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)
12 comments:
Hujambo to you! It is great to read about all your experiences. Your blog is the first thing on the computer I check out every morning.
So there will be 5 guys in the house - sounds like you did ok with that one. Just what is the drink of choice in Iringa? I will look forward to reading all about the dance - should be fun!
UF will enjoy reading your blog and be happy to know things are going so well. He is due back from Hong Kong tonight - I will pick him up from IAD as driving around WAS is probably not the best plan for today. Until then I am spending my day watching all the inauguration coverage from the warmth of my home. Guaheri for now...
You're living in a bachelor pad! That is so awesome. Just don't go all crazy with the drinking and the disco... I know how you can get, you crazy party monkey, you.
Kim came to visit yesterday. We watched the inauguration with her and Mike, and drank some Dom Perignon. Don't worry, I drank some for you. The inauguration was amazing, even though Obama stumbled over his oath of office. His speech was great, and the music was beautiful. Wish you were here.
Your host family sounds awesome! I am also glad to hear that discos are alive and well in Tanzania. One of the many reasons Africa is so cool.
We wanted so badly to text you during the inauguration with tidings of our new kick-ass president! You were missed. Thankfully, Mike Hachey was there to make snide comments about Bush in your stead.
Disco? Studio 54, polyester leisure suits, Travolta moves? You're too young to remember that but your old decrepid mother will!
(I read about this in history books).
Just back from HKG and look forward to your updates! Write when you can.
UF
Jana nilikula Half Baked.
(All of it.)
I want to take all the money out of my bank and change it into shillings. Then I can fly to Tanzania to build a swimming pool and swim around in all my money. (This used to be my time-travel-to-post-world-war-one-Germany plan, but this is better, because after that I can go to the disco with you.)
Ninga penda disco. Wapi party at??
OBAMA DID NOT MESS UP! John Roberts the Supreme COurt Justice messed up the words ..."faithfully served" not served blaha blah blah faithfully. NOT OBAMA's fault
I got to see it! He is amazing they have Obama fabric here in Tanzania! It is great they love him
Hold on a second... They have OBAMA FABRIC!
I'll take 3 yards please.
PS- Your film is dark, beautiful, and so professional! You can tell you spent a lot of time with those actors. Well done, sir! We're gonna organize a Boston screening soon.
What is Obama fabric? Maybe you should make Obama pants? You could design pants from all over the world and promote your collection (sail pants, Obama pants...)
Yes, Roberts did mess up and they re-did it later.
This article says that "a few lucky people in the Indian Ocean..." will see a cool solar eclipse on Mon. I don't know if it literally means IN the ocean, but let me know since you are NEAR the Indian Ocean....
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090123/ts_afp/spaceastronomyeclipseasiaafrica
Hujambo world travler: How about sending some pic's of your new brothers. Glad you sound upbeat with all the goings on. The four boys what do they do on a normal day? Actually how busy is your normal day, compared to life in the states? This Blog "thing" is pretty cool. Took a while it would not take my log in and pass, for some reason. Keith came out of hiding and called the other day. Any suggestions of how I keep you up to date? Keep well, and when you get information on you distance from the big citys with internet from your home base in the wilderness let the world know. Send a map, latatude, and longatude (spell check here i come). I surpose you'll have to give us the distance in walking stepts. 150,000 stepts etc..to water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dad Link
Hello again : Tanzania are you there!!! Can one chat?
Kyler! I told Amelia Broome that you were in Tanzania and she said "Of course he is! What a grand adventure for him!".
See?! She remembers you. Either that or she's a very good liar.
Your family sounds incredible! high five, buddy!
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