Disclaimer

The contents of this blog are my own, and do not reflect the position, views, or policies of the United States Government or the United States Peace Corps.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Feeling Cold...and Loving it

Greetings from the Swiss Alps! Ok, actually Lushoto, which a town in my region, but its wayyyy up here in the mountains and is absolutely beautiful and, get this, CHILLY at night. After what I'd like to consider perhaps the hottest week of my entire life, I decided it was time for a break from the vil. I think the heat had gotten to me, and it was a rougher week than I've been experiencing, so a relapse from the heat was much needed. And when I say heat, I mean heat (it was 87 at 7 pm...without a humidity index). I had to lie on my concrete floor and fan myself with a magazine. Sure glad I have shutters on my windows!  When the Tanzanians are saying its "Jua Kali (Hot Sun!)" you know its unebearable. I must have looked especially pathetic, because my neighbors and fellow villagers were constantly reassuring me it would be cooler in June. Can't wait......

My village survey and analysis are nearly complete, though with a few snaf-us. Meetings are generally started hours after their "start" time, and that's only if everyone has hauled water, and/or there hasn't been a death in the village, or they decide there wasn't time to have a meeting after everyone arrived too late, (all of which happened this week). Its hard to acclimate with my "american go go go" attitude, but I'm learning! The biggest worry now is preparing my report for my Training/Conference in a few weeks for PC, which is difficult without internet/electricity at site. Looks like more trips to town? Oh darn. :)

I'm definitetly getting a much better grasp of my village, and am generally recognized and greeted warmly. Feels good to be known! :) Once again, not a whole lot to report on this end, but looks like I'll be working with the clinic and the secondary school so far, and perhaps more to come. Right now, STILL just figuring it all out. I wanted this to be a focused blog, with one topic, but here I go again rambling on a million topics.

In a few weeks, I'll be heading to Morogoro for my conference/training, and will hopefully have more internet opportunities, so hit me with those emails and perhaps we could even schedule a Skype date with those of you so inclined? As for me, I'm going to enjoy my weekend in the cold, (i wore a jacket last night!), and the beautiful change in scenery (despite not being very far from my area, it looks like a whole other region!) before returning to the sauna that is my village. :) Rainy season is right around the corner though! Hopeall is well in Stateside, and love hearing from all you! BIG  Thanks for the Packages, its like Christmas every time. You spoil me, Friends and Family! :) Lots of Love! (and sorry for the randomness, sometimes you just have to take advantage of an intenet cafe when you see one! :)

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Recharged (in more ways than one)

Greetings from Tanga! After four weeks, yes thirty days of village life, I have a recharged computer, recharged phone, and recharged spirit. While I have managed to get a little closer to integration in my vil from the last post, every day has been that wonderful, Peace Corps roller coaster! Some days are tough, some days are wonderful, but I guess that is life, right? Just seems magnified in TZ. :) I'm been able to begin the survey of my village PC has asked us to do, visit more with my neighbors and other friends, and even understand/convey a bit more swahili. Like I said, everything is pole pole, but as crazy as it seems sometimes, I now have one month at site under my belt.

Which means, one month of bucket bath, "cooking" (aka popcorn) and my continually waged WAR on the ANTS. These little boogers have over taken the outside of my home, but i have held my own with "dawa" (medicine, but in reality poison) from the local duke. Go me.

Hence, when my new site mate Nicole suggested a trip to the big city (Tanga), I was more than a little excited. Also, down to my last five dollars, was super excited to hit the ATM. And what a fabulous weekend it has been. Meeting up with, and staying with a  former PCV and her family who now live here in town in a beautiful house on the ocean, hitting a TZ night club and learning some sweet moves, and even finding SPECIAL K bars at a random duke in town! That's what I call success. So now, a quick internet check and soon to dip in the ocean, then more PCV fellowship this evening, and I am recharged for the next few weeks at site. Just what the doctor ordered!

Now, if only the umeme (elec) would stay in my village for more than a few hours, I would be really recharged! I am able to charge the computer so hopefully a movie/intenet check in the village before another return trip to town, and my phone has been charged a few times in the vil again, so I'm feeling less disconnected. I did feel guilty leaving my village (even just to get to town), but did realize we all need a little recharging sometimes. I'll be a better/happier volunteer if I take care of my mental battery too.

Still loving the mail! I get to "little" town, Muheza to check about once a week, but sometimes takes longer, so please excuse tardy letters. Still hot, still not sure of my jobs in the village, still being taken care of by my VEO, and still being offered random Ugali and food from neighbors. Wish I had more excitement to report, dear friends, but this is all a process, and I'm just getting it started. Hope all are well, and lots of love (especially on Valentines Day! I probably won't post before then, but who knows!)

Chels (or Mkunde as I'm known in the village. It means you are loved. I melted, naturally).