apparently it was really dark and sticky down there.
After our excitement in the caves, we started our journey to the Waterfall. The roads in Africa are difficult to drive on, especially in the rain. (Think of the WORST road you have ever driven on and times it by 10). After one van got stuck and had to be pushed out of the mud, we made our way to a local market where fruits, animals and textiles were being sold. It was a kind of beautiful chaos with all of the women wearing colorful fabric head-to-toe carrying loads of Bananas on their heads or sometimes carrying live chickens, loud Swahili conversations all around us, piles of what looked like Salvation Army clothing being sold, fruits scattered on various mats for sale. At one point a woman waved a dead chicken at Lauren and even touched it with her saying "Habari" (how are you?). It was scary. One woman noticed my pink shirt and decided I needed a matching turban, so she quickly created one and demanded that I buy it...After looking in the mirror, I decided not to.
By the time we made it to the Waterfall, we were all hungry and grabbed some lunch. Starting our steep climb to the waterfall was muddy, slippery and full of rocks through what looks like a rain forest. Our drivers told us to "take everything with us", so we were tromping along wearing our purses and backpacks (this definitely didn't help with our balance). We made it down "pole pole" (slowly) only to fall a few times and be covered in mud. But the waterfall was worth the work... It was stunning. Falling from the rocks on the mountains and sparkling in the sun. The water was cold, but we made our way through the water shoeless to get a little closer (Hopefully we didn't get any sick parasites). After viewing the waterfall, a few volunteers decided to swim in the water and then we trekked back up the mountain to head home.
We are headed on a 4 day safari today into the Serengeti (7 hours away) where some of the animals are migrating to Kenya. It should be beautiful and we will see LOTS of lions, cheetahs, and interesting animals. Looking forward to a post when we get back on Sunday!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Safari continued/orphage visit
Sorry I was once again cut off mid-story. As I was saying...we watched the female lions close in on a buffalo that was off by itself (this was all happening about 100 yards away from us). All of the sudden one lion sprinted off and pounced on the buffalo...the other lion did the same, but before they could kill it the herd came to the rescue and scared the lions off. It was a surreal experience to say the least. My other favorite part of our Safari was seeing the mother lion with her cubs...they were sooo cute. At one point a male lion was next to our truck roaring for his friends, who were off in the distance, to join him. This was borderline scary because the lion was only about five feet away but he seemed to care less about us. I got him roaring on video which is cool. Overall, the safari was an unforgettable experience. I cannot wait to go on our 3 night Serengetti Safari this weekend!
On another note, things have been going really well at the Tumaini school. Catherine and I have been teaching together which is fun. Today we tried to teach past/present tense and dropping and e to add ing. It was not fun because many of the terms we used to explain the lesson obviously made no since to the children. We worked it out by doing some acting (Teacher is dancing. and Teacher was dancing.) the kids thought this was hilarious.
Yesterday, we went to an orphanage outside of town. It was for young children (infants to around three) and it was very eye opening. Most of the children had lost parents to AIDS or had mothers that were mentally disabled rape victims (evidently this is a problem in Tanzania). The babies were absolutly beautiful, and the younger children were precious! We played with the younger children for about 30 minutes. Most of them were a bit reluctant to play at first because they are not used to seeing mzungu (white people). Once they warmed up they did not want to be put down. It was sad because I could tell that they don't get much love and affection....it seemed like they were starved for it. Going to the orphange made me feel so blessed to have family and friends like you! -Lauren
On another note, things have been going really well at the Tumaini school. Catherine and I have been teaching together which is fun. Today we tried to teach past/present tense and dropping and e to add ing. It was not fun because many of the terms we used to explain the lesson obviously made no since to the children. We worked it out by doing some acting (Teacher is dancing. and Teacher was dancing.) the kids thought this was hilarious.
