Posts
You are probably wondering who the hell Elizabeth is and why my blog entry is named after her? haha, she is a grad student that I met this past week who is doing her research in/around Dar es Salaam that I hung out with last week, she even gave me her old pair of running shoes, for which I deemed neccessarily to thank her by giving her the title of this blog...haha. You now are wondering what I was doing in Dar... it's a long story.
So two weeks ago my tooth started feeling a little weird so I wanted to get it checked out. In the US this requires a 30-45 min drive to your local dentist... well in Tanzania it was a journey that initially was supposed to be 3 days (max) that turned into a week and a half travel across the country of Tanzania. Along the way I met some awesome... and not so awesome people and had fun, almost cried and ate yummy food! haha (honestly at this point anything other than beans and ughali is yummy).
The trip to Dodoma is a 6 hour bus ride on an unpaved bumpy road for half way. (Never again will I complain about the potholes in Ohio). So for three hours you're bouncy up down and around on this bus in 100 degree weather, sounds fun right? But when we got there, we went shopping had awesome chinese food and met a white business man from South Africa... this is where it get's interesting. He was really nice. Although the first day we saw him, we almost killed him (and nearly everyone else in the resturant) with our fahijta entree.... but honestly it was worth it. The next night he offered to pay for our dinner and of course being the broke volunteers we are, we ordered up half the menu..hehe. It was a great night until he started criticizing Americans because we prefix every other race with _____ American. Like I said he was from South Africa, so how could he talk about us when their country just recently ended the apartheid not even a decade ago??? But anywho, since he was paying we tried to rationalize with him and not pay him too much mind. We left gracious for his generousity but a little ticked by his mentality.
I went to the dentist there and they told me that the reason my tooth hurt was because (and I quote) "God made everything in pairs, and it's missing it's other half". Ummm, and then he said he wanted to do a root canal, without any x-ray or test? That was a definate no, which meant I would have to travel to Dar es Salaam on another long bus ride (7 hours... atleast this road is paved all the way through.)
(sidenote about riding the bus in Tanzania- you can get almost anything you need during this ride...shoes, clothes, food, drinks, jewelry, anything! It's great!)
So I went to Dar and ended up staying for a whole week! I was not to happy about that (didnt have more than 3 days worth of anything!) Although I despise the heat, the many people that harass you and being there by myself, I love the amenities you can get there (for most things, the only place you can get these items). I ate chinese, lebanese, PIZZA(although I ordered it one day and I waited for two hours and called the lady back and she said she forgot and now they were closed! Only in Tanzania, I swear) and real ice cream. I know that may not sound great to you but when you only see beans, rice, ugahli and mchicha (local spinach) you get excited over almost anything.
Oh yeah, good news... I weighed myself and thus far I lost 45 lbs! I am so happy. I have a goal and I have been excercising and stuff. I have even considered running the 5K next year... its only about 2 and a half miles, but it seems like fun. It'll be a great acheivement!
So now I am back in Singida and never thought I would be happy about that! Next week is mid-exams and then easter break. I am excited about that because no teaching next week, then I am off to Morogoro for IST and then to Lindi for a 4 day beach party with other volunteers. Life here is starting to seem normal and I feel like I belong here and actually am making a difference!
Tomorrow is our Women's Day celebration (a little late, but this tanzania...haha) Wish me luck!
*My email is acting up, so I created a new account. My new email address is kimber.s.lynn@gmail.com. Send me some mail! :-)
*My sister is almost due.... OMG! I am so happy, I can't wait to see pics of my beautiful new neice thats coming into this world! Yay!
(and all the upcoming pics of other babies that people are having!)
* Melanie and Sherry, thanks for the box! I received it in Dar a few days ago and I absolutely love it! My address in Singida is:
Stephanie Kimber
PO Box 288
Singida, Tanzania
Via Airmail
Well, I hope everyone is doing well and keeping their jobs... I heard the economy is getting worse day by day... I went to convert some US dollars into Tanzanian Shillings and the rate was 15% lower than it usually is.... I couldn't believe it.
