November 29, 2010
GO WEST!!! My high school football team won the state finals. It is so sweet, of course it happened when I was in another country but I am so happy.
I had a great weekend and thanksgiving. We made Aunt Diane’s pulled pork, coleslaw, and potatoes. And then we made pineapple upside down cake and pudding. The pudding was a little hard because it was completely from scratch but I think it turned out pretty good. The pineapple upside down cake was another story, it didn’t necessarily cook but it tasted awesome (amazing how pure sugar and butter is the best thing ever). Also we killed a duck and cooked it. It was crazy, my friend Jake killed it and then we cooked it. I took some lovely pictures of the killing. It was crazy the feet were still moving after it had no head. It was really nice to hang out with everyone although it was a lot of work, so I hope we don’t have another party like that anytime soon. Oh yeah and we played Quiddler. I am now the owner of a brand new Quiddler, I am so happy. My friend Aaron brought it and didn’t want it anymore. It of course made my day.
Also had a girls night with Claire and Randi and it was wonderful. We made vegetable burgers and crepes with chocolate sauce and bananas and just sat around talking and watching movies. It was great. All it needed was some popcorn, gummy bears, and squirt and it would have been perfect. We watched An affair to remember. I think it was the first time that I saw it which is weird because Cary Grant is in it and I love him. But it was good, although not sure if I like the Actress in it.
I walked back to my village today with a full backpack and a chair tied behind it. Needless to say I was very tired when I got home. It took about 2 1/2 hours to walk, but it was nice and I need the exercise. Some people kept asking if I wanted to ride the pikipiki (motorcycle) and I kept saying I can’t. So of course another person asked me and I didn’t even respond and just kept walking because I was sick of saying no and getting nagged about it. Turns out that guy was actually one of my village officials, I realized this after he started honking at me. (How are you suppose to recognize someone when they have a helmet on, also I am ashamed to say but I have a hard time remembering what people look like) I have just met way to many people in way to short of a time. I hope by 2 years I have it down pretty good, but at the moment it is still pretty slow goin.
I also made corn bread today and it was AWESOME. I taught my friend J2 how to make. (I have to friends name Jessica. So from now on I am taking on David’s way of talking about his boys and call them J1 and J2. J1 is the younger one, who has 4 kids, and helps me a lot with work. She is my counterpart. J2 is older and I think has 5 kids. I usually go over to her house and we make food and talk.) It was a really good day in the village. I am actually a little sad that I am going to be gone some much in the upcoming weeks between seminar and traveling with Han. But I think that I need it after the last month that I had. It think it is going to help me a lot and get me ready to start tackling this projects.
November 30, 2010
I am aware that I do talk about food a lot but I think this is my hobby and also what I do to keep busy. I understand completely now why a lot of women don’t lose any weight while here and actually put some on. I am not sure how I am doing in that category yet as I have yet to see myself in a full length mirror. (I am a little frightened by this) But my clothes still fit from what I can tell so hopefully I am just staying the same. We will find out soon enough when I put a bathing suit on. It should be quite a sight especially with this lovely farmers tan I have going on. I think I am whiter than I have ever been in my life.
I went to the bathroom today and as I am sitting over the hole I look down and see a frog. Now I am not sure if this is the same frog that has been haunting me or not but I really hope he calls a truce soon because I am sick of seeing a frog every time I go to the bathroom. Also I am not sure if anyone else has this fear, but I have a fear that something is going to come out of the toilet and bite me (maybe a snake or crocodile) and seeing a frog is not helping things. I know this is crazy talk but that is one of my fears, along with swimming in a pool and the pool closing in and sharks coming out to eat me like in James Bond. (Stephi back me up on this) I know these are stupid fears but ya never know. (I swear I am not going crazy, I am actually doing really well these days, I guess I just needed a major break down first)
Talking of food again. I tried to make salted peanuts but I forgot the water part. Again they were a disappointment. Hopefully one of these days I will cook something good on the first try. I also ate into a mango today and saw a worm crawling around. Not a good day for food.
I have been reading a lot of the travel books about TZ and am overwhelmed with different ideas of what I want to do while I am here. There is just so much to do I am not sure where to start. I think at the moment when Hannah and Jenna come we are going to go see MT Kili and walk around some waterfalls then come to my village for Christmas and then go on a safari and to the beach to snorkel. This is the current plan but I am sure it will change a bunch before they actually get here. I am so excited, especially to snorkel because I haven’t been snorkeling in the ocean in a while. I think since senior year of high school, it is going to be nice to actually look at some cool fish again instead of the dull fish of Little Whitefish Lake. Also Ashleigh, I was telling someone about the Brook’s Lake sea monster this week.
December 1, 2010
In case anyone was wondering, I have the worst acne that I have had in years. I look hideous and now more than ever all of the bebe’s and mama’s are asking what’s wrong with your face. It is horrible, I’m a monster.
Things you can make on a kerosene stove:
1. Popcorn (although not as good not sure if it is because of the kernels or the stove itself)
2. Rice
3. Salted peanuts (somewhat like planters)
4. Cornbread
5. Biscuits
Things you cannot make on a kerosene stove
1. Ginger bread
I found out today that this is not possible and all it ends up being is this huge sticky glob of dough and a pan that Aunt Marti would say should soak for a few days if not a week. Big disappointment but I can try again on the charcoal stove. I am thinking gingerbread with icing for Christmas sounds AMAZING.
Also I wasn’t planning on it but today me and J1 cleaned my entire house and yard. (including washing the floors) Now why would I want to spend all that time cleaning when I am not going to be here to enjoy it, this is along the lines of why make my bed if I know I am just going to mess it up again. I just don’t see the point. Although the house does look really nice. Probably the cleanest it has ever been.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
October 29, 2009
It has been a really hard couple of days, I am not sure where or how it started but I have been feeling the most miserable that I have felt since I have been here. I seriously considered coming home. But I called Andrew and talked to a few of my friends about it and I think/ hope that I am going to be ok. I guess only time will tell. I also told my friend Jessica (TZ and lives in the vill, speaks only Swahili) about it and she completely understands and is going to try and help me get out of the house more and talk to people. She thinks it is just because I cannot/ do not want to start anything before my seminar that I have in a month. And I think she is completely right.
Since I have had all this time to think and not thinking the best thoughts at times, I also realized that this is the first time that I have ever been away from my family and friends. Here I thought I could do things by myself without others and thinking about it, I went to Michigan with Meaghan and Andrew ( one of my best friends and brother), then I went to Colorado with Jenna (another best friend), and then I went to school and met Mary (another best friend) the first day. So I think I am still just adjusting or at least I hope this is the case. I am working on keeping busy as to not have too much time to think.
Yesterday I went and saw this tree that you could climb in. It was awesome. The inside of it was completely hollow. It just grew in a circle without a center. I took some pictures of it but I am not sure if they do it justice. It was awesome. Also I have been making the rounds of tv shows and just finished watching Entourage another great show if you haven’t seen it yet.
Sunday is election day so as of right now most of the village is walking around in t-shirts and hats with Kikwete on them. They also have a guy with something like a foghorn walking around using it and shouting something. It is really, really annoying. But the villagers are really excited about the elections and I have to say I am a little interested to see how they actually work too.
Tomorrow I am going to go cut firewood for the stove and learn how to cook TZ food. I am excited and hoping that if I stay busy enough I will feel good and not miss y’all so much. As usual I am a work in progress that it trying desperately hard to figure herself out even though I really thought I knew myself. Oh how a desert in the middle of nowhere without anyone or anything familiar can change your perspective.
October 30, 2010
I slept in the latest I have ever slept in while I have been in Lupeta. 6:30 AM really sleeping in these days. I went and cut kune (firewood) with my neighbors. We walked for 20 minutes around the mountain and then started to cut. They use an axe or a machete but the blade is super dull that it takes longer. It is crazy I cannot believe there are not more accidents from cutting the trees. I really thought my neighbor was going to lose a leg. I tried and was able to cut one tree, it took me a long time and was a lot of work. We then carried all the wood out on our heads. Needless to say I was really, really tired when I got home. I took a picture for you guys to see. Also they use the firewood as a source of fuel for their stoves if you were wondering.
I then went to my friend Jessica’s and learned how to make maandazi (TZ style donuts) they were wonderful, although they are fried so of course they are not good for you. I was thinking that they would taste amazing with ice cream and the Witte chocolate sauce. I will definitely be making these when I get home.
I kept myself pretty busy today, so I felt pretty good. Meaning I didn’t think of all of you too much. I am working on it but I think I am going to be able to get through this. It is just a lot harder than I ever thought it would be, mostly because I miss everyone and am homesick.
October 31, 2010
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I am sad to announce that I forgot it was Halloween until my mom told me. This is horrible especially because I love Halloween. Watching Hocus Pocus, eating candy corn and drinking cider while carving a pumpkin. So much fun.
I finished painting my room and by painting I mean I painted one wall. It looks wonderful though and the villagers are all really impressed that I did it myself. I painted it 2 colors, checkered style. I might paint one of the walls in the other room I haven’t decided yet. It does seem to open up the room and not make it so dreadful looking. I took a picture so you guys can see it too.
I also learned to cook beans today using a firewood stove. It took 4 hours and then I had to make ugali. I have to say there is a reason I don’t cook TZ style, if I did I would never be able to leave the house. Beans take way to much work, the hours spent cooking them and the amount of resources, I don’t have that much extra firewood to spare this just means more work in cutting it and me being more tired. I think I am going to stick to my kerosene stove and American food for the most part. I will cook TZ style every once in a while but I really don’t think it is worth the work especially since it is only me eating it.
They picked the president today. Still not sure who it is yet but my guess is Kikwete. All the villagers went to the poles and had to present their voting card, they then got to pick who they wanted.
Not much else is new. Working on staying busy and talking to more people, so call me if you have time, anytime I am usually around. I am also trying to finish up the Harry Potter series although I have stuck on the 6th book at the moment. It is moving really slow compared to the other books I think. Also still listening to a lot of Miranda Lambert although I hear the new Taylor Swift cd is good, going to investigate this when I get the internet again.
November 1, 2010
Dodoma on Sunday for some much needed rest to clear my thoughts and figure out myself because at the moment I am chagalabagala (hot mess). But I am really lucky because I have wonderful friends here that listen and Andrew who calls me a lot and helps me work out my problems. I am very blest to have such great people in my life and of course everyone else. It is really nice to be able to talk to people that are going through the same thing as me, because as hard as you guys try to understand what it is like here, you will never know. You will have an idea but I will never be able to explain to you what it exactly it is like here and at the moment not sure if I want to. I am just trudging along. One more month and then I get a month holiday so I just need to hold on a little longer and I think everything will be ok. I just need to work through this.
On another note I forgot to tell you that I was riding my bike and a chicken ran into my front wheel. So in Michigan you have to worry about deer and here you need to worry about chickens when riding your bike. Although I am sure none of this compares to the dead kangaroos in Australia (Stephi, Alex, Uncle Ted).
November 2, 2010
I woke up and went and cut firewood today. This is my attempt at getting out into the community but really all it did was make me really tired. It is hard work cutting firewood and then carrying it back. I think the walk is about 20 minutes without wood on your head. But it was fun and it got me out of the house.
I then washed clothes today which went rather well, I need to start doing it more than once a week because it is making my fingers raw and then I get blood everywhere it is quite the fiasco.
I went to the open market again today which was still scary but I went with a mamma so it was a little better and when the drunks flocked she would just say Let’s go and they would leave and not follow us which was nice. She also said I did not have to say hi to everyone especially the drunk people which was nice.
November 8, 2010
After a nice trip to Dodoma with everyone I feel a million times better. It was so nice to be able to relax and just hand out and speak English. We went to some nice restaurants and walked around the market but for the most part just chilled and ate yogurt. I forgot how much I like yogurt. I have to say that the hotel we stayed it was pretty sketchy due to the fact that we forgot to call the normal hotel. We will definitely remember to call ahead next time to our normal hotel. Was a little reminded on a scary movie at this last hotel. Really only just the bathroom though, it really wasn’t all that bad, just not as nice as I am use to. Also the group that went was Paul who is really really tall, Tanya who is Pakistani , Randi who is blonde and blue eyed, Allie who is younger and Tanzanian, and me. We were quite the site to look at I am sure. I am sure more than one person took a second look at our group, I know that I would have.
I was very excited because I got to skype with everyone in my family which was really nice. I also got to talk to my grandma which was really, really nice considering I used to talk to her atleast once a week but now not so often. I really need to try and keep up on this, it is just
really hard with the time difference.
While I was gone, it rained in Mpwapwa and now the insects are huge and everywhere, which means in my house. (AAHH) There is also talk of going to Mafia Island for Christmas which I think would be great, but not sure yet if this is the plan. All I know is that I want to be with my friends preferably on the beach drinking some good beer, swimming, and evening out my farmers tan.
Also huge news, one of my best friends in the world is getting MARRIED. I cannot even believe this news. Lindsey Haggai is getting married. That is crazy.
I also met the new shadowers (new volunteers that are still in training) today and they seem really nice. No new volunteers are coming into our area but it was still really nice to meet them. They seem really fun.
Watched the movie Gamer this weekend. Thought it was ok, I really felt like I was playing a video game, but Gerard Butler was in it so of course I cannot complain that much. Also listened to the song Haunted by Taylor Swift. Thought it was pretty good. And really sad that I am missing the new Harry Potter movie, but possibly hoping to see it in Dar or bootlegged somewhere.
I am doing really well now, I think this weekend was just what I needed. I feel ready to go back into the village and learn.
November 9, 2010
I woke up and opened the door and a chicken ran inside the house. I then spent the next 10 minutes attempting to get the chicken out. This of course did not work and the chicken crapped everywhere. Luckily my neighbor came and grabbed the chicken with her bare hands like it was no big deal. Not sure I will ever be at the point where I can use my hands to get rid of a chicken. Also don’t plan on letting any more chickens into my house.
I bought a huge bag of hot peppers this weekend which are great, except I think I am eating to many and my stomach doesn’t appreciate it. I also thought I washed my hands thoroughly well before I took my contacts out. This was not the case. I soon might find my eyes in the same state that Andrews have been in.
I started the charcoal stove all by myself today in a relatively short time. I was very proud of myself and am currently cooking bread for tomorrow. Really excited because I really miss bread.
November 10, 2010
I spent all of today typing my rough draft of my report for PC. It is a report about the
village and the projects that I hope to do. I forgot how hard it is to write a report after not having to write one for so long. I used to be pretty good at them, but now I am not too impressed. Luckily it is only a rough draft so I have lots of time to improve it.
Also washed my jeans today and they turned out so clean I am really excited. I think every time that I do laundry I get a little better at it. Tomorrow I am going to LITI (livestock research institute) to talk with my friend about possibly projects. I am really excited because I really want to start doing something and I think LITI is going to be a great resource. I am also going to take the shadowers with me (education volunteers that are still in training). It is weird I am already not the newbie and people are asking my how site and the PC is. Crazy.
Also we are on the start of a new record. Six days now without water. Crossing my fingers that tomorrow is the day. And also the rains start really soon because I am sick of watching the amount of water that I use. I could definitely be cleaner.
November 11, 2010
We got water today. Yeah. I did have to wait about 2 hours today for it, which wasn’t too bad, but I am not going to say that I really enjoyed it. No matter how long I sit and watch the women get water, I cannot for the life of me figure out a rhyme or reason to it. And have come to the conclusion that there isn’t, but I still find this so hard to believe because there must be order. I just cannot imagine it without some sort of order. It apparently is just not in my site yet. Luckily I have 2 years to figure this out.
I had an epiphany today or at least over the last few days. As you know I have been having a really hard time and in my attempts to get out of it, has been a long slow processes, but today I feel like a million bucks. Not sure what exactly changed but I think part of it was just accepting that this is going to be my life for the next 2 years and realizing that I am always going to miss home and everyone. And that it is ok to miss home, frankly I think I would be a little scared if I didn’t miss home at all.
Hannah and Jenna both emailed me this week. And I think they might be coming to visit over Christmas if everything works out. I hope it does, I am really excited.
I went to LITI today and had an adventure. I took the shadowers with me because I thought they might like to see what I do (or at least have a change in scenery). So we went and I showed them all the different types of chickens that exist in TZ. I also accidently let one of the chickens into the wrong pen, so my friend Enock had to catch him with his bare hands. Luckily he grew up on a farm and is used to this. This could have been bad though. I also saw two chickens trying to fight each other, the only problem was that there was a wire fence between them. It was pretty funny,
I played spades today. Fun game, but I still think I prefer euchre better.
November 12, 2010
It is amazing how some days the days go on forever and other days they fly by. Today would have been one of those long days, but it wasn’t too boring. It stinks that I really don’t have a lot to do at the moment. It is just hanging out in the village, I really want to start projects but really want to wait until after seminar. So today I worked on my village report and homework. I am starting to freak out a little because I have no idea where to even start for my research. So far nothing has really grabbed my attention, hopefully something does, and I do have lots of time. So I think I will be spending a lot of time on the internet in the next couple of weeks/ months researching and gathering information.
I was awakened this morning by the neighbor kids. And do you know what they had. A mouse on a leash. I told them they needed to go and take that mouse as far away as possible. Of course they all thought this was hysterical. I however did not.
I also found out that my beautiful Papaya tree fell over within the night and all the fruit is conveniently gone. This is just another omen of how this environment is not good for trees. Interesting considering that is my field of study. But it was really sad I was looking forward to that fruit. It reminded me of when that semi fell over on the highway by the old union high school and water bottles went everywhere, so people took all of them. That is what happened to all my papaya.
Also made English muffins today. And they turned out horrible, so horrible I am not sure if I ever want to try them again. But we will see. I do love English muffin. Also I think I wanted them to taste like the sourdough English muffins and they did not so that of course did not help thing.
Question: How much flour do you think is a healthy amount to consume each day/week? I feel like I might be over my limit by a lot. It is weird when you can actually measure and see everything that you are eating.
I think it is official that Han and Jenna are coming to visit over Christmas. I am so excited, I cannot wait to see them and hangout with them. Not sure at all what we are going to do, but SO EXCITED that they are coming.
November 13, 2010
I went and helped out on the farm today, actually it was more of sitting and watching. The entire time I was thinking this is how it must have been in the 1800s. Most people here do everything by hand using a hoe. It is horrible and takes so much time. I am very happy that technology has come a long way so that I don’t have to work in the fields. I prefer a small garden and that is it.
On my way back today, I saw 2 white people at the village office. It was really weird I have never seen another white person in my village before. Turns out they are veterinarians from the UK and were out here vaccinating some of the animals. They were really nice. I showed them my house and they were really impressed. (Amazing how expectations go down when you live in here) They also really liked my painted wall, I have to say it does look pretty good.
Finally finished the 5th Harry Potter book. Totally forgot the ending. Turned out to be really good.
November 14, 2010
First off, I showed one of the neighbor boys ( Bonifice, age 13) a picture of everyone and he said that everyone was a mzungu (white person) except wait for it ….Stephi. The tan really threw him off, he would not hear of it.
