I fell in love with Africa...

To celebrate the conclusion of our Kiswahili lessons, Mike took myself, Peter, and Fairchild to a campsite located in the mountains outside of Arusha, Maa'sai country. The place belongs to Daniel, an aquaintance of Mike's, and has no running water, a squatter version of a toilet (insert mental image here), no lights - you get the picture. Nothing I'm not used to from home but Fairchild had never stayed in a tent before, let alone a campsite without running water. I think she was serious when she asked about showers. After bouncing around on an over-inflated air mattress, I rolled out of bed and watched the sunrise from the edge of our site. It was amazing with Mount Meru in the background and the expanse of the Rift Valley illuminated before me.

After a quick breakfast, we headed out on a two hour hike with two Maa'sai guides. We traipsed down the side of the mountain and up and over the next before coming to an opening with a view over a larger part of the valley. It's the end of the dry season here, so everything is dry, dusty and brown. Even so, it was breathtaking! We even managed to catch our first glimpses of African wildlife - a giraffe and some baboons. We didn't realize how far we'd come until the guides pointed in the general direction of the camp. Two hours turned into two and a half before we made it back, exhausted but thrilled with the views we had seen.

Challenge: Kununua Capatulla Mmoja Sizi Tatu!

Our Kiswahili lessons came to a close this morning and Maguy decided it was the perfect opportunity for us to practice what we had been learning over the last three weeks. We headed out to the local second-hand clothes market, a long row of tin roof-covered concrete pads covered with piles of clothes and their owners sitting in the midst of them. Upon our arrival, Maguy promptly let us out on the curb and we were left to fend for ourselves.

Our mission: 'kununua capatulla mmoja sizi tatu' (to buy one pair of shorts size three) for no more than TSH 2500,- (approx. $2.50 CA) Unfortunately, theory and classroom conversation don't always work that well in the real world and mispronunciations are a common occurrence among the three of us. The locals find it quite amusing. I found that out first hand today as I tried to negotiate a better price for a pair of boys shorts. When I ran out of Kiswahili words, the lady I was bargaining with switched to English with a knowing smile. I managed to close the deal in Kiswahili and feeling a sense of accomplishment from a small milestone, Icontinued down the row of vendors loking for another deal.

The market is filled with people buying and selling used clothing shipped in from all around the world. Some even have the price tags attached from their last home. The idea is to be at the market early on Tuesday and Friday to get in on the newest shipment. As bales of clothing are cut open, hands start grabing at whatever looks appealing. Many times, a person will purchase a handful of clothing for next to nothing, make their way to their own spot and sell the items for double or more what they paid originally. I simply stood back and watched as the sellers yelled out what they were currently selling and groups surrounded them, searching for a much-needed shirt, skirt, pair of pants. You can buy just about anything here - it's second-hand heaven...

TZ: Up Close and Personal

The transportation system I described in one of my earlier posts became a lived experience for me this afternoon. We stood by the side of the road and hailed an oncoming 'basi' or 'ice', squeezed into the remaining seats and headed to our first transfer station. A large part of this system is unofficial with no bus stop signs, very little signage on buses, and no real bus shelters. You have to rely on the direction the bus is coming from, the colour of the stripes on its side and the hurried cries of the 'conductor'. Personal space is not an option with everyone crowding in and more passengers trying to secure a spot, even if it means hanging out the window! At one point, our 'basi' had 30 people squeezed into it, the only way all of us fit in was with the sliding door open. I was so grateful that Lucia, one of the local MCCers, was along for the ride, making certain we got on and off the right buses. Tomorrow, we make the drive on our own...

This past weekend was a nice break from daily Kiswahili lessons and meetings/ orientation we've been having so far. We had an opportunity to visit the St. Joseph orphanage outside Arusha, a project supported by MCC and run by Sister (as everyone calls her). She started the orphanage single-handedly in 2000 and is now caring for 40 children who have lost both parents. The property the orphanage is located on consists of two dorms (one for the girls, one for the boys), a three-room schoolhouse, a dining hall and semi-outdoor kitchen, a large garden, and a hand-dug well. The progress made is impressive but once you meet Sister you understand why the place has come so far. She is a diminutive woman, barely 5'4", and a fireball of energy and enthusiasm, overflowing with love for 'her' children. She is an awe-inspiring example of the people who care deeply for Tanzania and her future.