So, as of the last posting, I was in the hospital with infection on my face, (the picture is just as lovely as the visual and outside of the doctor and me, you'll have to have a huge bribe to see it), but healing and headed to my site, only a few short days after the rest of my training class. Well, that didn't happen, but I did manage to have some adventures in the meantime, and have yet another cool story to look back on. (In case I was worried about acquiring those in the next two year--haha).
The title of this blog is a reference to my newly acquired flexibility after being delayed going to site. It will be almost two weeks after the rest of my class headed to their new homes that I will finally get to go. TOMMOROW!! For the past few weeks, I left the hospital, moved in with an amazing American family who lives here in Dar, left their house for Christmas so they could celebrate, moved in to another house of a nice PC family, visited the PC doctor at least two times to hear that my head is healing (I knew), did some shopping on Christmas Eve and bought a celebratory Diet Pepsi and Ice Cream Cone, watched countless unknown Christmas Specials, had running water, electricity and internet, had a family Christmas dinner complete with turkey!!, attended an awesome party of Expats from all over, delighted/disgusted many locals with my broken Swahili, and spent wayy to much money. Not exactly the first few weeks at site that I had in mind, and it was almost too much for me at times, as I had been preparing myself for living alone. In the village. In the dark. Some call this a vacation, but for the other Staph victim (or as we have christened ourselves, "Staph Sisters") who also stayed with me the whole time-luck for us actually- it was difficult to hear from our friends about their new homes, . Round one of flexibility.
Being away from home for the first Christmas in my life was another challenge, but one I knew was coming. I did think that I would be with my region mates, celebrating with a glass of TZ wine and probs rice and beans, but instead I cooked a Christmas Eve Spaghetti with my SS, got to Skype my family on their Christmas Eve, and enjoy a family Christmas with the Ex-Pats on Christmas Day! Flexibility goes both ways. :) Hearing from family and friends back home as well as new friends here made it easy to get the "warm fuzzies" of Christmas that I love so much. Presents and snow don't make Christmas. :)
A final test to my already stretched patience was learning that my house, well its not the house they told me i'd have. So, of course, being the worrier of the world, this just added to my stress/anxiety level. PC is taking care of it, and I'm sure my new house will be just as fabulous, if not more so than the original (minus all the leftover furniture I was to inherit...yikes). I got all worked up and then I realized, hey you can't change this and maybe this was supposed to happen. After Staph, being stuck in Dar, and switched houses, my karma for site has to be awesome right? :)
So after two weeks of living in pseudo-America (the ritzy, ex-Pat part of Dar--AC, real grocery stores, and wifi), I'm headed back to Tanzania, the village. I get to move in, find a "mama" ( you know I love my mamas--all of them!), figure out my vil and where I fit it, and oh yeah, how to feed myself/survive. I forsee some "hodi"-ing going on (which means I'll convientely 'stop by' neighbor's houses around dinner time..muhaha). The biggest thrill for me is going to be NOT living out of my duffle bags for the first time since October. I don't have electricity, so charging up the ol laptop and even cell phone will be a challenge, so don't look for blogs too regularly, pals, but i will try for when I head to "town." I have been receiving some AMAZING letters and packages (got yours today Jess--THANK YOU!), and PINKY SWEAR i'll get a po box soon after I get to my site so I can pass it along to those inquiring minds.
So yesterday, as I'm taking a walk with a bunch of Americans/Brits/South Africans along the rocky, super steep coast off the Indian Ocean with the salty spray in my face, I was once again humbled and amazed at this remarkable journey I am so lucky to be on. A little scar, a shaved/bald spot, and being two weeks behind everyone else isn't even close to the worst things that could have been, and a new lesson in flexibility never hurt anyone. So, the next time you hear from me, I will have actually LIVED a my site, cooked on MY jiko, used my CHOO, and hopefully made some new friends in the village who can understand my elementary Swahili. It will also be a new year, and one full of more challenges, adventures, and more tests in flexibility. I can't wait.
Much love to you and happy 2012 (is it really 2012? crazy!). Tutonana baadaye! (See you later!) Love from TZ (and my new site!!)
p.s. I'll try to figure out adding pictures at some point, but just look to facebook for them in the future (could be months)!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
New Adventures and Blessings (Or "How I watched Kindergarden Cop and soaked up AC")
Well, the great thing about life is that it is never what you are expecting! Especially here in Africa. In my last post, I was excited about my upcoming move to my "site." But now a day after all my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers [that's right, we aren't trainees anymore!] have headed to site, I'm still in Dar Es Salaam. We all headed here this past Sunday from our training site, all 41 of us and our i'm sure nearly a 1000 bags. After the 5 or 6 hour ride, we finally allowed a little freedom, and a small group of us headed to a MALL. (I'm sure you can guess the gender of this group). After a recharging of a gyro-like meat hamburger, real french fries, and a DIET pepsi, a smaller group of us headed to a MOVIE THEATER to see "breaking dawn." Well, it was probably the most ridiculous thing i've seen, but it was totally worth it, and sitting in the AC-ed room felt like America for two hours. Topped off with a soft serve chocolate cone, Sunday was a very good day in Chelsea's book. The next day, well not so much.
It all started with a pimple. Well, I'm not so sure it was a pimple, but something of that nature got inflammed and was bugging me enough to figure I had better let the PC doc look at it, since we were headed to the Peace Corps office on Monday anyway. He looked, said it was infected, told me to come back to get antibotiocs, and then I came back later and started to look puffy. Well after taking the antibiotics a day and still looking like a bee had stung me under both eyes, he decided I better go to the hospital for IV antibiotics. Please don't pity or stress or worry, this is not pity blog post!
So since Tuesday, I have been in, what I believe one of the nicest hospitals I've ever been in. Seriously fancy.
