Jambo! Mambo? - Blogabond

Well well well, I think it is about time I told you all that I made it here safely. No need to worry. Hakuna Matata! I arrived on Saturday night and one of our drivers Peter met me at the airport. The homebase in Karanga, a village about a 20 minute drive from Moshi, is gorgeous and the other volunteers are awesome. I can't tell you how much I love it here. I can already tell you that I WILL be back to Africa and I have only been here 4 days. We've had lots of policy and paperwork but we've also had swahili lessons, it's not that hard in the lessons, but using it in real life is a little more difficult. I go for walks in the village to talk to the people and practice. Everyone is so patient with my kidogo (liitle) Swahili and is very friendly and extremely hospitable. It's like nothing I've ever experienced before but it is amazing. I've been into Moshi twice, once for a quick tour of the market and once to use the internet since the internet at the house was down, but now it's up and it's much faster -still dial up- but faster. Sorry Ron and Ken for not emailing but it is too slow, so I hope you read the blog and now that I made it!

Today I went to my volunteer placement for the first time, its in a class for "children" with mental disabilities. They range between 7 and 30 though. It's very interesting and very busy. We have 3 teachers and 3 volunteers and today there were only 15 students and we were run off our feet. The system is very different though, the kids kick and hit with no consequences really -but often they don't understand what they did wrong. The teachers english is very good actually, but only 1 boy speaks english and it is about the same level as my swahili, so not so good.

On my walks everyday I talk to the children -today we played baseball and "ruka-ed" aka jumped toghether. It's so amazing, they are so trusting, but some do ask us for money, we say "sina pesa" no money. And then we just play together. The dirt is really red and it makes us extremely dirty -we never really come clean, after showers are towels are brown -it's all part of it and I wouldn't change a thing. Right now the bugs aren't even bad. THe other day we went on an excursion to buy sugar cane for the kitchen, the family we bought it from were so sweet, they welcomed us fully and we chatted and played with their kids.

I am having the best time, and to tell you the truth, I don't miss you guys -not yet anyways. :) Though I truly wish you all were here to experience it too. Much love and hugs! -Laura

written by

Laura Collins on September 23, 2008 from Moshi, Tanzania

from the travel blog: My Adventure in Tanzania

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Hey Laura,
I'm glad to hear that you got there safely and that you are having a blast. Swahili lessons, that's great, just make sure you don't throw in that chinese accent... haha.

Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures!

Take Care,
Victoria

written by Victoria on September 23, 2008

oh good, i was waiting for news from you in africa!!!
your jambo mambo title makes me think of the song mambo number 5...haha

sounds like ur starting to pick up swahili pretty fast then, since it doesn't sound like too many people there speak english???

glad ur havin fun, pics soon???

written by shannon on September 23, 2008

You don't even miss us!?! Ouch! :) Glad you're having a good time though. It sounds like a very interesting place. Can't wait to see pictures (if you're ever able to load them on dial-up).

Love,
Amy

written by Amy on September 23, 2008

That is so cool Laura! Sounds like you're getting to do something that you're really passionate about. And by the time you get back, you can teach us all Swahili. Make sure to post as many pictures as you can through dial up, and if it's too much of a pain, we'll just see them when you get back. It's hard to believe you're a world away and we all miss you tons, but it's so exciting hearing all about it. Take care. Glad the bugs haven't been bad yet. Can't wait for your next post.

Love, Gill

written by Gillian Hobbs on September 23, 2008

fine i don't miss you either. pfft!
sounds like you're having fun wild jungle child!

written by karen on September 24, 2008

Hey! Here's a comment, as promised. Everything sounds really incredible, this has become regular reading for me. Children between 7 and 30, that's not what I'd expect at all, but still very cool. I'd love to know what Moshi is like.

Enjoy the red dirt!

Geoffrey

written by Geoffrey on September 25, 2008

Hey Laura! Wow, your travels sound alright...but you don't know what you are missing around here: school is awesome and its raining! Anyhow, I enjoyed your posted, and it sounds sweet out there! Enjoy! Peter

written by Peter A on September 25, 2008

Hi Laura,
I'm so glad to hear you're having such a fantastic time! If you get the chance, make sure you go to Monduli --- it's a really nice little town, and maybe you can also check out the school I went to (Moringe Sokoine Secondary School)! :) Hope you continue to have a blast...please say hi to Tanzania for me! Miss you; hugs!

written by Sandra B on September 26, 2008

Hi Laura!

I am very jealous of you and very delighted for you! I'm glad that it's a great experience from the start! I knew you'd love it and I'm looking forward to reading all about your adventures. I do not expect pictures until you get back - my internet experience on that side of the world didn't allow for much "uploading" of pics and I'm guessing it'll be similar while you're there. I'm glad you're not missing us, it frees you up to have an even better time. I wish I were there too though... BIIIIG hugs from me and Trevor!
love, Jane (and Trevor)

written by Jane D. F. on September 29, 2008

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