Miss you and love you all very much!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Thank you everyone for all of your encouragement and support through various letters these past few weeks. It seems like when I am having an overwhelming day, I always get a letter encouraging me to continue. It was once said that in Peace Corps you will have some of the highest highs and some of the lowest lows. I feel like sometimes I am on the top of the world because students are responding to my teaching, teachers are excited about upcoming programs that I want to do and everything is going my way. Other times I feel like if one more thing goes wrong... it will be more than I can bear! So the saying I have found to be true, although I am still a neophyte in Tanzania.
Someone told me before I left that I should take this opportunity to learn from people who arent necessarily as "smart" as me. Also that humility is the number one item that should be included on my journey.
I have tried to keep this in mind and allow it to reflect on my outlook in a positive manner. There are many things that drive me insane about this culture (i.e having no concept of a line and although I have been waiting in line for two hours to get money, four people just get infront of me as I was about to go to the teller!) but somethings I truly appreciate. People in this country, especially in my region arent well off finacially ( I live in the poorest region in the country) but you can go to someones house and they practically force you stay for dinner... this culture is all about caring for one another. Also, I like how you can go to someones house and just sit. It's not required to speak, just being in one's presence is enough. This is really good for someone who is still learning the language, you just go to someones house, sit and BE. Another teacher has taken me as her daughter and treats me as so. I absolutely love her two small daughters and she treats me as I am one of the family. Also unlike the states, people are willing to help you out, and dont see it as an inconvience to them. I can just go up to one of my fellow teachers and ask them a question (where to buy this, how can I get that) and not only do they tell you, but most times they will escort you to make sure you are successful. This is really helpful and makes me feel as though I am intergrating into the community because of their commitment for my success in everything, whether it's big or small. Overall, the people here for the most part are loving and caring and I feel honored to be in their presence.
Well a brief update of my life since school has begun.
*Teaching is going well. I like my students (atleast most of them) and I feel like some are really enjoying having a teacher from america. They ask me the most random questions and they crack up when i speak swahili. I was really nervous about teaching, but the students seem to understand and perform well on tasks given. Also I feel like I was able to establish the level of respect (without beating them into submission with a stick) and a friendly friendship. They know when they need to be serious and when we can relax.
~ Using a stick here is normal to discipline children. It's sad to be around, I usually just leave because the mentality that I have observed and was told that "Africans dont respond, unless their is force is brought." This is really depressing because this behavior was started by the british when they came to colonize the country.
*Two weeks ago one of my form 1 students passed away. She was only 13 and she died of malaria. It's sad that people die here so often from a virus that can be prevented. ( I went to the funeral and let's just say that it was an interesting cross-cultural experience.)
~Sidenote: I have been here (at site) 2.5 months and 8 people have died.... most from preventable diseases.
* Many of the teachers at my school have been geting typhoid... I keep telling them its because they dont boil water but no one believes me....
*Two other volunteers and I have decided to put on a women's day program for secondary girls here on National Women's day (March 8th). In this culture girls are expected to marry at 15 and have kids immediately so they can raise a family. Most times education ceases and these young girls are dependent on men(too many times abusive men) for their survival. Here girls are told that they are the inferior sex and arent as intelligent as their male counterparts, which diminshes their aspirations for the future. Also too many times secondary school girls "sell their body" for money for school fees and if they get pregnant they have no future. So I am really passionate about educating girls that they are capable of achieving goals that they have set. We are inviting local women ( a business owner, teacher, police commisioner, tailor and a social worker) to come talk to the girls about how theyovercame the roadblocks that were place to impede their success and how they juggle family and work. Also we are going to have time where the girls can go around and ask questions. I think it is important for young girls to see other women that have broken down cultural expectations so they can have role models and know that since she did, it's possible.