My room is like a small apartment and I have what I believe to be the nicest bathroom in all of Tanzania. A flat screen tv, AC, and a balconey with a view of the Indian ocean have definetely been nice, but its kind of bittersweet for me. I was preparing myself (and still am), to head to my site, without electricity, alone, and without any real direction. I've been taken care of by the nurses, doctor, PC doctor, had so many texts/words of support/calls/skypes and everything from PC friends, family and friends at home. I'm supposed to be sitting alone at my house now, trying to figure out what the heck i'm doing! Its just adjustment and adventure.
I added blessings to this title because really I have been this week. No, not talking about the amenities. This infection (not sure what it is) started up really quickly, and was actually pretty painful for a while, but I was here in a Dar, taken to I'm sure the best hospital in the country, and taken there and put up by Peace Corps. Now, had this happened after I got to my site, I would have had to figure out how to get on a bus to Dar and to the PC Doctor. The timing, though awful because I had to miss my swearing in ceremony with all the PCVs and the last few days of hanging out an being together for three months (boo), was actually sort of better I was here. So though this is not the ideal situation, and its hard to see the silver lining, I've just been trying because its all in how you look at things. The one thing the Peace Corps mentions for your service is flexibility. Well, I'm starting to stretch now.
So though I might have a gnarly scar (right on my forehead awesome), and I have a small bald spot my Doctor so lovingly called the Sinead O'Connor look, (more like a receding hairline), this experience has actually made me feel more blessed than ever. I have the best support team in the world, and knowing that has excited me to begin my service that much more. I really am getting too spoiled being here, and am excited to meet the people of my village, the people I will be working with and for the next two years.
My hope is I can get to my site soon, but its looks like I'll be in town for at least a few more days. Hopefully Christmas can be spent with my new Region-mates, but now I'm just taking it one day at a time. That's really all you can do with life anyway, right? So thank again for all the love and support and prayers coming my way. I really do appreciate every bit of it. I'm not sure the internet situation again until Christmas, but please know that, I'm thinking of you and wishing you all the Merriest of Christmases! (Or Hanukkah or Kwanza or Solstice, whatever you are celebrating). Eat something bad for you for me, and watch every Christmas special they show (you know i'm a sap like that!). Seasons Greetings from the hot African Sun! :)
It all started with a pimple. Well, I'm not so sure it was a pimple, but something of that nature got inflammed and was bugging me enough to figure I had better let the PC doc look at it, since we were headed to the Peace Corps office on Monday anyway. He looked, said it was infected, told me to come back to get antibotiocs, and then I came back later and started to look puffy. Well after taking the antibiotics a day and still looking like a bee had stung me under both eyes, he decided I better go to the hospital for IV antibiotics. Please don't pity or stress or worry, this is not pity blog post!
So since Tuesday, I have been in, what I believe one of the nicest hospitals I've ever been in. Seriously fancy.
My room is like a small apartment and I have what I believe to be the nicest bathroom in all of Tanzania. A flat screen tv, AC, and a balconey with a view of the Indian ocean have definetely been nice, but its kind of bittersweet for me. I was preparing myself (and still am), to head to my site, without electricity, alone, and without any real direction. I've been taken care of by the nurses, doctor, PC doctor, had so many texts/words of support/calls/skypes and everything from PC friends, family and friends at home. I'm supposed to be sitting alone at my house now, trying to figure out what the heck i'm doing! Its just adjustment and adventure.
I added blessings to this title because really I have been this week. No, not talking about the amenities. This infection (not sure what it is) started up really quickly, and was actually pretty painful for a while, but I was here in a Dar, taken to I'm sure the best hospital in the country, and taken there and put up by Peace Corps. Now, had this happened after I got to my site, I would have had to figure out how to get on a bus to Dar and to the PC Doctor. The timing, though awful because I had to miss my swearing in ceremony with all the PCVs and the last few days of hanging out an being together for three months (boo), was actually sort of better I was here. So though this is not the ideal situation, and its hard to see the silver lining, I've just been trying because its all in how you look at things. The one thing the Peace Corps mentions for your service is flexibility. Well, I'm starting to stretch now.
So though I might have a gnarly scar (right on my forehead awesome), and I have a small bald spot my Doctor so lovingly called the Sinead O'Connor look, (more like a receding hairline), this experience has actually made me feel more blessed than ever. I have the best support team in the world, and knowing that has excited me to begin my service that much more. I really am getting too spoiled being here, and am excited to meet the people of my village, the people I will be working with and for the next two years.
My hope is I can get to my site soon, but its looks like I'll be in town for at least a few more days. Hopefully Christmas can be spent with my new Region-mates, but now I'm just taking it one day at a time. That's really all you can do with life anyway, right? So thank again for all the love and support and prayers coming my way. I really do appreciate every bit of it. I'm not sure the internet situation again until Christmas, but please know that, I'm thinking of you and wishing you all the Merriest of Christmases! (Or Hanukkah or Kwanza or Solstice, whatever you are celebrating). Eat something bad for you for me, and watch every Christmas special they show (you know i'm a sap like that!). Seasons Greetings from the hot African Sun! :)
Friday, December 2, 2011
December in Africa
Happy December, All!
It blew my mind yesterday when I realized that it was December already! November certainly flew by in some regards, but in other ways it feels like I have been here for months. I'd like to put some pictures [it sure is a good thing I got the HUGE memory card because i'm the Tanzanian paparazzi] up here, but as you all know, my technological capacity is so limited even in the states. I'm hoping to figure it all out better once i'm in my "home."
