Where is the RAIN

January 30, 2011

I went to Dodoma this weekend and had a great time. I went with bunch of friends: Claire, Paul, Tanya, and Jake and then ran into a bunch more when we got there. It was so much fun, we just hung out, ate really good food, and watched movies. I even bought some fabric to make a dress. Now I just wonder how long it will take before I decide to actually go to the seamstress. I really like the fabric and I don’t want them to mess it up.

One bus ride home it was packed, so packed the police actually made all the people standing get off at one point and then I think a bribe might have happened and all the people got right back on the bus. This is my first encounter with a bribe that I was aware of the situation. I was also thinking that I wonder if Guinness Book of World Records have ever come to TZ to see how many people can fit in a car because they are really good at packing people in.

I splurged and bought cheese this week, so me and Claire had cheese sandwiches tonight. They were awesome, as usual.

January 31, 2011

Three Weeks of frustration finally ended today, I finally had my meeting, not in the exact way I wanted but at least people came. It was great me and Jessica got to talk and I am hoping this is a glimpse of the months to come. Also I planted a garden with the women’s group in front of my house. It went awesome, with me not doing anything and Jessica teaching them. (this is how it is suppose to be) It was so great and all the women seemed at least really interested. We are going to plant a few more gardens so hopefully they turn out. I also used the jembe (hoe) a little and all the women thought that was funny and then told me that I could stop. They don’t think I can do anything because in American, machines do everything they say. So things are finally starting to turn around and I actually feel needed a little, well at least today anyway.

Also I have been thinking we I get back to the US I am going to have to break some things that I have noticed I have acquired while here. First it is culturally appropriate to pick your nose and I find myself doing this around a group of people. I don’t know why I do this, especially too because I find it disgusting, especially because they always pick their nose and then want to shake your hand. AAHHH It is so gross. Also I think I will be starting to state the obvious a lot. Here everyone asks what I am doing such as “You are going to town or you are carrying water” (this is when I have water on my head). I find it annoying and yet I ask these very same questions to the villagers. Another one is just saying “hiya” to everything and grunting in some form for an answer or acknowledgment. I think it is going to be very interesting when I return.

I lost one of my nalgen bottles which is really sad because I have had it for over 1 ½ years and was just thinking how cool it would be if I kept it until I returned. NEVER think thoughts like this or you are bound to lose it, which I did. We tried retracing my steps but nothing, most looked at me weird when I asked if they had seen a water bottle until Claire informed me that they are probably thinking of the cheap water bottles that you get water in. Luckily I brought another one, but of course the women of the village never miss a beat and with in 1 minute of seeing me and my new bottle they were wondering what happened to the old one.

Passion fruit might be my favorite fruit of all time. Also Aunt Marti informed me that yeast needs to be mixed with warm water, not hot. This might explain the period of bad bread. I am learning so much here about stuff that I should know it is ridiculous. Also a lot of stuff that doesn’t matter like why is it better to put bread in the fridge. One student asked how many presidents the US has had and I am ashamed to say that I have no clue. I know I knew at one time, but not now. Mrs. Choffel would not be proud right now.

Hannah called today and somehow we started talking about me and Andrew and it was really funny. Because he has the crazy personality and I am the more reserved, quiet one yet we live the complete opposite lives. It is weird how that happens. I also skyped with Stephi, Colin, and Alex together. That was so much fun. Those three crack me up. I love hearing about their adventures, it makes me miss college and actually just having a beer. It is not the same here. I just don’t feel relaxed here. I am always on some type of guard.

February 1, 2011

Exciting news, I got approved for my vacation which means that I get to buy a plane ticket soon. Yay. So get excited. I also made a calendar to keep me motivated to work out, so tomorrow I start in preparation for maybe a 10K I don’t know. Something to just get me started, I really want to do a half marathon but I don’t think I can do it yet, maybe next year I can do the Kili half.