Yesterday, we went to an orphanage outside of town. It was for young children (infants to around three) and it was very eye opening. Most of the children had lost parents to AIDS or had mothers that were mentally disabled rape victims (evidently this is a problem in Tanzania). The babies were absolutly beautiful, and the younger children were precious! We played with the younger children for about 30 minutes. Most of them were a bit reluctant to play at first because they are not used to seeing mzungu (white people). Once they warmed up they did not want to be put down. It was sad because I could tell that they don't get much love and affection....it seemed like they were starved for it. Going to the orphange made me feel so blessed to have family and friends like you! -Lauren
Safari (complete with Safari hat) #2
On our first day of the Safari, we were able to see so many animals. I didn't quite know what to expect as it was my first safari, but animals were perfectly placed all around us. The terrain was rough and we were covered in dust, but my trusty safari hat served me well. I was also wearing some really cool khaki shorts and intense hiking boots....I haven't quite decided yet if I looked prepared, or like a complete dork.
Anyway, back to the safari. We saw babboons (which run around EVERYWHERE) and so many giraffes (twiga in swahili). They walk so gracefully, but kind of look like dinosaurs from far away. The elephants were beautiful and we even saw a baby elephant right beside our car! Three lions were hanging from a tree that we drove right under, and one of them even showed his teeth at us! (definitely scary!!) We also visited a hot spring and thousands of flamingos (the covered the entire lake in their pink color)
Anyway, back to the safari. We saw babboons (which run around EVERYWHERE) and so many giraffes (twiga in swahili). They walk so gracefully, but kind of look like dinosaurs from far away. The elephants were beautiful and we even saw a baby elephant right beside our car! Three lions were hanging from a tree that we drove right under, and one of them even showed his teeth at us! (definitely scary!!) We also visited a hot spring and thousands of flamingos (the covered the entire lake in their pink color)
Safari continued....
Hello friends! I'm back at the internet cafe to continue on about our Safari adventure. I left of when we had arrived at the Ngorogora Crater. It was cold when we arrived at our campsite, which was very remote (a hole for a toilet), we were greeted by zebras! Yes, there were zebras just roaming our campsite like deer, except these zebras were not intimidated by people. They kept their distance, but we probably got within 5 feet of them. When Catherine and I walked to our tents we realized there was a large pile of poop (zebra) outside the entrance. The zebras come out at night and roam around outside the tents. After dinner and a campfire complete with Tanzanian beer and the most breath taking view of the stars I have ever seen. Literally, there was not a speck of sky that didn't twinkle. I must admit I was a bit freaked out at the thought of wild animals so close. I had trouble sleeping because it was sooo cold (forties) I slept with socks on my hands (forties). I actually heard a warthog snorting around outside the tent...eeeekkk!
The next morning we woke up at 5:30, ate some random breakfast, and loaded in to our safari vehicle yet again. We drove the long bumpy drive down to the inside of the crater where all the animals live. The inside of the crater in much flatter and grassy, not like what we experienced the day before at Lake Manyana. While in the crater we saw hundreds of wildabeasts, lot of elephants, hyeneas, hippos, and wharthogs, and arhino,but my favorite were the lions.
We got to experience animal planet in person when we witnessed lions hunting. They hunt in a pride, usually two females and a male. The females are the ones that hunt the food and the male just watches over them for protection. The female crouched down as they crept slowly towards a heard of buffalo. Oh no my time is up at the cafe. I'll finish tomorrow!
The next morning we woke up at 5:30, ate some random breakfast, and loaded in to our safari vehicle yet again. We drove the long bumpy drive down to the inside of the crater where all the animals live. The inside of the crater in much flatter and grassy, not like what we experienced the day before at Lake Manyana. While in the crater we saw hundreds of wildabeasts, lot of elephants, hyeneas, hippos, and wharthogs, and arhino,but my favorite were the lions.
We got to experience animal planet in person when we witnessed lions hunting. They hunt in a pride, usually two females and a male. The females are the ones that hunt the food and the male just watches over them for protection. The female crouched down as they crept slowly towards a heard of buffalo. Oh no my time is up at the cafe. I'll finish tomorrow!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Safari (complete with Safari hat) #1
This past weekend, Lauren and I went on a trip to Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater a few hours away.....truely an amazing experience. Never in my life have I felt so small and in awe of the world around me.