Anyway, this past week has been SHADOW week, where all of us trainees follow around a "real" PCV for a week to see how they live, cook, cope with small furry house guests, and "kick it in the Vil." Since I'm staying where I'm training, I was very excited to learn I'd be visiting another region, wayyyyyy across the country for shadow, Mbeya. The bus ride, while a whole experience in itself, took us through a National Park. And folks, it was just "stepping into the sun" (lion king ref!)! I SAW ELEPHANTS! ZEBRAS! GIRAFFES! In the wild! It was such an awesome experience, and if we were standing out enough on the bus, our reaction to the animals pretty much made the other passengers stare/smile/laugh at us. The six other PCT's and I got on the bus around 9:30 am, and got to the shadow region after 8:00 pm, so you can imagine how happy we were to get here. We all got to hang out in "town" the first night/day, then headed to our separate villages with another PCT and the PCV. Mbeya is a beautiful region, and while mountain-y [not sure if that's a word], its a completely different landscape. Michelle and I stayed with Jessica, who taught us the ropes! Basically we got to cook and eat non-Tanzanian food (no rice! Quisedillas with Velveeta, Pancakes, homemade Guacamole, bean burgers!), and relax, which we don't get alot of in training. We hiked a mountain/large hill/call it what you want, and visited her Zahanati (clinic/place I want to help out at), and visited with some villagers. Living on my own will definitely be a change, but I was relieved to find out I'd be able to get popcorn-- rest assured I won't starve, Mom. I'll probably be doing alot of "nesting" the first few months as I begin to figure out my place in the village and the jobs I"ll take on. I'm moving into a house where a Volunteer lived for two years, and just left in July, so I may already have some furnishings, which would be great the first night! December 15th is the big day, so please keep me in your prayers/thoughts/good vibes as I jump the next hurdle!
I have only one more week with my homestay family, and while sometimes I thought training would last forever, its going to be very bittersweet to leave such a kind family. I'll have to heat my own bath water? Who will shoo away the rats? Haha. Seriously though, they were a great family for me as I began to experience what it means to live in Tanzania. I have only a glimpse of what that actually means, but over the course of two years I will begin to. Like today, as I saw men and women working their fields with a Jembe (like a hoe), I thought to myself, is it really 2011? Life is slower, and in some ways simpler here, and I am looking forward to the amazing lesson in patience and flexibility that I'm sure is in store.
To the family/friends/others that I haven't been able to get a letter to yet, please accept my apologies. I was hoping the blog to be a letter to all, and then supplemement with actual letters, but the strenuous training/learning to keep house/visiting schedule for training leaves little free time. I have been thinking of you!!
One final random note, I have been wearing a sweatshirt the last few days we've been down here in the cold(er) region! It's crazy as I am perpetually warm/sweating/a hot mess in Tanga, but then again the freezing water shower at night has made me appreciate the warm weather of Tanga too. At least I can say I wore a sweatshirt in December this year! :) Talking to family at home and hearing about the freezing weather/rain, I do have to say "Pole". IL weather is one thing I do not miss! So think of me when you have to throw on the extra sweater, haha.:)
Maybe one day I'll have one of those blogs where each post focuses on one thing, and is concise, witty, and informative. But for now, thanks for bearing with me as I spew information and random thoughts with choppy, misspelled sentences. I haven't changed that much yet!
I don't know if I'll be able to blog before Christmas, so a HUGE MERRY CHRISTMAS to all my loved ones! This is my favorite time of year, and I am wishing you all the merriest of christmases from Africa!
Oh yeah, I do have a phone now, and i hear skype is reasonable if any of you are so inclined to chat.. hint hint, haha. Love the letters and greetings from home too! [Thanks Rose and Evan for my first Christmas Card in Africa! and Grandma! Six!]
Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings from under the beautiful African Sun!
It blew my mind yesterday when I realized that it was December already! November certainly flew by in some regards, but in other ways it feels like I have been here for months. I'd like to put some pictures [it sure is a good thing I got the HUGE memory card because i'm the Tanzanian paparazzi] up here, but as you all know, my technological capacity is so limited even in the states. I'm hoping to figure it all out better once i'm in my "home."
Anyway, this past week has been SHADOW week, where all of us trainees follow around a "real" PCV for a week to see how they live, cook, cope with small furry house guests, and "kick it in the Vil." Since I'm staying where I'm training, I was very excited to learn I'd be visiting another region, wayyyyyy across the country for shadow, Mbeya. The bus ride, while a whole experience in itself, took us through a National Park. And folks, it was just "stepping into the sun" (lion king ref!)! I SAW ELEPHANTS! ZEBRAS! GIRAFFES! In the wild! It was such an awesome experience, and if we were standing out enough on the bus, our reaction to the animals pretty much made the other passengers stare/smile/laugh at us. The six other PCT's and I got on the bus around 9:30 am, and got to the shadow region after 8:00 pm, so you can imagine how happy we were to get here. We all got to hang out in "town" the first night/day, then headed to our separate villages with another PCT and the PCV. Mbeya is a beautiful region, and while mountain-y [not sure if that's a word], its a completely different landscape. Michelle and I stayed with Jessica, who taught us the ropes! Basically we got to cook and eat non-Tanzanian food (no rice! Quisedillas with Velveeta, Pancakes, homemade Guacamole, bean burgers!), and relax, which we don't get alot of in training. We hiked a mountain/large hill/call it what you want, and visited her Zahanati (clinic/place I want to help out at), and visited with some villagers. Living on my own will definitely be a change, but I was relieved to find out I'd be able to get popcorn-- rest assured I won't starve, Mom. I'll probably be doing alot of "nesting" the first few months as I begin to figure out my place in the village and the jobs I"ll take on. I'm moving into a house where a Volunteer lived for two years, and just left in July, so I may already have some furnishings, which would be great the first night! December 15th is the big day, so please keep me in your prayers/thoughts/good vibes as I jump the next hurdle!
