Blogs from Arusha, North, Tanzania, Africa - page 5

We went for home visits on Wednesday again; this time we went to twelve homes and didn't finish until after 6pm. Thursday was different; Isaac had saved enough to bring all of the students to a play park with a train and a climbing mountain. They were in seventh heaven. We transported everyone by the small vans called Dallas and it took forever so we didn't make it home till 6 again. Friday, we were finally able to go to town and prepare for our weekend climbing Mount Meru, and connect with home. It is even more precious when we talk with loved ones since we can only manage it from time to time. The highlight of the week was the three days spent in Mount Meru National Park. We left early on Saturday morning. We ... read more

Our second week of work and everything is beginning to feel easier. I get blisters cutting vegetables. My legs stretch into a crouch better, although Momma Johanna ( the cook and cleaner for the school) makes me take the bucket to sit on half the time. I am beginning to learn student names and I am understanding the rhythm of everything much better. The schooling here is very traditional, with lots of copying, and echo back chanting. Much of it is too difficult for the little ones, and there are not enough people to go around to help students one on one. I watch their boredom and restlessness grow and know that any of my answers to help will not be accepted or space requirements mean that it is just not possible. I can get to ... read more

This weekend, we spent going to town. We went to a grilled meat restaurant. You look at the meat piled at the end of the grill and choose a kilo of chicken or goat or beef. You get side dishes of beans or spinach or rice and eat everything with ugali, the polenta type starch that you form into a ball to scoop up food. There are western restaurants to go to, but they are not as interesting or as tasty, and they are much more costly. We went shopping for kenga and dresses, then we went to use wifi. It will not be easy to call home since the only time we are able to call is when everyone is sleeping. There are very few beggars on the streets here. Everyone is trying to sell ... read more

Thursday, I worked with the Momma who prepares the food for the nursery. I wake early and ride with the driver to pick up the first set of children. Then after breakfast, I walk with Jacob to the nursery. Always we start by handing out cups of porridge. Then we fill large tubs with water and crouch on the ground washing the cups, rinsing and returning them wet. I have seen no towels or dry clothes anywhere, everyone just drip dries. The meal today is rice and vegetables, which takes a while to prepare. The vegetables are piles and piles of leaves like chard and bokchoy. We gather them in our hand in a tight bundle and then slice across their ends in narrow slices. Again we are crouched on the ground over a big pot; ... read more

Northern Serengeti part 2 Another great day on the Serengeti. Our guide SP continues to amaze with his great eye for wildlife and knowledge of the Serengeti and the world in general. The Tanzanian people are very educated, friendly and eager to share conversation. Today we again watched incredible gathering of the wildebeest across the river but no crossing. We are hopeful for crossing tomorrow am on the way out. Today we saw baby leopard cubs playing in their den, monkeys, many baboons in the field and a lion laying with his pride atop a rock out cropping in addition to many animals previously seen.Tomorrow off to the central Serengeti. We still can't believe we are here- more incredible than expected... More to come. Internet is scarce, as well as time, so not sure about timing ... read more