Friday, August 29, 2008
Traveling
I will be traveling around the country for the next two weeks. So it will be a while untill the next update, but it will be a good one :)
Monday, August 25, 2008
25 August 2008
This week is our last week of Kiswahili classes and then we have two weeks of independent travel. During the time of independent travel my group will be going and traveling around the southern part of Tanzania. We are meeting tonight to figure out exactly where we want to go.
This past weekend was a blast!! It was very busy, but a lot of fun. On Friday night we went to our teachers house and she made us some of the best Tanzanian food yet!! We arrived at her house about 3:30pm and didn't leave till around 7pm. This length for a meal is very typical in Tanzania. Nothing is ever rushed! Saturday we went to our Teacher assistants house and they taught us how to make about 5 different dishes!! To prepare all the dishes it took about five hours from start to the dinner table. Then another few hours afterwards to look at pictures and watch some of the Olympics. Hopefully, when I come home I will be able to prepare a traditional Tanzanian dinner for my family and friends. (Maybe for Christmas dinner??) On Sunday we went with a family friend of another student on the LCCT trip to the beach! It was beautiful. Kate, Stacey and I decided to first go for a run down the beach before going for a swim. We made it about 10 min when we discovered sand dollars and really cool sea shells. Our hands were so full of shells that we ended up having to walk back to our spot on the beach. After the beach we went back to Mama Macha's house near campus and she made us all dinner. Rice Pilau!
To answer mom and dad's question. I did get hit by a car. We were walking on a campus road and I was on the shoulder of the road. A car came up behind us and clipped the shoulder of the road where I was walking. He ended up hitting my elbow with his rear view mirror. It all happened so fast that I am not really sure what happened. One second I was walking and the next Kate and Chris were asking me if I was alright. Luckily, nothing was broken and no damage. I have a very nice looking elbow, I believe that it had been every single color and shade of the rainbow! The guy who hit me did stop and ask if I needed a ride to the hospital, but I was okay mostly shaken up. I still can't believe how lucky I am that I didn't get seriously hurt or break anything considering I ended up breaking his side mirror. I have one tough elbow, the next day I was doing push-ups and playing ultimate Frisbee. I had lots of guardian angels looking out for me that day and everyday I am here.
This past weekend was a blast!! It was very busy, but a lot of fun. On Friday night we went to our teachers house and she made us some of the best Tanzanian food yet!! We arrived at her house about 3:30pm and didn't leave till around 7pm. This length for a meal is very typical in Tanzania. Nothing is ever rushed! Saturday we went to our Teacher assistants house and they taught us how to make about 5 different dishes!! To prepare all the dishes it took about five hours from start to the dinner table. Then another few hours afterwards to look at pictures and watch some of the Olympics. Hopefully, when I come home I will be able to prepare a traditional Tanzanian dinner for my family and friends. (Maybe for Christmas dinner??) On Sunday we went with a family friend of another student on the LCCT trip to the beach! It was beautiful. Kate, Stacey and I decided to first go for a run down the beach before going for a swim. We made it about 10 min when we discovered sand dollars and really cool sea shells. Our hands were so full of shells that we ended up having to walk back to our spot on the beach. After the beach we went back to Mama Macha's house near campus and she made us all dinner. Rice Pilau!
To answer mom and dad's question. I did get hit by a car. We were walking on a campus road and I was on the shoulder of the road. A car came up behind us and clipped the shoulder of the road where I was walking. He ended up hitting my elbow with his rear view mirror. It all happened so fast that I am not really sure what happened. One second I was walking and the next Kate and Chris were asking me if I was alright. Luckily, nothing was broken and no damage. I have a very nice looking elbow, I believe that it had been every single color and shade of the rainbow! The guy who hit me did stop and ask if I needed a ride to the hospital, but I was okay mostly shaken up. I still can't believe how lucky I am that I didn't get seriously hurt or break anything considering I ended up breaking his side mirror. I have one tough elbow, the next day I was doing push-ups and playing ultimate Frisbee. I had lots of guardian angels looking out for me that day and everyday I am here.