I have only one more week with my homestay family, and while sometimes I thought training would last forever, its going to be very bittersweet to leave such a kind family. I'll have to heat my own bath water? Who will shoo away the rats? Haha. Seriously though, they were a great family for me as I began to experience what it means to live in Tanzania. I have only a glimpse of what that actually means, but over the course of two years I will begin to. Like today, as I saw men and women working their fields with a Jembe (like a hoe), I thought to myself, is it really 2011? Life is slower, and in some ways simpler here, and I am looking forward to the amazing lesson in patience and flexibility that I'm sure is in store.
To the family/friends/others that I haven't been able to get a letter to yet, please accept my apologies. I was hoping the blog to be a letter to all, and then supplemement with actual letters, but the strenuous training/learning to keep house/visiting schedule for training leaves little free time. I have been thinking of you!!
One final random note, I have been wearing a sweatshirt the last few days we've been down here in the cold(er) region! It's crazy as I am perpetually warm/sweating/a hot mess in Tanga, but then again the freezing water shower at night has made me appreciate the warm weather of Tanga too. At least I can say I wore a sweatshirt in December this year! :) Talking to family at home and hearing about the freezing weather/rain, I do have to say "Pole". IL weather is one thing I do not miss! So think of me when you have to throw on the extra sweater, haha.:)
Maybe one day I'll have one of those blogs where each post focuses on one thing, and is concise, witty, and informative. But for now, thanks for bearing with me as I spew information and random thoughts with choppy, misspelled sentences. I haven't changed that much yet!
I don't know if I'll be able to blog before Christmas, so a HUGE MERRY CHRISTMAS to all my loved ones! This is my favorite time of year, and I am wishing you all the merriest of christmases from Africa!
Oh yeah, I do have a phone now, and i hear skype is reasonable if any of you are so inclined to chat.. hint hint, haha. Love the letters and greetings from home too! [Thanks Rose and Evan for my first Christmas Card in Africa! and Grandma! Six!]
Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings from under the beautiful African Sun!
Drumroll Please....
So the big day finally arrived on Saturday, the 26th: SITE ANNOUNCEMENT! Or in layman's terms, the day the Peace Corps told us where we'll all be living around Tanzania for the next two years. In my "interview" in the weeks before with my APCD (associate PC Director), I said I'd like to go wherever i'd be a good fit, and that the climate didn't really matter. He had mentioned a region, and I was sure I wasn't going to be placed there just because he had told me that. haha. Anyway, so the big day arrives, and we are all together, dancing to some crazy African beats on local drums and hyped up. Bet you can't imagine me excited/dancing around like a fool, right? :) The first person gets called up, and not long after, it was my name! I will be staying in TANGA region,(the region we are training in,) in even the same district we are training it! Muheza (if you can find it on a map!). I have a specific village I"ll be living in, but would rather not blast it all over the internet for the creep-o's to find and hunt me down. Just kidding. I was SO EXCITED. Fellow volunteers have likened my reaction to be being called down on the Price is Right. It a GORGEOUS, lush, hot, mountain-y, HUMID region, but I think it will be wonderful. The beach is only an hour or two away too, so that sweetened the deal even that much more. My friends Michelle, Brittany, and Glenn are also staying in Tanga so i'll have some great company for Christmas. Which is 10 days after I'm dropped off. Which I'm trying not to think about right now. :) Actually, the PC is like a big family, and I'm thinking it will be a wonderful new holiday experience.
But lets talk logistics now... I'm moving into a home with NO ELECTRICITY for the first time in my life, living ALONE for the first time in my life, and fighting the war on the panya (rats) solo. Time to put on those big girl panties! I'll be setting a PO Box in Muheza probably very soon after moving in, so all those magazines, candy, wet wipes, general goodies, you've all been dying to send (haha), can be sent there.
Perhaps one of the best things about being placed here in the same region was the reaction of my host family, who i've come to really adore. They are such special people! I told my baba that I was staying, and he said "You will visit every Sunday"! For those of your in my family, or know my family and traditions, you know how this made me smile and feel so warm. I told him probably not that often, but I will come down! :) It was definitely a "home is where the heart is" moment, and it was priceless.
The weeks are definetely flying by so quickly, and I will have one more week at training after shadow (which is when I'll be following around another PCV like a lost puppy, trying to learn to survive on my own), then we are off to Dar for a week, then its time to move to my new home. Until next time, my love from the land of Lion King!
But lets talk logistics now... I'm moving into a home with NO ELECTRICITY for the first time in my life, living ALONE for the first time in my life, and fighting the war on the panya (rats) solo. Time to put on those big girl panties! I'll be setting a PO Box in Muheza probably very soon after moving in, so all those magazines, candy, wet wipes, general goodies, you've all been dying to send (haha), can be sent there.
Perhaps one of the best things about being placed here in the same region was the reaction of my host family, who i've come to really adore. They are such special people! I told my baba that I was staying, and he said "You will visit every Sunday"! For those of your in my family, or know my family and traditions, you know how this made me smile and feel so warm. I told him probably not that often, but I will come down! :) It was definitely a "home is where the heart is" moment, and it was priceless.
The weeks are definetely flying by so quickly, and I will have one more week at training after shadow (which is when I'll be following around another PCV like a lost puppy, trying to learn to survive on my own), then we are off to Dar for a week, then its time to move to my new home. Until next time, my love from the land of Lion King!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Living the Life!