Secondly I have been the most Tanzanian that I have ever been. I woke up this morning and choted (carried) water. Then I cleaned and organized my entire house, washed clothes, and cleaned the gutters. I also had time to cook ugali (stiff porridge) and make maandazi (donuts). And I still had a ridiculous amount of time to do nothing. I really need to come up with a hobby that will keep me and my mind occupied for a long time. But I am also hoping that after my seminar when I can start projects that I will have a lot more to do and to think about. Because as of right now. I am bored out of my mind.
Also here, people use fat as a compliment. I am still having a hard time getting used to that because I feel like a complete slob. Even though I walk a lot and bike.
November 18. 2010
I almost ate a whole head of cabbage today by myself. Not sure if I am proud of this or not, but I do know that now my stomach wishes I had had some restraint in eating it. It just tasted so good today. I have been all over the place in the last few days trying to make contacts and talk to people, so a lot has been happening and I have been keeping relatively busy by Tanzanian standards.
Cabbage recipe: (really easy and good)
Oil, salt, cabbage, 1 onion,2 roma tomatoes
Fry oil and onion. Add diced tomatoes. Add cabbage and salt to taste. Add water as needed. Ready when cabbage is soft.
I was cooking yesterday and went to reach into the oven mitt and guess what came crawling out on my hand. A cockroach. I screamed bloody murder. It was so gross, I hate cockroaches.
It also rained on Monday which was awesome and made me really happy that I cleaned my gutters the day before because now I have water in my water tank and don’t have to worry as much about water which is awesome.
As thanksgiving is coming up, we started to plan the menu. We decided on American food because there is no way we are going to be able to have a turkey and all the fixings so we are going to I think have stuffed duck and chicken with coleslaw, salad, and potatoes. For appetizers we are going to have chips and salsa and hummus and pita chips. And for desert pineapple upside down cake and pudding. Everything is going to be made from scratch on a charcoal grill. I hope everything turns out, I am really excited, it is going to be a lot of fun I think. This also reminded me of theme weeks at the cottage during the 4th. Oh how I miss the cottage and everyone, but this should be a good thanksgiving too. Hopefully I can take some good pictures of the festivities.
FYI to the family, I have a copy of zoolander now. So now we can start watching it again. I think this will be our third copy, hopefully I don’t lose this one too.
November 19, 2010
So I have been experimenting cooking and found that I am not a very good cook and am quite impatient when I am the only one eating it. This has led my standards in cooking to go down a lot needless to say. Today I spent all day trying to make French bread with varying results. It tastes like bread but definatey not a French bread. I then also tried to make beans which take several hour but found I could not wait that long and so ate have cooked beans. I really need to learn to have more patience. This was all done on the charcoal stove though so at least I am getting more comfortable with it. Also yesterday when I was cooking I forgot to turn off the kerosene stove so that was on for 2 hours with nothing but hot oil to cook. I also set my oven mitt on fire today. Not feeling like the best cook in the world at the moment, but it is fun to try to new things and gives me something to do so I cannot complain to much. To go along with my impatience I also have a blister inside my mouth because I couldn’t wait for it to cool down. I think I might have a problem.
I also went to a shamba (farm) today and helped clean up all the old plants, I used a stick like contraption and moved the plants into piles that were to be burned. I actually didn’t mind it, it gave me some much needed exercise and I got to hang out with more people from the village. I just wish I could understand more.
Also I have come to the conclusion that my favorite parts of the day are early morning and dusk. Everything is so peaceful. I really like it, the scenery is beautiful and it is quiet for the most part. ( I also think I might like it because I don’t have as many people to greet and talk to you, I might have a little bit of Grandma in me)
Finished the 6th book and am starting the 7th Harry Potter. I am racking my brain trying to remember what the seventh book is about but cannot remember for the life of me. Of course this is the abridged version from Jenna and Mallory because I never thought that I would actually ever get around to reading them. But as it turns out I have some extra time on my hands and am really, really enjoying them. Not sure what I will read after this though. My mom sent me The girl with the dragon tattoo. So I think I am going to read that next, I hear that book and the sequel are also really good. I am glad I have some good books to read, it helps pass some of the time.
November 20, 2010
Lately I have been so tired I don’t even remember that I already put my mosquito net down, which means that I end up walking into it and causing a disaster. It is amazing how hard they are to see in the dark. It feels something like walking into a spider web a little, especially when you are still half asleep.
I spent a good portion of the day explaining to my friend Bonifice that “nigger” is a bad word.
But he kept saying no and that he had heard Billy Blanks (remember tye-bo) say it. In the end I decided that whatever he had heard he was pronouncing it incorrectly but it took a lot out of me. Especially because I had a hard time explaining why because he even said he heard it in songs. Needless to say this was one of my least favorite conversations so far. I really hate that word, even here is gives me chills.
Also found a dog today that is scared of white people. The dog would not stop barking and trying to chase me. Luckily he was tied up. At the same time I saw 4 kids in a tree jumping all on the same branch. I am not sure how the tree did not fall over. It was a miracle.
It rained again today and it was glorious. It got a little cold and the wind was great. It was so relaxing, I want it to rain every day (this was also great because it means I don’t have to worry about water as much. Which is awesome, especially because I have not been the cleanest these last few weeks because of lack of water. But the rains are starting slowly.
I planted 4 tomato seeds today. This is going to be interesting to see if the grow, I have never started tomatoes from a seed, so we shall see how long they take to grow and if they are successful. I think I am going to start planting before I leave for seminar, but I am not sure yet. I am getting really excited though to have my own garden, it should be really fun.
On a final note, I was greeted this morning by another frog in my choo. I fished him out of my choo water only to have him reappear 2 more times. I couldn’t get rid of him, he even made it into my house once, which I was a little scared about because I thought I might lose him. That is all I need a dead frog in my house. But Bonifice got him out, although I while I did the humane thing and threw him out the door. He use him as somewhat a cross between a golf ball and a baseball. So of course I thought he was dead, but I swear this frog has as many lives as a cat. I wouldn’t be surprised if he showed up again tomorrow, although I really hope not because it is not the first face I want to see in the morning.
November 21, 2010
Today I went to the Pentecostal church. I think there were a total of 8 people at the church it was interesting. The songs were beautiful though, I am not sure why but all Africans have good voices. This is my theory because I have not heard a bad one yet, unlike in the USA where there are bad singers everywhere, I also being one of them.
I also spent much of the day finishing the last Harry Potter book, I know this is terrible because I couldn’t put it down, so I accomplished nothing today. I literally spent the entire day reading, the book is so good. But I have to say why do they make the books so big. I is so hard to read the big books, they make my arms hurt. Which probably also means I need to start lifting weights or something but I never really had any arm strength to start out with. But I have finished the serious now and they were all awesome. Next up is the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. (Hannah and my mom said it was really good)
Also realized today that I need to buy a radio, I think it will help with all the silence. Although I usually have my iPod in, I think the radio will add something different, make me feel not so in Africa.
November 22, 2010
I went and helped on the farm again today. This time I was given a piece of wood that loosely resembled a rake and helped rake up the crops from last year. We then lit the piles on fire. It was actually really nice because I got to learn more about how they farm and got some exercise, although now I have huge blisters on my hands. The women in the village were not too happy about my blisters, but there is really nothing I could have done, I get blisters in the US from working. Oh well.
I also learned today that the seed of a peanut is the actual peanut, which I guess makes sense. I just would have never guessed that. I am not sure what I expected but a peanut was not the answer. Also made dry roasted peanuts with salt today and they were delicious they tasted like the diamond almonds. Sometimes I amaze myself with cooking. (very rarely though)
I ate dinner at the neighbors house today so I sat in her kitchen with her. And I am not sure how I survived. Her kitchen consists of a room with 2 small windows and an open fire pit in the middle where wood is constantly being feed to keep the flame going. So there is smoke everywhere. I feel like I just smoked a carton of cigarettes. I don’t know how these women can do this, never mind the health effect, it is absolute torture to have to sit in that room. My eyes were watering, my throat aching, and the smell. I LOVE STOVES AND GAS.
November 23, 2010
I again did not do a lot today, but I had a very lovely day. I wrote the my family some letters and started to draw some Christmas cards, although I hate to admit I am having a hard time thinking of Christmas stuff.
November 25, 2010
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! I wish I could be home to celebrate with all of you. And I really wish I could watch the dog show and the parade, Oh well. I am at my friend Randi’s house today. We are not really doing anything special because on Saturday we are having our celebration, but I didn’t want to be alone so I came here. I think we are going to make banana bread and not sure what else.
Yesterday as I was on the bus waiting for it to leave, these are the thoughts that I had: First the perfect person to work on a bus as the ticket guy is a jockey (horse rider) because the bus is so crowded you can hardly move, but it you were a jockey you wouldn’t have any problems because you are short enough to fit under peoples arms and really slender. Secondly I was thinking about how I mix up a lot of words in Swahili and this reminded me of when I was in Poland talking to my teacher about my dream house and I got bed and bathroom mixed up so I went on and on about how my husband was going to have to sleep in the bathroom every night. This all made me laugh thinking about it, and made for a rather enjoyable bus ride.
I also attempted to make corn torilla chips this week and they might be the worst thing I have ever made. I was really hoping for something along the lines of El Matador but they were not even close. They tasted really grainy and oily and made my stomach hurt the worst it has ever hurt since I have been in country. I am thinking I will not even attempt this again with stinks because I was really looking forward to chips and guac and salsa. I think I might try salsa and guac with pita chips, that those might be really good together and I know I can make pita chips.
It has been a really hard couple of days, I am not sure where or how it started but I have been feeling the most miserable that I have felt since I have been here. I seriously considered coming home. But I called Andrew and talked to a few of my friends about it and I think/ hope that I am going to be ok. I guess only time will tell. I also told my friend Jessica (TZ and lives in the vill, speaks only Swahili) about it and she completely understands and is going to try and help me get out of the house more and talk to people. She thinks it is just because I cannot/ do not want to start anything before my seminar that I have in a month. And I think she is completely right.
Since I have had all this time to think and not thinking the best thoughts at times, I also realized that this is the first time that I have ever been away from my family and friends. Here I thought I could do things by myself without others and thinking about it, I went to Michigan with Meaghan and Andrew ( one of my best friends and brother), then I went to Colorado with Jenna (another best friend), and then I went to school and met Mary (another best friend) the first day. So I think I am still just adjusting or at least I hope this is the case. I am working on keeping busy as to not have too much time to think.
Yesterday I went and saw this tree that you could climb in. It was awesome. The inside of it was completely hollow. It just grew in a circle without a center. I took some pictures of it but I am not sure if they do it justice. It was awesome. Also I have been making the rounds of tv shows and just finished watching Entourage another great show if you haven’t seen it yet.
Sunday is election day so as of right now most of the village is walking around in t-shirts and hats with Kikwete on them. They also have a guy with something like a foghorn walking around using it and shouting something. It is really, really annoying. But the villagers are really excited about the elections and I have to say I am a little interested to see how they actually work too.
Tomorrow I am going to go cut firewood for the stove and learn how to cook TZ food. I am excited and hoping that if I stay busy enough I will feel good and not miss y’all so much. As usual I am a work in progress that it trying desperately hard to figure herself out even though I really thought I knew myself. Oh how a desert in the middle of nowhere without anyone or anything familiar can change your perspective.
October 30, 2010
I slept in the latest I have ever slept in while I have been in Lupeta. 6:30 AM really sleeping in these days. I went and cut kune (firewood) with my neighbors. We walked for 20 minutes around the mountain and then started to cut. They use an axe or a machete but the blade is super dull that it takes longer. It is crazy I cannot believe there are not more accidents from cutting the trees. I really thought my neighbor was going to lose a leg. I tried and was able to cut one tree, it took me a long time and was a lot of work. We then carried all the wood out on our heads. Needless to say I was really, really tired when I got home. I took a picture for you guys to see. Also they use the firewood as a source of fuel for their stoves if you were wondering.
I then went to my friend Jessica’s and learned how to make maandazi (TZ style donuts) they were wonderful, although they are fried so of course they are not good for you. I was thinking that they would taste amazing with ice cream and the Witte chocolate sauce. I will definitely be making these when I get home.
I kept myself pretty busy today, so I felt pretty good. Meaning I didn’t think of all of you too much. I am working on it but I think I am going to be able to get through this. It is just a lot harder than I ever thought it would be, mostly because I miss everyone and am homesick.
October 31, 2010
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I am sad to announce that I forgot it was Halloween until my mom told me. This is horrible especially because I love Halloween. Watching Hocus Pocus, eating candy corn and drinking cider while carving a pumpkin. So much fun.
I finished painting my room and by painting I mean I painted one wall. It looks wonderful though and the villagers are all really impressed that I did it myself. I painted it 2 colors, checkered style. I might paint one of the walls in the other room I haven’t decided yet. It does seem to open up the room and not make it so dreadful looking. I took a picture so you guys can see it too.
I also learned to cook beans today using a firewood stove. It took 4 hours and then I had to make ugali. I have to say there is a reason I don’t cook TZ style, if I did I would never be able to leave the house. Beans take way to much work, the hours spent cooking them and the amount of resources, I don’t have that much extra firewood to spare this just means more work in cutting it and me being more tired. I think I am going to stick to my kerosene stove and American food for the most part. I will cook TZ style every once in a while but I really don’t think it is worth the work especially since it is only me eating it.
They picked the president today. Still not sure who it is yet but my guess is Kikwete. All the villagers went to the poles and had to present their voting card, they then got to pick who they wanted.
Not much else is new. Working on staying busy and talking to more people, so call me if you have time, anytime I am usually around. I am also trying to finish up the Harry Potter series although I have stuck on the 6th book at the moment. It is moving really slow compared to the other books I think. Also still listening to a lot of Miranda Lambert although I hear the new Taylor Swift cd is good, going to investigate this when I get the internet again.
November 1, 2010
Dodoma on Sunday for some much needed rest to clear my thoughts and figure out myself because at the moment I am chagalabagala (hot mess). But I am really lucky because I have wonderful friends here that listen and Andrew who calls me a lot and helps me work out my problems. I am very blest to have such great people in my life and of course everyone else. It is really nice to be able to talk to people that are going through the same thing as me, because as hard as you guys try to understand what it is like here, you will never know. You will have an idea but I will never be able to explain to you what it exactly it is like here and at the moment not sure if I want to. I am just trudging along. One more month and then I get a month holiday so I just need to hold on a little longer and I think everything will be ok. I just need to work through this.
On another note I forgot to tell you that I was riding my bike and a chicken ran into my front wheel. So in Michigan you have to worry about deer and here you need to worry about chickens when riding your bike. Although I am sure none of this compares to the dead kangaroos in Australia (Stephi, Alex, Uncle Ted).
November 2, 2010
I woke up and went and cut firewood today. This is my attempt at getting out into the community but really all it did was make me really tired. It is hard work cutting firewood and then carrying it back. I think the walk is about 20 minutes without wood on your head. But it was fun and it got me out of the house.
I then washed clothes today which went rather well, I need to start doing it more than once a week because it is making my fingers raw and then I get blood everywhere it is quite the fiasco.
I went to the open market again today which was still scary but I went with a mamma so it was a little better and when the drunks flocked she would just say Let’s go and they would leave and not follow us which was nice. She also said I did not have to say hi to everyone especially the drunk people which was nice.
November 8, 2010
After a nice trip to Dodoma with everyone I feel a million times better. It was so nice to be able to relax and just hand out and speak English. We went to some nice restaurants and walked around the market but for the most part just chilled and ate yogurt. I forgot how much I like yogurt. I have to say that the hotel we stayed it was pretty sketchy due to the fact that we forgot to call the normal hotel. We will definitely remember to call ahead next time to our normal hotel. Was a little reminded on a scary movie at this last hotel. Really only just the bathroom though, it really wasn’t all that bad, just not as nice as I am use to. Also the group that went was Paul who is really really tall, Tanya who is Pakistani , Randi who is blonde and blue eyed, Allie who is younger and Tanzanian, and me. We were quite the site to look at I am sure. I am sure more than one person took a second look at our group, I know that I would have.
I was very excited because I got to skype with everyone in my family which was really nice. I also got to talk to my grandma which was really, really nice considering I used to talk to her atleast once a week but now not so often. I really need to try and keep up on this, it is just
really hard with the time difference.
While I was gone, it rained in Mpwapwa and now the insects are huge and everywhere, which means in my house. (AAHH) There is also talk of going to Mafia Island for Christmas which I think would be great, but not sure yet if this is the plan. All I know is that I want to be with my friends preferably on the beach drinking some good beer, swimming, and evening out my farmers tan.
Also huge news, one of my best friends in the world is getting MARRIED. I cannot even believe this news. Lindsey Haggai is getting married. That is crazy.
I also met the new shadowers (new volunteers that are still in training) today and they seem really nice. No new volunteers are coming into our area but it was still really nice to meet them. They seem really fun.
Watched the movie Gamer this weekend. Thought it was ok, I really felt like I was playing a video game, but Gerard Butler was in it so of course I cannot complain that much. Also listened to the song Haunted by Taylor Swift. Thought it was pretty good. And really sad that I am missing the new Harry Potter movie, but possibly hoping to see it in Dar or bootlegged somewhere.
I am doing really well now, I think this weekend was just what I needed. I feel ready to go back into the village and learn.
November 9, 2010
I woke up and opened the door and a chicken ran inside the house. I then spent the next 10 minutes attempting to get the chicken out. This of course did not work and the chicken crapped everywhere. Luckily my neighbor came and grabbed the chicken with her bare hands like it was no big deal. Not sure I will ever be at the point where I can use my hands to get rid of a chicken. Also don’t plan on letting any more chickens into my house.
I bought a huge bag of hot peppers this weekend which are great, except I think I am eating to many and my stomach doesn’t appreciate it. I also thought I washed my hands thoroughly well before I took my contacts out. This was not the case. I soon might find my eyes in the same state that Andrews have been in.
I started the charcoal stove all by myself today in a relatively short time. I was very proud of myself and am currently cooking bread for tomorrow. Really excited because I really miss bread.
November 10, 2010
I spent all of today typing my rough draft of my report for PC. It is a report about the
village and the projects that I hope to do. I forgot how hard it is to write a report after not having to write one for so long. I used to be pretty good at them, but now I am not too impressed. Luckily it is only a rough draft so I have lots of time to improve it.
Also washed my jeans today and they turned out so clean I am really excited. I think every time that I do laundry I get a little better at it. Tomorrow I am going to LITI (livestock research institute) to talk with my friend about possibly projects. I am really excited because I really want to start doing something and I think LITI is going to be a great resource. I am also going to take the shadowers with me (education volunteers that are still in training). It is weird I am already not the newbie and people are asking my how site and the PC is. Crazy.
Also we are on the start of a new record. Six days now without water. Crossing my fingers that tomorrow is the day. And also the rains start really soon because I am sick of watching the amount of water that I use. I could definitely be cleaner.
