Excuses, Newbs, and Maisha Plus

PREFACE: Initially, I thought I'd have a witty, up-to-date, informative, class act of a blog. But then, as most things go in Tanzania and life, it didn't exactly happen as planned. It's not like I haven't thought of funny/witty stories, or haven't been on the internet in the past 4 months, but due to a variety of circumstances I just haven't gotten out a blog. It's like the journal...started out solid, then puttered out. I'm going to say its because I've gotten busier. right? So again, I am apologetic for my lack of new blogs. Its like I always get a fabulous idea for a blog, but by the time I get to a computer/see the next shiny object, its out of my brain, or I am too swept in by Facebook email when I get to the www. Also, if people were to start commenting again...ahem...perhaps I'd be more apt to write..maybe. :) But, its been a full few months.

The months of August and September were fast, slow, hot, cold (okay less hot), companionship  and loneliness, and pretty much every other contradiction I could through out. Karibu, Tanzania, the land of lovely imperfections and contradictions. Getting much "work" done during the month of August was lets say, less easy than normal. It was "Sensa" time (the census) and school was closed, partly due to this reason. My health group in the village were pretty absent, and a few other things I wanted to get rolling were kind of at a standstill. So, I started my chalkboard (my new favorite project), played with Shedrack and Selhie, tried to start a garden, hosted a shadower, and most recently, went to multiple Peace Corps trainings and conferences. So, back to the black board was an idea after seeing a smaller one painted at a friends house, I decided to capitalize on the fact I live in the middle of town and there are constantly people walking by, you know lemonades out of lemons or something like that. :) It started out as a possible teaching spot for the hoardes of little children that live near me, but then I thought it might be a really great way to reach other adults I may not come across on a normal basis, and it would be a like a village health advertisement board. I think the colored chalk really takes the cake/interests the kids as they walk by. Anyway, it is really small, but that has been/is my philosophy towards my service; to quote Peter Jensen, "small, do-able actions." So while other things haven't progressed or regressed, this little project has been a favorite/time occupier on those slow days. 

In September, they announced the dates the new health and environment trainees (henceforth "newbs" in chelseaspeak), and announced that we could help to train the new class. I am the closest to the training site they will be at the whole two months, so I knew I'd be able to pop in and out, but I was also lucky enough to be able to spend the first week here in country with them..this past week! It's so strange to me that there are NEW volunteers...what does that make us? It also has set in a strange, mid-service/life crisis...I have alot to get done! It will happen when it happens I guess. The new pct (that's code for peace corps trainees) are a really fun, sweet, group. Who had lots of questions. :) 

So for now, it's back to the village. I learned recently from a PC language teacher about "maisha plus." They explained it as when a person from a city (aka DAR) goes to stay in the village to live life without modern conviences (ie water, electricity, etc). So they asked if I lived as "maisha plus." I assured them that my lovely abode was indeed maisha plus. In Kiswahili, Maisha is LIFE. So it basically means Life PLUS. And you know what, it really is a blessing in disguise, and definitely making me realize the truly important things in life. <3

So, while I should continue on, I am heading out in the morning for home; the vil. After 3+weeks of trainings, Americans, good food, electricity, and running water, the transition to the village is always tougher, but I am also looking forward to my "maisha plus" again. 

I promise to be better/write down ideas/etc. :) Still LOVING the snail mail. Hope America is well. Also, this week is my ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY in country. just saying. Next blog will probably be a reflection of that past year. Will hopefully have that before the 2nd anniversary!

Can't think of anything witty: an equally dry blog post

Well, who would have thought this whole no-electricity-maybe-getting-internet-access-living-in-the-vil-thing would put a damper on getting out regular blogs. I do apologize, lovely followers. 

