I have to say alot has happened since I last wrote. Number one, the internet hasn't been working, number two, the phone hasn't been working, number 3, the power has been out, and number four the water has been shut off. So I can say I've experienced a more realistic africa. On friday I did a home visit with my teacher but we ended really early so I went to Amani nursey school, one of the old volunteer's placements because the children swarmed me when I got out of the van and were very disappointed when I told them I had somewhere else to be. Though when I was done I went back. They were so sweet and so adorable- my little favourite was wisdom and I was tickling him til he squealed. It was lovely- then I had a nice walk home about 30 mins over the river from Soweto to Karanga.

This past weekend was a little sad since the ppl staying 3 weeks had to go home. It was sad to see them go since I had gotten close to most of them and will most likely never see them again. So it was bye bye to kakas and dadas- but it is exciting that this weekend we get a new group of volunteers!

I did stay here this weekend, we had fun here- it was nice to relax and do laundry and explore moshi a little bit more. Then on Sunday 6 of us went to the nearby catholic church with Prisca (a girl 22, who lives at the house and does small jobs so she can go to the school close by). It was interesting to say the least. I had never been to a catholic service and we thought we were going to the lutheran church but apparently we had a miscommunication. No biggie. So we walked up a big hill and there was this church. It was huge, they had a guy in the middle directing people during the hymns. And of course there were no books. It was also 40 degrees in there and we were all dying so we actually snuck out early -pole sana- but prisca stayed. They had calypso style organ music that would come on over the speakers for songs- it was a little bizarre but neat none the less. Alll of it was in swahili so we were completley lost, but it was still an experience. Then in the afternoon we explored a little bar (meaning a bench in the shade on the side of the road). We called it the barber shop since there was a shop within and Ali shaved his head mfrika style.

On monday, I decided to switch placements, it was a tough call. I love my kids at Korongoni, but I found out that a new volunteer will be placed there so there will be 4 volunteers and 3 teachers and the other disabled school would only have 1 volunteer and 1 teacher. So I offered to switch -plus as an added bonus- it is close enough to walk. I went on Monday and I loved it. The kids have lesss severe disabilities, but there is more structure and I have already been given the task of painting a mural. Woot woot. The kids are very sweet too. We actually made peanut butter to sell since there are some older kids and the teacher, Mama justina is trying to teach them skills that will be valuable in life. I really appreciate that. It was a good day, and as sad as I am to leave Kornogoni behind I know I am needed much more here at Shira Matunda. Oh and Zainabu, Calisti and neema are students at my new school!

In the afternoon me and two friends had a local adventure in our village. We wanted to go to the river, and we apparently looked confused so this man Raymondi -now our new best friend- took us to the river. There were kids swimming there and jumping off rocks it was so awesome. Then he took us to a banana forest, mangoes and boga and the water intake system. He took us all over for 3 hours. We met his family too. Kili was out and it was amazingly beautifuil. Then he wanted to take us to see monkeys, so we walked an hour to a bunch of trees by another river and Ray asked the kids where the monekys were and we saw them in the trees. Vervet monkeys, look them up, they were sooo cute. But since it was almost suipper time we headed back - ray lives very close so he walked with us. He invited us back - so we have plans for tomorrow. It was by far the best local experience I have had here and I am definelty going to do it again.

Then yesterday it was a bank holiday so we went to visit a local women's dairy cooperative. We got to try african cheese- not as good as at home, or maybe just different- but it was neat to see.

It's been getting hotter by the day here, but it's not raining so that is a plus. I am excited for new people to arrive. I've been doing some fabric shopping and art shopping, I got some gorgeous artwork and can't wait for you to see it.

Love you all lots, I'm thinking about you. THanks also for the comments!!

Ps: Jack I will look for the train tracks- haven't seen any trains yet though. Ohh, and the money is tanzanian shillings or tish for short. 1200tish is equal to about 1usd. I bought a big batik for 25000 and a nice painting for 8000, internet is about 1000 for an hour and iced coffee at the internet place is 1800. A taxi into town is 5000- so split that 4-6 ways and it's cheap. And the local bus from here to town is 300. So 30 cents- but it's not a pleasant expeience.

