Today Kate, another volunteer, and I decided to go to the local Market in the next town, Tangere. We walked down, it took about an hour. We had to cross some sketchy bridge and up and down all these insane hills. I still find it fascinating that these Tanzanian women can carry things on their heads going up and down a hill, impressive. We got to the market and the first thing I see is a bunch of chickens for sale, some were dead, some were being hung by their feet..I didnt like it. The market was very busy. There was so much for sale, anything form clothes to food, to suitcases....you name it. I went right for the fabric. They have the most beautiful fabric and it is soooo cheap. I got lots of different colors and did a pretty good job bartering. I spent between 6,000 and 7,000 shilling on 2-3 yards of fabric, which is about $5-7! Good stuff. I am going to dress myself up in African wear and try to fit in. I will attempt to carry something on my head before I leave and I'm sure it will be a disaster. There is a whole food section in the market. Rows and rows of women selling their vegetables, rice, maize, and bananas. They all want you to come and buy from them. "Brother, sista Karibu (you are welcome to my store), you can look for free." Did you know you can look at good for free, I love that line haha soo funny. Everyone wants to say hi and hi-five you or shake you hand. I had one man who would not let go for a bit and I was about to get feisty but I controlled myself... Anyway, it was quite an experience in the market. Clearly I bought too much fabric and I'm sure I will go back next week and buy more!
We walked back home, got good exercise and sunburned! Good morning.
Jeni, the volunteer coordinator really wanted to take us into Arusha for a night out so a few of us went. Bella (Kayaa's bro) Kenali (the driver) Teacher Anthony, Kate, Jeni and I went out on the town. We started at Empire Bar where East Side Movement, a reggae band was playing. They were awesome! I love groovin to reggae. The Barcelona vs Man U match was on the tv as well and people were going nuts! I just love how soccer is universal. We headed over to Maasai Camp, a bar/club after. There was a DJ and he played a lot of American music. I felt like I was back home dancing to all the same music we listen to. They love Rhianna over here, its so funny. They played a lot of African music for a while and everyone did this line dance over and over again for like 20 min. I couldnt get it so I danced in the middle of the room doing my own thing ha. No one really bounces here so I had to alter my dancing a little bit to not stand out to much. It was so much fun, I was taught how to African dance, which is grinding, but of course I did it from a distance. It was so much fun though. I tried lots of local beers and we danced till 3:30 in the morn. Good times! My legs were so soar by the end of the night but it was worth it!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
First Week at Peace Matunda
All the kids are having their final exams this week so I have been helping the teachers correct and do report cards. It takes forever because everything is hand written and copied with carbon paper. Interesting huh. The kids are great though. As soon as you walk into the classroom they all stand. I address them, "Good Morning" and they said "Good Morning Teacher" I say, " How are you doing?" They all reply " We are fine teacher!" It is great. Then you have to tell them to sit down or they won't. The teachers here are really nice. There is a baby classroom, a kindergarten, Standard 1 (1st grade), Standard 2 (second grade) Standard 3, and Standard 4. They are building new classrooms for up to Standard 7.
I rode the mini bus to pick up the kids the other morning. The van is supposed to only fit 7 people and we crammed 48 kids in it. I had 5 in the front seat with me. It was insane. Every time i thought we had hit maximum capacity a few more kids showed up on the road and somehow they fit in. It must have looked like a clown car when they all came out. Another volunteer went the next day and they fit 52 kids in and she had 6 kids in the front. I also should mention that the roads are terrible here and at some points the car is on a huge slant or going up an insanely steep hill. It is really amazing that the van makes it back up the hill to Peace Matunda.
We have been playing a lot of soccer after school. We had a Michael Jackson dance party. The kids love to sing and dance. I have never seen girl dance like this before. All the little ones are moving their hips and making me feel like I suck at dancing.