Life in the village has been going well since my semi-long absence due to trainings for Peace Corps, and other general merriment (sand-bar-that-only-comes-out-in-low-tide to reveal turquoise water in tanga for the 4th of July? Why, yes I did, complete with smores, sparkler birthday candles, and loud, off key americans singing patriotic tunes. Upon my return, I have been teaching (or attempting to teach.. you know kids of any nationality around break time aren't exactly into school..) and teaching and helping at the clinic as per usual. Decided to be super motivated and bought seeds to begin the Perma-garden I said I was going to start when i got to site (seven months ago), but now at least the seeds are sitting on my coffee table, so its a start. The Zinduka (youth soccer-teaching-about-AIDS/HIV-program)  plan is getting underway, and my two, amazing, motivated coaches are excited as well. Still feel like I am behind or should be doing a HUGE grant or project like many of my fellow PCV's, but for right now, i'm still sticking to the small scale. I have a little time left, right?

In other news, I will have a "shadower" soon! Don't worry, not a stalker. Just Peace Corps lingo for a trainee (like I was my first two months) to come stay with me for a week to learn about living in the village. The poor sap (and future sitemate of mine!) stuck with me won't find the domestic, bread-baking jiko-loving goddess, but I can teach them  to make a mean batch of popcorn, and the proper way to drop in on your neighbors at meal times. It will be fun to have another "Mzungu" (white person...being called this generally gets on my nerves... i do know i stand out, don't need 20 Tanzanian children yelling this to me! :)) It will be a bit different, but should be a new challenge as well.

Wish i had a better, wittier, more exciting post for all of the lovely Americans reading this, wondering what I'm doing in the African bush. The village has been lovely, cool (too cold for my neighbors who complain about the beautiful weather I am enjoying), but it will soon be over, and the obsessive heat will return. As for now, I'm enjoying the lovely weather, trying to brush up on my swahilli after being gone and around Americans at trainings, and of course, playing with and being peed on by an assortment of babies. Some days it seems like this whole adventure is flyinggggggggggg by! and others seem to drag on. But, this is life! :) Still, the love/good vibes/prayers/etc that are continually being sent my way are greatly apprecitated. Really couldn't do this without the best support staff ever.

Until next time, my lovies!

p.s. realllllly love snail mail. write me, and perhaps you'll recieve a really cool letter with a tanzanian stamp (proabably of a grasshopper..they usually are). and of course, love and fuzzies from me. 

Baby Steps, Breezes, and Blister Beetles

Alright, pardon the delayed absence. My own mother scolded me for not blogging, but the past month or so has been full, as my alliteration-y title suggests.

EndofApril/May/June has flown by much faster than the previous five months or so. While all things are important, I must note that I have now officially cooked on my charcoal jiko, with help from two different neighbors to get the darn thing started. My cooking skills are still clearly sub-par on both American and Tanzanian standards, but for some reason, I'm packing on the pounds again. My rationalization is the weather. Referencing the unyeilding heat mentioned in previous posts, I am happy (no, OVERJOYED) to announce the "cold season" has arrived in Muheza district. My neighbors and friends keep commenting on the upepo kali (cold wind) and how they are just so cold they have to wear jackets. Its literally 75-80 degrees F, but for people who are used to the scorching heat of Tanga region the other 11 months, I guess I can see how the absolutely beautiful, breezey, sunny, gorgeous, little-bit-of-rainy weather would be a shock. But as you can tell, I'm a happy camper and sleep like a baby (well a colicky baby, but still not sweating to death in my sleep anymore).

Speaking of babies, Selhy has begun to walk! Selhati, the absolute love of my life-little neighbor baby, has just turned one, and is walking a bit, jabbering in indistinguishable baby jabber, and can ALMOST pump out "shel-shee" (what most of the other kids manage for my name). I have definitely taken on the attitude of "its takes a village to raise a child" with her, trying to stop by and hold her/play with her a few days a week (I'm good friends with her mom, aunts, and gma, so its always lovely visit). Her older sister, equally adorable, and I were drawing with chalk on the stoop the other afternoon, and Selhy saw us and just really wanted to join in. She took a few teetering steps, got nervous, and plopped down on her tiny hiney. Realizing she wasn't quite there yet, she got back up and taritibu -ly (carelfully) managed her way to where the portrait-drawing-action was.