Sorry the last post sounded like a downer- I really am having a great time. i love it and can hardly believe my time is halfway over!!! I'll try to update again soon.

Lots of love, salama.
-Laura

written by  Laura Collins on October 15, 2008 from Moshi, Tanzania
from the travel blog: My Adventure in Tanzania
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Ok, I looked up Vervet Monkeys, and you're right, they are cute. And little. Very cool that Ray took you guys all around. That's so much different than here, that would never happen. And we're supposed to be friendly in Canada.

That is sad that you had to leave your placement, but its good that you're somewhere where you're needed more now. And a mural sounds great! I bet the kids already love you, and it must be nice to see them being taught useful skills.

I sent you an email with election results, but since the internet hasn't been working (our power went out too, I've been taking ice cold showers the last couple days): Vancouver South is Liberal, just barely. Vancouver Quadra where I live is Liberal. Overall the conservatives are back in power with more seats but still a minority. Boo. See my email for more info.

Can't wait to see your artwork!

Geoff

written by  Geoffrey Martin on October 15, 2008

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Whoa, it all sounds so neat! How was your walk with the giraffes?? I'm excited to hear all your stories in more detail soon, and to see all your art work...remind me again, when do you get back to (momentarily) sunny Vancouver? November 21st?

I'm glad you got to meet Ray - did you communicate in Swahili or English with him? He sounds like such a warm and hospitable man!

I send you lots and lots of happy thoughts! Have fun making peanut butter with Zainabu, Calisti, Neema (I know a Neema too!), and all the other kids in your class!

Tons of love. Sandra

written by  Sandra B on October 15, 2008

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wow, sounds like you could buy so much with cdn dollars there!!!!
i wanna see pics...everything that you're describing sounds so amazing that i wanna see it all!

over on this side the rain and cold is setting in...yayyyy rainy vancouver. sigh.

a funny story in the life of an educ student in a town far far away...
science class: we're doing bacteria growth, so that means taking samples of places we think they exist, then putting htem in a petri dish and watching them grow in colonies. a few of us went to the men's bathroom in scarfe and swiped the urinal, then went to the women's and swiped the toilet seat. we saw some pretty interesting bacteria growth....

written by  shannon on October 16, 2008

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oh and just a small note for sandra:
the knee is doing much better! still wearing the brace though, and i have an appointment with a doctor today for a better assessment...we'll see how it goes.
so glad that u can ride ur bike again tho! i hope it keeps getting better....

written by  shannon on October 16, 2008

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Hey Laura,

Thanks for the great posts! Wow, it sounds fantastic over there...so many new sights and stories! I had to laugh at your catholic church experience...I did the same thing in Bolivia: went in, was completely lost, and snuck out early.

Anyhow, keep it up!

Peter

written by  Peter on October 16, 2008

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Oh, and Isaac would be so proud that you went to a Catholic Church. Hehe!

Geoff

written by  Geoffrey Martin on October 16, 2008

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It was good to talk to you on the phone on Thanksgiving, especially because it was strange having only the 3 of us. Going to church in Swahili sounds cool. Even if you don't understand it, it's the experiences like that which make travel interesting. Hope your new volunteer placement is going well.

-Amy

written by  Amy on October 16, 2008

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It all sounds fab hun. I'm glad you like your new placement and it will be fun to meet the new volunteers. Can't wait to see the art you have picked up. Keep having fun, lots of love xx

written by  Jenny Laver on October 17, 2008

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BIG HUGS your way Laura!!

It sounds like your experience is more and more of an immersion! Getting to know Ray and other people in the area sounds like an excellent way to get into the local culture more deeply- and check out the popular places that are off the beathen path. The monkeys sound adorable!

The ethos of your new placement sounds more like what you were hoping to inspire in the kids at your first placement, I hope it is an even better fit the way it sounds. - Cool that you then get to learn some local skills and trades as the teacher teaches her kids useful lifeskills. Did you have to remove the peanut skins and roast them before you ground them into peanut butter??

You sound great! Thanks for the update!!

Love and hugs from me n' Trevor

written by  Jane and Trevor on October 17, 2008

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