*I started a small program where I allow students to write any question they may have on a piece of paper and give it to me to answer. I have found that many students are too scared to ask me in person because of their lack of english... or because they are embarassed. But thus far I have had an opportunity to educate them on a variety of issues ranging from puberty, to math and america. It's wonderful how inquisite these students are and their desire for knowledge.
* In a few weeks (at the end of march) I will go to my in-service training... I can't believe by that time I would have been here for 6 months. It doesnt seem like that long at all.
* I have made a lot of friends here and I am staring to feel like this is home.... I never thought this day would come.
(Sidenote... I was able to watch the presidential inauguration and honestly I was amazed. I felt like it wasnt true and to see him taking the presidential oath (the same oath peace corps volunteers take) it made me begin to feel optimistic for my future and the direction the country is headed. GOOD JOB AMERICA!!!)
Well I hope all is well in America... I miss you all and please enjoy the snow for me... Winter is my favorite season. :-)
Someone told me before I left that I should take this opportunity to learn from people who arent necessarily as "smart" as me. Also that humility is the number one item that should be included on my journey.
I have tried to keep this in mind and allow it to reflect on my outlook in a positive manner. There are many things that drive me insane about this culture (i.e having no concept of a line and although I have been waiting in line for two hours to get money, four people just get infront of me as I was about to go to the teller!) but somethings I truly appreciate. People in this country, especially in my region arent well off finacially ( I live in the poorest region in the country) but you can go to someones house and they practically force you stay for dinner... this culture is all about caring for one another. Also, I like how you can go to someones house and just sit. It's not required to speak, just being in one's presence is enough. This is really good for someone who is still learning the language, you just go to someones house, sit and BE. Another teacher has taken me as her daughter and treats me as so. I absolutely love her two small daughters and she treats me as I am one of the family. Also unlike the states, people are willing to help you out, and dont see it as an inconvience to them. I can just go up to one of my fellow teachers and ask them a question (where to buy this, how can I get that) and not only do they tell you, but most times they will escort you to make sure you are successful. This is really helpful and makes me feel as though I am intergrating into the community because of their commitment for my success in everything, whether it's big or small. Overall, the people here for the most part are loving and caring and I feel honored to be in their presence.
Well a brief update of my life since school has begun.
*Teaching is going well. I like my students (atleast most of them) and I feel like some are really enjoying having a teacher from america. They ask me the most random questions and they crack up when i speak swahili. I was really nervous about teaching, but the students seem to understand and perform well on tasks given. Also I feel like I was able to establish the level of respect (without beating them into submission with a stick) and a friendly friendship. They know when they need to be serious and when we can relax.
~ Using a stick here is normal to discipline children. It's sad to be around, I usually just leave because the mentality that I have observed and was told that "Africans dont respond, unless their is force is brought." This is really depressing because this behavior was started by the british when they came to colonize the country.
*Two weeks ago one of my form 1 students passed away. She was only 13 and she died of malaria. It's sad that people die here so often from a virus that can be prevented. ( I went to the funeral and let's just say that it was an interesting cross-cultural experience.)
~Sidenote: I have been here (at site) 2.5 months and 8 people have died.... most from preventable diseases.
* Many of the teachers at my school have been geting typhoid... I keep telling them its because they dont boil water but no one believes me....
*Two other volunteers and I have decided to put on a women's day program for secondary girls here on National Women's day (March 8th). In this culture girls are expected to marry at 15 and have kids immediately so they can raise a family. Most times education ceases and these young girls are dependent on men(too many times abusive men) for their survival. Here girls are told that they are the inferior sex and arent as intelligent as their male counterparts, which diminshes their aspirations for the future. Also too many times secondary school girls "sell their body" for money for school fees and if they get pregnant they have no future. So I am really passionate about educating girls that they are capable of achieving goals that they have set. We are inviting local women ( a business owner, teacher, police commisioner, tailor and a social worker) to come talk to the girls about how theyovercame the roadblocks that were place to impede their success and how they juggle family and work. Also we are going to have time where the girls can go around and ask questions. I think it is important for young girls to see other women that have broken down cultural expectations so they can have role models and know that since she did, it's possible.