My first few weeks "on the job" were a bit like Selha and her new walking quest. Walking the 15 minute or so walk to the Secondary School the first day I taught "Life Skills" (we've now covered hand-washing and peer pressure), I was beyond nervous and unsure, but figured I had to "fake it til I make it" kind-of-thing. Walking into a classroom of 35-50 teenagers expecting you to know what you are doing, and do it well in another LANGUAGE is a bit intimidating, but after a few chuckles (on both sides) due to language mix ups, and explaining how I expect things to go, the classes are going well and they seem to be enjoying it. Especially the Maswali ya Leo (Questions of the Day), which is a sheet I pass around and the students are able to write (anonymously) questions about health, sex, America, or whatever they want. You can only imagine some of the ones i've gotten so far. :) Its a good way for us to cover some topics they are never taught and have no one else to go with to. Like I said, it's only been a few different classes so far, as I teach two Forms a week and the other two the next week, but its moving along well. Having other PCV friends doing the same thing has been a blessing as well, as we can compare notes and war-stories. :)

Teaching outside the Zahanati (dispensary/clinic) was also nerve wracking, in some ways, more so. Here was I not only teaching in Swahili but to adults, and about health topics, so I better know my stuff! The staff (2 nurses, lab tech, and clinical officier ("dr")), stop what they are doing, come stand outside with me and help me by encouraging the waiting patients (our captive audience) to answer my questions and also helping me to answer questions from the crowd. I didn't know they were going to be such a big help, but let me tell you, it has gone so much more smoothly than if I didn't have the help! I ask/suggest what topic I cover each month. EndofApril/May was Malaria, which is a HUGE problem here, and June is Kipindupindu (cholera)     [side note- isn't that a hilarous name for cholera? As my friend Megan so elequouently puts it, "I can't be scared of a disease that sounds so cute"]     because of an outbreak in our district recently (its the rainy season and without any drainage/waste management, you get the picture, problems!), so I teach about cholera and diarahea. Didn't think I'd be drawing and talking about poop quite so much this early on, but hey its fun.

June is going to be the month of trainings! I'm off to DAR for "warden training" in a few weeks, where I will put my previous fire-marshalling skills to work to help protect the volunteers in my region in case of emergency. :). Basically I'll call the other two girls and say we have to meet somewhere if there is a natural disaster/war/or some other reason PC tells us to get out. It should be fun, and I get to see a few other PCV's and hang out in AC and drink frappecinos. Not a bad deal. The other training is for Zinduka, a soccer program that teaches youth about HIV/AIDS. I'm starting an in and out of school youth/boys and girls soccer/sports/health club (we obviously need a name) with Joyce and a Secondary School teacher, and we are so excited! The training will also provide more PCV fellowship and a chance to see another region (want to hit them all during my 2 years!) I'm going to try to be in the village as much as possible this month, but as you can see certain trips to town are warranted (this weekend, new phone, dowloading still more books on my poor nook that got deleted, and a pcv visitor!). Its all about a balance, and I think the past two months have helped me to find mine. :)

So I haven't started any major "building-the-village-a-water-tank/school" projects yet; but, I've decided to take this job/adventure/opportunity just like Selha, one step at a time. While I want to do as much good and help the village as much as I can during my service, I remind myself everyday that it is a process and I will be here for another year and a half. I want the people to KNOW me, and understand what I'm here for and know I do truly care for them before I start a whole huge project they or I aren't ready for; I'd rather they come to me with something we can work on together. So if this means I have to keep playing babies, and making vijana (youth) and wazee (elderly) alike laugh at my badly pronounced Swahili, so be it. :)

Feeling slightly cooler, happy, and now blister-free,
Chels

[Forgot the blister beetle story! So one day I was thinking I got a sunburn on the back on my calf and knee cap (not sure why or how I thought I got this wearing long skirts everyday-my pasty white legs can attest to this), but it turned into full on HUGE blisters with red swollen patches around it. In other words, I was even more attractive than I normally am everyday. I had to go to Megan's site for a PC mandated flu shot from the PC doc, and had him look it just to be sure. Sure enough, I got stung by the blister beetle (Nairobi fly). Another awesome story (and hopefully not scar!) for the grandkids I guess!]

