I’ve been back for almost two weeks. The first week–a jet lagged haze–contained moments of stark contrast. Walking to the coffee shop, for example, I was struck by the pavement–glorious pavement–everywhere I looked. A car passed and no dust was kicked up and sprinkled on my face or clothes. Then I noticed the care with Continue Reading
ArchivesCategory: Tanzania
10OctTZ – Epilogue
29SepTZ – Ch. 5b
Habari! Thursday’s trip to Arusha, to sit in on a Rwanda Tribunal trial was one of the most powerful experiences I’ve had here–second only to being honored with the children’s affections and attending Elizabeth Ryan’s memorial. I shamefully admit that I was ignorant this was still going on. I’m embarrassed to say I never took Continue Reading
29SepTZ – Ch. 5a
Jambo, At breakfast, the day after my last post, my nursery school cohort felt nauseous. Her symptoms weren’t unlike another volunteer’s symptoms, the latter of which attributed it to sunstroke from a weekend excursion to a nearby lodge featuring a shiny pool, lounge chairs and intense sun due to our proximity to the equator. Since Continue Reading
22SepTZ – Ch. 4
Mambo (what’s up? sort of. you reply, poa…it’s what the young hip folks say), Saturday three of us headed down a new road with our driver/guide, whose nickname is Toyota–exactly what you think. As is the case with many roads here, the pavement gives way to the hard uneven crevices shaped in the rainy season. Continue Reading
18SepTZ – Ch. 3
jambo, Hand sani, toilet paper, lip balm. These three items have been on my person for the last week as I battle a cold or just acclimate to the amount of red clay dust, regular road dust, exhaust fumes, and of course dust that I’m sure the donkeys and goats at the market across the Continue Reading
15Septz – Chapter 2
Jambo, Thank you for your wonderful comments! It makes me smile. I wanted to tell you about the wonderful safari five of us from our Boma homebase went on. About the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara (sp?) and the giraffes, elephants, lions, baboons, golden jackals, hyenas, cheetahs, dik dik (sp??), striped mongoose, hippos and pink Continue Reading
11Septz – chapter 1
Jambo! (hello) I made it five days ago. I’m at the Internet cafe in Moshi (30 min from Hai Bomag’nombo district where our home base is. Please excuse typos. This is one of the first computers ever manufactured–at least it seems like it. Being here is many things I’ve never known. There isn’t enough time Continue Reading
04SepBon Voyage and Other Last Words
ME: With the different foods, I figure I might lose a little weight while I’m in Tanzania. FRIEND: Yeah, you probably will. One way or another. ~ FRIEND: So you have a long layover tomorrow, right? ME: Yeah, four hours in Houston. FRIEND: Okay, well, call me between your legs.Continue Reading
04SepTanzania, here I come.
It is with great trepidation that I leave in the morning. I am anxious and I am afraid. I almost wish I weren’t going. But it is not Tanzania that I am worried about. It is, of course, the four hour layover in Houston. Reactions to this news range from, “..the effing armpit of America. Continue Reading
04SepWhat Didn’t Come Up on the Trip Preparations Conference Call:
Please tell me they have paved roads. I don’t want to get my Uggs all dirty. If you have a lot of alcohol in your system will the mosquitoes get drunk? I’m looking to offset the cost of my vaccinations. Would it be ok if I brought some USA souvenirs and sold them to the Continue Reading