*I started a small program where I allow students to write any question they may have on a piece of paper and give it to me to answer. I have found that many students are too scared to ask me in person because of their lack of english... or because they are embarassed. But thus far I have had an opportunity to educate them on a variety of issues ranging from puberty, to math and america. It's wonderful how inquisite these students are and their desire for knowledge.
* In a few weeks (at the end of march) I will go to my in-service training... I can't believe by that time I would have been here for 6 months. It doesnt seem like that long at all.
* I have made a lot of friends here and I am staring to feel like this is home.... I never thought this day would come.
(Sidenote... I was able to watch the presidential inauguration and honestly I was amazed. I felt like it wasnt true and to see him taking the presidential oath (the same oath peace corps volunteers take) it made me begin to feel optimistic for my future and the direction the country is headed. GOOD JOB AMERICA!!!)
Well I hope all is well in America... I miss you all and please enjoy the snow for me... Winter is my favorite season. :-)
Saturday, January 24, 2009
School has begun!!
So I guess the real reason for my arrival has began. School is officially open, well it has been for the past two weeks but the first week is just fee payment and cleaning. By the way.... if the tachers in the US had the students doing this kind of cleaning, it wouldnt happen. Students wash the dishes for chai, cut the grass, carry water, and sweep the floors. I teach form one and four mathematics( which is 9th and 12th/college levels.) I am the only teacher for both of those levels so I have 100 students per class!!! Someone please tell me how I am going to teach in a different style than lecture with that many kids! Anywho, thus far I have enjoyed it although I am almost certain that my form one students have no idea what I am saying most of the time! In Tanzania, students are taught in Kiswahili for primary school and in English for secondary school (form one). So this is the first time they have been taught in English... and not even their style of English. Evidently (as I have been told numerous times...) American English is wrong English... Bristish english is correct. But so far they seem to be able to do what's asked of them (besides the mocking of my Kiswahili.) When they do that I just speak in English really fast...haha take that!
Other than school my life has been non-existant. I hang out with an older teacher and her two children (who insist on calling me "dada mzungu ~foreign sister ) and try cooking new things. Today I am learning how to cook beans and cocconut. I dont have the patience (it takes like five hours! By the way any time I go outside or even open my door for that matter, I feel like a superstar! All I hear is DADA! DADA! from about the 8 kids that live by my house... haha, talk about paparazzi!!!I have also been chasing kids away from my passion fruit tree. I am very upset that they are taking all the fruit...it's not even ripe yet! I think I am just goign to cut it down. I have been learning how to garden and to use a njembe (kinda like a shovel and rake in one!) The teachers have been telling me that I should stop because I wont be fat anymore. Here "fatness" is a sign of wealth and fertility. That's probably a good thing that I'm working.... By the way none of my clothes fit anymore...I am sad :-(
Things are good with me... Hope everything is ok back in the states!
Oh yeah, I was able to watch the inauguration!!!! Yay! I was so happy, I almost cried...
Other than school my life has been non-existant. I hang out with an older teacher and her two children (who insist on calling me "dada mzungu ~foreign sister ) and try cooking new things. Today I am learning how to cook beans and cocconut. I dont have the patience (it takes like five hours! By the way any time I go outside or even open my door for that matter, I feel like a superstar! All I hear is DADA! DADA! from about the 8 kids that live by my house... haha, talk about paparazzi!!!I have also been chasing kids away from my passion fruit tree. I am very upset that they are taking all the fruit...it's not even ripe yet! I think I am just goign to cut it down. I have been learning how to garden and to use a njembe (kinda like a shovel and rake in one!) The teachers have been telling me that I should stop because I wont be fat anymore. Here "fatness" is a sign of wealth and fertility. That's probably a good thing that I'm working.... By the way none of my clothes fit anymore...I am sad :-(
Things are good with me... Hope everything is ok back in the states!