Amani, Upendo, na Maisha

Amani means "peace" in Kiswahili, and its one of my favorite Swahili words. It also describes my state of being in the village right now. Upendo is "love", and when you have a title like "peace," I think its obligatory to add "love," :). And Maisha is  "life". A little hippy, a little sentimental, a whole-lot Chelsea, haha.

Well, it's been about a month now since I've returned to the 'vil, and as difficult as reintegration after being away (and around Americans and modern amenities), I am beginning to be really at peace in the my village. The first few weeks were a pretty tough, but as of this week, I have begun to teach at the secondary school, and present on health topics at the clinic, or in other words, do "real" work. As opposed to my visiting, taking walks, and generally just hanging around that I otherwise do. :)

Starting to present/teach/interact even further in the community has really be wonderful, and being back around my neighbors, friends, and smiling/peeing babies, who were generally happy to see me again, and with whom I can now have slightly more in-depth conversations, (they were mostly 'hello, how are you? how's your family? Have a good day' there for a while...). Sure, there are days/moments/times where I get in a homesick or sad funk, but maybe its the starting work, maybe its the amazing support I get from home, but I'm starting to feel like I'm not COMPLETELY out of place in my village. Its a good feeling. I'm in town this weekend, after spending over two weeks in the village straight. As I was preparing to leave, I was excited (needed to use the atm and hit the supermarket, as well as hanging out with my lovely sitemates!), but I didn't feel like I HAD to leave the village, like I had in moments before. Don't get me wrong, I'm SO happy to be in town and definitely needed it, but, I realized I am really getting to LOVE my village. Which, at times, seems crazy when the roosters start crowing at 3 am, the teenagers cat-call and do other generally annoying things, I can't take a five second walk for pleasure without interrogation of where I am going, but I really am. People are recongizing me and introducing me to others, I get regular "zawadi" (gifts) of fruits from villagers, and the kids as SO excited when I come up the path to my house.

Besides theses mushy-gushy reasons, I have been thinking of other reasons  

Why I love my village/TZ:
(In no particular order, and will probably add to it in future blogs)

1. Where else can I indulge my embarrassing music tastes and sing along without being ridiculed? Yes, Tanzanians love Celine, too.

2. There is no such thing as LOW carb anything here. Andazi, Chapati, Sconzi, etc. Being the bread queen, I'm loving it.

3. No make-up? Haven't washed your hair in a few days? These are the days I get the most compliments. Not sure what that says about me, but the vanity is different here, and refreshing.

4. You greet EVERYONE you meet EVERYWHERE you go in the village. It was frustrating at first, but now I'm going to go back to the states and get stares from the strangers I can't help but greet. I LOVE the friendliness of Tanzanians.

5. You running late? You forget something? It's "hamna shida" (no worries). For the perpetual worrier in me, the relaxed, understanding of Tanzanians has been a lesson in life for me.

6. Kids. Though there are times (almost daily) that I wish there weren't a million little kids playing around outside my house, being loud and driving me crazy, when I hear "Shel-She, Mkono, Mkunde" from a group of toddlers and see them waving and jumping around like they haven't seen me in weeks (sometimes its just later that day), I can't help but smile and feel so warm and fuzzy. Then, there's my baby who loves me so much, she pees on me. Can't put a price on love like that. Seriously though, the kids here are respectful, sweet, and always helpful. I promised Mom I wouldn't smuggle any home in a couple years, but we'll see. 