Greetings from the gorgeous African beach! We just had our mid-training language exam yesterday and then we all headed to Pangani, a beach resort with WESTERN TOILETS!! I forgot to mention in my last post that I am using a pit latrine, a Choo, in a little hut behind my homestay house. So forgive me the excitement of a western toilet. Anyway, we feel like we are in the lap of luxury here, and are enjoying our little weekend away. The first thirty minutes here I was of course in the ocean, but sadly, feel and scraped my self to shreds on the coral. Also, I broke my toe. My spirits are still up and I'm not going to let it ruin my awesome weekend away. Its also raining right now, but hey I'm sure by afternnoon it will be sunny. Just wanted to rub the beach thing in the faces of all my family and friends freezing at home right now. Just kidding. :) I have very limited time, but I just wanted to let you all know they did give us a break from language and training, and I'm going to relax til Sunday! I'm not sure when I'll get internet aagain, so in the next couple weeks I will be doing shadowing (staying with an actual PCV and seeing what they do), having oral exams, and gettting my site announcement! My spirits are still high, but all the prayers and love and support really helps! I'll try to keep you all posted on the adventues of lion king land, when I get some internet access! Much love from Pangani!
Living in a Screensaver
The last few weeks: October 18-November 10
Hellllllllooooooo, Good People! I finally was able to get to some internet! I should probably break up the last three weeks into something more than one long blog, but I’m not sure how long/reliable this connection will be and just want to get it all out!
So first things first: I’m supposed to tell you how Africa is clichéd and that it’s not what you think it is, but that is FALSE. I’m basically living in a screensaver. I look out the backdoor of my homestay family and see the bluest skies and palm trees and GREEN. Its humid, I don’t think the temperature has dipped below 79 degrees even at night, and I am perpetually sweaty. Pretty sweet visual, right? I always said I preferred heat to cold, and now I have to put my money where my mouth is. Anyway, its gorgeous and hilly and every day I say to myself or actually whichever of the other volunteers is by me at the time, “Wow, I’m actually living in Africa right now.”
My last blog left off right before we were leaving for Muheza, Tanga District (our training area). I was SO freakin’ nervous! The bus of us 41 volunteers first stopped at MATI (the place we all meet a few times a week for seminars/training), and then they split us up into our homestay villages. I’m in a tiny little village called Kibanda, and I was the first to be dropped off at a homestay home. Unfortunately, it was the WRONG HOUSE. The family looked surprised, and while they were sweet, I think we were all relieved when my LCF (language /culture teacher for my village) came back to tell me I was at the wrong house. I finally got it figured out, and I have the sweetest, best family I could have picked. My Baba (dad), is a farmer –oranges, millet, and corn, and speaks English (brokenly, but still awesome). We talk and try to decipher what I’m trying to say in Swahili. My Mama is equally sweet, and doesn’t speak a bit of English. She takes such good care of me. For example, I take a bucket bath everyday (basically I pour water from a cup in a bucket over my head ), and she gets the water (generally from carrying on her head from a watering hole), warms it over the fire, and then puts it into the bucket so I don’t have to take a cold shower! Speaking of water, guys I ACTUALLY CARRIED WATER ON MY HEAD! I went with my mama, and we were walking back to the house and I had another of those “I live in Africa right now moments.” Anyway, back to the homestay. I’m so lucky, my family has electricity and I have a light bulb in my room (and an outlet! But no adapter, lol). We also have a TV which we watch during dinner, which is always HABARI (news). The power goes out very frequently, but its still nice and it’s spoiling me because I’m sure my site won’t have power! The worst thing is the rats. As I’m bucket bathing (in the choo---I’ll explain later), I hear/see them run across the roof or across the concrete wall. I generally give a little girl scream and my mama will come and bang on the top of the roof to scare them all away. See how sweet she is?
I’m very very lucky. At least a quarter of all the PCT (peace corps trainees) in my class have been really sick/been to the hospital. Other than an upset tummy a lot and some sunburns, I haven’t had any real health issues. There has already been Malaria, parasites, and lots of diarrhea! Basically, bowel movements and general health is all we talk about. We all meet a few times a week for MATI days and its nice to see everyone! There are three other volunteers in my village who I’m training with, and we have language classes together. There is me, Raychel, Johnathon, and Andrew in my villiage, and we laugh at each other, get frustrated with each other, and generally support one another as we attempt to figure out this new world. Well enough with the philosophical stuff. Lets get to the daily routine that you all want to hear about:
6:00 (or before)- wake up to the sounds of the house – no roof on the rooms, just over the whole thing,-which are: mama sweeping, baba listening to Indian music on his hand held radio, and the kids waking up and helping with the cooking and cleaning.
6:15 – Bucket Bath (shave my legs and clean the three thousand bug bites on my body)
7:00- Get ready, brush my teeth outside with a water bottle, attempt to tame my frizz ball hair
7:30 – Breakfast: Chai (black tea with sugar, the occasional ant), and usually Andaze (like a doughnut without sugar).
7:45- leave for “school”
8:00-10:30- Kiswahili lessons/me attempting to understand
10:30-11:00- Chai break! (more tea and doughnut things or chapatti)
11:00-12:30 More lessons
LUNCH – rice, beans, etc.
After lunch: more lessons, walking around the village and then playing cards with the other volunteers while drinking a Coke at our local duka (shop). Then early evening, like five ish, I head home to help mama cook dinner and study. It takes literally HOURS to make dinner and we never eat before 7:30 at the earliest. The times and activities change on MATI days, but you get the general gist of it.
Speaking of food, for all of you taking bets on me losing all this weight, ALL BETS ARE OFF peeps! Like with most developing countries, the diet consists of starch, carbs, and other cheap fillers. Basically, a carbo loaders dream. I eat rice generally everyday, sometimes beans, sometimes potatoes, sometimes mchicha (like spinach), and luckily, always oranges! Sometimes spaghetti with sugar gets thrown into the mix, but I’m not a huge fan. I don’t think I’ve lost an ounce, and my family always wants me to eat more! When I have to cook for myself at site, I’ll probably lose weight then.