November 11, 2010
We got water today. Yeah. I did have to wait about 2 hours today for it, which wasn’t too bad, but I am not going to say that I really enjoyed it. No matter how long I sit and watch the women get water, I cannot for the life of me figure out a rhyme or reason to it. And have come to the conclusion that there isn’t, but I still find this so hard to believe because there must be order. I just cannot imagine it without some sort of order. It apparently is just not in my site yet. Luckily I have 2 years to figure this out.
I had an epiphany today or at least over the last few days. As you know I have been having a really hard time and in my attempts to get out of it, has been a long slow processes, but today I feel like a million bucks. Not sure what exactly changed but I think part of it was just accepting that this is going to be my life for the next 2 years and realizing that I am always going to miss home and everyone. And that it is ok to miss home, frankly I think I would be a little scared if I didn’t miss home at all.
Hannah and Jenna both emailed me this week. And I think they might be coming to visit over Christmas if everything works out. I hope it does, I am really excited.
I went to LITI today and had an adventure. I took the shadowers with me because I thought they might like to see what I do (or at least have a change in scenery). So we went and I showed them all the different types of chickens that exist in TZ. I also accidently let one of the chickens into the wrong pen, so my friend Enock had to catch him with his bare hands. Luckily he grew up on a farm and is used to this. This could have been bad though. I also saw two chickens trying to fight each other, the only problem was that there was a wire fence between them. It was pretty funny,
I played spades today. Fun game, but I still think I prefer euchre better.
November 12, 2010
It is amazing how some days the days go on forever and other days they fly by. Today would have been one of those long days, but it wasn’t too boring. It stinks that I really don’t have a lot to do at the moment. It is just hanging out in the village, I really want to start projects but really want to wait until after seminar. So today I worked on my village report and homework. I am starting to freak out a little because I have no idea where to even start for my research. So far nothing has really grabbed my attention, hopefully something does, and I do have lots of time. So I think I will be spending a lot of time on the internet in the next couple of weeks/ months researching and gathering information.
I was awakened this morning by the neighbor kids. And do you know what they had. A mouse on a leash. I told them they needed to go and take that mouse as far away as possible. Of course they all thought this was hysterical. I however did not.
I also found out that my beautiful Papaya tree fell over within the night and all the fruit is conveniently gone. This is just another omen of how this environment is not good for trees. Interesting considering that is my field of study. But it was really sad I was looking forward to that fruit. It reminded me of when that semi fell over on the highway by the old union high school and water bottles went everywhere, so people took all of them. That is what happened to all my papaya.
Also made English muffins today. And they turned out horrible, so horrible I am not sure if I ever want to try them again. But we will see. I do love English muffin. Also I think I wanted them to taste like the sourdough English muffins and they did not so that of course did not help thing.
Question: How much flour do you think is a healthy amount to consume each day/week? I feel like I might be over my limit by a lot. It is weird when you can actually measure and see everything that you are eating.
I think it is official that Han and Jenna are coming to visit over Christmas. I am so excited, I cannot wait to see them and hangout with them. Not sure at all what we are going to do, but SO EXCITED that they are coming.
November 13, 2010
I went and helped out on the farm today, actually it was more of sitting and watching. The entire time I was thinking this is how it must have been in the 1800s. Most people here do everything by hand using a hoe. It is horrible and takes so much time. I am very happy that technology has come a long way so that I don’t have to work in the fields. I prefer a small garden and that is it.
On my way back today, I saw 2 white people at the village office. It was really weird I have never seen another white person in my village before. Turns out they are veterinarians from the UK and were out here vaccinating some of the animals. They were really nice. I showed them my house and they were really impressed. (Amazing how expectations go down when you live in here) They also really liked my painted wall, I have to say it does look pretty good.
Finally finished the 5th Harry Potter book. Totally forgot the ending. Turned out to be really good.
November 14, 2010
First off, I showed one of the neighbor boys ( Bonifice, age 13) a picture of everyone and he said that everyone was a mzungu (white person) except wait for it ….Stephi. The tan really threw him off, he would not hear of it.
Secondly I have been the most Tanzanian that I have ever been. I woke up this morning and choted (carried) water. Then I cleaned and organized my entire house, washed clothes, and cleaned the gutters. I also had time to cook ugali (stiff porridge) and make maandazi (donuts). And I still had a ridiculous amount of time to do nothing. I really need to come up with a hobby that will keep me and my mind occupied for a long time. But I am also hoping that after my seminar when I can start projects that I will have a lot more to do and to think about. Because as of right now. I am bored out of my mind.
Also here, people use fat as a compliment. I am still having a hard time getting used to that because I feel like a complete slob. Even though I walk a lot and bike.
November 18. 2010
I almost ate a whole head of cabbage today by myself. Not sure if I am proud of this or not, but I do know that now my stomach wishes I had had some restraint in eating it. It just tasted so good today. I have been all over the place in the last few days trying to make contacts and talk to people, so a lot has been happening and I have been keeping relatively busy by Tanzanian standards.
Cabbage recipe: (really easy and good)
Oil, salt, cabbage, 1 onion,2 roma tomatoes
Fry oil and onion. Add diced tomatoes. Add cabbage and salt to taste. Add water as needed. Ready when cabbage is soft.
I was cooking yesterday and went to reach into the oven mitt and guess what came crawling out on my hand. A cockroach. I screamed bloody murder. It was so gross, I hate cockroaches.
It also rained on Monday which was awesome and made me really happy that I cleaned my gutters the day before because now I have water in my water tank and don’t have to worry as much about water which is awesome.
As thanksgiving is coming up, we started to plan the menu. We decided on American food because there is no way we are going to be able to have a turkey and all the fixings so we are going to I think have stuffed duck and chicken with coleslaw, salad, and potatoes. For appetizers we are going to have chips and salsa and hummus and pita chips. And for desert pineapple upside down cake and pudding. Everything is going to be made from scratch on a charcoal grill. I hope everything turns out, I am really excited, it is going to be a lot of fun I think. This also reminded me of theme weeks at the cottage during the 4th. Oh how I miss the cottage and everyone, but this should be a good thanksgiving too. Hopefully I can take some good pictures of the festivities.
FYI to the family, I have a copy of zoolander now. So now we can start watching it again. I think this will be our third copy, hopefully I don’t lose this one too.
November 19, 2010
So I have been experimenting cooking and found that I am not a very good cook and am quite impatient when I am the only one eating it. This has led my standards in cooking to go down a lot needless to say. Today I spent all day trying to make French bread with varying results. It tastes like bread but definatey not a French bread. I then also tried to make beans which take several hour but found I could not wait that long and so ate have cooked beans. I really need to learn to have more patience. This was all done on the charcoal stove though so at least I am getting more comfortable with it. Also yesterday when I was cooking I forgot to turn off the kerosene stove so that was on for 2 hours with nothing but hot oil to cook. I also set my oven mitt on fire today. Not feeling like the best cook in the world at the moment, but it is fun to try to new things and gives me something to do so I cannot complain to much. To go along with my impatience I also have a blister inside my mouth because I couldn’t wait for it to cool down. I think I might have a problem.
I also went to a shamba (farm) today and helped clean up all the old plants, I used a stick like contraption and moved the plants into piles that were to be burned. I actually didn’t mind it, it gave me some much needed exercise and I got to hang out with more people from the village. I just wish I could understand more.
Also I have come to the conclusion that my favorite parts of the day are early morning and dusk. Everything is so peaceful. I really like it, the scenery is beautiful and it is quiet for the most part. ( I also think I might like it because I don’t have as many people to greet and talk to you, I might have a little bit of Grandma in me)
Finished the 6th book and am starting the 7th Harry Potter. I am racking my brain trying to remember what the seventh book is about but cannot remember for the life of me. Of course this is the abridged version from Jenna and Mallory because I never thought that I would actually ever get around to reading them. But as it turns out I have some extra time on my hands and am really, really enjoying them. Not sure what I will read after this though. My mom sent me The girl with the dragon tattoo. So I think I am going to read that next, I hear that book and the sequel are also really good. I am glad I have some good books to read, it helps pass some of the time.
November 20, 2010
Lately I have been so tired I don’t even remember that I already put my mosquito net down, which means that I end up walking into it and causing a disaster. It is amazing how hard they are to see in the dark. It feels something like walking into a spider web a little, especially when you are still half asleep.
I spent a good portion of the day explaining to my friend Bonifice that “nigger” is a bad word.
But he kept saying no and that he had heard Billy Blanks (remember tye-bo) say it. In the end I decided that whatever he had heard he was pronouncing it incorrectly but it took a lot out of me. Especially because I had a hard time explaining why because he even said he heard it in songs. Needless to say this was one of my least favorite conversations so far. I really hate that word, even here is gives me chills.
Also found a dog today that is scared of white people. The dog would not stop barking and trying to chase me. Luckily he was tied up. At the same time I saw 4 kids in a tree jumping all on the same branch. I am not sure how the tree did not fall over. It was a miracle.
It rained again today and it was glorious. It got a little cold and the wind was great. It was so relaxing, I want it to rain every day (this was also great because it means I don’t have to worry about water as much. Which is awesome, especially because I have not been the cleanest these last few weeks because of lack of water. But the rains are starting slowly.
I planted 4 tomato seeds today. This is going to be interesting to see if the grow, I have never started tomatoes from a seed, so we shall see how long they take to grow and if they are successful. I think I am going to start planting before I leave for seminar, but I am not sure yet. I am getting really excited though to have my own garden, it should be really fun.
On a final note, I was greeted this morning by another frog in my choo. I fished him out of my choo water only to have him reappear 2 more times. I couldn’t get rid of him, he even made it into my house once, which I was a little scared about because I thought I might lose him. That is all I need a dead frog in my house. But Bonifice got him out, although I while I did the humane thing and threw him out the door. He use him as somewhat a cross between a golf ball and a baseball. So of course I thought he was dead, but I swear this frog has as many lives as a cat. I wouldn’t be surprised if he showed up again tomorrow, although I really hope not because it is not the first face I want to see in the morning.
November 21, 2010
Today I went to the Pentecostal church. I think there were a total of 8 people at the church it was interesting. The songs were beautiful though, I am not sure why but all Africans have good voices. This is my theory because I have not heard a bad one yet, unlike in the USA where there are bad singers everywhere, I also being one of them.
I also spent much of the day finishing the last Harry Potter book, I know this is terrible because I couldn’t put it down, so I accomplished nothing today. I literally spent the entire day reading, the book is so good. But I have to say why do they make the books so big. I is so hard to read the big books, they make my arms hurt. Which probably also means I need to start lifting weights or something but I never really had any arm strength to start out with. But I have finished the serious now and they were all awesome. Next up is the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. (Hannah and my mom said it was really good)
Also realized today that I need to buy a radio, I think it will help with all the silence. Although I usually have my iPod in, I think the radio will add something different, make me feel not so in Africa.
November 22, 2010
I went and helped on the farm again today. This time I was given a piece of wood that loosely resembled a rake and helped rake up the crops from last year. We then lit the piles on fire. It was actually really nice because I got to learn more about how they farm and got some exercise, although now I have huge blisters on my hands. The women in the village were not too happy about my blisters, but there is really nothing I could have done, I get blisters in the US from working. Oh well.
I also learned today that the seed of a peanut is the actual peanut, which I guess makes sense. I just would have never guessed that. I am not sure what I expected but a peanut was not the answer. Also made dry roasted peanuts with salt today and they were delicious they tasted like the diamond almonds. Sometimes I amaze myself with cooking. (very rarely though)
I ate dinner at the neighbors house today so I sat in her kitchen with her. And I am not sure how I survived. Her kitchen consists of a room with 2 small windows and an open fire pit in the middle where wood is constantly being feed to keep the flame going. So there is smoke everywhere. I feel like I just smoked a carton of cigarettes. I don’t know how these women can do this, never mind the health effect, it is absolute torture to have to sit in that room. My eyes were watering, my throat aching, and the smell. I LOVE STOVES AND GAS.
November 23, 2010
I again did not do a lot today, but I had a very lovely day. I wrote the my family some letters and started to draw some Christmas cards, although I hate to admit I am having a hard time thinking of Christmas stuff.
November 25, 2010
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! I wish I could be home to celebrate with all of you. And I really wish I could watch the dog show and the parade, Oh well. I am at my friend Randi’s house today. We are not really doing anything special because on Saturday we are having our celebration, but I didn’t want to be alone so I came here. I think we are going to make banana bread and not sure what else.
Yesterday as I was on the bus waiting for it to leave, these are the thoughts that I had: First the perfect person to work on a bus as the ticket guy is a jockey (horse rider) because the bus is so crowded you can hardly move, but it you were a jockey you wouldn’t have any problems because you are short enough to fit under peoples arms and really slender. Secondly I was thinking about how I mix up a lot of words in Swahili and this reminded me of when I was in Poland talking to my teacher about my dream house and I got bed and bathroom mixed up so I went on and on about how my husband was going to have to sleep in the bathroom every night. This all made me laugh thinking about it, and made for a rather enjoyable bus ride.
I also attempted to make corn torilla chips this week and they might be the worst thing I have ever made. I was really hoping for something along the lines of El Matador but they were not even close. They tasted really grainy and oily and made my stomach hurt the worst it has ever hurt since I have been in country. I am thinking I will not even attempt this again with stinks because I was really looking forward to chips and guac and salsa. I think I might try salsa and guac with pita chips, that those might be really good together and I know I can make pita chips.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Happy Halloween!
October 18, 2010
I went into the city yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to find that skype worked although not when calling to a phone. I am pretty sure I gave my grandma a scare when she couldn’t hear me properly. Sorry Grandma. But it did work computer to computer. So this morning I woke up and climbed part of my mountain to see if I could skype from the village. It turns out that I can and I sound a lot better than when I am in town. Weird. How does that work. But I am really happy to hear this.
I also have been cooking a lot and am not sure if it is a good or a bad thing that I don’t eat any processed food because now I can see my exact intake of almost everything I make. It is not looking good. It turns out that I eat a lot of flour and sugar. This is not a healthy diet, I really need to work on this.
Today I taught English class and a teacher who teaches English came in and decided to tell me that I was teaching wrong in front of the whole class. He says that I was not saying question words correctly. I could have killed him at that point. I really hope this doesn’t become a regular thing for him to come because I really do not like people critiquing me especially when I know I am not a teacher and I am trying the best that I can. If he does it again I might have to tell him he can teach the class.
Also Stephi saw Gerald Butler at the Breslin and I am completely jealous. I would have loved to see him. My friend Mallory and me have a Gerald Butler summer when we were in Steamboat and watched every movie he has made. ( We might have gone a little too far, but we have a lot of time on our hands) I don’t think I will be seeing anyone famous for a while.
Also I did something to my back and have never been in this much pain. It is horrible. Even worse when I move, so I am trying to move very slowly or not at all. This is really hard. And I know you were all interested in this but going to the bathroom is horrible. I would say this is a time where I wish I was at home to lay on the couch and watch tv.
PC came Saturday and checked up on me to see what I was doing. I think this was also a trip to make sure that all volunteers are sane and able to coup with the different environments. I passed and was actually impressed when I was telling my boss all about what I have been up to. I actually felt like I have been doing something. But today again I did nothing so I think it goes back and forth.
Speaking of water. We are now at getting water about every 4 days. I really hope that this is as far as we go between days but judging that we still have a month and a half before the rains come, I think the days are just going to get longer. Which means I am just going to get dirtier and stingier with water.
I asked a girl today what she had for breakfast and she said Pombe (local alcohol). I would like to say that she was joking but I myself and not sure.
October 19, 2010
So I forgot to tell you that when I came home I found another dead lizard. This one was only a baby. I am not sure what is going on or why they are dying. I just hope they stop, because I really don’t like having to dispose of them. (throwing them out my front door for the chickens to eat) Then I went to the bathroom this morning and found a dead frog in my toilet water. It has been a week of deaths at my house. I think it might have something to do with the spray I used for ants. But the frog died because he was swimming in my laundry water.
Also I thought I would tell you that the bed that I sleep in is huge, very wide, but not very long. I just barely fit on it. I thought about this last night and decided Uncle Paul, Uncle Jerry, or Shawn would never fit on this bed. It is weird when I think of Africans I think of tall people. (this might have something to do with basketball) But this is not the case in TZ, most of the people are about my size or shorter. Only the Masi are tall.
I think I threw out my back carrying water yesterday. I can hardly move which makes cooking, cleaning, really anything very painful because everything is done on the floor. Not a good time for this to happen. I spent today staring at the ceiling and think I might go crazy if I have to do that again so hopefully it gets better soon.
October 20, 2010
As usual I found that if I can get out of the house life is wonderful. This was again the case today as I spent the day with another friend named Jessica. I had a wonderful time, I just need to get out of the house. I think at the next town meeting I am going to tell all the people to please invite me over because I love being around all of you, I just get scared and lose my nerve when I am in the comfort of my own home, even when I am bored out of my mind, I have a hard time getting out. Learning slowly how to stop this.
My back hardly hurts today which is wonderful because I was already going to the worse case scenario in my head and it had me laying in bed not able to move at all for a long time. My neighbors think that I fell while climbing the mountain, this did not happen and I still am not sure what happened. Maybe I slept wrong, either way through I feel better now, which is good because I need my back.
I washed my bed sheets today and found this is not going to be an every week occurrence. It is really hard and long and I am still not convinced they are clean. The first time I went to put the sheets on the line I dropped them in the sand so I had to start over again. This might be my least favorite thing to do now, I will even put sweeping in front of this.
October 23, 2010
I am not sure where to even start today. You know when you have a really bad day and that turns into a really bad week. This is the kind of week I have had starting with my back going out. I decided to go into town to catch up on some work stuff and do some errands. This did not happen, I got nothing accomplished that day. I was then planning to talk to Han at night and of course this did not happen either. (I have decided Mpwapwa is only 2g and a 3g network is needed for it to run smoothly, is my thought) I also came into town to charge my computer but of course the power went out too. (the power only goes out when I am in town, I swear) I then race back home in the morning to get water because we are suppose to be getting water on Friday to find out “ Nope” not water, maybe tomorrow. I then go to take a little nap and my bed breaks. Yup, now I feel really fat, especially when I go to tell the carpenter and he ask how much I weigh. So now no water and I am sleeping on the floor. I was going to go away this weekend but stayed because of meeting that I have been trying to have only to find out at the time the meeting is suppose to start that “no, there are not enough people here, we will have it later” they couldn’t of told me this before. Then I go up to the mountain to skype because it worked on Monday but I should have know because of how my week has been going that this was not going to happen. SO this has been my week. I definitely contemplated going home this week and asking myself why I choose this, but I have since talked to some of my friends and feel better now. Just a minor melt down. Oh and I woke up with a dead cockroach on my pillow.