On Friday, we loaded our huge, tank-like Land Cruisers and left for Lake Manyara. We stopped at a Massai village on our way, where they did a traditional song/ dance for us. I was fortunate enough to be one of the "chosen ones" from the crowd to dance with the Massai women (basically jump around and wear this big necklace that you have to bounce around with your shoulders...don't worry, we have pictures).
The Massai people are an African tribe that functions basically as it has for hundreds of years. They are a tall, thin group of people with narrow features and really dark skin. They all wear traditional blue and red woven clothing (depending on age/marital status), large white beaded collar necklaces, and the men have droopy stretched-out holes in their ears. Oh and their small hut-like houses are made out of dried cow poop. They are polygomists (have as many as 20 wives) and their level of wealth depends on the number of cows that each man owns (the use the poop, meat, milk, and even drink cow blood). They still practice outdated cruel things like female circumcision and the girls are married around age 10-12. At one point, I was able to visit with one of the male leaders of the tribe by using one of our guides for translation. He kept asking about cows in America and even asked "if i moved to America, would I be able to get a job?". It is so strange to think that the most important person in the tribe, would simply be an uneducated foreigner at home.....
On Friday, we loaded our huge, tank-like Land Cruisers and left for Lake Manyara. We stopped at a Massai village on our way, where they did a traditional song/ dance for us. I was fortunate enough to be one of the "chosen ones" from the crowd to dance with the Massai women (basically jump around and wear this big necklace that you have to bounce around with your shoulders...don't worry, we have pictures).
The Massai people are an African tribe that functions basically as it has for hundreds of years. They are a tall, thin group of people with narrow features and really dark skin. They all wear traditional blue and red woven clothing (depending on age/marital status), large white beaded collar necklaces, and the men have droopy stretched-out holes in their ears. Oh and their small hut-like houses are made out of dried cow poop. They are polygomists (have as many as 20 wives) and their level of wealth depends on the number of cows that each man owns (the use the poop, meat, milk, and even drink cow blood). They still practice outdated cruel things like female circumcision and the girls are married around age 10-12. At one point, I was able to visit with one of the male leaders of the tribe by using one of our guides for translation. He kept asking about cows in America and even asked "if i moved to America, would I be able to get a job?". It is so strange to think that the most important person in the tribe, would simply be an uneducated foreigner at home.....
Safari
This past weekend we truely experienced something incredible. Where to begin...on Friday we left our placement at the Tumaini school a little early to head out on our adventure. All eighteen of us piled in to our fancy Safari vehicles (the top comes off and you can stand up and look out) and were off. We drove for a couple hours and made it to our camp site, which was very nice and had a lodge on the grounds. After a quick stop there we headed to a Messai Village. It was sooo interesting! The people there live in little huts made out of cow dung and straw. They have no electricity or modern ammenities of any kind. The do not believe hopspitals and still have a medicene man. It was so interesting to get to visit their village. They sang all these tribal songs and did dances (Catherine joined in). It was sad because the kids were dirty and had flies on them, but it made me feel good that we visited them and bought some braclets. After that we went back to the camp site and had dinner and watched some traditional Tanzanian dancing. I got out an danced and attempted to shake it.....it looked ridiculous but it was funny!
We got up super early the next morning we dressed in our safari gear and headed to Lake Manyana National Park. It doesn't look anything like I pictured. Instead of flat grassy dessert this was beautiful green jungle surrounding a huge lake and mountains. It looked a bit like rainforest minus the fact that these plants and trees looked different. We saw so many animals! Elephants, giraffes, a ton of baboons, zebras, hippos, and we drove under some lions sitting in trees. It was amazing and I thought the trip counldn't get any better until we got to the Ngorngora Crater. It is not actually a crater but that is what they call it because it looks like one. It is a far and bumpy drive to the rim which is around 7000ft and very cold!!! Oh wait the internet cafe is closing so I am going to stop my post here, but I will continue where I left off. I miss you all!