Friday, August 22, 2008
18 August 2008
(Sorry, I'm a few days behind)
Hmm where to start. . . not a whole lot has been going on over here mostly taking classes and volunteering at the primary school.
Teaching at the Primary School
Last Friday when I arrived at the primary school the teacher was standing in front of the main offices texting on his cell phone. When he saw me walking up to the school he told me that he had to go help a student who fell and that I should go with him. About 5 meters away from the teacher was a little girl with a skinned knee who was trying hard not to cry as the teacher put away his cell phone. He started to assist the student and realized what time it was and told me to go teach th class and he will be right in. He didn't show up till about twenty minutes later told me that he had to go help another class so I would have to teach the rest of the class and that he would catch up with me later. Teaching was pretty good, I just wish that I knew more kiswahili because it is hard for the students to understand me. It is an English class , but since they are just starting to learn English it is hard for them to understand everything that I am saying. After class I looked for my teacher, but he was no where to be found. I have officially had my first teaching experience. I am kind of grateful to be thrown into it right away so that way I don't have time to get nervous or make mistakes. You just stay confident and go with it. I go back to the school on Wednesday with no clue what I am going to teach, since I haven't heard from my teacher. I'm hoping that he plans a lesson.
I am thankful that I am not in a class where the teacher still practices corporal punishment. There are a few teachers at the school who still hit the students on the wrist for something as little as spelling a word wrong. It is against the law here for a teacher to implement this discipline and only the head master is allowed too, but it still happens in schools all across Tanzania.
Yesterday Kate (another girl on the LCCT program and good friend) received a package in the mail!! This was very excited, but in order to pick up the package she had to go to the LINKS office on campus where foreign exchange students get their mail. She got a yellow slip at the LINKS office that she had to bring down town to the mail post office. So two dahladahla rides later we made it to the post office. Where we had to wait and push our way forwards to the counter and give them the yellow slip and pay 1,200 shillings ($1.00). After receiving her package from the holding area the package then had to go through customs to make sure there was nothing in it that was not allowed into the country. It was a very long process, but fun at the same time. Since, we were down town we took a tour around the city and saw the Prime Minister and two Star Generals escorted down the street. It was done in a similar fashion as the president of the United States with unmarked cars with blacked out windows. It was very exciting!!
The way back to campus was not exciting at all. It took us an hour an thirty minutes to travel about 10 miles and it wasn't even rush hour!! Talk about a traffic jam!! It was fun though to get off campus and see more of the city. Tomorrow we are going to the market with our swahili teachers and on Friday night our main teacher is having us over to her house for dinner and teach us how to cook some traditional Tanzanian dishes.
Hmm where to start. . . not a whole lot has been going on over here mostly taking classes and volunteering at the primary school.
Teaching at the Primary School
Last Friday when I arrived at the primary school the teacher was standing in front of the main offices texting on his cell phone. When he saw me walking up to the school he told me that he had to go help a student who fell and that I should go with him. About 5 meters away from the teacher was a little girl with a skinned knee who was trying hard not to cry as the teacher put away his cell phone. He started to assist the student and realized what time it was and told me to go teach th class and he will be right in. He didn't show up till about twenty minutes later told me that he had to go help another class so I would have to teach the rest of the class and that he would catch up with me later. Teaching was pretty good, I just wish that I knew more kiswahili because it is hard for the students to understand me. It is an English class , but since they are just starting to learn English it is hard for them to understand everything that I am saying. After class I looked for my teacher, but he was no where to be found. I have officially had my first teaching experience. I am kind of grateful to be thrown into it right away so that way I don't have time to get nervous or make mistakes. You just stay confident and go with it. I go back to the school on Wednesday with no clue what I am going to teach, since I haven't heard from my teacher. I'm hoping that he plans a lesson.
I am thankful that I am not in a class where the teacher still practices corporal punishment. There are a few teachers at the school who still hit the students on the wrist for something as little as spelling a word wrong. It is against the law here for a teacher to implement this discipline and only the head master is allowed too, but it still happens in schools all across Tanzania.