On other notes, I have started to actually paint my house. I am staring at a white wall at the moment which I think I am going to paint purple and green checkers on. Still thinking about it. And I have to say the paint makes me feel a little better, now maybe some furniture and my table (the carpenter again says Monday) and this might actually feel like a home. If you look at my pictures right now I put up what my house looked like when I first got here, somewhat like a prison cell is my thoughts.
October 24, 2010
I cannot remember if it is today or yesterday, But HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!
It has been another eventful day although this day was 100 times better than yesterday. It started off with me going to church. (my friend Jessica telling me it is time by yelling through the window on her way, Oh the joys of living so close together) I then went to my other friend Jessica’s house where her mother explained to me and showed me several times the correct way to open a peanut from its shell. (Who knew there was a right and wrong way) I then had multiple people ask what happened to my legs. I have cuts all over them from the mountain. They have these pricker bushes that I swear just jump out at you. After explaining about this they, then turned to the subject of my acne, which they still think are mosquitoes. This then turns into are you using your net and taking your medicine because we don’t want you to get malaria. I swear the entire village of women are my mother sometimes. I hear the same thing over and over again. But I am glad this means they are looking out for me and care.
Later at night I went to the outdoor market with a lady. ( I usually don’t go because it is really overwhelming) The market consists of a lot of pombe (alcohol) and a few ladies selling tomatoes. So really just a lot of drunk people who then want to talk to me. Can’t they understand I have a hard enough time with a sober TZ, a drunk one is a lost cause. It was good though. Most of the people are wonderful, only a few ones to look out for. But of course I happened to find one them, he wouldn’t stop talking to me and kept putting his hands on my leg, luckily the mamma I was with said it was time to go. So I had a good day today which I am very happy about. I really needed this.
Also the president of TZ came to town yesterday. I didn’t go because PC said not to. I would have liked to but I understand why I couldn’t. A lot of people from my village went and they had a great time. One of the groups sang a song and a few got to shake his hand. He arrived and left on a fleet of helicopters. (I think a pretty badass way to make an appearance) They have elections to pick the new president on Sunday (Halloween) I am interested to see how this process works.
October 25, 2010
I forgot to mention that yesterday and it turns out today a man had appeared to show me what to me looks like a cross between a dragon and a lizard. I am not sure what it is, but the man keeps bringing it to show me. The first time I saw it I screamed and ran. I don’t scream anymore but I still don’t like it. I am crossing my fingers this doesn’t become a regular thing. I told one of the boys that comes over about it and of course he laughed, but then the man showed up while he was here and he ran for cover too when the thing started to move. So I don’t feel too bad.
Went and saw a bunch of bee keeping houses today. I took some pictures. To me they look like tiny suspended coffins from trees. Kind of eerie, especially in this environment.
Also added thyme to my omelet today. I strongly suggest it. It was delicious.
I went into the city yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to find that skype worked although not when calling to a phone. I am pretty sure I gave my grandma a scare when she couldn’t hear me properly. Sorry Grandma. But it did work computer to computer. So this morning I woke up and climbed part of my mountain to see if I could skype from the village. It turns out that I can and I sound a lot better than when I am in town. Weird. How does that work. But I am really happy to hear this.
I also have been cooking a lot and am not sure if it is a good or a bad thing that I don’t eat any processed food because now I can see my exact intake of almost everything I make. It is not looking good. It turns out that I eat a lot of flour and sugar. This is not a healthy diet, I really need to work on this.
Today I taught English class and a teacher who teaches English came in and decided to tell me that I was teaching wrong in front of the whole class. He says that I was not saying question words correctly. I could have killed him at that point. I really hope this doesn’t become a regular thing for him to come because I really do not like people critiquing me especially when I know I am not a teacher and I am trying the best that I can. If he does it again I might have to tell him he can teach the class.
Also Stephi saw Gerald Butler at the Breslin and I am completely jealous. I would have loved to see him. My friend Mallory and me have a Gerald Butler summer when we were in Steamboat and watched every movie he has made. ( We might have gone a little too far, but we have a lot of time on our hands) I don’t think I will be seeing anyone famous for a while.
Also I did something to my back and have never been in this much pain. It is horrible. Even worse when I move, so I am trying to move very slowly or not at all. This is really hard. And I know you were all interested in this but going to the bathroom is horrible. I would say this is a time where I wish I was at home to lay on the couch and watch tv.
PC came Saturday and checked up on me to see what I was doing. I think this was also a trip to make sure that all volunteers are sane and able to coup with the different environments. I passed and was actually impressed when I was telling my boss all about what I have been up to. I actually felt like I have been doing something. But today again I did nothing so I think it goes back and forth.
Speaking of water. We are now at getting water about every 4 days. I really hope that this is as far as we go between days but judging that we still have a month and a half before the rains come, I think the days are just going to get longer. Which means I am just going to get dirtier and stingier with water.
I asked a girl today what she had for breakfast and she said Pombe (local alcohol). I would like to say that she was joking but I myself and not sure.
October 19, 2010
So I forgot to tell you that when I came home I found another dead lizard. This one was only a baby. I am not sure what is going on or why they are dying. I just hope they stop, because I really don’t like having to dispose of them. (throwing them out my front door for the chickens to eat) Then I went to the bathroom this morning and found a dead frog in my toilet water. It has been a week of deaths at my house. I think it might have something to do with the spray I used for ants. But the frog died because he was swimming in my laundry water.
Also I thought I would tell you that the bed that I sleep in is huge, very wide, but not very long. I just barely fit on it. I thought about this last night and decided Uncle Paul, Uncle Jerry, or Shawn would never fit on this bed. It is weird when I think of Africans I think of tall people. (this might have something to do with basketball) But this is not the case in TZ, most of the people are about my size or shorter. Only the Masi are tall.
I think I threw out my back carrying water yesterday. I can hardly move which makes cooking, cleaning, really anything very painful because everything is done on the floor. Not a good time for this to happen. I spent today staring at the ceiling and think I might go crazy if I have to do that again so hopefully it gets better soon.
October 20, 2010
As usual I found that if I can get out of the house life is wonderful. This was again the case today as I spent the day with another friend named Jessica. I had a wonderful time, I just need to get out of the house. I think at the next town meeting I am going to tell all the people to please invite me over because I love being around all of you, I just get scared and lose my nerve when I am in the comfort of my own home, even when I am bored out of my mind, I have a hard time getting out. Learning slowly how to stop this.
My back hardly hurts today which is wonderful because I was already going to the worse case scenario in my head and it had me laying in bed not able to move at all for a long time. My neighbors think that I fell while climbing the mountain, this did not happen and I still am not sure what happened. Maybe I slept wrong, either way through I feel better now, which is good because I need my back.
I washed my bed sheets today and found this is not going to be an every week occurrence. It is really hard and long and I am still not convinced they are clean. The first time I went to put the sheets on the line I dropped them in the sand so I had to start over again. This might be my least favorite thing to do now, I will even put sweeping in front of this.
October 23, 2010
I am not sure where to even start today. You know when you have a really bad day and that turns into a really bad week. This is the kind of week I have had starting with my back going out. I decided to go into town to catch up on some work stuff and do some errands. This did not happen, I got nothing accomplished that day. I was then planning to talk to Han at night and of course this did not happen either. (I have decided Mpwapwa is only 2g and a 3g network is needed for it to run smoothly, is my thought) I also came into town to charge my computer but of course the power went out too. (the power only goes out when I am in town, I swear) I then race back home in the morning to get water because we are suppose to be getting water on Friday to find out “ Nope” not water, maybe tomorrow. I then go to take a little nap and my bed breaks. Yup, now I feel really fat, especially when I go to tell the carpenter and he ask how much I weigh. So now no water and I am sleeping on the floor. I was going to go away this weekend but stayed because of meeting that I have been trying to have only to find out at the time the meeting is suppose to start that “no, there are not enough people here, we will have it later” they couldn’t of told me this before. Then I go up to the mountain to skype because it worked on Monday but I should have know because of how my week has been going that this was not going to happen. SO this has been my week. I definitely contemplated going home this week and asking myself why I choose this, but I have since talked to some of my friends and feel better now. Just a minor melt down. Oh and I woke up with a dead cockroach on my pillow.
On other notes, I have started to actually paint my house. I am staring at a white wall at the moment which I think I am going to paint purple and green checkers on. Still thinking about it. And I have to say the paint makes me feel a little better, now maybe some furniture and my table (the carpenter again says Monday) and this might actually feel like a home. If you look at my pictures right now I put up what my house looked like when I first got here, somewhat like a prison cell is my thoughts.
October 24, 2010
I cannot remember if it is today or yesterday, But HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!
It has been another eventful day although this day was 100 times better than yesterday. It started off with me going to church. (my friend Jessica telling me it is time by yelling through the window on her way, Oh the joys of living so close together) I then went to my other friend Jessica’s house where her mother explained to me and showed me several times the correct way to open a peanut from its shell. (Who knew there was a right and wrong way) I then had multiple people ask what happened to my legs. I have cuts all over them from the mountain. They have these pricker bushes that I swear just jump out at you. After explaining about this they, then turned to the subject of my acne, which they still think are mosquitoes. This then turns into are you using your net and taking your medicine because we don’t want you to get malaria. I swear the entire village of women are my mother sometimes. I hear the same thing over and over again. But I am glad this means they are looking out for me and care.
Later at night I went to the outdoor market with a lady. ( I usually don’t go because it is really overwhelming) The market consists of a lot of pombe (alcohol) and a few ladies selling tomatoes. So really just a lot of drunk people who then want to talk to me. Can’t they understand I have a hard enough time with a sober TZ, a drunk one is a lost cause. It was good though. Most of the people are wonderful, only a few ones to look out for. But of course I happened to find one them, he wouldn’t stop talking to me and kept putting his hands on my leg, luckily the mamma I was with said it was time to go. So I had a good day today which I am very happy about. I really needed this.
Also the president of TZ came to town yesterday. I didn’t go because PC said not to. I would have liked to but I understand why I couldn’t. A lot of people from my village went and they had a great time. One of the groups sang a song and a few got to shake his hand. He arrived and left on a fleet of helicopters. (I think a pretty badass way to make an appearance) They have elections to pick the new president on Sunday (Halloween) I am interested to see how this process works.
October 25, 2010
I forgot to mention that yesterday and it turns out today a man had appeared to show me what to me looks like a cross between a dragon and a lizard. I am not sure what it is, but the man keeps bringing it to show me. The first time I saw it I screamed and ran. I don’t scream anymore but I still don’t like it. I am crossing my fingers this doesn’t become a regular thing. I told one of the boys that comes over about it and of course he laughed, but then the man showed up while he was here and he ran for cover too when the thing started to move. So I don’t feel too bad.
Went and saw a bunch of bee keeping houses today. I took some pictures. To me they look like tiny suspended coffins from trees. Kind of eerie, especially in this environment.
Also added thyme to my omelet today. I strongly suggest it. It was delicious.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Water is a problem when you live in the desert!
September 27, 2010
I rode my friends bike from my house into town this weekend with my big backpack on. It is a pretty insane ride because none of the road are paved so it is a mixture of a guessing game as to where the soft sand is as well as the loose rocks and gravel. It was really fun though and reminded me a lot of mountain biking in Steamboat. Except there are is no shade. I also have found out that some things never change and again I live on top of a hill. It doesn’t look that bad but it is a gradual climb up to my house from town. At least it isn’t as steep as Houghton. I also have been wearing my helmet if anyone was wondering and I feel like the biggest idiot with it on but at least when I fall and I am sure this is going to happen that my head will be intact or at least I hope so.
Me and some friends also went to Dodoma this weekend and it was so nice. I loved it. It was exactly what I needed because although I really like my village it is really hard to be alone and apart from other people that are like me. And also it was nice to talk about work and ideas that we have because I always need input from other people before I start things. It makes me feel better. I don’t trust myself and it is good to have people talk about it. Things you never think of come up and help.
I also talked to Alex and all the little Preston cousins which was really nice because I haven’t talked to them since I have been here. It was really nice. I wish I could be at all their football, soccer, and volleyball games but it sound like they are all doing really good even without me cheering them on.
I am sure you are asking what I did in Dodoma. Well they sell oatmeal, whole wheat flour, and raisins so I stocked up on the essentials and ate some really good food and again got to use the internet and eat ice cream. Which was amazing. We went to the New Dodoma Hotel and ate Chinese food which was amazing but also really expensive. (we usually pay 2000 shs for dinner instead we paid 15000 shs) I felt rich for a second then I realized how poor I was again. It also reminded me of eating Chinese in Italy maybe this will be a new thing and any country that I go to, I must eat at Chinese restaurant. It was really nice to do as a YEAH we made it through the first month.
Also playing chicken with a frog while you are trying to pee is scary because you don’t know if the frog is going to attack (FYI frogs in Africa are small, nothing like Hawaii Ashleigh) or you are going to pee on yourself. Thankfully it is still a waiting game.
September 28, 2010
I had my first group meeting with the secondary school students and was very lucky that Paul was doing the group with me because I totally froze when I needed to talk. I couldn’t even put a simple question/ phrase together. I totally choked. Hopefully Thursday goes better when we meet again.
I spent all of today reading and going through all of the paperwork that I have, only to realize how overwhelmed I am with things. The not wanting to start anything to soon, but at the same time being so bored that I want to start something.
I also have found out that Tanzanians have no problem sitting in long periods of silence while talking. I have a hard time with this and have found that I am usually the first to give in and talk. But I am experimenting with staying quiet to see how long of a silence it can be. It reminds me of the staring game only in this case it is the talking game.
September 29, 2010
Went into town today and again forgot that I am in Africa. It is weird how that can happen and good at the same time. It is also weird that I was so nervous about going back to the village and then when I left today, was sad that I was going to be gone again.
September 30, 2010
I got an internet modem today and am now in the process of trying to figure out where if anywhere in my house I can get internet, which I am hoping is a yes somewhere. I returned from town today and was really happy to be back, I have such a love hate relationship with my situation right now. It makes me sick. I am constantly putting myself through every emotion imaginable in the matter of hours. But I am really happy to be back and have a lot of good ideas for the next few weeks.
I taught my second class to the health and environment group. This was to a total of 3 kids today which I was actually really happy with because it was a lot less scary this way.
October 1, 2010
Yeah I have made it to October. I am thinking maybe a Halloween Party for the village. Not exactly sure how this is going to work yet but I still have some time to think about it. I am assimilating better into this culture than I thought. I have been really late for meetings this last week or not showed up at all. This is not good, I hate when this happens to me, so I am going to make extra effort to be where I say I am going to be. I also spent 2 hours listening to the women’s choir sing and dance. It was wonderful. I am always amazed when people can play instruments and keep a beat because I cannot at all.
On another note, I made biscuits’ today using the kerosene stove and they were wonderful. I added butter and honey to them and think that I might really like honey now. Before I was kind of iffy on the subject of honey but I think that I might really like it now. This might be because of the lack of sugar in my life. I also am trying to read this book called “What’s the matter with Kansas?” It is a political book and I am thinking that although I am desperate for reading material at the moment. I am not sure that I am that desperate. I have got about 10 pages through it so far and am not impressed at all.
I watched this movie called “Once” this weekend. Dad I think that you would really like it because it is a foreign film, although it is a little slow the music in it is really good and all the actors have accents. I think it might be a British film but I don’t know. Steph and Andrew I think you guys might really like the music in it too. It is about this guys that plays the guitar and meets this girl and they somewhat start a band.
Random note: A lot of people here have the same ringtone of the girl in “Love Actually”. I hear it everywhere.
October 3, 2010
I spent an hour yesterday trying to get a signal for my modem only to find out that the network was down. While this was a good thing, I also think this is going to be a problem in the future, but I am hoping this modem makes my life easier instead of harder although at the moment it is definitely adding stress to my life. Also Happy Pulaski Days, I hope you all ate tons of kielbasa and drank lots of beer while polkaing.
I was visited again by the kids that wanted to save me a few weeks ago only this time they want to me to help them get to the USA. After explaining to them that I was here to help the people of TZ with the environment and health they continued to ask me to help them. So I gave them my phone number, but they wanted more information when I left. I don’t know why they cannot understand that I will be here for 2 years. I said this in both English and Swahili but they wouldn’t stop. Finally I got them to leave and guess what they aren’t even from my village. I not sure why they want my help considering that I am not saved. I was very polite to them, but I really hate when people come up and want me to help them get to the USA. I am not here for that, I am here to help people living in TZ. This is my rant for the day.
After arriving to church really late today, I was invited over to someone’s house, where I had a great time. We had chai and scones and talked about possible projects and life in general. It was wonderful the entire conversation was in Swahili. The lady was very patient and talked really slow. I definitely do better on one to one conversations.
I also think I am going to actually start painting this week. I took before pictures so hopefully the after pictures are better. We shall see.
October 4, 2010
I got water all by myself for the first time today. It took me about 1 hour and I think the ladies let me cut. I carried 1 small bucket and 1 big bucket on my head. I don’t know how these ladies do it, my neck hurt really bad and that was only after 1 they carry stuff on their heads all the time. I am amazed.
No table yet, hopefully this week though. Keep your fingers crossed. I was suppose to have a meeting with my village government today but the chairperson was gone. This is the conversation that I had with one of the chairmen. “Where is Bwana Juma” “He went to Bumila because someone died. (he then points to the village office and the door) And this then say something about hitting and that they had to go to the police.” From this I thought that someone had broken into the Bumila village office and died inside so they had to go to the police and figure things out. I imagined the chairman walking in the morning to a dead body but I talked to the chairman later and he just said someone had been hit at their house and they were dead. Which is still really bad but I imagined a different scene playing out.
I also made peanut butter pancakes today. They were pretty good but I think I like banana pancakes or crepes better. But at least it adds so variety to my life. Also finding out more and more that I cannot talk, luckily now people are at least correcting me so at some point in time I will actually be able to speak.
October 5, 2010
I woke up to a giant cockroach on its back next to my bed. I have never seen a live cockroach in my house but every morning I am usually greeted by 1 or 2 dead ones. Still not sure how this happens, I can only assume that they are falling to their deaths from the rafters or the lizards are having some fun. Not sure but at least if I have cockroaches, they are dead ones.
I cooked TZ style today and made rice and vegetables. The vegetables consisted of onion, tomatoes, and the leaves of sweet potatoes. It was alright for one meal but of course I made too much and have had it twice today and I am thinking possibly breakfast tomorrow if I can swallow it. I can’t seem to get my portions right yet. Also don’t think I like rice as much as I did in the US, it just seems really bland here. This also might be because of my lack of anything else to eat. I need to work on the variety of food that I am eating. It is hard. I also are a papaya from the tree in front of my house today. It was the best papaya that I have ever had, I thought I didn’t like Papaya in TZ turns out I just had a run of bad papayas.
I taught my group at school about good sanitation today and how they need to wash their hands and boil their water before drinking so they will not get sick. We shall see if anyone takes this to heart. I also brought my Frisbee and we played together I think it was really fun. And hopefully they liked it so they will keep coming back to learn more.