Well this was even more of a jumble of facts, figures, mental pictures, and grammatical errors than before! I’m typing this up before I even get to put it on the internet, and know how crazy it seems but everything is “hurry up and wait.” I haven’t had too bad bouts with homesickness yet (but I know it’ll more than likely happen when I get to my own site). I think just knowing all the love and support I have from all of you at home is helping me, and I HAVE A PHONE NOW!!! Its not that expensive in USD for me to call/text you, but I don’t have access to the minute vouchers and am not making very much money, so generally its better for you to call/text me! I’d rather not put the number on the internet, but contact my mom if you want the number! I’m nine hours ahead of you all, so keep that in mind. I love you all and miss you, but am eagerly awaiting letters from my pen pals! Jessy Lou and Grandma, I got letters from you this week!
Hopefully I’ll be able to post again soon, but the internet is really far away and I have trouble getting to it. Boo. Hope all is well back in IL, and you are all staying warm (haha). I will miss you all TONS on thanksgiving and more importantly, Black Friday! Eat some pumpkin pie for me please!
Lots of Love from Tanzania!
Hellllllllooooooo, Good People! I finally was able to get to some internet! I should probably break up the last three weeks into something more than one long blog, but I’m not sure how long/reliable this connection will be and just want to get it all out!
So first things first: I’m supposed to tell you how Africa is clichéd and that it’s not what you think it is, but that is FALSE. I’m basically living in a screensaver. I look out the backdoor of my homestay family and see the bluest skies and palm trees and GREEN. Its humid, I don’t think the temperature has dipped below 79 degrees even at night, and I am perpetually sweaty. Pretty sweet visual, right? I always said I preferred heat to cold, and now I have to put my money where my mouth is. Anyway, its gorgeous and hilly and every day I say to myself or actually whichever of the other volunteers is by me at the time, “Wow, I’m actually living in Africa right now.”
My last blog left off right before we were leaving for Muheza, Tanga District (our training area). I was SO freakin’ nervous! The bus of us 41 volunteers first stopped at MATI (the place we all meet a few times a week for seminars/training), and then they split us up into our homestay villages. I’m in a tiny little village called Kibanda, and I was the first to be dropped off at a homestay home. Unfortunately, it was the WRONG HOUSE. The family looked surprised, and while they were sweet, I think we were all relieved when my LCF (language /culture teacher for my village) came back to tell me I was at the wrong house. I finally got it figured out, and I have the sweetest, best family I could have picked. My Baba (dad), is a farmer –oranges, millet, and corn, and speaks English (brokenly, but still awesome). We talk and try to decipher what I’m trying to say in Swahili. My Mama is equally sweet, and doesn’t speak a bit of English. She takes such good care of me. For example, I take a bucket bath everyday (basically I pour water from a cup in a bucket over my head ), and she gets the water (generally from carrying on her head from a watering hole), warms it over the fire, and then puts it into the bucket so I don’t have to take a cold shower! Speaking of water, guys I ACTUALLY CARRIED WATER ON MY HEAD! I went with my mama, and we were walking back to the house and I had another of those “I live in Africa right now moments.” Anyway, back to the homestay. I’m so lucky, my family has electricity and I have a light bulb in my room (and an outlet! But no adapter, lol). We also have a TV which we watch during dinner, which is always HABARI (news). The power goes out very frequently, but its still nice and it’s spoiling me because I’m sure my site won’t have power! The worst thing is the rats. As I’m bucket bathing (in the choo---I’ll explain later), I hear/see them run across the roof or across the concrete wall. I generally give a little girl scream and my mama will come and bang on the top of the roof to scare them all away. See how sweet she is?
I’m very very lucky. At least a quarter of all the PCT (peace corps trainees) in my class have been really sick/been to the hospital. Other than an upset tummy a lot and some sunburns, I haven’t had any real health issues. There has already been Malaria, parasites, and lots of diarrhea! Basically, bowel movements and general health is all we talk about. We all meet a few times a week for MATI days and its nice to see everyone! There are three other volunteers in my village who I’m training with, and we have language classes together. There is me, Raychel, Johnathon, and Andrew in my villiage, and we laugh at each other, get frustrated with each other, and generally support one another as we attempt to figure out this new world. Well enough with the philosophical stuff. Lets get to the daily routine that you all want to hear about:
6:00 (or before)- wake up to the sounds of the house – no roof on the rooms, just over the whole thing,-which are: mama sweeping, baba listening to Indian music on his hand held radio, and the kids waking up and helping with the cooking and cleaning.
6:15 – Bucket Bath (shave my legs and clean the three thousand bug bites on my body)
7:00- Get ready, brush my teeth outside with a water bottle, attempt to tame my frizz ball hair
7:30 – Breakfast: Chai (black tea with sugar, the occasional ant), and usually Andaze (like a doughnut without sugar).
7:45- leave for “school”
8:00-10:30- Kiswahili lessons/me attempting to understand
10:30-11:00- Chai break! (more tea and doughnut things or chapatti)
11:00-12:30 More lessons
LUNCH – rice, beans, etc.
After lunch: more lessons, walking around the village and then playing cards with the other volunteers while drinking a Coke at our local duka (shop). Then early evening, like five ish, I head home to help mama cook dinner and study. It takes literally HOURS to make dinner and we never eat before 7:30 at the earliest. The times and activities change on MATI days, but you get the general gist of it.
Speaking of food, for all of you taking bets on me losing all this weight, ALL BETS ARE OFF peeps! Like with most developing countries, the diet consists of starch, carbs, and other cheap fillers. Basically, a carbo loaders dream. I eat rice generally everyday, sometimes beans, sometimes potatoes, sometimes mchicha (like spinach), and luckily, always oranges! Sometimes spaghetti with sugar gets thrown into the mix, but I’m not a huge fan. I don’t think I’ve lost an ounce, and my family always wants me to eat more! When I have to cook for myself at site, I’ll probably lose weight then.