Oh yeah, I was able to watch the inauguration!!!! Yay! I was so happy, I almost cried...
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Happy New Year!
I just wanted to say Happy new year to everyone and thanks for all the cards and letters that everyone has sent. I don't have a lot of time but just wanted to say that I had a wonderful christmas and a nice new year.... I miss you all!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Randomness is my life!
So one of my closest friends (Cammie) told me a while ago that my life is random....suprisingly this random lifestyle has followed me half way across the world! So here is a little update on my life:
Well a week ago I was my house was robbed! Yes, it's true and I was kinda pissed. I didn't even know until I went to start cooking dinner and my freaking bowl of veggies were gone! I thought maybe i put them somewhere else in the house (i mean because no one keeps their food in the kitchen..haha) and discovered that about 40,000 Tsh were also missing. Before you freak out thats about 40 dollars, but here that can buy a whole lot! Anywho, I called my headmaster and he comes over and calls the police. They look at me and say Karibu Tanzania (Welcome to TZ) laugh and leave. Later that evening, 3am to be exact the police starts bamming on my door and yelling in Swahilli. Needless to say I was freaked out because 1) My swahilli is coming along slowly and I had no idea all of what they were saying 2)I go to bed about 9pm and 3)who the hell comes over at 3am anyways?!?!? They solved the case, two boys that live next door to me stole it because they hadn't ate in 4 days and they were starving.... who could be mad at them anymore??? I know I wasnt because they didnt take anything really important and I mean they were starving... Although they did get beat by the police because their is a harsh penalty for theft here....most likely resulting in death...sad.
The same day I was robbed I met this prison guard guy on a motorcycle that was helping me translate what the officers were saying. He seemed pretty nice and he would come over and help me buy things in town and find items that I needed. So the other day he strolls by on his pikipiki (motorcyle) and proceeded to convince me to be his 2nd wife... No he is not Muslim but his rationale was that since the world population was 4 women for every one guy he wanted to share his love so that no woman would go to bed at night lonely...haha, I told him how honorable but I refuse to be a second wife. He told me that he would knocked down his first wife and we can trade places... haha, tempting but I told him that I believe one man, one woman....that's all. He basically said that American women are greedy and need to learn how to share....haha
Funny pick up line that I heard:
Random Guy: You should marry me.
Me: Why?
Random Guy: So you can become a real black person....haha
Yesterday, I was washing my sheets and cleaning up because I had some visitors for the holiday season! I was throwing out some trash and next thing I know I look outside and kids are going through my trash and eating any and everything that is "edible". Needless to say I was shocked and saddend because I know there are starving kids in Africa, but seeing it up-close and personal is hard.... I mean hard! They were eating molded and rotten food and I couldn't bear to watch. I had some left over spaghetti that I made, so I gave it to them...they devored it in like 3 seconds... I mean I know I am not supposed to feed them, but I couldnt just look away..could you? (if you say yes, you dont have a heart) I am a lil nervous about the consequences of that though... because i know they are going to start coming over and asking for food....ugh, i think this is the hardest part about being here.... Yea, the "Feed the Children" commericals are real.....
It doesnt feel like christmas... Christmas time is my favorite holiday of the season. Not because of the commercialism of the day but because people pretend to be nice, happy and caring and everything seems to be right! There's family, freinds, snow and christmas treats! This is my first christmas away and its kinda sad really... I love the snow and christmas movies, songs (Dominique you must play "This Christmas" a ridiculous number of times for me !) and general holiday cheer... I think I may go home for next christmas. They played a few christmas songs on the radio yesterday and I was so happy! I do have a small tree and christmas lights ( I couldnt resist) and one of the other volunteers brought his charlie brown christmas cd (Momma I know you would love it!) We were going to concot a Charlie Brown Christmas tree but that would bring more bugs...and I have said before there are many residing in my house as is! haha, I hope everyone has a great holiday season!!!! Luv you all
And someone watch "A christmas story" for me.