Also I wore my pick aviators today and the little kids loved them. They loved watching themselves in my lens and making funny face.
October 6, 2010
Today I accomplished a lot for me. I talked to my village government and we are suppose to have a meeting tomorrow. I gave them the questions that I want to ask so hopefully they understand my Kiswahili and they show up to the meeting tomorrow. Tanzanians do meetings and appointments very differently. So far we are going on 2 weeks of trying to have this meeting. But I am confident tomorrow will be the day or at least I hope. I also started to take pictures of the village and have found that everyone wants their picture taken and they all want a copy. I am not going to start giving people pictures though because I think this would be really expensive and how would I stop. I also want to one of the sub villages today and talked with 3 different people about groups that they had and the problems that they faced. All of their problems are within grasp of my knowledge, I just need to find the right person and also continue to explain to everyone that I am not here to give them money.
I also think I made the best dinner yet. I made roti an Indian bread (Aunt Marti and Aunt Tricia I think you would like this bread, it is fun and really easy) all it consists of is wheat flour and warm water and you knead the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes. Then you roll out thin and cook in a Teflon pan. It is really easy and really good. I made this with a delicious egg, tomatoes, onion, spinach, and basil omelet. I felt like a real chef today. Now I just need to work on eating slower and enjoying my food more, I take my time cooking and then when it is time to eat, eat it really really fast. I would like to say this is because I am eating alone but even with people I eat really fast or maybe my friends just eat really really slow.
Also rode a bike today and loved it. I always forget how much I love to ride bikes. It is so much fun and good exercise. Although I am still having a hard time pedaling on the right side of the road. I get really confused and this scares me for when I return to the US to drive. If I were you I wouldn’t let me drive for at least a few months, I almost had 2 huge accidents today. The other people were not pleased to say the least.
Also I want to shout out to all the October Birthday’s, I know there are a lot so happy birthday to everyone. I hope you have wonderful birthdays and get to eat your favorite cake and ice cream.
October 7, 2010
So I again waited for my table to come, this time very optimistic because the fundi was at my house to measure the doors and then he left, I assumed to bring my table and of course I was wrong. Everyday the guy says he is coming, it is so frustrating because by the time I realize they are not just late ( because TZ are usually at least 1-2 hours late) it is to dark to go and find them, Next time I am not waiting I am just going to go right there and guide my table to me.
I am going to spend a few days with Randi in her sub village because I need to get out of my village and talk about projects and all that jazz. I need another Americans input to tell me if my ideas are good or bad/ how/ where to begin. It’s hard when you are the only person to bounce ideas off of.
Also had a meeting with the VEO (Village executive Officer) today and it went wonderful after weeks of trying to have it. I accomplished a lot and I really like my VEO which is good because I will be working with him in the future I think.
Sorry nothing funny or exciting has happened here. It is weird that me living in half a world away in a environment that is the complete opposite of what I am use to and life is dull. I think this might have to do with my lack of language hopefully after my language picks up, life gets funnier. I am hoping I just cannot understand TZ humor at the moment.
October 11, 2010
Just when I thought life was getting boring, it stops. This weekend I went and saw my friend Randi’s site. She lives about a 2 hour bus ride away, I cannot believe how different our sites are. It is like night and day but still against a sand storm background. I had a lot of fun hanging out with her. I then went to leave and the bus was packed. So packed I really didn’t think I was ever going to fit. But somehow me and 15 other people managed to fit. (think a minivan packed so full you cannot mover with stiff piled 3 feet high in the top and people sitting up there too) It was unreal I had my hands clinging for life on a pole and only 1 foot on the ground. Then when we got to the bus station all of the passengers unloaded and then the bus drove away. My bag was on the bus. So I went up to another person on the bus and he said it would be back in a minute. 20 minutes later I was still freaking out, thinking how could I be so stupid and my computer was in there. So as I am calling my friend to tell her I turn the corner and the conductor smiles at me and hands me my bag. I felt like an idiot. I was also the most freak out I have been yet. It made me feel better though when a Tanzanian asked where I got my bag from because he was looking for the bus to.
I then headed up to Dodoma to hang out with my friend Tanya. It was wonderful all we did was talk, eat great food, and watch movies. I got to eat ice cream and yogurt which was amazing and peanut brittle. This doesn’t sound that exciting but when it doesn’t exist within your town, you would be pretty excited too. We bought a huge tub of ice cream and split it. At night we got street food that was amazing and reminded me of the fair. They had flat bread, samosa’s, fried bean bread, meat on a stick, coleslaw, and fries. It was the best food I have had yet. We also watched 2 movies: Shutter Island (Steph you were right I am glad I didn’t see it in the theater) and The Hurt Locker, which was awesome.
I also got my bike and found that I am really, really out of shape. That and I hate biking on sand. When I arrived home I was greeted by a dead lizard in my bedroom. It really freaked me out especially because it somewhat resembles a snake. I then thought the worst was over until I went to use the bathroom only to discover 2 frogs swimming around in it. I got them out, but there were still in my courtyard when I went to take a shower. I really hope they didn’t retreat to my house.
I also got my modem to work which was awesome and was able to skype with my family. I made the mistake of calling Hannah and Andrew during the MSU vs U of M tailgate (I heard Michigan didn’t play that well) and got to talk to Hannah in her prime. It was great, it made me feel like I was there for a little bit.
October 12, 2010
I almost forgot to tell you I did my first liftie (hitchhike) kind of. As I started out the morning to walk into town a car stopped and asked if I wanted a ride. It was wonderful. Something that should have taken 2 hours only took me 10 minutes. Sometimes it is nice being the white person. That way I am easy to remember and stick out.
I was also horrified today when my carpenter came to put in my door to my bathroom. First off, he built a door that was too big for the frame and instead of cutting the door down which would have been easy because it was made of wood and metal, he started pounding on the cement creating a huge mess. Something that could have easily been avoided had he measured correctly and if he would have measured himself. He had his son do it. I watched both of them and they did a horrible job, there was slack in the measuring tape and I tried to point it out. I also had try and open the door for the carpenter to see that it wasn’t fixed yet. In the end, the door fits and I have a huge mess in my yard but at least I have a door now. I just think the job could have gone differently and a lot easier if he had done it a different way. This is obviously my American view but in the end I have a door so I really cannot complain.
My boss is also coming this weekend and I am a little nervous. I am not sure what I am suppose to show him or what he want to see. Hopefully it goes well, but I feel my Swahili is getting worse by the day, so I am really scared. I feel like I should be further along, although in actuality I am not suppose to be doing anything so hopefully I am fine. I just kind of feel useless right now.
October 14, 2010
STO LATA DAD!!! I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Today felt somewhat normal, which is really good. Although I spent the entire morning looking out my window every five minutes to see if it was time to go get water. They don’t have a schedule for when the water gets turned on, so far I have found no rhyme or rhythm to it. (not that I have not tried) But luckily I saw people and then I made a mad dash for the bomba (pipe). I got water all by myself today, although they always let me cut even when I try not to. I carried 4 buckets on my head today and so far my head feels fine. Although I am not the best walker with a bucket on my head so after 4 buckets it looked like I had just taken a shower with my clothes on. Needless to say I had to change. But I am very proud that I was able to carry 4 buckets all by myself. I do have to say it sucks having to plan your day/week around water, I am very thankful for a kitchen sink. I am understanding more and more how women in Tanzania live. It seems they spend a lot of their time just surviving, hopefully I will be able to make some impact that could possibly make their lives a little bit easier. We shall see if this is possible, although at the moment I have no idea how.
October 15, 2010
As they say one man’s junk is another man’s treasures, this was the case today when I went to burn my trash and my cell phone box, juice container, and deodorant container were pulled out. They also took my razor and a broken pen. I will be interested to see what they make out of this. This also has led me to have 2 separate trashes, one that I burn and one that I throw away in town. I really don’t want the entire village knowing everything that I bought or playing with my deodorant. It is just too weird.
I started reading the Harry Potter books on Tuesday and am already on the third one. I really like them. I tried to read them before but couldn’t get through them, but now I have all the time in the world and I am reading them pretty fast.
PC comes tomorrow so I cleaned my house and washed the floors. It took me about 5 hours to clean the house and do all my laundry. Man I miss washing machines. It is great that PC is coming tomorrow because I might actually get my table now and they might finish my doors. Keep your fingers crossed, I am .
I rode my friends bike from my house into town this weekend with my big backpack on. It is a pretty insane ride because none of the road are paved so it is a mixture of a guessing game as to where the soft sand is as well as the loose rocks and gravel. It was really fun though and reminded me a lot of mountain biking in Steamboat. Except there are is no shade. I also have found out that some things never change and again I live on top of a hill. It doesn’t look that bad but it is a gradual climb up to my house from town. At least it isn’t as steep as Houghton. I also have been wearing my helmet if anyone was wondering and I feel like the biggest idiot with it on but at least when I fall and I am sure this is going to happen that my head will be intact or at least I hope so.
Me and some friends also went to Dodoma this weekend and it was so nice. I loved it. It was exactly what I needed because although I really like my village it is really hard to be alone and apart from other people that are like me. And also it was nice to talk about work and ideas that we have because I always need input from other people before I start things. It makes me feel better. I don’t trust myself and it is good to have people talk about it. Things you never think of come up and help.
I also talked to Alex and all the little Preston cousins which was really nice because I haven’t talked to them since I have been here. It was really nice. I wish I could be at all their football, soccer, and volleyball games but it sound like they are all doing really good even without me cheering them on.
I am sure you are asking what I did in Dodoma. Well they sell oatmeal, whole wheat flour, and raisins so I stocked up on the essentials and ate some really good food and again got to use the internet and eat ice cream. Which was amazing. We went to the New Dodoma Hotel and ate Chinese food which was amazing but also really expensive. (we usually pay 2000 shs for dinner instead we paid 15000 shs) I felt rich for a second then I realized how poor I was again. It also reminded me of eating Chinese in Italy maybe this will be a new thing and any country that I go to, I must eat at Chinese restaurant. It was really nice to do as a YEAH we made it through the first month.
Also playing chicken with a frog while you are trying to pee is scary because you don’t know if the frog is going to attack (FYI frogs in Africa are small, nothing like Hawaii Ashleigh) or you are going to pee on yourself. Thankfully it is still a waiting game.
September 28, 2010
I had my first group meeting with the secondary school students and was very lucky that Paul was doing the group with me because I totally froze when I needed to talk. I couldn’t even put a simple question/ phrase together. I totally choked. Hopefully Thursday goes better when we meet again.
I spent all of today reading and going through all of the paperwork that I have, only to realize how overwhelmed I am with things. The not wanting to start anything to soon, but at the same time being so bored that I want to start something.
I also have found out that Tanzanians have no problem sitting in long periods of silence while talking. I have a hard time with this and have found that I am usually the first to give in and talk. But I am experimenting with staying quiet to see how long of a silence it can be. It reminds me of the staring game only in this case it is the talking game.
September 29, 2010
Went into town today and again forgot that I am in Africa. It is weird how that can happen and good at the same time. It is also weird that I was so nervous about going back to the village and then when I left today, was sad that I was going to be gone again.
September 30, 2010
I got an internet modem today and am now in the process of trying to figure out where if anywhere in my house I can get internet, which I am hoping is a yes somewhere. I returned from town today and was really happy to be back, I have such a love hate relationship with my situation right now. It makes me sick. I am constantly putting myself through every emotion imaginable in the matter of hours. But I am really happy to be back and have a lot of good ideas for the next few weeks.
I taught my second class to the health and environment group. This was to a total of 3 kids today which I was actually really happy with because it was a lot less scary this way.
October 1, 2010
Yeah I have made it to October. I am thinking maybe a Halloween Party for the village. Not exactly sure how this is going to work yet but I still have some time to think about it. I am assimilating better into this culture than I thought. I have been really late for meetings this last week or not showed up at all. This is not good, I hate when this happens to me, so I am going to make extra effort to be where I say I am going to be. I also spent 2 hours listening to the women’s choir sing and dance. It was wonderful. I am always amazed when people can play instruments and keep a beat because I cannot at all.
On another note, I made biscuits’ today using the kerosene stove and they were wonderful. I added butter and honey to them and think that I might really like honey now. Before I was kind of iffy on the subject of honey but I think that I might really like it now. This might be because of the lack of sugar in my life. I also am trying to read this book called “What’s the matter with Kansas?” It is a political book and I am thinking that although I am desperate for reading material at the moment. I am not sure that I am that desperate. I have got about 10 pages through it so far and am not impressed at all.
I watched this movie called “Once” this weekend. Dad I think that you would really like it because it is a foreign film, although it is a little slow the music in it is really good and all the actors have accents. I think it might be a British film but I don’t know. Steph and Andrew I think you guys might really like the music in it too. It is about this guys that plays the guitar and meets this girl and they somewhat start a band.
Random note: A lot of people here have the same ringtone of the girl in “Love Actually”. I hear it everywhere.
October 3, 2010
I spent an hour yesterday trying to get a signal for my modem only to find out that the network was down. While this was a good thing, I also think this is going to be a problem in the future, but I am hoping this modem makes my life easier instead of harder although at the moment it is definitely adding stress to my life. Also Happy Pulaski Days, I hope you all ate tons of kielbasa and drank lots of beer while polkaing.
I was visited again by the kids that wanted to save me a few weeks ago only this time they want to me to help them get to the USA. After explaining to them that I was here to help the people of TZ with the environment and health they continued to ask me to help them. So I gave them my phone number, but they wanted more information when I left. I don’t know why they cannot understand that I will be here for 2 years. I said this in both English and Swahili but they wouldn’t stop. Finally I got them to leave and guess what they aren’t even from my village. I not sure why they want my help considering that I am not saved. I was very polite to them, but I really hate when people come up and want me to help them get to the USA. I am not here for that, I am here to help people living in TZ. This is my rant for the day.
After arriving to church really late today, I was invited over to someone’s house, where I had a great time. We had chai and scones and talked about possible projects and life in general. It was wonderful the entire conversation was in Swahili. The lady was very patient and talked really slow. I definitely do better on one to one conversations.
I also think I am going to actually start painting this week. I took before pictures so hopefully the after pictures are better. We shall see.
October 4, 2010
I got water all by myself for the first time today. It took me about 1 hour and I think the ladies let me cut. I carried 1 small bucket and 1 big bucket on my head. I don’t know how these ladies do it, my neck hurt really bad and that was only after 1 they carry stuff on their heads all the time. I am amazed.
No table yet, hopefully this week though. Keep your fingers crossed. I was suppose to have a meeting with my village government today but the chairperson was gone. This is the conversation that I had with one of the chairmen. “Where is Bwana Juma” “He went to Bumila because someone died. (he then points to the village office and the door) And this then say something about hitting and that they had to go to the police.” From this I thought that someone had broken into the Bumila village office and died inside so they had to go to the police and figure things out. I imagined the chairman walking in the morning to a dead body but I talked to the chairman later and he just said someone had been hit at their house and they were dead. Which is still really bad but I imagined a different scene playing out.
I also made peanut butter pancakes today. They were pretty good but I think I like banana pancakes or crepes better. But at least it adds so variety to my life. Also finding out more and more that I cannot talk, luckily now people are at least correcting me so at some point in time I will actually be able to speak.
October 5, 2010
I woke up to a giant cockroach on its back next to my bed. I have never seen a live cockroach in my house but every morning I am usually greeted by 1 or 2 dead ones. Still not sure how this happens, I can only assume that they are falling to their deaths from the rafters or the lizards are having some fun. Not sure but at least if I have cockroaches, they are dead ones.
I cooked TZ style today and made rice and vegetables. The vegetables consisted of onion, tomatoes, and the leaves of sweet potatoes. It was alright for one meal but of course I made too much and have had it twice today and I am thinking possibly breakfast tomorrow if I can swallow it. I can’t seem to get my portions right yet. Also don’t think I like rice as much as I did in the US, it just seems really bland here. This also might be because of my lack of anything else to eat. I need to work on the variety of food that I am eating. It is hard. I also are a papaya from the tree in front of my house today. It was the best papaya that I have ever had, I thought I didn’t like Papaya in TZ turns out I just had a run of bad papayas.
I taught my group at school about good sanitation today and how they need to wash their hands and boil their water before drinking so they will not get sick. We shall see if anyone takes this to heart. I also brought my Frisbee and we played together I think it was really fun. And hopefully they liked it so they will keep coming back to learn more.
Also I wore my pick aviators today and the little kids loved them. They loved watching themselves in my lens and making funny face.
October 6, 2010
Today I accomplished a lot for me. I talked to my village government and we are suppose to have a meeting tomorrow. I gave them the questions that I want to ask so hopefully they understand my Kiswahili and they show up to the meeting tomorrow. Tanzanians do meetings and appointments very differently. So far we are going on 2 weeks of trying to have this meeting. But I am confident tomorrow will be the day or at least I hope. I also started to take pictures of the village and have found that everyone wants their picture taken and they all want a copy. I am not going to start giving people pictures though because I think this would be really expensive and how would I stop. I also want to one of the sub villages today and talked with 3 different people about groups that they had and the problems that they faced. All of their problems are within grasp of my knowledge, I just need to find the right person and also continue to explain to everyone that I am not here to give them money.
I also think I made the best dinner yet. I made roti an Indian bread (Aunt Marti and Aunt Tricia I think you would like this bread, it is fun and really easy) all it consists of is wheat flour and warm water and you knead the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes. Then you roll out thin and cook in a Teflon pan. It is really easy and really good. I made this with a delicious egg, tomatoes, onion, spinach, and basil omelet. I felt like a real chef today. Now I just need to work on eating slower and enjoying my food more, I take my time cooking and then when it is time to eat, eat it really really fast. I would like to say this is because I am eating alone but even with people I eat really fast or maybe my friends just eat really really slow.
Also rode a bike today and loved it. I always forget how much I love to ride bikes. It is so much fun and good exercise. Although I am still having a hard time pedaling on the right side of the road. I get really confused and this scares me for when I return to the US to drive. If I were you I wouldn’t let me drive for at least a few months, I almost had 2 huge accidents today. The other people were not pleased to say the least.
Also I want to shout out to all the October Birthday’s, I know there are a lot so happy birthday to everyone. I hope you have wonderful birthdays and get to eat your favorite cake and ice cream.
October 7, 2010
So I again waited for my table to come, this time very optimistic because the fundi was at my house to measure the doors and then he left, I assumed to bring my table and of course I was wrong. Everyday the guy says he is coming, it is so frustrating because by the time I realize they are not just late ( because TZ are usually at least 1-2 hours late) it is to dark to go and find them, Next time I am not waiting I am just going to go right there and guide my table to me.
I am going to spend a few days with Randi in her sub village because I need to get out of my village and talk about projects and all that jazz. I need another Americans input to tell me if my ideas are good or bad/ how/ where to begin. It’s hard when you are the only person to bounce ideas off of.
Also had a meeting with the VEO (Village executive Officer) today and it went wonderful after weeks of trying to have it. I accomplished a lot and I really like my VEO which is good because I will be working with him in the future I think.