Well this was even more of a jumble of facts, figures, mental pictures, and grammatical errors than before! I’m typing this up before I even get to put it on the internet, and know how crazy it seems but everything is “hurry up and wait.” I haven’t had too bad bouts with homesickness yet (but I know it’ll more than likely happen when I get to my own site). I think just knowing all the love and support I have from all of you at home is helping me, and I HAVE A PHONE NOW!!! Its not that expensive in USD for me to call/text you, but I don’t have access to the minute vouchers and am not making very much money, so generally its better for you to call/text me! I’d rather not put the number on the internet, but contact my mom if you want the number! I’m nine hours ahead of you all, so keep that in mind. I love you all and miss you, but am eagerly awaiting letters from my pen pals! Jessy Lou and Grandma, I got letters from you this week!
Hopefully I’ll be able to post again soon, but the internet is really far away and I have trouble getting to it. Boo. Hope all is well back in IL, and you are all staying warm (haha). I will miss you all TONS on thanksgiving and more importantly, Black Friday! Eat some pumpkin pie for me please!
Lots of Love from Tanzania!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
First Week Shenanigans and Fun
Hamjambo, everyone!
So, technically I've only been here at the Mismbazi Center for now four whole days, it feels like month! What a couple days without a cell phone, the- black-hole -that- is -facebook, and pants can feel like. But it's been a really great week. Meeting my fellow volunteers has been a great expierence and we've already had some bonding moments. Staging in Philly was a bit overwhelming, or so I thought, but when I landed, I saw a sign. I am a big believer in signs from God, signs about your path, just signs in general. So, when I grabbed all 80+ pounds of luggage and started to waddle down the airport to find the other volunteers, I saw a poster advertisement that said exactly, "Never have to say, I should have" ---Peace Corps.!!! Some of the many fears began to melt and I knew I was where I'm supposed to be. Meeting a few of the other volunteers was great, and we headed to downtown Philly for our staging. After all the meeting/activities/skits/everything else they had us to, we were able to grab a bite to eat (I got my cheesesteak--yummmm), and watch the Cards KILL the Brewers (lots of Wisconsin/Michigan volunteers). It was nice.
The flights to Amsterdam/Tanzania....not so nice. I have the swollen cankles to prove it. The first flight I was so excited and actually enjoyed, but the hour layover in Amsterdam (which btw, doesn't get light out til 8:30 am there, which freaked me out), and then the like 11 hour flight to TZ with a stop in Mt. Kilimanjaro then another hour to Dar Es Salaam, I was in a middle seat , and boy was I ready to get off the plane. But since we've arrived, I was much more at ease, and very excited about this whole process.
Now to the stuff you've all been waiting for:
I have: sucessfully used the pit latrine...(didn't say it was fun, just that I was successful), eaten DELICIOUS Tanzanian food, learned some Swahili, received 2 shots (and got out of 2), worn long skirts and frizzy curly hair everyday, and played approx 10 games of Bananagrams, and as of an hour ago, washed my clothes in a bucket and tried to hang them around my room, and most importantly, tried my first Tanzanian beer-Mt. Kilamajaro, which was HUGE and around 1 USD!!, and started my malaira prophylactics. The list I'm sure could go on, but that's the fun stuff.
The other volunteers are really nice, and we all seem to get along pretty well for just meeting each other not too long ago. So, instead to of keep rambling, i'll give you an overview of my day:
6:00 am (which is 10:00 pm home time...makes for lots of jet lag)- wake up
7:00 Breakfast- Delish! Coffee, Chai, bananas, hard boiled eggs, breads
8:00 Start classes/lectures/medical briefings (how not to get malaria)
10:30- Chai break (and more food--- I have yet to be hungry in Africa)
11:00- More lessons/shots/speakers
12:30- Lunch (yummmm)
1:30- 3:30/4:30- More sessions. Today was our first language lesson! Hujambo? Sijambo!
7:00 - Dinner (also wayyy dark out)
9/10- Bed
It has flew by, and taken forever in the same breath. I, *knock on wood* haven't had too much homesickness yet, but I think all the love and support and pictures and MAIL (oh yeah, I got Danielle's letter and the guy said ,"wow you set a reccord" )haha, and the supportive staff and being around the other volunteers has really made it not so difficult, but Tuesday we head to our host families, and it will be a new transition. It willl really hit home then. Tomorrow we get to know who is in our CBT (community based training, a small group we learn with everyday), and that is really exciting. Ooo before I forget, I did have a disappointment today. Apparently, Hakuna Matata is more commonly used in Kenya and Hamna Shida means the same thing and that is what is used here. Guess that means I'll have to head to Kenya to tell Simba (really means lion though!) Hakuna Matata! Alright, my brain is still sleepy/jet-lagged and drained, so please excuse the random thoughts/sentences. I wish I could email everyone, but I have only paid for a set amount of time, so hopefully this will suffice for now. I'm on a mission for stamps tommorow to begin the Pen Pal Process!
Hope everyone is doing well back in Merikani (America), and be jealous of my 85 degree heat with humidity! Love you! <3
P.s. at the compound where we are staying, there have been at least one wedding reception everynight, and boy are they nice! Fancy, shmance. I love seeing the fancy tanzanaian dresses, can't wait to get some made.
So, technically I've only been here at the Mismbazi Center for now four whole days, it feels like month! What a couple days without a cell phone, the- black-hole -that- is -facebook, and pants can feel like. But it's been a really great week. Meeting my fellow volunteers has been a great expierence and we've already had some bonding moments. Staging in Philly was a bit overwhelming, or so I thought, but when I landed, I saw a sign. I am a big believer in signs from God, signs about your path, just signs in general. So, when I grabbed all 80+ pounds of luggage and started to waddle down the airport to find the other volunteers, I saw a poster advertisement that said exactly, "Never have to say, I should have" ---Peace Corps.!!! Some of the many fears began to melt and I knew I was where I'm supposed to be. Meeting a few of the other volunteers was great, and we headed to downtown Philly for our staging. After all the meeting/activities/skits/everything else they had us to, we were able to grab a bite to eat (I got my cheesesteak--yummmm), and watch the Cards KILL the Brewers (lots of Wisconsin/Michigan volunteers). It was nice.