Yesterday Kate (another girl on the LCCT program and good friend) received a package in the mail!! This was very excited, but in order to pick up the package she had to go to the LINKS office on campus where foreign exchange students get their mail. She got a yellow slip at the LINKS office that she had to bring down town to the mail post office. So two dahladahla rides later we made it to the post office. Where we had to wait and push our way forwards to the counter and give them the yellow slip and pay 1,200 shillings ($1.00). After receiving her package from the holding area the package then had to go through customs to make sure there was nothing in it that was not allowed into the country. It was a very long process, but fun at the same time. Since, we were down town we took a tour around the city and saw the Prime Minister and two Star Generals escorted down the street. It was done in a similar fashion as the president of the United States with unmarked cars with blacked out windows. It was very exciting!!
The way back to campus was not exciting at all. It took us an hour an thirty minutes to travel about 10 miles and it wasn't even rush hour!! Talk about a traffic jam!! It was fun though to get off campus and see more of the city. Tomorrow we are going to the market with our swahili teachers and on Friday night our main teacher is having us over to her house for dinner and teach us how to cook some traditional Tanzanian dishes.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Updates!!!
It has been a while since I have had good blog posting so I thought I would take some to share everything that is going on over here in Tanzania. This will be a hodge podge of things all together from the past week and what I have been feeling.
This past weekend we went to Bagamoyo. It is a small town about an hour up the coast from Dar es Salaam. It used to be a main location for the slave trade. Our first day in Bagamoyo we took the time to spend the day at the Indian Ocean! It was a lot of fun. The beach had picturesque views of the ocean with white sandy beaches, and clear water. I did go swimming in the ocean, but since the tide was out we had t walk 400m in or to get to water that was only up to our waist. That night our professors from Luther College took us out to dinner at a very nice and westernized hotel where I got a cheeseburger. :) On Saturday we got a personally history lesson from and toured some ruins of an ancient mosque and grave site of many Arab sultans. It was very interesting and really meaningful to learn about the slave trade and history of Tanzania, but also being able to experience the ruins and slave houses first hand.
Where I am living:
I am living in the dorms on campus. I currently share a om with another girl from the LCCT program, but once classes start I will be moving in with a Tanzanian roommate. The rooms are pretty big considering I am in Tanzania. We also have balcony views of the city of Dar es Salaam and the Indian Ocean.
The food here is starting to get better because I am learning more and more what I am ordering . . . at first the only thing on the menu that we could understand was wali maharage, beans and rice. So I had beens and rice for the first week in Dar, but I have recently expanded my selection to fresh fruit, ugali, spinach, and many others. Last night I was being daring and I ordered fish, which ended up being very small dried fish in a tomato like sauce over rice. I tasted it and ate mostly the rice, but it was still rather fishy.
My main struggle over ere right now is finding things to do. At home I am always busy and am running around with tons to do. With my day going from 6am to 10pm. Here it is more laid back with a lot of free time. I don't know how to relax so I have to try to keep myself busy or else I think to much about how long I still have here. I have been really blessed though with a very supportive family and friends. I know that I will succeed during my time over here and in th future because I have the support of my parents, family, and friends. I can't help but feel so spoiled with loved and I have been thanking God everyday that these people are in my life.
Today was my first day of teaching at Milimani primary school, where I help out in an English class. I didn't do much teaching today, mostly observing and asking questions of the teacher. The teacher and I walked into the classroom he handed me the chalk and said “Introduce yourself, I have to go take care of something.” I was a little scared because I don't really know how much English they understand and I don't really know any Swahili. After a brief introduction about me and snow. The teacher came back and had the student present their speech they created for homework. Only abut a tenth of the class had theirs finished and the teacher didn't really care that the others did not do it. I am getting the sense that the students who want to move forward will, and those who are struggling will fall behind and not be able to continue their education. Out of the 120 some students in standard 5 only about 30 will continue to secondary school. These number are rather shocking, but when I looked around the classroom there were about 60 students and 10 books. The resources are not here for children to succeed. Students that do not have money don't get an education. There is no help for students once they fall behind, and no help for development issues that can hinder their education. It will be interesting to learn more about the education and what is being done to help students so they are not left behind.