Sorry nothing funny or exciting has happened here. It is weird that me living in half a world away in a environment that is the complete opposite of what I am use to and life is dull. I think this might have to do with my lack of language hopefully after my language picks up, life gets funnier. I am hoping I just cannot understand TZ humor at the moment.
October 11, 2010
Just when I thought life was getting boring, it stops. This weekend I went and saw my friend Randi’s site. She lives about a 2 hour bus ride away, I cannot believe how different our sites are. It is like night and day but still against a sand storm background. I had a lot of fun hanging out with her. I then went to leave and the bus was packed. So packed I really didn’t think I was ever going to fit. But somehow me and 15 other people managed to fit. (think a minivan packed so full you cannot mover with stiff piled 3 feet high in the top and people sitting up there too) It was unreal I had my hands clinging for life on a pole and only 1 foot on the ground. Then when we got to the bus station all of the passengers unloaded and then the bus drove away. My bag was on the bus. So I went up to another person on the bus and he said it would be back in a minute. 20 minutes later I was still freaking out, thinking how could I be so stupid and my computer was in there. So as I am calling my friend to tell her I turn the corner and the conductor smiles at me and hands me my bag. I felt like an idiot. I was also the most freak out I have been yet. It made me feel better though when a Tanzanian asked where I got my bag from because he was looking for the bus to.
I then headed up to Dodoma to hang out with my friend Tanya. It was wonderful all we did was talk, eat great food, and watch movies. I got to eat ice cream and yogurt which was amazing and peanut brittle. This doesn’t sound that exciting but when it doesn’t exist within your town, you would be pretty excited too. We bought a huge tub of ice cream and split it. At night we got street food that was amazing and reminded me of the fair. They had flat bread, samosa’s, fried bean bread, meat on a stick, coleslaw, and fries. It was the best food I have had yet. We also watched 2 movies: Shutter Island (Steph you were right I am glad I didn’t see it in the theater) and The Hurt Locker, which was awesome.
I also got my bike and found that I am really, really out of shape. That and I hate biking on sand. When I arrived home I was greeted by a dead lizard in my bedroom. It really freaked me out especially because it somewhat resembles a snake. I then thought the worst was over until I went to use the bathroom only to discover 2 frogs swimming around in it. I got them out, but there were still in my courtyard when I went to take a shower. I really hope they didn’t retreat to my house.
I also got my modem to work which was awesome and was able to skype with my family. I made the mistake of calling Hannah and Andrew during the MSU vs U of M tailgate (I heard Michigan didn’t play that well) and got to talk to Hannah in her prime. It was great, it made me feel like I was there for a little bit.
October 12, 2010
I almost forgot to tell you I did my first liftie (hitchhike) kind of. As I started out the morning to walk into town a car stopped and asked if I wanted a ride. It was wonderful. Something that should have taken 2 hours only took me 10 minutes. Sometimes it is nice being the white person. That way I am easy to remember and stick out.
I was also horrified today when my carpenter came to put in my door to my bathroom. First off, he built a door that was too big for the frame and instead of cutting the door down which would have been easy because it was made of wood and metal, he started pounding on the cement creating a huge mess. Something that could have easily been avoided had he measured correctly and if he would have measured himself. He had his son do it. I watched both of them and they did a horrible job, there was slack in the measuring tape and I tried to point it out. I also had try and open the door for the carpenter to see that it wasn’t fixed yet. In the end, the door fits and I have a huge mess in my yard but at least I have a door now. I just think the job could have gone differently and a lot easier if he had done it a different way. This is obviously my American view but in the end I have a door so I really cannot complain.
My boss is also coming this weekend and I am a little nervous. I am not sure what I am suppose to show him or what he want to see. Hopefully it goes well, but I feel my Swahili is getting worse by the day, so I am really scared. I feel like I should be further along, although in actuality I am not suppose to be doing anything so hopefully I am fine. I just kind of feel useless right now.
October 14, 2010
STO LATA DAD!!! I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Today felt somewhat normal, which is really good. Although I spent the entire morning looking out my window every five minutes to see if it was time to go get water. They don’t have a schedule for when the water gets turned on, so far I have found no rhyme or rhythm to it. (not that I have not tried) But luckily I saw people and then I made a mad dash for the bomba (pipe). I got water all by myself today, although they always let me cut even when I try not to. I carried 4 buckets on my head today and so far my head feels fine. Although I am not the best walker with a bucket on my head so after 4 buckets it looked like I had just taken a shower with my clothes on. Needless to say I had to change. But I am very proud that I was able to carry 4 buckets all by myself. I do have to say it sucks having to plan your day/week around water, I am very thankful for a kitchen sink. I am understanding more and more how women in Tanzania live. It seems they spend a lot of their time just surviving, hopefully I will be able to make some impact that could possibly make their lives a little bit easier. We shall see if this is possible, although at the moment I have no idea how.
October 15, 2010
As they say one man’s junk is another man’s treasures, this was the case today when I went to burn my trash and my cell phone box, juice container, and deodorant container were pulled out. They also took my razor and a broken pen. I will be interested to see what they make out of this. This also has led me to have 2 separate trashes, one that I burn and one that I throw away in town. I really don’t want the entire village knowing everything that I bought or playing with my deodorant. It is just too weird.
I started reading the Harry Potter books on Tuesday and am already on the third one. I really like them. I tried to read them before but couldn’t get through them, but now I have all the time in the world and I am reading them pretty fast.
PC comes tomorrow so I cleaned my house and washed the floors. It took me about 5 hours to clean the house and do all my laundry. Man I miss washing machines. It is great that PC is coming tomorrow because I might actually get my table now and they might finish my doors. Keep your fingers crossed, I am .
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Month One: DONE!!
August 29, 2010
I spent the last few days away from my village and although I had a very good first week it was really nice to hang-out with Americans, talk in English, and be with my friends. I did some shopping at the safi duka (shop, they sell oatmeal there) and went to the internet café and got to use real high speed internet, I almost thought I was back in the states for a minute. At night we all went to the bar together and sat around drinking and talking. It was a lot of fun. It was also really nice because since I don’t have network at the moment at my house I was able to talk to my siblings and family and catch up. This made my week because I love talking to them and hearing about what is going on, especially because it is usually hilarious.
Tomorrow I head back to my village and I am a little sad, not because it is bad, only because it is so unfamiliar and foreign still. I am going to have to go back into awkward mode and putting myself out there. If y’all saw me now, you would not recognize me because I actually go up and talk to people and make small talk, introducing myself and asking them tons of questions. I am a whole new person in TZ, but only here, I plan to keep conversations short in the USA.
Also we made banana bread and gingered carrot soup for dinner. It was delicious, who knew you could make such wonderful food here. Now I just need to remember that this stuff can all be made in my village by me.
August 30, 2010
It is my first day back at site and I was dreading it the entire day, Randi and Paul were really excited to get back, but me I was just scared and not ready to leave electricity and running water. Along with I had just watched It is Always Sunny in Philadelphia and this was a bad idea because this made me desperately miss home. But after arriving home, I went around the village and met with one of the women’s groups and I instantly felt better. I am ok again, it just stinks that I am so far removed from everyone. I had bought a different network card hoping that I would be able to talk inside my house but this didn’t work.
I am working on my house and making it a home which in the past I have not been very good at, but I figure if I can make this house something comfortable and something I want to come home to, this will instantly make life a ton better. My friend Jessica came over today and helped me wash and clean my floors which were caked in dust. I don’t think she thinks I can clean.
September 1, 2010
Today I am officially on the Zain plan which is wonderful. For $10 a month I can talk to all the other PCV’s for free and I get 100 free texts which is wonderful so now when I am having a bad day or a good day for that matter I can call someone. Granted I still have to walk to get network but at least I can talk to people now and not have to worry about my prepaid minutes running out. Apparently Alberta was more like TZ than I expected.
I think I understand people and then I find out that what they said is completely different from what I thought. Today I waited around almost the entire day waiting for the Fundi (carpenter) to come to fix my door. I come to find out that what was actually happening was we were going to his house at dinnertime. Not a big deal though because I caught up on some reading about the village and washed my walls because tomorrow I am going to begin to paint them. I am doing my bedroom purple and blue, hopefully those 2 colors look good together.
I also made naan bread today. I think it turned out all right, it was edible anyway. I think I am going to have to work on this. I also was visited by the counterpart of the last volunteer, he doesn’t speak that much English but he at least knows the ideas behind PC so I am going to go and talk to him tomorrow. He lives in the next village over, so I will be visiting one of the sub villages.
I am not sure how I am going to deal with the amount of people that expect me to have loads of cash and presents ready to give away at any minute. I understand that I come from a very wealthy country compared to here, but still. I keep trying to explain to people that I am here to help they understand and learn about the environment, that I only get a living allowance and am suppose to live like the typical Tanzanian but they still keep asking. I usually try to laugh it off but sometimes it is hard when they continue to ask. If they only knew that I am probably poorer than them. Thank you college.
September 3, 2010
Today I taught my first day of class at the secondary school, I was beyond scared to teach because I have never taught to kids before (let alone in another language) and I hate speaking in front of people, I would rather be in the back. It went great. I talked about soil erosion and the climate of TZ. I loved it and was actually impressed at the amount of knowledge I knew about soil erosion. I know I am a dork but I love talking about the environment and it is so much more exciting when you are talking in a different language. Although I am still sure that although this information is useful to the people of TZ, I still will not be able to communicate with Tanzanians in Kiswahili because all of my vocab will consist of is environmental words.
I also baked my first banana bread today and started my first jiiko (charcoal stove) by myself today. I almost was not able to do it. I really don’t like this not having a table and cooking on the floor stuff. My body was not built for this. But after 2 ½ hours of cooking and trying to light the jiko (a lot of Kerosene was used) I was somewhat successful. The bread is edible at least which is good. I need to learn to have more patience and not want to do everything so fast. It is actually quite hard to try and fill your day up with things to do in a small village besides talk to people. Which would be fine except I am still very limited in my communication and really am not good at small talk in any language. I can only ask if you are married, how many kids you have, and what you cooked for lunch so many times.
I also taught the kids hopscotch today. I think they really liked it. They and actually the adults had a little trouble at first which I was surprised about it because all you do is hop but they got the hang of it after awhile and loved it. Besides having all of this free time, I also have a lot of silence which I need to learn is okay. It is weird being able to hear yourself think all day long, some days I am really sick of myself but I guess with all this time and silence I might be able to figure out the rest of my life or atleast the next step but probably I will just read a book and continue to put my future off. At the moment I am thinking Tahoe with Hannah or Steamboat with Andrew would be great.
Also I just finished UP and the old man in the movie reminds me so much of Grandpa Preston it is unbelievable (Stephi and Hannah I think you would agree).
September 4, 2010
Today I washed my floors which I have found is really hard without a mop, I probably will have back problems by the time I leave here but it was a good workout anyways and now my house is clean. I also climbed my little mountain today. I only went halfway up but the view was amazing and it was so beautiful. I see a lot of that mountain in my future. I also get service up there which is a huge plus so I might possibly be skyping from the top of the mountain if everything goes as planned. Which is actually kind of cool I think if it works. I think it would definitely make for a good story.
I also opened my first coconut today. It was so hard, I really thought I was going to kill myself or atleast loose a finger but then it opened perfectly. But of course the coconut was still hard to get out of the shell. I don’t think this is going to be a normal shopping item. I also saw one of the women in the village cleaning a chicken, the amount of time and energy needed to clean it amazes me. I dabbled with the idea of telling them about the KFC chickens but figured that it would be better when I can actually communicate. Which I have still found to be quite difficult. Today I was talking about Bailey doggers because they asked if we had pets in American and instead of saying he died I said he was married which made for quite an interesting conversation.
September 7, 2010
I started reading this book called “My Gorilla Journal” by Helen Attwater it is all about Africa and how this lady moved to the Congo with her boyfriend to take care of orphan monkeys. It is interesting to read because she is describing almost exactly how I feel at times. Wishing I was home in the US and then at the same time so happy that I am here. It is so weird these highs and lows, but I find that as long as I keep busy everything is fine, so I have a feeling that I am going to have a lot of projects so I don’t have a lot of time to think.
I walked around the village today and talked with people again, I am not sure if my Kiswahili is getting any better but atleast I am trying and people can see that I am trying. One of the boys I talked to today knew English so he gave me some lessons. This is what he taught me in Kiswahili:
1. Refusing and wanting at the same time
2. To live long is to see much
3. Follow bees that you may eat honey
4. The cock crowing saying my boy is far away.
Not sure what I am going to do with these sayings yet or when I will ever have the chance to use them, but he was nice enough. The random things that people know in English astounds me, it is all so random and useless. They will be talking about food and then randomly bring up some organic chemistry or physics. And when this happens I am supremely lost because why on earth would you go from talking about food to talking about physics. That just is not natural.
I made my first fresh baked bread today. It took me ½ hour to prepare the dough and an 1 hour to light the Jiiko. I am not sure I will ever get the hang of it, everyone else makes it look so easy but every time I try and light it I almost burn my face off, If I make it out of TZ without a burnt face or hair I will be utterly surprised.
September 8, 2010
Today I went to one of the subvillages and introduced myself to some of the villagers and at the same time asked some questions about the village. It is weird that people are not busy all the time, Tanzanians look like they have all the time in the world. Which I guess they do, they live a more simplified life, one which I am finding harder and harder to adjust to. I like being overly busy and a workaholic it is really hard to be one here. It is also really hard to remember that this is going to be my life for the next 2 years. I am still thinking of this as strictly a job and school related which is not good. I need to build relationships that are not always focused on work. This is again going to be hard to do but I am going to try my best.
I made crepes with a tomatoes sauce today and it was amazing, even more amazing that I did this all while on the floor. I cannot wait until I have furniture, cooking on a table might be one of the simple joys in the world. I do think that me living in Houghton without furniture and on a blow up mattress got me more ready for this adventure than I thought. In reference to cooking I think I am going to try and make periogi’s (they butchered the name, it made me cringe when I saw how they spelled it in the PC COOK BOOK) here. There is a recipe in my cookbook and I figure I have a lot of time to perfect it. Hopefully they turn out, I am not going to start trying until I get a table first though.
I also think I am starting an addiction to sugar, before TZ I hardly ever ate sugar or added it to my food but now I add A LOT to everything. I ventured out again into the village today and found that a lot of villages indulge in the occasional alcoholic beverage as well. I talked to a few grandmas and grandpa with too tight of shoes.
September 9, 2010
So what happens when you respond with TAK to everything Ndiyo in Kiswhaili (YES) you end up walking for almost 6 hours straight. And I thought I was just going to this cute old man’s farm. I was probably the farthest from the truth. We started out by walking around the mountain and ended up looking at hay fields. We then continued to walk around another mountain where I found that they have electricity, really wish I lived on that side. After this we ended up in the town which I thought was the complete other way and talked to the Livestock Institute about my being in the area and possible collaboration. At this point I was ready to fall over, but then we met this scientist who is interested in collaboration and ended up at his house for lunch which was great especially because he spoke English we then preceded with our journey home which was another 2 ½ hours. I don’t think I have ever walked this much without going hiking. And I am pretty sure we walked around 2 full mountains today and there some of the worst gullies I have ever seen. I have to say it is amazing how much water can do for an area, it was so green on the other side of the mountain. On top of being the most tired I have ever been in TZ so far I think that I am probably the most dirty and dusty I have ever been, even after bathing I am still covered. A bucket bath sure doesn’t beat a hot shower.
Also when we went to this scientists house it was liking walking into the USA. He has electricity, a fridge, dvd player, ect. I didn’t know what to do with myself. It was really weird because I haven’t seen any of that stuff or technology in general in 3 months. It is funny that any time I talk to someone they all asked how I am surviving without electricity, even the teachers at the school. The lack of electricity doesn’t really bother me it is more of the sketchy cell service and lack of internet. I didn’t realize how much I love the internet or the amount of time I used to spend on it. I love it because everything you could possible want to know about anything is at your finger tips I really miss being able to look up random things or find the answers instantly. But I don’t really miss tv that much.
September 12, 2010
This last weekend I went into town because I just couldn’t stay in the village any longer. I am still working on making my house nice and as of right now I still have no furniture and I have to say it just doesn’t make staying home enjoyable. So I went into town and stayed with my friend Claire who is from Scotland. She is really cool. It was great because all we did was hangout and cook and I got to use electricity and watch tv. We watched Miss TZ which was hilarious. The program looked like something we could have produced in 8th grade film production it was horrible but still nice to watch. I also watched more of It’s always Sunny in Philly and I love the show even more now. It is so funny, if you haven’t seen it you need to start watching it. I am getting less homesick although the transition (sitting on the bus and waiting to leave to come back to the village) is still pretty painful. But once I got back home I was fine, although while on the bus I was on the verge of tears which I am not sure why because I like my village and feel great when I am here (most of the time). I did decorate a little more when I got home which made me feel a little better and I think it is starting to look better. I also got to talk to my parents which was amazing, even extra amazing since they didn’t know that I was going to have service.
Also I have another animal issue in my house. For the past week I have been finding pellets of poop on the floor but that is it, I never hear anything or see anything only the poop. So I of course have been discussing this with my friends and they all keep telling me you must have a rat or a mouse. And I keep telling them I know the difference between that poop. (Large rodent incident of fall/ winter 2008) Today I finally saw it, it being a lizard that is about 3 times the size of Gonzo the Gecko. I think we have an understanding though, that as long as he stays out of sight I will continue as normal. I just hope he doesn’t wake me up in the middle of the night too.
RANDOM INFO: I am living in the Dodoma region in a village of about 5000 people. My friend Paul lives a few villages over and is about a 2 hour walk. Paul is from Oregon and spent 2 years living in Vietnam. Randi (girl) lives about a 3 hour bus ride away. She is from a tiny town in Washington and probably has one of the best laughs I have heard. Paul, Randi, and me are all environmental volunteers and have not electricity or running water. We also have very sketchy cell service which makes communication hard. In our banking town Yue and Claire live. Yue is from California and is a education volunteer and Claire is a education VSO volunteer from Scotland. It is really nice that Yue and Claire live in town because then I have a place to retreat to that has running water and electricity and the closest thing to an American home that I think I am going to find in Dodoma.
September 14, 2010
As usual you can sit around and wait for something or someone to show up and no one ever does but the minute you start doing something, you get the knock on the door. This of course happened to me today, which was fine. I talked for a while with this girl about the previous volunteer and what she was is interested in, but then my stomach starting hurting and I was just trying to get her to leave because guess what I have diarrhea. Wonderful, first time in TZ which is probably a record within my group of friends.