We got up super early the next morning we dressed in our safari gear and headed to Lake Manyana National Park. It doesn't look anything like I pictured. Instead of flat grassy dessert this was beautiful green jungle surrounding a huge lake and mountains. It looked a bit like rainforest minus the fact that these plants and trees looked different. We saw so many animals! Elephants, giraffes, a ton of baboons, zebras, hippos, and we drove under some lions sitting in trees. It was amazing and I thought the trip counldn't get any better until we got to the Ngorngora Crater. It is not actually a crater but that is what they call it because it looks like one. It is a far and bumpy drive to the rim which is around 7000ft and very cold!!! Oh wait the internet cafe is closing so I am going to stop my post here, but I will continue where I left off. I miss you all!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
"Teacha, Teacha"
"Good mawning teacha" is the greeting that we hear each morning at Tumaini School. The children are adorable!!! Today Catherine and I were in the same classroom in the afternoon (5-6 yr.) and we played shape Bingo. The kids really enjoyed it, but our favorite part of the day was afterwards during the drawing activity. We were attempting to draw a picture of an elephant on the chalkboard (a black rectangle painted on to the cracked concrete wall) when the children burst out in song. Seriously this is the most random song ever. It goes "Elephant, elephant go to the bath, NO! NO! NO!, Why? Why? Why?, Because I'm too big, Because I'm too big." Catherine and I found ourselves singing along in a Swahili accent...it is quite catchy. Recess is another interesting part of our day. We are once again left alone with the children. The "playground" is actually just a small lot of weeds and dirt, but we always have fun playing games. The Hokey Pokey, Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes, and Duck, Duck, Goose are the favorite games. The kids love to sit in our laps during these games. Yesterday during a game of Duck, Duck, Goose Catherine realized Theresia (an adorable little girl about 3 yr. old) felt extra sweaty, but it was not sweat. She got peed on!!! Little Theresia stood up, after peeing on Catherine, and pulled down her pants in the middle of the game and peed on the ground...honestly we didn't know what to think. So we just kept playing...it was pretty funny. School here is very different than Holy Souls that is for sure! I have to mention our favorite little student....Corolla (like the car). Atleast we think that is her name she is so little that all she can say is "teacha, pencil, and her name". Today she wore her tiny uniform with a matching tie (some wear uniforms and some wear regular clothes). Right when CCS dropped off at the front gate she came runing up to us and gave us a huge hug. I swear I feel like some sort of celebrity when we arrive to school everyday. Well, I'm off to breakfast, but I'll try to post again before we leave for our weekend trip to the Ngorongora Crater. We are sooo excited for the animals!!!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Watoto is for children
Today was our first day at our placement at Tumaini English Medium school. In this school most of the classes are in English, but the younger children mainly understand Swahili. Quite the experience! While today was supposed to be our day to observe the operations of the classroom, we quickly were thrown into teaching. Lauren is working with 7-8 year olds and I am working with 5-6 year olds. I can tell already that the school is understaffed and Lauren and I will basically be teaching the children all by ourselves. The children are ADORABLE (chubby dark faces and huge eyes) and they love meeting new people, especially Mzungu or white people. They all hang on our clothes and fight over holding our hands. We played lots of games (duck, duck, goose and hokey pokey) and even learned some African game where you jump when you hear different types of meat and if you jump when they say the word "cockroach" you loose...really funny. I am going to love work everyday and already can't wait to go back tomorrow!
Monday, June 8, 2009
THe "Cain" in African
After our post yesterday, we had our first trip into the town of Moshi where we visited a few crafts shops and the local market. Moshi is colorful- women wearing bright fabrics, churches ornately painted in bold colors, worn-down advertisements adorning every storefront and bright fresh fruits for sale on every street corner. The people are friendly and anxious to practice English and teach visitors Swahili (and sell them things of course). Everyone was yelling at us to "give them five" and "hello mama". While at the market, we bought 2 types of mangos, miniture bananas, and green oranges and are excited to try everything!
