Blogs from Tanzania, Africa - page 21

Our next stop was Zanzibar, the spice island. After clearing customs and immigration once again we started our visit with a tour of stone town. Stone town is laced with so much history - old forts, ancient buildings and even a slave market. I was surprised by how much history was remaining, especially compared to many other places we've been where the history is lost to modernization. Stone town is also a predominantly Muslim area, dating back to the days of trade with Arab traders. This means the city is bathed with the call to prayer, a sound I quite enjoy hearing. This does also mean that tourists should cover up out of respect, which some clearly had no consideration for! The tour ended with some shopping in the local craft shops, followed by sunset cocktails ... read more

In a few hours, the bundled little batches of children will be scurrying to see the Snoopy Floats, the boys will be sent outside to fry the turkey, and my mom and sisters will be hugging, pouring, flouring, and shoving casserole dishes into the oven like little squirrels storing their nuts for the winter. It’s just what we do. They’ll probably pour a glass of wine after a couple cups of coffee, or crack open a craft beer. The girls will be so occupied hosting, they’ll forget their glass and will have only finished one by the time my brothers are on number three. Typical, or, eh.. stereotypical. But I love it. It’s Thanksgiving, 2017. At 6am my alarm went off, reminding me that I’ll need to light the charcoals for coffee this morning. My gas ... read more

A lizard runs by with his tail cut off. I wonder whether it hurt. Was it a mean man with a machete, or an attempted bird attack? He scurries under a tropical bush, lush with brightly colored flowers. Perspective. My own tail, often between my legs, but sometimes cut off entirely, is irrelevant when there’s a safe space to which I return. For the last two weeks, I have been stuck in Dar es Salaam at Peace Corps discretion because of the continued security incidences in my village. Even after having two girls occupy my outdoor kitchen area when I’ve been away, thieves managed to break through my bedroom windows. They cut the locks on my valuables case, and somehow scaled the walls to unlock various doors after finding my hidden keys. Solar panels, jewelry, and ... read more

WHAT A DAY! OCTOBER 29 (The power has been out in Kayanga so please forgive the radio silence.) When 7,000 people show up for an event, you know something is going on! To encapsulate: The KARUCO campus was decorated beautifully. EVERYONE seemed to be there. The music was lively, celebratory and colorful. The church service was beautiful and lasted the morning. The afternoon Inauguration was filled with speakers from all Partner groups, music and an expected visit from former President Kikwete (Friend of KARUCO). ******* ETI put on its best garb and headed to KARUCO in the rain. Fortunately it sprinkled only in the morning and was overcast most of the day with intermittent sunshine. We arrived as it sprinkled and sat under the decorated tent - me in the front row of International Partners alongside ... read more

I hope to upload pics from the celebration.... read more