Blogs from Lushoto, East, Tanzania, Africa
Weekend in Lushoto, Usambara mountains
Published: November 15th 2010Africa » Tanzania » East » Lushoto
November 15th 2010
Hi we went camping this weekend to Lushoto, in the Usambara mountains. We stayed in Irente Cliff View camping, in the famous Irente Viewpoint. From the viewpoint you see the village of Mazinde almost 1,000 meters below the vast Maasai Plains beyond. Lushoto is a leaf highland town mixes pines and eucalyptus with tea plantations, coffee plantations, banana plantations ando there tropical foliage. Its the main settlement in the Usambara and the base for hiking and trekking. IMPORTANCE OF USAMBARA MOUNTAINS (Lushoto) 1. The Usambara Mountains have several eco-tourism attractions that can be experienced by a variety of means. 2. With a high level of biological, hydrological and meteorological activity, along with a rich social history, the Usambara Mountains are home to many researchers. 3. The East and West Usambara Mountains have substantial endemic, rare and ... read more
July 12th 2010
Dear Readers, In 1 month we will be classified as RPVCs. "R" means returned (or in our case, maybe retired). There are times during our residency here that time passed clowly...and there are times when it seemed as if it was a blur. Two years is a long time, but we will have been away from home June 6, 2008 until Sept. 19, 2010. Naturally we have been doing the culturally appropriate "kwa heri" as that means good-bye when you probably won't see them again. It's difficult because these faces, once unknown to us, have names, families, lives, and hopes for the future...just like we arrived with. Now we are friends and have shared these past 2 years together...discovering much about each other and much about ourselves. And, now it's "kwa heri" and not the usual ... read more
May 7th 2010
Birthdays are very special days...especially when you have never had one in your 21 years. We just provided a birthday cake (2 layered yellow cake with chocolate frosting) for our friend Stefano who turned 22. Even without a birth certificate, he knew the date but had never celebrated the event. So, true to our PC mission of bringing a taste of American culture to TZ, we supplied him with The Works, complete with candles and song. He was so appreciative. But, then Samwel who had joined us for lunch & cake (can't do ice cream) said "I have an April Birthday, too." TZ don't understand our humor as I said, "Yes, sure, you just want cake."But, I love baking on our charcoal jiko 1 layer at a time, so I agreed and we set it ... read more
March 12th 2010
Hello from Malindi, Yesterday was a very positive, uplifting day as far as work in our primary role as Health Volunteers. We took 10 Mtumbi Secondary Students in Form 4, who have been studying HIV/AIDS, to a local primary school. We had set it up ahead of time with the Head Teacher and knew we had permission to talk about condoms to Standard 6 and 7 students. Standard 6 had over 100 and Standard 7 was about 70. Could we do it? YES, of course, with the help of our Peer Teachers who were in our Life Skills Club. The Peer Group had done their research and used the many reference books from PEPFAR and Peace Corps. They rehearsed, assigned topics and grouped themselves into 2 groups for the 2 hour session. No, they did not ... read more
February 26th 2010
It can be discouraging when you witness just how much there needs to be done and then where to begin, but sprinkled into the mix are moments when you see first hand that things are being done...and by Tanzanians. The Usambara Sisters, a TZ RC religious order, do many great things. They are very active in our area with providing schools, hostels, vocational training, spiritual guidance, and now micro financing. We were among 120 village women when they received their certificates (very important to TZ) and their first bank book. They havean incoming-generating project of growing pine seedlings which will encourage more tree planting and help the earth - one tree at a time. This project is being done on St. Theresa's church property with access to water and the road and walking distance to ... read more
January 15th 2010
Dear Friends, Happy New Year from far away in miles, but close in our hearts. Our 2 weeks of traveling is over and we are so happy to be back at our home site. Time is running quickly and there is so much more to be done before we depart in August 2010. This blog is really about how you can get involved from home. Dave has submitted a Participatory Grant through Peace Corps and it just went on line this week. We thought you might be interested in this local project in our village of Maringo. The Malindi Ward's Dispensary needs power to help the villagers in a 7 village area. For more information go to www.peacecorps/contribute and when prompted enter Banks. You can read his description of the project on line and if you ... read more
December 30th 2009
Even though cows are being milked daily in front of our house, no one makes butter. Blue Band is the local margarine and it has to be spread thinly. So, when we heard there was one place to buy real butter in Lushoto, we searched long and hard and often. Should you ever be wanting butter in Lushoto, here's the secret. And, a well kept secret it is! First, you walk to a dental clinic, go into the reception room, ignoring the patients with toothaches, and knock on the first door on your right. A gauzed-masked woman with an instrument in hand just looks at us and says, "I'm sorry we do not have." OK so another month passes and we try again. "Hapana leo" not today. For Thanksgiving PCV John is successful and delivers ... read more
December 19th 2009
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR) OR AS WE SAY IN kISWAHILI, "Heri Krismasi na mwaka mpya" This will be our last Christmas here and being here has certainly given us the opportunity to appreciate the many gifts we have received. Tanzania has given us the gifts of time, patience, understanding, and knowledge - of others as well as ourselves. It has been a good experience for us and we are glad we decided to do it...and that PC wanted 2 old foggies. But, we do miss family and friends and will be happy to be reunited with everyone in Sept. 2010. I never have the time to reread previous blogs so I hope I'm not repeating myself...but, I know how busy you are, so you probably don't reread them or remember them...ah, the ... read more
November 18th 2009
Dear Friends and Family, Another Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching and we know how busy everyone is at this time of year. Please know that we wish you all a very happy day and we'll be home for the next one. In the meantime we will host, as we did last year, our local celebration. We expect 13, but we'll feed whomever shows up. The menu stays the same (you can check out last year's blog) with 1 major improvement: pumpkin pie! Theresa went home for her brother's wedding last month and returned with the pie fixings and tins. So, as everyone is bringing something, we should be ready. Sleeping accomodations are limited, but hey, these friends are PCVs and can tough it out on the floor! We know you are all experiencing fall in all its ... read more
September 23rd 2009
Het is half 10 in de avond. Er hangt een vredige stilte rond de huisjes van de sekuco universiteit. De dunne maan glimlacht zacht en goedkeurend in het lichtspektakel van de open sterrenhemel. Gedurende de nacht zal de warme lucht afkoelen en condenseren waardoor morgenvroeg weer een diepe mistlaag zal voorbijtrekken tot deze verdwijnt in het regenwoud en hete zonnestralen een nieuwe dag inleiden. Ik gok dat Marianne al slaapt. Het is dan ook naar Afrikaans ritme al laat in de avond en het avondeten is al meer dan een uur verteerd. Dit laatste is belangrijk aangezien we ondervonden hebben dat onmiddellijk slapen na het eten soms kan leiden tot zeer vreemde nachtmerries. Voor ik ook mijn muskietennet installeer en onder de lakens kruip schrijf ik nog even over de voorbije dagen omdat door ons drukke ... read more