I think that is it for now. I will try to keep you all up to date.
Miss you all!!
This past weekend we went to Bagamoyo. It is a small town about an hour up the coast from Dar es Salaam. It used to be a main location for the slave trade. Our first day in Bagamoyo we took the time to spend the day at the Indian Ocean! It was a lot of fun. The beach had picturesque views of the ocean with white sandy beaches, and clear water. I did go swimming in the ocean, but since the tide was out we had t walk 400m in or to get to water that was only up to our waist. That night our professors from Luther College took us out to dinner at a very nice and westernized hotel where I got a cheeseburger. :) On Saturday we got a personally history lesson from and toured some ruins of an ancient mosque and grave site of many Arab sultans. It was very interesting and really meaningful to learn about the slave trade and history of Tanzania, but also being able to experience the ruins and slave houses first hand.
Where I am living:
I am living in the dorms on campus. I currently share a om with another girl from the LCCT program, but once classes start I will be moving in with a Tanzanian roommate. The rooms are pretty big considering I am in Tanzania. We also have balcony views of the city of Dar es Salaam and the Indian Ocean.
The food here is starting to get better because I am learning more and more what I am ordering . . . at first the only thing on the menu that we could understand was wali maharage, beans and rice. So I had beens and rice for the first week in Dar, but I have recently expanded my selection to fresh fruit, ugali, spinach, and many others. Last night I was being daring and I ordered fish, which ended up being very small dried fish in a tomato like sauce over rice. I tasted it and ate mostly the rice, but it was still rather fishy.
My main struggle over ere right now is finding things to do. At home I am always busy and am running around with tons to do. With my day going from 6am to 10pm. Here it is more laid back with a lot of free time. I don't know how to relax so I have to try to keep myself busy or else I think to much about how long I still have here. I have been really blessed though with a very supportive family and friends. I know that I will succeed during my time over here and in th future because I have the support of my parents, family, and friends. I can't help but feel so spoiled with loved and I have been thanking God everyday that these people are in my life.
Today was my first day of teaching at Milimani primary school, where I help out in an English class. I didn't do much teaching today, mostly observing and asking questions of the teacher. The teacher and I walked into the classroom he handed me the chalk and said “Introduce yourself, I have to go take care of something.” I was a little scared because I don't really know how much English they understand and I don't really know any Swahili. After a brief introduction about me and snow. The teacher came back and had the student present their speech they created for homework. Only abut a tenth of the class had theirs finished and the teacher didn't really care that the others did not do it. I am getting the sense that the students who want to move forward will, and those who are struggling will fall behind and not be able to continue their education. Out of the 120 some students in standard 5 only about 30 will continue to secondary school. These number are rather shocking, but when I looked around the classroom there were about 60 students and 10 books. The resources are not here for children to succeed. Students that do not have money don't get an education. There is no help for students once they fall behind, and no help for development issues that can hinder their education. It will be interesting to learn more about the education and what is being done to help students so they are not left behind.
I think that is it for now. I will try to keep you all up to date.
Miss you all!!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
12 August 2008
Classes at the Univeristy were supposed to start on September 15th, but they have been pushed back to weeks and will not be starting till September 29th, which means we have two extra weeks of vacation. I'm excited about this, but I'm also ready to get into a normal routine. We have had a lot of free time the past couple of day, which has been a good and bad. Last night we went down to the soccer field and kicked the ball around for a while and ended up playing world cup with a couple of kids. Tomorrow I start teaching at the primary school . . . I will let you all know how it goes. I'm both excited and nervous to start teaching. :)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
REBECCA!!!!
I'm supposed to tell you that Pendo says "hi" she is one of the scholors that came to Concordia from UDSM . . . she is also my teacher in Kiswahili!! :) :)
Taking a deep breath . . .