Not too much happened today. I talked to my neighbor and she is going to start teaching me Swahili once a week and we are going to make a fuel-efficent stove together. I spent a lot of today reading and trying to figure out some homework stuff as well as what I want to accomplish this week.

Tomorrow is Jessica’s sons birthday, so I am going to make a chocolate cake for him. I hope it turns out.

February 2, 2011

So I attempted to make a chocolate cake today. It might be the worst thing that I have made to date. And if that was not bad enough, I even tried frosting which didn’t work either. But I was able to turn the frosting into no bake cookies, luckily. Another bad day for cooking. Oh well. But then I got 2 free meals today so that made up for it. J2 made me dinner and then my neighbor brought me some macande which is a corn and bean mixture. It was awesome. It takes all day to cook, so I have never made it, but it is delicious.

I just finished “the art of racing in the rain.” It is a book about a family from the perspective of the dog. It is both really cute and really sad. It also reminds me of Bailey dog a lot. (aunt Diane and aunt Tricia not sure if you should read it) Aunt Tricia it might remind you of Harrison, although not me because for some reason Harrison scared me to death. All I can remember about him is that he liked cheese singles and was always locked in the kitchen on 9th st. And it also makes me want to get a dog really bad when I get back.
I am having the hardest time waking up in the mornings which is both a good and bad thing. I went to go running this morning and it was already too hot, so I decided to do some pilates and then go for a walk and take some pictures of the soil erosion in the area. I am so out of shape. My body just aches today.

I planted my herb garden today, so we shall see how that goes. I think we are on week 3 of no rain. I thought this was supposed to be the rainy season. This is not good. I also stepped on a thorn bush today. They have thorn bushed everywhere and when you step on them it is like having many nails go through your foot. It is not pleasant.

February 3, 2011

I went running this morning. It is amazing what a calendar can do for a person. I was laying in bed trying to decide when to go running, in the morning or at night and for some reason because it said on the calendar, I had to get it done with so that I could cross it off. It was really nice too. It felt good to be running, although I could hardly move when I returned home. Luckily I have little to do during the day, so I spent a bit just laying down.

I attempted to talk to some women today about selling their clay pots in town. It was a no go as everyone is at the farm. The village is so quiet, there is hardly anyone here except the children, who I am avoiding at the moment. I am still not over the stealing of my bread dough or my magazines. Soon enough I am sure they will all return, but I am enjoying not having them around.

I went to the duka and put up some poster’s about my chicken meeting today. We shall see if they stay up or get torn down. I cannot remember if I told you, but I out 2 posters up on my door about the projects I am starting and the chicken meeting. And on my return, it was all gone. Now why would anyone take my posters. I was really hoping that they stayed because I thought that would be a good way for the village to see what I am doing and a lot of people walk by my house on their way places, but apparently this is not going to happen. The duka’s will do though I think.

I am also ashamed to say that I didn’t throw the chocolate cake away and ate it with peanut butter. It was actually not bad with peanut butter. I just didn’t want to waste it or find the kids eating it later. So I ate it, which I still am not sure why. It really was not good.
In Dodoma, they have a new restaurant that serves hamburgers and I am craving one right now. I cannot wait to go back, the food is really good. I also cannot wait to eat a big mac. I know they are horrible for you, but they taste so good.

I am also sad to admit that apparently chameleons are seen as insects here and should therefore die. I was walking and asked the kids what they were doing and they said that they were killing bugs. This would explain why I never see any cool things, they kill them all. I also thought a pack of dogs was going to attack me today. I have never been scared or threatened by dogs but today I really thought they were going to get me. Luckily they didn’t.
I forgot to mention when I was coming home from Dodoma, I witnessed my first flat out corruption. In TZ it is illegal to stand on the bus but the people usually just pay a fine and then go on their way. This time, the police made all the people standing get off the bus and then everyone (standing and sitting) was going to have to go down to the police station and then miraculously everything was forgiven and we went on our merry way. Very Interesting.