7. Dukas. These are the little stores/more like stands where you stand behind a screen or at the front of the booth and the proprieter gathers all your items for you. The reason I love these is the fact that you never know what they will have. Granted most, have your standard TZ village duka staples: rice, beans, cigarrettes, pens, paper, soda (sometimes), string, razor blades, locks, and other things, but it's the times like the other day when I found a hologram Obama belt buckle, spaghetti (usually just towns!), and bobby pins, that I got excited. Neither have been purchased (yet--trying to be frugal but just got paid, so we'll see), but the discovery was just as exciting . Tanzania makes so much sense, and so little, but I'm loving discovering all its little quirks. 

Maybe it's the cooler weather, maybe it the less stress after beginning work, or the super- resfreshing cold, fresh juice I just drank (one of my fav spots in Tanga!) but I'm feeling pretty positive today. Of course that could change tommorow, or even later this afternoon, but for now, I think I'm supposed to be here and this is what I'm supposed to be doing. For all the being alone and figuring things out on my own, I could NOT do this without the support that radiates to me here from my family and friends at home, and my fellow PCV friends, who, thanks to a free PCV-PCV calling plan, I can to talk often! Cards, letters, packages, and texts are constant reminders of that support, but I also know its the prayers, good vibes, karma, and whatever other positive energy you all send across the pond. I appreciate it and it helps me everyday, because despite growing to love my village, it is a challenge every single day. But then again, I guess life itself is a challenge, right?

The next month holds teaching once a week at the school and clinic, participating in the village health group, and possibly starting a teen-health/excerise club in the next month or so, a site visit from PC, and continuing to try to learn Swahili and make my village understand my broken Swahili, cooking (hey I used my charcoal jiko for the first time the other day--woo hoo rice and lentils!), and trying to maintain this postive attitude. But with the aforementioned (and probably ongoing) list, that shouldn't be too hard. :)

Lots of Love from Lion King Land <3

p.s. I still promise to put pics up here eventually. Technology was not my friend in the 'states, and I am still fighting it here! :)

Ishirini na Nne (24)

Mambo, Rafiki!
Today I have officially entered my "mid" twenties...in Tanzania! Didn't feel very much different as I woke up, but then got to thinking about life on my two bus rides to town this morning, and in some ways I feel very much more adult, but then I looked down and realized I was eating my Cinnamon Toast Crunch (from an awesome 'merica package--thanks, Mom!), and in some ways I'm very much a kid still. Guess that's how your twenties go right? Well, I guess at least for me.
I'm in town (Tanga) for my birthday/Easter/seeing PCV friends who are passing through, but will head back to the village to stay for a while after this weekend. I just got back this past weekend from a two week training trip to Morogoro for our In-Service Training with Peace Corps, where I had internet access,but completely goofed on getting a blog out, whoops! It was a wonderful two weeks, full of Peace Corps friends, HAMBURGERS, pulled pork, milkshakes, all night dance parties, and movies nights with a big projector. It was almost too good, meaning the transisition back to living alone and being in the village will require a little more effort, but in some ways, its great to be back again. I feel like half the village has asked where I was, and that they were looking for me, and then are happy I'm back. That's a good feeling. :)
So it looks like it's time to start projects. I am planning to start teaching teh secondary school students "life skills" and present to patients at the clinic as they wait, with other projects to begin as time goes on. Its a little scary, and intimidating, but its time, and what I came here to do. Knowing I have the best support system in the WORLD helps immensely.
I wish I had more quirky anicdotes to add, but I guess i'm on birthday brain right now, and am just hoping the rain will stop so we can hit the beach this weekend! :) Hopefully will be able to check internet at site, or in the next month or so (after this weekend), so hit me up with questions, comments and whatever! Someday I'll get pictures up maybe here.
Until then, I'll be trying to act 24.....well, maybe. :)

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! :)

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).