I'm making hte kids do planks and pushup with me because I am going to get fat eating all this heavy food here. They don't eat a lot of meat but their diet is interesting. We have rice and pasta twice a week with vegetable and a red sauce. Once this week I had flour and water with veggies...it was nasty and is still sitting in my stomach. I had banana stew, which sounds gross but it doesnt actually taste like bananas, more like potatoes. Delicious. My favorite is this dish called Chipsimi. It is an omelette with french fries. Soooo good but sooo bad for you. Another dish is Chipati. They are like thick burritos. We put lentils or beans and fresh made guacamole on them. There is an avocado tree here so it is quite convenient. Oh yes, there is also beans and maize mixed together to make a delightful filling dinner as well. Talk about food comas.
Random thoughts because the internet will probably die on me....
I thought they all really liked the Lion King Here becasuse they say Hakuna Matata all the time but is actually means No Worries in Swahili. Go figure! I am doing my best to learn. The watchmen test me every time I walk by them, I avoid them on purpose sometimes haa.
I have my first taste of Tanzania liquor on Friday night....very interesting. Konacke tasted like gin, not too bad. Bokri was pretty good it is kind of like grain alcohol. It leaves you feeling very warm inside. Bella and Kayaa joined us and we had a nice fire while we chatted the night away.
I know these are a lot of random thoughts but I want to get as much written as I can before the internet dies or we loose power. TIA...This is Africa!
I rode the mini bus to pick up the kids the other morning. The van is supposed to only fit 7 people and we crammed 48 kids in it. I had 5 in the front seat with me. It was insane. Every time i thought we had hit maximum capacity a few more kids showed up on the road and somehow they fit in. It must have looked like a clown car when they all came out. Another volunteer went the next day and they fit 52 kids in and she had 6 kids in the front. I also should mention that the roads are terrible here and at some points the car is on a huge slant or going up an insanely steep hill. It is really amazing that the van makes it back up the hill to Peace Matunda.
We have been playing a lot of soccer after school. We had a Michael Jackson dance party. The kids love to sing and dance. I have never seen girl dance like this before. All the little ones are moving their hips and making me feel like I suck at dancing.
I'm making hte kids do planks and pushup with me because I am going to get fat eating all this heavy food here. They don't eat a lot of meat but their diet is interesting. We have rice and pasta twice a week with vegetable and a red sauce. Once this week I had flour and water with veggies...it was nasty and is still sitting in my stomach. I had banana stew, which sounds gross but it doesnt actually taste like bananas, more like potatoes. Delicious. My favorite is this dish called Chipsimi. It is an omelette with french fries. Soooo good but sooo bad for you. Another dish is Chipati. They are like thick burritos. We put lentils or beans and fresh made guacamole on them. There is an avocado tree here so it is quite convenient. Oh yes, there is also beans and maize mixed together to make a delightful filling dinner as well. Talk about food comas.
Random thoughts because the internet will probably die on me....
I thought they all really liked the Lion King Here becasuse they say Hakuna Matata all the time but is actually means No Worries in Swahili. Go figure! I am doing my best to learn. The watchmen test me every time I walk by them, I avoid them on purpose sometimes haa.
I have my first taste of Tanzania liquor on Friday night....very interesting. Konacke tasted like gin, not too bad. Bokri was pretty good it is kind of like grain alcohol. It leaves you feeling very warm inside. Bella and Kayaa joined us and we had a nice fire while we chatted the night away.
I know these are a lot of random thoughts but I want to get as much written as I can before the internet dies or we loose power. TIA...This is Africa!
Monday, May 23, 2011
The first few days (Sat-Monday)
So after 24 hours of flying and three days of traveling I finally made it to Tanzania. I feel like the whole trip was a lot of going through the motions and when I finally arrived I was overflowing with emotions. I got picked up my the volunteer coordinator and Peace Matunda's driver Kilane. We drove back in an open jeep/truck. It was dark out so I couldnt really get an idea of where I was and my surroundings but I have never seen so many stars in my life. The sky was so beautiful. I got to the school and met the other volunteers. There are three other girls here now. Kaylee from Canada, Allison from Iowa, and Kate from New Zealand. Kimundo is the town Peace Matunda is located. The compound is nice. There is the school area with a few different classroom buildings, the orphanage house, the volunteers house, and then Kayaa's (the director) house. The compound It was a Sat night so the kids in the orphanage were hanging out watching a movie on a little TV. There are 23 orphans at Peace Matunda and about 130 kids that go to The school. The kids instantly love you and want to know how long you are staying and when your birthday is. It is going to be a challenge to remember all of their names. This upcoming week is their last week before holiday so they have exams. I'm kind of bummed I wont be able to teach as much as I thought... After this week the kids are on holiday for a few weeks so we will be organizing and hanging out with the orphans. All in all my first night was great. We sat around a bonfire and chatted for a while. Still a bit of a shock that I am actually here but I am settling in.
