Hello from Iringa...all is well here. Class is going well and I am learning quickly...we do have class 6 days a week and it is rather demanding.
I went for my first hike and the view was absalutely beautiful. Today, I am going to my homestay brother's graduation adn taking photos for him. He applied to be an SPW national volunteer and, if he is accepted, we will probably be partner so I am excited about that.
I have been searching for some other things to do here in order to prevent repetative days ( I know many of you know what I mean) During this school part of things it is easy to settle into a reutine. Later obviously it will change up, but during the school part...ahhhh!
We leave this upcoming weekend for Njombe, a smaller town 3 or 4 hours south...that is really all I can tell you as we have little information coming from the SPW office.
I am taking lots of photos and all seems to be going well! Hope all is well with you...post about new things. I would love to hear about life at home!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Kiswahili
Kiswahili training began today. Masomo walianza leo. (I think that is how you say it)
Hujambo! Habari za kutwa? (How was your day?) Jana nilikula ugali. (Yesterday I ate ugali) Ugali is maize flour in water boiled into a thick rice-like food that you dip into whatever else you have. It is rather nice.
My host family is great. I am with a family of 4 guys whoa re 19, 20, 21 and 27. All brothers. They said I am lucky because I do not have to worry about strict conduct around parents. they took me out for a drink the first day and said we will "go to the dance" on Saturday (Disco party!)
All is well. I am very happy and relaxed and have set into "Africa time"!
To answer some questions:
the currency is the Tanzanian shilling aroun 1300 shillings makes a dollar! SO Lauren I understand 40 shillings will get you nothing! Literally.
The phone situation is still at hand...it won't charge ...Blogging will have to do for now and I will get a phone later if this phone does not pan out.
Hope all is well with you all! Keep your notes coming they are great to read.
Guaheri (goodbye)
Badaye (later)
Hujambo! Habari za kutwa? (How was your day?) Jana nilikula ugali. (Yesterday I ate ugali) Ugali is maize flour in water boiled into a thick rice-like food that you dip into whatever else you have. It is rather nice.
My host family is great. I am with a family of 4 guys whoa re 19, 20, 21 and 27. All brothers. They said I am lucky because I do not have to worry about strict conduct around parents. they took me out for a drink the first day and said we will "go to the dance" on Saturday (Disco party!)
All is well. I am very happy and relaxed and have set into "Africa time"!
To answer some questions:
the currency is the Tanzanian shilling aroun 1300 shillings makes a dollar! SO Lauren I understand 40 shillings will get you nothing! Literally.
The phone situation is still at hand...it won't charge ...Blogging will have to do for now and I will get a phone later if this phone does not pan out.
Hope all is well with you all! Keep your notes coming they are great to read.
Guaheri (goodbye)
Badaye (later)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Iringa Tanzania
Day three...I am here and alive and loving it. Tanzania is absalutely beautiful. Dar es Salaam, the capitol, like most capitols was big dirty and crazy...we did not really get to see any of it but it was fun to get to know the people here and get some sleep.
We travelled 8 HOURS AHH yesterday on a hot bus to Iringa. Iringa is significantly higher in altitude and was much cooler when we got here. I learned today that it still is very hot! The mountains around Iringa are absolutely beauiful. I cannot wait to go hiking! I have not gotten much of a chance yet to go around the town...that's later today just before and after I meet my homestay family. A little nerve racking since I know very little Swahili, but they know that and it should be fun to meet the family and learn that lifestyle!!
The people are great so far...we, the SPW volunteers, got a warm welcome from 25 or so Peace Corp people. They gave some advice and we will probably see them around more.
I hope you are all doing well. I am working out the kinks with my cell phone and will text later when that is all settled.
Have a great day!
We travelled 8 HOURS AHH yesterday on a hot bus to Iringa. Iringa is significantly higher in altitude and was much cooler when we got here. I learned today that it still is very hot! The mountains around Iringa are absolutely beauiful. I cannot wait to go hiking! I have not gotten much of a chance yet to go around the town...that's later today just before and after I meet my homestay family. A little nerve racking since I know very little Swahili, but they know that and it should be fun to meet the family and learn that lifestyle!!
The people are great so far...we, the SPW volunteers, got a warm welcome from 25 or so Peace Corp people. They gave some advice and we will probably see them around more.
I hope you are all doing well. I am working out the kinks with my cell phone and will text later when that is all settled.
Have a great day!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Qatar
I'm in Qatar and left the airport...yeah! already had my first crazy story.
We were going to try and see Qatar, but Liz, the girl I left with, couldn't get through because of her passport, but her friend, the one who was supposed to show us around, made a call to Abdul Rahman who has lots of "wasta" which means influence and power in Qatar. He got us through customs and we are now enjoying great food, company, and ...Family Guy... Qatar is great and we went to a market called "souq waqif" also know as the old souq and saw shops and people and a guy selling donkey rides and a guy showing a crowd Facebook on a projector...it's absolutely crazy. We saw some beautiful architecture and the new Museum here in Doha. I leave here tomorrow at 655am my time (8 hours later than you) and head to Tanzania...the adventures have begun!
Be sure to use the word WASTA a lot...
We were going to try and see Qatar, but Liz, the girl I left with, couldn't get through because of her passport, but her friend, the one who was supposed to show us around, made a call to Abdul Rahman who has lots of "wasta" which means influence and power in Qatar. He got us through customs and we are now enjoying great food, company, and ...Family Guy... Qatar is great and we went to a market called "souq waqif" also know as the old souq and saw shops and people and a guy selling donkey rides and a guy showing a crowd Facebook on a projector...it's absolutely crazy. We saw some beautiful architecture and the new Museum here in Doha. I leave here tomorrow at 655am my time (8 hours later than you) and head to Tanzania...the adventures have begun!
Be sure to use the word WASTA a lot...
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