It smells funny here...kinda like B.O., a taxi cab and burning wood, but we are getting used to the smell! The food is good (lots of rice, Oogali (mushy corn pasty mush), vegetables, and bananas) and we eat avacados from the tree behind our Home Base every day...they are HUGE and delicious.
Last night we went with the other volunteers to a local outdoor bar called The Watering Hole. It is on the grounds of a base for tourists leaving on safari. Weekly, they show movies outside on a big screen and serve beer, so last night we drank Kilimanjaro beer and watched Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Kinda funny, but we were tired and it was a good way to see a new place and not have to talk to much.
Today we spent most of our time at the Home Base learing more about our Placements and having a REALLY long boring Swahili lesson. We met two teachers from our Placement at the Tumani Nursury school. The two men were really nice and excited to have our help with the 25 students ranging in age from 3-7. The conversation got a bit interesting when they asked us our view on Corporal Punishment, because their typical punishment is "caining children"... or in their words "There is always a "cain" in African".
It smells funny here...kinda like B.O., a taxi cab and burning wood, but we are getting used to the smell! The food is good (lots of rice, Oogali (mushy corn pasty mush), vegetables, and bananas) and we eat avacados from the tree behind our Home Base every day...they are HUGE and delicious.
Last night we went with the other volunteers to a local outdoor bar called The Watering Hole. It is on the grounds of a base for tourists leaving on safari. Weekly, they show movies outside on a big screen and serve beer, so last night we drank Kilimanjaro beer and watched Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Kinda funny, but we were tired and it was a good way to see a new place and not have to talk to much.
Today we spent most of our time at the Home Base learing more about our Placements and having a REALLY long boring Swahili lesson. We met two teachers from our Placement at the Tumani Nursury school. The two men were really nice and excited to have our help with the 25 students ranging in age from 3-7. The conversation got a bit interesting when they asked us our view on Corporal Punishment, because their typical punishment is "caining children"... or in their words "There is always a "cain" in African".
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Hujambo from Tanzania!
After a 30 hour journey, we arrived to Tanzania safely last night at around 10 PM, then drove 45 minutes to our Homebase near the city of Moshi. There were about 20 other volunteers on our flight, so it was comforting to get to know a few of them before we arrived at our Homebase. Most of them are in college, a few are older and a few younger.
The Homebase is adorable and sits at the end of a long treacherous dirt road surrounded by corn fields and jungle forests. It is large with white stone with pretty landscaping. This is such a different experience than Vietnam- so much cleaner, more sanitary, and more organized. We are staying with two girls from Houston, Emily (26 and a teacher) and Carley (18 and a Senior in High school) and so far have a lot in common with them! We slept under our mosquito nets which was kind or interesting because I kept waking up all tangled.
Today we go to explore Moshi city and start our orientation. Hopefully this will help us with our Swahili since we currently only know 2 phrases- Hello, how are you (Hujambo) and My name is... (Jina Lago Nee..) We will keep you updated and are so happy to finally be here!
The Homebase is adorable and sits at the end of a long treacherous dirt road surrounded by corn fields and jungle forests. It is large with white stone with pretty landscaping. This is such a different experience than Vietnam- so much cleaner, more sanitary, and more organized. We are staying with two girls from Houston, Emily (26 and a teacher) and Carley (18 and a Senior in High school) and so far have a lot in common with them! We slept under our mosquito nets which was kind or interesting because I kept waking up all tangled.
Today we go to explore Moshi city and start our orientation. Hopefully this will help us with our Swahili since we currently only know 2 phrases- Hello, how are you (Hujambo) and My name is... (Jina Lago Nee..) We will keep you updated and are so happy to finally be here!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Follow our blog
We have created this blog to keep everyone updated on our trip to Tanzania. We have just started packing and preparing for our trip and will be updating this blog regularly starting June 5, when we depart for Africa. Enjoy!
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