But anyways, I started reading “EAT, LOVE, PRAY” (Jenna you should be really happy about this, but I think that I am going to finish it in less than a week unlike someone I know who took what seemed like forever, also I met someone else who read People of the Book and I explained to her how I haven’t read it but heard a lot of it because of your i-pod on random) and so far I am loving it. I just finished the part about Italy and it makes me miss Italy, although I am not sure why, I think it is because I miss my mom and Hannah more than actually Italy because I don’t even like Italian food. Although I did make spaghetti here because it is faster than rice. But anyways so far I really really like it. It is also weird though because she talks about her relationship with her sister and how in her early years they weren’t very friendly and how now she couldn’t imagine her life without her. Which maybe because I am here and realizing what and who is important, but I know that now I cannot either imagine my life without Stephi and Hannah in it. (weird considering Hannah and me used to never get along, we couldn’t even be in the same room together).
September 15, 2010
I finished reading “”Eat, Love, Pray” and really enjoyed it. It makes me want to write a book about my experience here in Tanzania but then I remember that I hate writing and that I am a terrible writer. So this blog is the closest thing that I will ever get to writing a book, which is fine for me. Also this makes me think that I might like to try meditation since I of course have the time, but then I think that would leave me even more time with my own thoughts and I really don’t like it when I have a lot of time to think. Nothing good ever comes of it, but on the other hand it might be good and actually help me and bring my thoughts together and away from home. So I might try it, I am still talking myself into it at the moment if you haven’t noticed.
Today I went to practice my Swahili with a pair of form 4 (senior) students. It was so funny, they learn English a very interesting way and therefore talk very differently from what I am use too. But it was still very good it is nice to talk in Swahili and English. They lectured me on the history of Africa and explained the key factors as to why Europe wanted Africa. It made me laugh, I felt like I was in History class again. Of course we also talked about drinking in the USA, marriage, sex, and HIV. The 4 things that villagers seem to love to talk about the most.
We also have no clinic here, but once a month the hospital comes to town. It was crazy to see all these women waiting to have their children weighed. They weigh them on a scale with a hook, so the baby hangs from the hook, I thought half the babies were going to fall off it. I also learned to make Ugali (thick porridge made with cornflour) today which the villagers were really happy about but I still don’t think that I will ever make it. Maybe in the USA so that everyone can try it and see what they have been missing in TZ but I am pretty sure that you are all going to agree that it should stay in TZ. I also spent today walking very slowly back and forth around my house today and found that if I stand really still in one spot that I can get service sometimes which made me feel good, so at least if I really need to talk to someone I will be able to in the privacy of my own home. Just me and what I have so far counted as 2 lizards and more ants than I care to count, but at least the ants are really small and they lizards can eat them.
September 16, 2010
Another way to kill yourself or seriously injure your mouth would be eating sugarcane. Especially when the only way to cut it is with a machete. The kids really got a laugh out of me trying to cut the sugar cane. I also thought that sugar cane could help with a diet because if you really want to eat it, you are going to have to really work to actually eat it. So it might be a good snack for the future if I can master the machete. I also was thinking today how annoyed I get when all the little kids laugh at me when I am trying to do something or just talking in general and I would like to think that if it was reversed that I would not laugh but I am pretty sure that I would respond the same way that they are and have so I cannot be too mad. I also have started listening to podcasts. Funny the first podcast on the list was grow houses and the amount of energy they use. Which if you were wondering is 6 times the normal amount a household uses. Funny I have no electricity and people in California are using more than their fair share, they also use absurd amounts of water. I also have to admit, although I still don’t know that much Kiswahili, I still love it when people talk to me and expect that I won’t understand. Especially when they are just greeting me. Come on people I definitely know how to greet by now, both in Kiswahili and Kigogo if you were wondering. Someone also asked me today what tribe I was from, how do you explain America without the vocab. I decided to tell them I was German, Irish, and Polish. I think German and Irish they understood but Poland was above them. I also taught them Dzien Dobry because they were talking about how most American’s only know one language. Compared to here were most high school kids know 3 (Kiswahili, Kigogo, and English). Lucky Bastards. I still will take my English and small Polish over theirs any day.
September 18, 2010
I have found the perfect spot in my house that I get a consistent amount of network, so today I had my cell phone on all day and got 2 calls in my house. This the first time that this has ever happened. My dad called and then Andrew, Hannah, and Stephi called from the MSU VS Notre Dame game, I of course am very jealous that they are at the football game and tailgating but it was so nice to talk to them. The funniest part was hearing that Andrew go hit by a car. I would have loved to see this.
Today I cleaned my entire house and did all my laundry and it still doesn’t feel clean. I think I am just going to have to live with the fact that everything is going to be somewhat dirty all the time. Which brings me to washing my clothes. I thought that I was doing a wonderful job of keeping my clothes looking crisp and clean but I am pretty sure the Bebes and mamas have been talking because my friend Jessica came over and showed me how to clean my clothes with a few Bebes stopping by and telling me to add more soap. Then Jessica would explain to them that I don’t know because I have a machine at home. This always gets a laugh out of them. But I do think my clothes do look and smell the cleanest that they have smelled in weeks although I have a feeling it is because of the amount of soap that I think is still in the fabric. I also found out today that my water is very salty which explains why the bar soap looks like clumps in the water. I should have been able to figure this out myself seeing as I am a chemist but it still took Jessica telling me to understand.
Jessica is the head health person of the village which doesn’t really mean that much as I can tell but she has become a good friend to me almost like another mother. She makes sure that everything is taken care of for me and makes sure that things are running smoothly. She comes and checks on me every day and almost always knows before I tell her what I did for the day or what I am going to do the next day. She defiantly reminds me of a mom when she starts cleaning my house and telling me to change my clothes because they are dirty as well as when we are at a meeting she tells me I need to go home now and cook and bath. But I don’t mind it, it is nice to have someone looking out for me. She is 39 and has 4 kids (ages 20, 17, 5, 2) she also told me that she had her kids early at first because she didn’t know about family planning. I really like her and am glad that she is here. I just hope that she is sincere, I think that she is but you never know when you are the white person in the village. But I am hoping for the best and have seen no evidence of the reverse.
September 19, 2010
I am not sure why today I have so much to tell because it wasn’t that interesting or busy of a day but here it goes. I woke up and climbed my mini mountain today. It took me about 1 hour to climb I then spent the next few hours walking around, reading, and sleeping. I loved it and am pretty sure this is going to become somewhat of a regular affair. It was so peaceful up there and there was also no one to bother me which I really liked. You can see forever too, I tried to take pictures but it really doesn’t do the landscape justice. Then when I got home I rested and to a shower and feel the cleanest I have felt in weeks.
And here it goes, so I am talking to a potential counterpart and a group of kids maybe the ages of 15-19 walk over. I figure they just want to say hi but no they have bibles in their hands. And what do they ask me “ if I have been saved.” So as calmly as I can (because this is the one question that angers me more than anything. Why do people ask this question and really is it any of their business. If I wanted to be saved I would have been.) I say that I am Catholic and have been my entire life. He then asks again if I have been saved so I say yes thinking that he will go away. No. No. He calls me a liar and continues to tell me why I need Jesus (this is all in Kiswahili) He then asks if I am French or English and switches to English. After 15 minutes he still wants to save me, not convert me just save me and again I tell him that I don’t need saving, I already have a great relationship with God. This conversation has probably made me the maddest I have been here and over God. How Ironic.
Later I went and talked with the headmaster of the secondary school because I really like talking to him, he teaches geography so we talked about the great lakes and I explained how I could show you where I lived with my hand. We then started to talk about sports and he said that there is a hockey team in Dar. I was surprised but then he said not many Tanzanians play, mostly Indians. So this leads me to believe that he doesn’t know what hockey is and thinks it is cricket. Of course I have to look into this because ya never know. So someone should find out if there is a hockey arena in Dar es Salaam.
I also made rice-a-roni tonight and it was spectacular. I cut up a tomatoes and added some Lawry’s Salt. I think this is one of the best meals I have made so far.
September 20, 2010
Picture this: A mud stage with a DJ on top and 3 huge speakers with 3 men in suit coats that go to their knees, fitted at the arms and a tie that only goes half way down their chest dancing Tanzanian style which to me looked like a drunk man lip syncing to his own music but acting like he is really singing. It was the most bizarre thing I have seen so far and this was all for the Anglican Church. These 3 men were preachers and they were in their 20s. It might just be me but I can’t take someone serious in their early 20s preaching about God. They are going to be here all week so every night I get to watch this bizarre scene take place.
I also made popcorn today and I cannot get all the popcorn to pop all the way but I have mastered the half popped kernel which I love. My teeth don’t enjoy this as much but I love those half popped kernels. Also if I haven’t already told you, before you cook rice you have to search through all of the grains and pick out the rocks. You then have to wash/soak the rice before you cook it. And even after all of this you will still end up with rocks in your rice and bite on the rock. And then think Oh My GOD I think I just broke my mouth. I really hope I come back with all of my teeth.
Furniture is still not here yet and yet again today I waited around thinking that it was going to appear. This makes me so mad thinking about it because I am absolutely positive I understood today but because Tanzanian time is so different this actually means hopefully this week. I really wish this village had cell service so at least I could call and find out the exact time to be home.
September 21, 2010
Scratch that today I saw the Anglican people being cured of their ailments. It was crazy. Bebe’s that couldn’t walk without a stick but now can. I don’t believe it but these people all did. I heard a lot of Amen’s and Alleluias.
So I don’t know if anyone has been wondering about what my day consists of but here it is. I wake up sometime between 5:00 and 6:00 am and then get out of bed between 6:30 and 7. I don’t need an alarm clock because of all the noise from the people moving and the rooster crowing. I then precede to sweep my house and courtyard of all the dirt that has accumulated. Then I take a shower, make some breakfast, and read. I usually get out of the house around 9 and stay out until 1. I then come home cook lunch and read some more and then again at 4 head out of the house until about 6 or 7 pm where again I return to cook, shower, read, and sleep. My days are not that exciting. I usually go out and try and work on Kiswahili and get to know the village some more. Which stinks because the more I learn about it the sadder I get because although there are a lot of good people here, there are also some corrupt and bad people. And it is hard to know who is who, but I am working on it.
I also talked to my friend Kenzi today which was wonderful. She lives in the Iringa region and we talked about PC and how hard it is, but then how awesome it is at times. We are both having a hard time trying to pick a counterpart to work with and have found that it is even harder when the only person you have to bounce ideas off of is yourself so we talked about it, but still didn’t come up with an answer for either of us. She also said that her brother is coming to TZ for 4-6 weeks so he might come and stay with me for a bit, which would be awesome because I love people, especially Americans at the moment. Funny I never thought of myself as a people person but here I definitely do. It is also weird because although I get sad at some parts of the day I am also so happy sometimes my mouth hurts from smiling.
September 22, 2010
I finally have a bed. I am so excited and supposedly my table is coming tomorrow. I already feel better about my house which in turn makes me feel about a hundred times better about my village and what I am doing here. I also had one of those days where you are suppose to be everywhere but can’t. I never understand how one can be so bored one day and then so busy they can hardly see the next. Today I was visited by my WEO (ward executive officer), Paul, and my friend Mathayo. Mathayo is from Kenya and lives in town. He is awesome, he was friends with all of the other PCV’s that lived in the area, so he understands how PC works and actually I think at the moment knows more about the village than I do. I am very lucky to have him here, he is kind of like and older brother looking out for all of us and explaining how things work.
Yesterday and today I had people come and talk to me about corruption and the state of the government and people within the town. This made me really sad and depressed for a bit because as much as I want to help people it is so hard to figure out who the good ones are and who the bad ones are. Hopefully time will tell and I hopefully I am a good judge of character. On another note Paul rented a bike for the month, so yesterday he went into town and of course didn’t lock his bike up. Needless to say it was stolen and now he has to explain to the shopkeeper in Kiswahili that he lost the bike. I feel so bad for him, even worse when I think of him trying to explain what happened in Kiswahili.
Also when you go to the bathroom, you always need to check the water bucket before you go for a cup of water to flush because if you are not careful you will find a lizard swimming in your water. I really thought me and the lizards had an understanding but when I saw him in my water, I freaked out. Both because he couldn’t get out and he strongly resembles a snake, especially when he was swimming. And as most of you know snakes scare me more than anything in the world.
September 23, 2010
I went with the WEO and VEO (government officials) to one of the subvillages today for a meeting only to find out that it had been canceled due to a death in the village. Which was fine, but we went around the whole village saying our condolences and I really thought that we were going to see the actual dead body. So I spent much of the time trying to stay calm and remember that I have seen dead bodies before. Something about Africa just make it seem a lot more scary.
I spent the last few days away from my village and although I had a very good first week it was really nice to hang-out with Americans, talk in English, and be with my friends. I did some shopping at the safi duka (shop, they sell oatmeal there) and went to the internet café and got to use real high speed internet, I almost thought I was back in the states for a minute. At night we all went to the bar together and sat around drinking and talking. It was a lot of fun. It was also really nice because since I don’t have network at the moment at my house I was able to talk to my siblings and family and catch up. This made my week because I love talking to them and hearing about what is going on, especially because it is usually hilarious.
Tomorrow I head back to my village and I am a little sad, not because it is bad, only because it is so unfamiliar and foreign still. I am going to have to go back into awkward mode and putting myself out there. If y’all saw me now, you would not recognize me because I actually go up and talk to people and make small talk, introducing myself and asking them tons of questions. I am a whole new person in TZ, but only here, I plan to keep conversations short in the USA.
Also we made banana bread and gingered carrot soup for dinner. It was delicious, who knew you could make such wonderful food here. Now I just need to remember that this stuff can all be made in my village by me.
August 30, 2010
It is my first day back at site and I was dreading it the entire day, Randi and Paul were really excited to get back, but me I was just scared and not ready to leave electricity and running water. Along with I had just watched It is Always Sunny in Philadelphia and this was a bad idea because this made me desperately miss home. But after arriving home, I went around the village and met with one of the women’s groups and I instantly felt better. I am ok again, it just stinks that I am so far removed from everyone. I had bought a different network card hoping that I would be able to talk inside my house but this didn’t work.
I am working on my house and making it a home which in the past I have not been very good at, but I figure if I can make this house something comfortable and something I want to come home to, this will instantly make life a ton better. My friend Jessica came over today and helped me wash and clean my floors which were caked in dust. I don’t think she thinks I can clean.
September 1, 2010
Today I am officially on the Zain plan which is wonderful. For $10 a month I can talk to all the other PCV’s for free and I get 100 free texts which is wonderful so now when I am having a bad day or a good day for that matter I can call someone. Granted I still have to walk to get network but at least I can talk to people now and not have to worry about my prepaid minutes running out. Apparently Alberta was more like TZ than I expected.
I think I understand people and then I find out that what they said is completely different from what I thought. Today I waited around almost the entire day waiting for the Fundi (carpenter) to come to fix my door. I come to find out that what was actually happening was we were going to his house at dinnertime. Not a big deal though because I caught up on some reading about the village and washed my walls because tomorrow I am going to begin to paint them. I am doing my bedroom purple and blue, hopefully those 2 colors look good together.
I also made naan bread today. I think it turned out all right, it was edible anyway. I think I am going to have to work on this. I also was visited by the counterpart of the last volunteer, he doesn’t speak that much English but he at least knows the ideas behind PC so I am going to go and talk to him tomorrow. He lives in the next village over, so I will be visiting one of the sub villages.
I am not sure how I am going to deal with the amount of people that expect me to have loads of cash and presents ready to give away at any minute. I understand that I come from a very wealthy country compared to here, but still. I keep trying to explain to people that I am here to help they understand and learn about the environment, that I only get a living allowance and am suppose to live like the typical Tanzanian but they still keep asking. I usually try to laugh it off but sometimes it is hard when they continue to ask. If they only knew that I am probably poorer than them. Thank you college.
September 3, 2010
Today I taught my first day of class at the secondary school, I was beyond scared to teach because I have never taught to kids before (let alone in another language) and I hate speaking in front of people, I would rather be in the back. It went great. I talked about soil erosion and the climate of TZ. I loved it and was actually impressed at the amount of knowledge I knew about soil erosion. I know I am a dork but I love talking about the environment and it is so much more exciting when you are talking in a different language. Although I am still sure that although this information is useful to the people of TZ, I still will not be able to communicate with Tanzanians in Kiswahili because all of my vocab will consist of is environmental words.
I also baked my first banana bread today and started my first jiiko (charcoal stove) by myself today. I almost was not able to do it. I really don’t like this not having a table and cooking on the floor stuff. My body was not built for this. But after 2 ½ hours of cooking and trying to light the jiko (a lot of Kerosene was used) I was somewhat successful. The bread is edible at least which is good. I need to learn to have more patience and not want to do everything so fast. It is actually quite hard to try and fill your day up with things to do in a small village besides talk to people. Which would be fine except I am still very limited in my communication and really am not good at small talk in any language. I can only ask if you are married, how many kids you have, and what you cooked for lunch so many times.
I also taught the kids hopscotch today. I think they really liked it. They and actually the adults had a little trouble at first which I was surprised about it because all you do is hop but they got the hang of it after awhile and loved it. Besides having all of this free time, I also have a lot of silence which I need to learn is okay. It is weird being able to hear yourself think all day long, some days I am really sick of myself but I guess with all this time and silence I might be able to figure out the rest of my life or atleast the next step but probably I will just read a book and continue to put my future off. At the moment I am thinking Tahoe with Hannah or Steamboat with Andrew would be great.
Also I just finished UP and the old man in the movie reminds me so much of Grandpa Preston it is unbelievable (Stephi and Hannah I think you would agree).
September 4, 2010
Today I washed my floors which I have found is really hard without a mop, I probably will have back problems by the time I leave here but it was a good workout anyways and now my house is clean. I also climbed my little mountain today. I only went halfway up but the view was amazing and it was so beautiful. I see a lot of that mountain in my future. I also get service up there which is a huge plus so I might possibly be skyping from the top of the mountain if everything goes as planned. Which is actually kind of cool I think if it works. I think it would definitely make for a good story.
I also opened my first coconut today. It was so hard, I really thought I was going to kill myself or atleast loose a finger but then it opened perfectly. But of course the coconut was still hard to get out of the shell. I don’t think this is going to be a normal shopping item. I also saw one of the women in the village cleaning a chicken, the amount of time and energy needed to clean it amazes me. I dabbled with the idea of telling them about the KFC chickens but figured that it would be better when I can actually communicate. Which I have still found to be quite difficult. Today I was talking about Bailey doggers because they asked if we had pets in American and instead of saying he died I said he was married which made for quite an interesting conversation.
September 7, 2010
I started reading this book called “My Gorilla Journal” by Helen Attwater it is all about Africa and how this lady moved to the Congo with her boyfriend to take care of orphan monkeys. It is interesting to read because she is describing almost exactly how I feel at times. Wishing I was home in the US and then at the same time so happy that I am here. It is so weird these highs and lows, but I find that as long as I keep busy everything is fine, so I have a feeling that I am going to have a lot of projects so I don’t have a lot of time to think.