Sunday-
It poured so hard last night! It is the rainy season and of course I heard it because I couldn't sleep... I was so excited, anxious, jet lagged blah blah. But waking up to the sunshine totally lifted my spirits. In the morning we played soccer and jump rope with the kids. I gave them a soccer ball that I had brought and they loved it!!! They are quite good at soccer but clearly I am better :) I am trying so hard to remember their names and I have a few down but some are so difficult to say. These children are so beautiful and love any attention they can get. So many of them just come up and hug me and sit on my lap. I love it! Hanging out with them and getting to know them reminds me of why I came here. Their English is very good as well. The orphans speak better English than the students who come to the school, but I can hold a conversation with them. I am trying to learn Swahili. I know a few phrases but I'm sure I am butchering it. All in all the kids are great and so much fun to be around. One of the girls was teaching me how to dance, it should have been illegal the way she was moving her hips. I'm going to teach her how to bounce around and Zumba to Pitbull haha. Oh, and I saw a monkey in a tree!! Woohoo first African Monkey!
Monday-
This morning I got to see all the children in their uniforms. They all line up in lines according to their class and sing the school song. Then the older kids check all of the students fingernails and knees to make sure they are clean. I think this is a great idea and we should implement this into schools in CT. They all had exams this morning so I didnt get to hang out with them too long.
All of the volunteers went to Arusha today. That is the closest town and it has the best internet. The power at Peace Matunda has been on and off the past few weeks and is very inconsistent so Arusha is the place to be when writing to everyone and blogging it up! We are going to go to a local market later and I am probably going to go nuts buying fabric. The fabric the ladies wear here is so beautiful, I want it all.
Well hopefully I will be able to blog again soon. This is my first blogging experience and since I write like I talk please don't judge. Love you all and Miss you ALL!!! I will be in touch soon!! :)
Kwaheri (BYE)
Sunday-
It poured so hard last night! It is the rainy season and of course I heard it because I couldn't sleep... I was so excited, anxious, jet lagged blah blah. But waking up to the sunshine totally lifted my spirits. In the morning we played soccer and jump rope with the kids. I gave them a soccer ball that I had brought and they loved it!!! They are quite good at soccer but clearly I am better :) I am trying so hard to remember their names and I have a few down but some are so difficult to say. These children are so beautiful and love any attention they can get. So many of them just come up and hug me and sit on my lap. I love it! Hanging out with them and getting to know them reminds me of why I came here. Their English is very good as well. The orphans speak better English than the students who come to the school, but I can hold a conversation with them. I am trying to learn Swahili. I know a few phrases but I'm sure I am butchering it. All in all the kids are great and so much fun to be around. One of the girls was teaching me how to dance, it should have been illegal the way she was moving her hips. I'm going to teach her how to bounce around and Zumba to Pitbull haha. Oh, and I saw a monkey in a tree!! Woohoo first African Monkey!
Monday-
This morning I got to see all the children in their uniforms. They all line up in lines according to their class and sing the school song. Then the older kids check all of the students fingernails and knees to make sure they are clean. I think this is a great idea and we should implement this into schools in CT. They all had exams this morning so I didnt get to hang out with them too long.
All of the volunteers went to Arusha today. That is the closest town and it has the best internet. The power at Peace Matunda has been on and off the past few weeks and is very inconsistent so Arusha is the place to be when writing to everyone and blogging it up! We are going to go to a local market later and I am probably going to go nuts buying fabric. The fabric the ladies wear here is so beautiful, I want it all.
Well hopefully I will be able to blog again soon. This is my first blogging experience and since I write like I talk please don't judge. Love you all and Miss you ALL!!! I will be in touch soon!! :)
Kwaheri (BYE)
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