Well a week ago I was my house was robbed! Yes, it's true and I was kinda pissed. I didn't even know until I went to start cooking dinner and my freaking bowl of veggies were gone! I thought maybe i put them somewhere else in the house (i mean because no one keeps their food in the kitchen..haha) and discovered that about 40,000 Tsh were also missing. Before you freak out thats about 40 dollars, but here that can buy a whole lot! Anywho, I called my headmaster and he comes over and calls the police. They look at me and say Karibu Tanzania (Welcome to TZ) laugh and leave. Later that evening, 3am to be exact the police starts bamming on my door and yelling in Swahilli. Needless to say I was freaked out because 1) My swahilli is coming along slowly and I had no idea all of what they were saying 2)I go to bed about 9pm and 3)who the hell comes over at 3am anyways?!?!? They solved the case, two boys that live next door to me stole it because they hadn't ate in 4 days and they were starving.... who could be mad at them anymore??? I know I wasnt because they didnt take anything really important and I mean they were starving... Although they did get beat by the police because their is a harsh penalty for theft here....most likely resulting in death...sad.
The same day I was robbed I met this prison guard guy on a motorcycle that was helping me translate what the officers were saying. He seemed pretty nice and he would come over and help me buy things in town and find items that I needed. So the other day he strolls by on his pikipiki (motorcyle) and proceeded to convince me to be his 2nd wife... No he is not Muslim but his rationale was that since the world population was 4 women for every one guy he wanted to share his love so that no woman would go to bed at night lonely...haha, I told him how honorable but I refuse to be a second wife. He told me that he would knocked down his first wife and we can trade places... haha, tempting but I told him that I believe one man, one woman....that's all. He basically said that American women are greedy and need to learn how to share....haha
Funny pick up line that I heard:
Random Guy: You should marry me.
Me: Why?
Random Guy: So you can become a real black person....haha
Yesterday, I was washing my sheets and cleaning up because I had some visitors for the holiday season! I was throwing out some trash and next thing I know I look outside and kids are going through my trash and eating any and everything that is "edible". Needless to say I was shocked and saddend because I know there are starving kids in Africa, but seeing it up-close and personal is hard.... I mean hard! They were eating molded and rotten food and I couldn't bear to watch. I had some left over spaghetti that I made, so I gave it to them...they devored it in like 3 seconds... I mean I know I am not supposed to feed them, but I couldnt just look away..could you? (if you say yes, you dont have a heart) I am a lil nervous about the consequences of that though... because i know they are going to start coming over and asking for food....ugh, i think this is the hardest part about being here.... Yea, the "Feed the Children" commericals are real.....
