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! :)