The flights to Amsterdam/Tanzania....not so nice. I have the swollen cankles to prove it. The first flight I was so excited and actually enjoyed, but the hour layover in Amsterdam (which btw, doesn't get light out til 8:30 am there, which freaked me out), and then the like 11 hour flight to TZ with a stop in Mt. Kilimanjaro then another hour to Dar Es Salaam, I was in a middle seat , and boy was I ready to get off the plane. But since we've arrived, I was much more at ease, and very excited about this whole process.
Now to the stuff you've all been waiting for:
I have: sucessfully used the pit latrine...(didn't say it was fun, just that I was successful), eaten DELICIOUS Tanzanian food, learned some Swahili, received 2 shots (and got out of 2), worn long skirts and frizzy curly hair everyday, and played approx 10 games of Bananagrams, and as of an hour ago, washed my clothes in a bucket and tried to hang them around my room, and most importantly, tried my first Tanzanian beer-Mt. Kilamajaro, which was HUGE and around 1 USD!!, and started my malaira prophylactics. The list I'm sure could go on, but that's the fun stuff.
The other volunteers are really nice, and we all seem to get along pretty well for just meeting each other not too long ago. So, instead to of keep rambling, i'll give you an overview of my day:
6:00 am (which is 10:00 pm home time...makes for lots of jet lag)- wake up
7:00 Breakfast- Delish! Coffee, Chai, bananas, hard boiled eggs, breads
8:00 Start classes/lectures/medical briefings (how not to get malaria)
10:30- Chai break (and more food--- I have yet to be hungry in Africa)
11:00- More lessons/shots/speakers
12:30- Lunch (yummmm)
1:30- 3:30/4:30- More sessions. Today was our first language lesson! Hujambo? Sijambo!
7:00 - Dinner (also wayyy dark out)
9/10- Bed
It has flew by, and taken forever in the same breath. I, *knock on wood* haven't had too much homesickness yet, but I think all the love and support and pictures and MAIL (oh yeah, I got Danielle's letter and the guy said ,"wow you set a reccord" )haha, and the supportive staff and being around the other volunteers has really made it not so difficult, but Tuesday we head to our host families, and it will be a new transition. It willl really hit home then. Tomorrow we get to know who is in our CBT (community based training, a small group we learn with everyday), and that is really exciting. Ooo before I forget, I did have a disappointment today. Apparently, Hakuna Matata is more commonly used in Kenya and Hamna Shida means the same thing and that is what is used here. Guess that means I'll have to head to Kenya to tell Simba (really means lion though!) Hakuna Matata! Alright, my brain is still sleepy/jet-lagged and drained, so please excuse the random thoughts/sentences. I wish I could email everyone, but I have only paid for a set amount of time, so hopefully this will suffice for now. I'm on a mission for stamps tommorow to begin the Pen Pal Process!
Hope everyone is doing well back in Merikani (America), and be jealous of my 85 degree heat with humidity! Love you! <3
P.s. at the compound where we are staying, there have been at least one wedding reception everynight, and boy are they nice! Fancy, shmance. I love seeing the fancy tanzanaian dresses, can't wait to get some made.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
It starts: TOMMOROW
Oye, this is really happening! So begins my new adventure/life change/job/quest/mission tomorrow morning. I'm about to embark on my Peace Corps adventure to Tanzania tomorrow morning as I leave St. Louis for staging in Philly. (First cheese steak while I'm there? I think so). I've been waiting and packing and worrying and shopping for this time since I got that glorious phone call at the end of June and accepted my invitation that first week of July. Well, here I am, still enjoying the comforting amenities of the good 'ol USA on my last night before I begin the process of becoming a PCV, (that's Peace Corps Volunteer for all my friends who don't know the lingo yet), soaking up some AC, sippin' some wine, and digesting some nachos with my family. For my friends/family/random people who find my blog, please excuse the random/goofy thoughts and inevitable spelling and grammatical errors. My brain works in mysterious ways, and I intend to post pretty much exactly as I am seeing things.
And the way I'm seeing things now is blurred through a bundle of nerves. Will my luggage (which by the way thanks to Danielle is zipped) weigh the required limit? Will I find the other volunteers in the labyrinth they call Philadelphia airport? Will I be able to handle this whole thing? I'm just going to chalk this up to jitters. The support/love/overwhelming belief in me from my friends, family, and the tiny town I'm from has been unbelievable and a comfort to me.
I could keep rambling, emotional post going on forever, but I'll wrap this up for now. My motto [what's a motto? I dunno, what's a motto with you?! haha - 1st Lion King reference, oh just wait for more] has always been "Everything happens for a reason." I'm taking this phrase with me as I embark upon the greatest adventure of my life this far. I can't wait to share it all with you.
And the way I'm seeing things now is blurred through a bundle of nerves. Will my luggage (which by the way thanks to Danielle is zipped) weigh the required limit? Will I find the other volunteers in the labyrinth they call Philadelphia airport? Will I be able to handle this whole thing? I'm just going to chalk this up to jitters. The support/love/overwhelming belief in me from my friends, family, and the tiny town I'm from has been unbelievable and a comfort to me.
I could keep rambling, emotional post going on forever, but I'll wrap this up for now. My motto [what's a motto? I dunno, what's a motto with you?! haha - 1st Lion King reference, oh just wait for more] has always been "Everything happens for a reason." I'm taking this phrase with me as I embark upon the greatest adventure of my life this far. I can't wait to share it all with you.
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