It doesnt feel like christmas... Christmas time is my favorite holiday of the season. Not because of the commercialism of the day but because people pretend to be nice, happy and caring and everything seems to be right! There's family, freinds, snow and christmas treats! This is my first christmas away and its kinda sad really... I love the snow and christmas movies, songs (Dominique you must play "This Christmas" a ridiculous number of times for me !) and general holiday cheer... I think I may go home for next christmas. They played a few christmas songs on the radio yesterday and I was so happy! I do have a small tree and christmas lights ( I couldnt resist) and one of the other volunteers brought his charlie brown christmas cd (Momma I know you would love it!) We were going to concot a Charlie Brown Christmas tree but that would bring more bugs...and I have said before there are many residing in my house as is! haha, I hope everyone has a great holiday season!!!! Luv you all
And someone watch "A christmas story" for me.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Little trip to Mgori
So I was freaking out last week, I dont really know why I was so lonely and was about to go insane and not being able to buy a pineapple last week( because of some Muslim Holiday) was about to send me over the edge. I started tearying up and got all depressed... I thought about going home then and there! I kid you not it was sad.... so I ventured to another volunteers site for a bit to try to regain my sanity. She lives in this little itty bitty village called Mgori and it is so different from my site. The are only a few people there and everyone seems so nice, I even got an Muslim name because my name is too hard to say for Tanzanians.... So my new name in Swahilli is Asha... kinda cut huh? We did so many things while we were there.... like we went on this little hike to see these "so-called" ancient drawings and when we got to the top, I feel like I was in the Lion King movie, the part where the dad holds up Simba and the "Circle of Life" song comes on... needless to say it was an amazing veiw! We also tried sugar cane, it was a very interesting thing to try, cuz if you never had it it's basically this branch-like thing that you chew on to get all the tasty sugary substance. It was difficult to eat though because I thought my teeth were going to crack in half... needless to say this was a once in a lifetime experience. Never Again, but it was cool to try once, I love my pearly whites too much! Also we made a pineapple upside down cake using a charcoal jiko. It was so exciting I had no idea that you can bake on it. It's so crazy that I am starting to have the most crazy food cravings...I've never realized how much dairy products we as Americans consume, until I came here and there are no dairy products in site... I NEED CHEESE!!! haha, what I would give for a nice cold glass of milk and some chedder cheese. It's ridiculous some of the food cravings I have.... screw all this healthy good for you crap, I want my processed, artifically flavored, tastey food that I so enjoy...haha, They say all Peace Corps Volunteers conversations revolve around food, sex and poop! I dont know about the the latter, but everytime I see another volunteer we end up talking about all the delicious fooods in the US...it's sad really. But I guess it'll be there when I go back...haha.
Sorry back to my adventures in Mgori. Most of the people in the village are Muslim so we ended up going to Mosque with one of the Volunteers Mommas ( In Tanzania there are different kinds of mommas to get...it's a good thing to have many. Now I have a carrot momma, a tailor momma and a green pepper and tomato momma). It was such an exciting experience, I got all dressed up, rocking the head wrap and the kitenge around the waist. Side note: the kitenge - like a big piece of fabric that has many different purposes (i.e head wrap, waist wrap, used to carry babies (or made into a purse), used to make clothes and to filter water). Any ways, it's was an Awesome experience to go to the Mosque, and I think the Muslim religion is very interesting, although I dont know if I could convert? Also we ended up challenging these two guys to a game of pool ( and if you know me my talents for pool are practically non-existent) and it seemed as if all the males in the village came to watch. It was sad... there were like atleast 30 men watching the other volunteer and I playing pool. It was so embarrassing because needless to say we lost (2-1) but I was later told that we were the first women to ever play pool on that table. It's so weird because the guys play all hours of the day, while the women work. I admire the women here so much, they are really what Alicia Keys talks about in her song ( Superwoman).
So now I am back in town and things are good again. I am going to get a dress made today and go on another ventur to find a water filter ( Mine broke en route to Singida). I hate that i can't find one and the shop that said she would get one for me, I cant find....ARGH... Sometimes things here are so frustrating! Like yesterday I went to the Police station to get the name of the commanding officer and it took like an hour because they had to know where I was from, why I was here (apparently I am not American... I can't be!) and why didnt I have a man escort me to the Police station because I am encapable of being understood. I mean I know my swahilli is barely there but UGH!!! And today I had to go to the immigration office and they were telling me that I am not an American and that I need something to prove that I was ( the copy of my passport wasn't cutting it for them!) I even tried to use the example of Barack Obama and they still didnt believe there were black people in the US! This country pisses me off sometimes.... but I guess everyone goes through it, I just need to suck it up! Well, I guess this is enough randomness venting for now... I'm sure this isnt the most exciting thing to read...haha
Sidenote... I am so sad to learn that one of the people in our class left already. I talked to her before we got here and it was shocking that she decided to go back home... I guess for each it's own. Wish her much luck back in the US! (And eat many good foods for me!!!)
Happy holidays to all! And send me some MAIL!!! I'm Lonely here!!