I walked around the village today and talked with people again, I am not sure if my Kiswahili is getting any better but atleast I am trying and people can see that I am trying. One of the boys I talked to today knew English so he gave me some lessons. This is what he taught me in Kiswahili:
1. Refusing and wanting at the same time
2. To live long is to see much
3. Follow bees that you may eat honey
4. The cock crowing saying my boy is far away.
Not sure what I am going to do with these sayings yet or when I will ever have the chance to use them, but he was nice enough. The random things that people know in English astounds me, it is all so random and useless. They will be talking about food and then randomly bring up some organic chemistry or physics. And when this happens I am supremely lost because why on earth would you go from talking about food to talking about physics. That just is not natural.
I made my first fresh baked bread today. It took me ½ hour to prepare the dough and an 1 hour to light the Jiiko. I am not sure I will ever get the hang of it, everyone else makes it look so easy but every time I try and light it I almost burn my face off, If I make it out of TZ without a burnt face or hair I will be utterly surprised.
September 8, 2010
Today I went to one of the subvillages and introduced myself to some of the villagers and at the same time asked some questions about the village. It is weird that people are not busy all the time, Tanzanians look like they have all the time in the world. Which I guess they do, they live a more simplified life, one which I am finding harder and harder to adjust to. I like being overly busy and a workaholic it is really hard to be one here. It is also really hard to remember that this is going to be my life for the next 2 years. I am still thinking of this as strictly a job and school related which is not good. I need to build relationships that are not always focused on work. This is again going to be hard to do but I am going to try my best.
I made crepes with a tomatoes sauce today and it was amazing, even more amazing that I did this all while on the floor. I cannot wait until I have furniture, cooking on a table might be one of the simple joys in the world. I do think that me living in Houghton without furniture and on a blow up mattress got me more ready for this adventure than I thought. In reference to cooking I think I am going to try and make periogi’s (they butchered the name, it made me cringe when I saw how they spelled it in the PC COOK BOOK) here. There is a recipe in my cookbook and I figure I have a lot of time to perfect it. Hopefully they turn out, I am not going to start trying until I get a table first though.
I also think I am starting an addiction to sugar, before TZ I hardly ever ate sugar or added it to my food but now I add A LOT to everything. I ventured out again into the village today and found that a lot of villages indulge in the occasional alcoholic beverage as well. I talked to a few grandmas and grandpa with too tight of shoes.
September 9, 2010
So what happens when you respond with TAK to everything Ndiyo in Kiswhaili (YES) you end up walking for almost 6 hours straight. And I thought I was just going to this cute old man’s farm. I was probably the farthest from the truth. We started out by walking around the mountain and ended up looking at hay fields. We then continued to walk around another mountain where I found that they have electricity, really wish I lived on that side. After this we ended up in the town which I thought was the complete other way and talked to the Livestock Institute about my being in the area and possible collaboration. At this point I was ready to fall over, but then we met this scientist who is interested in collaboration and ended up at his house for lunch which was great especially because he spoke English we then preceded with our journey home which was another 2 ½ hours. I don’t think I have ever walked this much without going hiking. And I am pretty sure we walked around 2 full mountains today and there some of the worst gullies I have ever seen. I have to say it is amazing how much water can do for an area, it was so green on the other side of the mountain. On top of being the most tired I have ever been in TZ so far I think that I am probably the most dirty and dusty I have ever been, even after bathing I am still covered. A bucket bath sure doesn’t beat a hot shower.
Also when we went to this scientists house it was liking walking into the USA. He has electricity, a fridge, dvd player, ect. I didn’t know what to do with myself. It was really weird because I haven’t seen any of that stuff or technology in general in 3 months. It is funny that any time I talk to someone they all asked how I am surviving without electricity, even the teachers at the school. The lack of electricity doesn’t really bother me it is more of the sketchy cell service and lack of internet. I didn’t realize how much I love the internet or the amount of time I used to spend on it. I love it because everything you could possible want to know about anything is at your finger tips I really miss being able to look up random things or find the answers instantly. But I don’t really miss tv that much.
September 12, 2010
This last weekend I went into town because I just couldn’t stay in the village any longer. I am still working on making my house nice and as of right now I still have no furniture and I have to say it just doesn’t make staying home enjoyable. So I went into town and stayed with my friend Claire who is from Scotland. She is really cool. It was great because all we did was hangout and cook and I got to use electricity and watch tv. We watched Miss TZ which was hilarious. The program looked like something we could have produced in 8th grade film production it was horrible but still nice to watch. I also watched more of It’s always Sunny in Philly and I love the show even more now. It is so funny, if you haven’t seen it you need to start watching it. I am getting less homesick although the transition (sitting on the bus and waiting to leave to come back to the village) is still pretty painful. But once I got back home I was fine, although while on the bus I was on the verge of tears which I am not sure why because I like my village and feel great when I am here (most of the time). I did decorate a little more when I got home which made me feel a little better and I think it is starting to look better. I also got to talk to my parents which was amazing, even extra amazing since they didn’t know that I was going to have service.
Also I have another animal issue in my house. For the past week I have been finding pellets of poop on the floor but that is it, I never hear anything or see anything only the poop. So I of course have been discussing this with my friends and they all keep telling me you must have a rat or a mouse. And I keep telling them I know the difference between that poop. (Large rodent incident of fall/ winter 2008) Today I finally saw it, it being a lizard that is about 3 times the size of Gonzo the Gecko. I think we have an understanding though, that as long as he stays out of sight I will continue as normal. I just hope he doesn’t wake me up in the middle of the night too.
RANDOM INFO: I am living in the Dodoma region in a village of about 5000 people. My friend Paul lives a few villages over and is about a 2 hour walk. Paul is from Oregon and spent 2 years living in Vietnam. Randi (girl) lives about a 3 hour bus ride away. She is from a tiny town in Washington and probably has one of the best laughs I have heard. Paul, Randi, and me are all environmental volunteers and have not electricity or running water. We also have very sketchy cell service which makes communication hard. In our banking town Yue and Claire live. Yue is from California and is a education volunteer and Claire is a education VSO volunteer from Scotland. It is really nice that Yue and Claire live in town because then I have a place to retreat to that has running water and electricity and the closest thing to an American home that I think I am going to find in Dodoma.
September 14, 2010
As usual you can sit around and wait for something or someone to show up and no one ever does but the minute you start doing something, you get the knock on the door. This of course happened to me today, which was fine. I talked for a while with this girl about the previous volunteer and what she was is interested in, but then my stomach starting hurting and I was just trying to get her to leave because guess what I have diarrhea. Wonderful, first time in TZ which is probably a record within my group of friends.
But anyways, I started reading “EAT, LOVE, PRAY” (Jenna you should be really happy about this, but I think that I am going to finish it in less than a week unlike someone I know who took what seemed like forever, also I met someone else who read People of the Book and I explained to her how I haven’t read it but heard a lot of it because of your i-pod on random) and so far I am loving it. I just finished the part about Italy and it makes me miss Italy, although I am not sure why, I think it is because I miss my mom and Hannah more than actually Italy because I don’t even like Italian food. Although I did make spaghetti here because it is faster than rice. But anyways so far I really really like it. It is also weird though because she talks about her relationship with her sister and how in her early years they weren’t very friendly and how now she couldn’t imagine her life without her. Which maybe because I am here and realizing what and who is important, but I know that now I cannot either imagine my life without Stephi and Hannah in it. (weird considering Hannah and me used to never get along, we couldn’t even be in the same room together).
September 15, 2010
I finished reading “”Eat, Love, Pray” and really enjoyed it. It makes me want to write a book about my experience here in Tanzania but then I remember that I hate writing and that I am a terrible writer. So this blog is the closest thing that I will ever get to writing a book, which is fine for me. Also this makes me think that I might like to try meditation since I of course have the time, but then I think that would leave me even more time with my own thoughts and I really don’t like it when I have a lot of time to think. Nothing good ever comes of it, but on the other hand it might be good and actually help me and bring my thoughts together and away from home. So I might try it, I am still talking myself into it at the moment if you haven’t noticed.
Today I went to practice my Swahili with a pair of form 4 (senior) students. It was so funny, they learn English a very interesting way and therefore talk very differently from what I am use too. But it was still very good it is nice to talk in Swahili and English. They lectured me on the history of Africa and explained the key factors as to why Europe wanted Africa. It made me laugh, I felt like I was in History class again. Of course we also talked about drinking in the USA, marriage, sex, and HIV. The 4 things that villagers seem to love to talk about the most.
We also have no clinic here, but once a month the hospital comes to town. It was crazy to see all these women waiting to have their children weighed. They weigh them on a scale with a hook, so the baby hangs from the hook, I thought half the babies were going to fall off it. I also learned to make Ugali (thick porridge made with cornflour) today which the villagers were really happy about but I still don’t think that I will ever make it. Maybe in the USA so that everyone can try it and see what they have been missing in TZ but I am pretty sure that you are all going to agree that it should stay in TZ. I also spent today walking very slowly back and forth around my house today and found that if I stand really still in one spot that I can get service sometimes which made me feel good, so at least if I really need to talk to someone I will be able to in the privacy of my own home. Just me and what I have so far counted as 2 lizards and more ants than I care to count, but at least the ants are really small and they lizards can eat them.
September 16, 2010
Another way to kill yourself or seriously injure your mouth would be eating sugarcane. Especially when the only way to cut it is with a machete. The kids really got a laugh out of me trying to cut the sugar cane. I also thought that sugar cane could help with a diet because if you really want to eat it, you are going to have to really work to actually eat it. So it might be a good snack for the future if I can master the machete. I also was thinking today how annoyed I get when all the little kids laugh at me when I am trying to do something or just talking in general and I would like to think that if it was reversed that I would not laugh but I am pretty sure that I would respond the same way that they are and have so I cannot be too mad. I also have started listening to podcasts. Funny the first podcast on the list was grow houses and the amount of energy they use. Which if you were wondering is 6 times the normal amount a household uses. Funny I have no electricity and people in California are using more than their fair share, they also use absurd amounts of water. I also have to admit, although I still don’t know that much Kiswahili, I still love it when people talk to me and expect that I won’t understand. Especially when they are just greeting me. Come on people I definitely know how to greet by now, both in Kiswahili and Kigogo if you were wondering. Someone also asked me today what tribe I was from, how do you explain America without the vocab. I decided to tell them I was German, Irish, and Polish. I think German and Irish they understood but Poland was above them. I also taught them Dzien Dobry because they were talking about how most American’s only know one language. Compared to here were most high school kids know 3 (Kiswahili, Kigogo, and English). Lucky Bastards. I still will take my English and small Polish over theirs any day.
September 18, 2010
I have found the perfect spot in my house that I get a consistent amount of network, so today I had my cell phone on all day and got 2 calls in my house. This the first time that this has ever happened. My dad called and then Andrew, Hannah, and Stephi called from the MSU VS Notre Dame game, I of course am very jealous that they are at the football game and tailgating but it was so nice to talk to them. The funniest part was hearing that Andrew go hit by a car. I would have loved to see this.
Today I cleaned my entire house and did all my laundry and it still doesn’t feel clean. I think I am just going to have to live with the fact that everything is going to be somewhat dirty all the time. Which brings me to washing my clothes. I thought that I was doing a wonderful job of keeping my clothes looking crisp and clean but I am pretty sure the Bebes and mamas have been talking because my friend Jessica came over and showed me how to clean my clothes with a few Bebes stopping by and telling me to add more soap. Then Jessica would explain to them that I don’t know because I have a machine at home. This always gets a laugh out of them. But I do think my clothes do look and smell the cleanest that they have smelled in weeks although I have a feeling it is because of the amount of soap that I think is still in the fabric. I also found out today that my water is very salty which explains why the bar soap looks like clumps in the water. I should have been able to figure this out myself seeing as I am a chemist but it still took Jessica telling me to understand.
Jessica is the head health person of the village which doesn’t really mean that much as I can tell but she has become a good friend to me almost like another mother. She makes sure that everything is taken care of for me and makes sure that things are running smoothly. She comes and checks on me every day and almost always knows before I tell her what I did for the day or what I am going to do the next day. She defiantly reminds me of a mom when she starts cleaning my house and telling me to change my clothes because they are dirty as well as when we are at a meeting she tells me I need to go home now and cook and bath. But I don’t mind it, it is nice to have someone looking out for me. She is 39 and has 4 kids (ages 20, 17, 5, 2) she also told me that she had her kids early at first because she didn’t know about family planning. I really like her and am glad that she is here. I just hope that she is sincere, I think that she is but you never know when you are the white person in the village. But I am hoping for the best and have seen no evidence of the reverse.
September 19, 2010
I am not sure why today I have so much to tell because it wasn’t that interesting or busy of a day but here it goes. I woke up and climbed my mini mountain today. It took me about 1 hour to climb I then spent the next few hours walking around, reading, and sleeping. I loved it and am pretty sure this is going to become somewhat of a regular affair. It was so peaceful up there and there was also no one to bother me which I really liked. You can see forever too, I tried to take pictures but it really doesn’t do the landscape justice. Then when I got home I rested and to a shower and feel the cleanest I have felt in weeks.
And here it goes, so I am talking to a potential counterpart and a group of kids maybe the ages of 15-19 walk over. I figure they just want to say hi but no they have bibles in their hands. And what do they ask me “ if I have been saved.” So as calmly as I can (because this is the one question that angers me more than anything. Why do people ask this question and really is it any of their business. If I wanted to be saved I would have been.) I say that I am Catholic and have been my entire life. He then asks again if I have been saved so I say yes thinking that he will go away. No. No. He calls me a liar and continues to tell me why I need Jesus (this is all in Kiswahili) He then asks if I am French or English and switches to English. After 15 minutes he still wants to save me, not convert me just save me and again I tell him that I don’t need saving, I already have a great relationship with God. This conversation has probably made me the maddest I have been here and over God. How Ironic.
Later I went and talked with the headmaster of the secondary school because I really like talking to him, he teaches geography so we talked about the great lakes and I explained how I could show you where I lived with my hand. We then started to talk about sports and he said that there is a hockey team in Dar. I was surprised but then he said not many Tanzanians play, mostly Indians. So this leads me to believe that he doesn’t know what hockey is and thinks it is cricket. Of course I have to look into this because ya never know. So someone should find out if there is a hockey arena in Dar es Salaam.
I also made rice-a-roni tonight and it was spectacular. I cut up a tomatoes and added some Lawry’s Salt. I think this is one of the best meals I have made so far.
September 20, 2010
Picture this: A mud stage with a DJ on top and 3 huge speakers with 3 men in suit coats that go to their knees, fitted at the arms and a tie that only goes half way down their chest dancing Tanzanian style which to me looked like a drunk man lip syncing to his own music but acting like he is really singing. It was the most bizarre thing I have seen so far and this was all for the Anglican Church. These 3 men were preachers and they were in their 20s. It might just be me but I can’t take someone serious in their early 20s preaching about God. They are going to be here all week so every night I get to watch this bizarre scene take place.
I also made popcorn today and I cannot get all the popcorn to pop all the way but I have mastered the half popped kernel which I love. My teeth don’t enjoy this as much but I love those half popped kernels. Also if I haven’t already told you, before you cook rice you have to search through all of the grains and pick out the rocks. You then have to wash/soak the rice before you cook it. And even after all of this you will still end up with rocks in your rice and bite on the rock. And then think Oh My GOD I think I just broke my mouth. I really hope I come back with all of my teeth.
Furniture is still not here yet and yet again today I waited around thinking that it was going to appear. This makes me so mad thinking about it because I am absolutely positive I understood today but because Tanzanian time is so different this actually means hopefully this week. I really wish this village had cell service so at least I could call and find out the exact time to be home.
September 21, 2010
Scratch that today I saw the Anglican people being cured of their ailments. It was crazy. Bebe’s that couldn’t walk without a stick but now can. I don’t believe it but these people all did. I heard a lot of Amen’s and Alleluias.
So I don’t know if anyone has been wondering about what my day consists of but here it is. I wake up sometime between 5:00 and 6:00 am and then get out of bed between 6:30 and 7. I don’t need an alarm clock because of all the noise from the people moving and the rooster crowing. I then precede to sweep my house and courtyard of all the dirt that has accumulated. Then I take a shower, make some breakfast, and read. I usually get out of the house around 9 and stay out until 1. I then come home cook lunch and read some more and then again at 4 head out of the house until about 6 or 7 pm where again I return to cook, shower, read, and sleep. My days are not that exciting. I usually go out and try and work on Kiswahili and get to know the village some more. Which stinks because the more I learn about it the sadder I get because although there are a lot of good people here, there are also some corrupt and bad people. And it is hard to know who is who, but I am working on it.
I also talked to my friend Kenzi today which was wonderful. She lives in the Iringa region and we talked about PC and how hard it is, but then how awesome it is at times. We are both having a hard time trying to pick a counterpart to work with and have found that it is even harder when the only person you have to bounce ideas off of is yourself so we talked about it, but still didn’t come up with an answer for either of us. She also said that her brother is coming to TZ for 4-6 weeks so he might come and stay with me for a bit, which would be awesome because I love people, especially Americans at the moment. Funny I never thought of myself as a people person but here I definitely do. It is also weird because although I get sad at some parts of the day I am also so happy sometimes my mouth hurts from smiling.
September 22, 2010
I finally have a bed. I am so excited and supposedly my table is coming tomorrow. I already feel better about my house which in turn makes me feel about a hundred times better about my village and what I am doing here. I also had one of those days where you are suppose to be everywhere but can’t. I never understand how one can be so bored one day and then so busy they can hardly see the next. Today I was visited by my WEO (ward executive officer), Paul, and my friend Mathayo. Mathayo is from Kenya and lives in town. He is awesome, he was friends with all of the other PCV’s that lived in the area, so he understands how PC works and actually I think at the moment knows more about the village than I do. I am very lucky to have him here, he is kind of like and older brother looking out for all of us and explaining how things work.
Yesterday and today I had people come and talk to me about corruption and the state of the government and people within the town. This made me really sad and depressed for a bit because as much as I want to help people it is so hard to figure out who the good ones are and who the bad ones are. Hopefully time will tell and I hopefully I am a good judge of character. On another note Paul rented a bike for the month, so yesterday he went into town and of course didn’t lock his bike up. Needless to say it was stolen and now he has to explain to the shopkeeper in Kiswahili that he lost the bike. I feel so bad for him, even worse when I think of him trying to explain what happened in Kiswahili.
Also when you go to the bathroom, you always need to check the water bucket before you go for a cup of water to flush because if you are not careful you will find a lizard swimming in your water. I really thought me and the lizards had an understanding but when I saw him in my water, I freaked out. Both because he couldn’t get out and he strongly resembles a snake, especially when he was swimming. And as most of you know snakes scare me more than anything in the world.
September 23, 2010
I went with the WEO and VEO (government officials) to one of the subvillages today for a meeting only to find out that it had been canceled due to a death in the village. Which was fine, but we went around the whole village saying our condolences and I really thought that we were going to see the actual dead body. So I spent much of the time trying to stay calm and remember that I have seen dead bodies before. Something about Africa just make it seem a lot more scary.
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