Sorry back to my adventures in Mgori. Most of the people in the village are Muslim so we ended up going to Mosque with one of the Volunteers Mommas ( In Tanzania there are different kinds of mommas to get...it's a good thing to have many. Now I have a carrot momma, a tailor momma and a green pepper and tomato momma). It was such an exciting experience, I got all dressed up, rocking the head wrap and the kitenge around the waist. Side note: the kitenge - like a big piece of fabric that has many different purposes (i.e head wrap, waist wrap, used to carry babies (or made into a purse), used to make clothes and to filter water). Any ways, it's was an Awesome experience to go to the Mosque, and I think the Muslim religion is very interesting, although I dont know if I could convert? Also we ended up challenging these two guys to a game of pool ( and if you know me my talents for pool are practically non-existent) and it seemed as if all the males in the village came to watch. It was sad... there were like atleast 30 men watching the other volunteer and I playing pool. It was so embarrassing because needless to say we lost (2-1) but I was later told that we were the first women to ever play pool on that table. It's so weird because the guys play all hours of the day, while the women work. I admire the women here so much, they are really what Alicia Keys talks about in her song ( Superwoman).
So now I am back in town and things are good again. I am going to get a dress made today and go on another ventur to find a water filter ( Mine broke en route to Singida). I hate that i can't find one and the shop that said she would get one for me, I cant find....ARGH... Sometimes things here are so frustrating! Like yesterday I went to the Police station to get the name of the commanding officer and it took like an hour because they had to know where I was from, why I was here (apparently I am not American... I can't be!) and why didnt I have a man escort me to the Police station because I am encapable of being understood. I mean I know my swahilli is barely there but UGH!!! And today I had to go to the immigration office and they were telling me that I am not an American and that I need something to prove that I was ( the copy of my passport wasn't cutting it for them!) I even tried to use the example of Barack Obama and they still didnt believe there were black people in the US! This country pisses me off sometimes.... but I guess everyone goes through it, I just need to suck it up! Well, I guess this is enough randomness venting for now... I'm sure this isnt the most exciting thing to read...haha
Sidenote... I am so sad to learn that one of the people in our class left already. I talked to her before we got here and it was shocking that she decided to go back home... I guess for each it's own. Wish her much luck back in the US! (And eat many good foods for me!!!)
Happy holidays to all! And send me some MAIL!!! I'm Lonely here!!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Picture time!
I guess it's about time for some pics... These are kinda old (from training) but I guess it's better than never! haha...I'm on African time (that's my excuse and I am sticking to it!)
These are random and in no order whatsoever...hope you enjoy!
Me and my host momma and sister at the swearing in ceremony.
Me and my host brother! ( I am so happy that he is moving here for school...yay! (don't worry grandma he is only 16 :-)
Election day.... We just found out that Barack won... peep the drinks on the table... who cares that it was only 7 am by that time....we were gone...haha. These are my two homies from my group...they are a mess!
this pic is from Mkumi safari that we went on... I put it up just for Kita... I know how much she likes twigas.
This is a pic of my house.... B
allin!!! haha
Hanging out in Moshi with some other volunteers!
These are random and in no order whatsoever...hope you enjoy!
Me and my host momma and sister at the swearing in ceremony.
Me and my host brother! ( I am so happy that he is moving here for school...yay! (don't worry grandma he is only 16 :-)
Graduation Ceremony with two other volunteers that I talked to before training.
Election day.... We just found out that Barack won... peep the drinks on the table... who cares that it was only 7 am by that time....we were gone...haha. These are my two homies from my group...they are a mess!
this pic is from Mkumi safari that we went on... I put it up just for Kita... I know how much she likes twigas.
This is a pic of my house.... B
allin!!! hahaOh yeah send me some mail!!! My new address is :
PO BOX 288
Singida, Tanzania
PO BOX 288
Singida, Tanzania
Hanging out in Moshi with some other volunteers!
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