Yesterday was just one of those days where nothing goes right and every little think makes me upset. . . it happens. But the good news is that today is a new day and it is going much better. We only had Swahili class in the morning and then we get free time this afternoon. It is the first free time I've had since coming to Tanzania and it feels amazing. I'm planning on washing some laundry, going for a walk down to the mall to pick up my cell phone, sitting on my balcony that has a view of the Indian ocean and just start taking this all in. Dar es Salaam is very different from Arusha . . . during our first weeks we were vary spoiled with luxuries like hot water, comfortable beds, cool weather, and now life in Tanzania has started. I'm looking at all of the positives and everything seems to be going well. Cold showers are no problem you just have to wake up early and go for a run, so that when you get back the cold shower feels good. I will not only love the cold showers, but I will also get in shape. Washing cloths by hand is also a good deal because I have to wash more often because of space on our cloths line so there are no more days where I spend the entire day washing 6-7 loads of laundry. (and I save 10 dollars!!)
The food situation here at the University is rather good. A lot of the meals are beans and rice or rice and spinach . . . lots of rice or ugali (like cream of wheat)! My favorite part is getting fresh fruit from the market! Yesterday I got two fresh mangos and bananas. For those of you who were worried that I wouldn't last 5 months without peanut butter. You no longer have to worry! I got fresh peanut butter and some fresh honey :) Life is Good!
I am also starting to learn and get really good at something called T.F.T. (Tanzanian Flexible Time) Things are a lot more laid back here and the pace of life is a little slower taking more concern in how people are doing rather than if things are getting done. I'm learning and growing and practicing my patience.
Love you all and talk to you soon :)
The food situation here at the University is rather good. A lot of the meals are beans and rice or rice and spinach . . . lots of rice or ugali (like cream of wheat)! My favorite part is getting fresh fruit from the market! Yesterday I got two fresh mangos and bananas. For those of you who were worried that I wouldn't last 5 months without peanut butter. You no longer have to worry! I got fresh peanut butter and some fresh honey :) Life is Good!
I am also starting to learn and get really good at something called T.F.T. (Tanzanian Flexible Time) Things are a lot more laid back here and the pace of life is a little slower taking more concern in how people are doing rather than if things are getting done. I'm learning and growing and practicing my patience.
Love you all and talk to you soon :)
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
UDSM
We made it safely to the University of Dar es Salaam and starting to get used to the campus life and dorms here . . . it is very different from Concordia. I'm doing my very best to stay positive, but some days are harder than others. I'm sure that as time goes on things will become more routine. Swahili classes are also a huge help. I'm learning as much as possible. I will post more later internet here cost money and my time is running out. Talk to you all soon. Miss you and Love you!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Camping @ a Maasai Boma
We just got back from spending three days at a Maasai boma and it was culturally overwhelming , but at the same time unforgettable and life changing. The Maasai are usually nomadic and travel around to where there is enough grazing land for their cattle, but in the past years have started to settle more in specific places. The boma or village we stayed in had about 15-20 grass and mud huts on top of a hill with virtually nothing around in eye sight the view was amazing especially when the goats and cows came home right as the sun was setting! There was no air pollution or extra noise, it was real and it was refreshing. Our hosts for the weekend were Lesikar and Gemma. Gemma grew up in Britain and took a trip to Tanzania where she met Lesikar and they ended up getting married. Her story is so interesting and inspirational, because she has left everything she knew and was comfortable with to go live in a foreign land. Together they started an organization called Aang Serian in which they provide cultural experiences, fund schools, and help an organization called Dira (Some great things are happening there so check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HQQf94jgIs) . The schools not only teach the curriculum that the government enforces, but they also have classes such as medicinal plants, folk tales, and other classes that are important for the Maasai so they do not loose their heritage.
During the first day we got to visit the secondary and pre-primary school they built and then walked the distance from the school to the boma to see how it would be like for a child to attend school. The journey took us about and hour and a half. We were greeted by the elders of the village and when we met Lesikar's father we had bow our heads to be greeted. This is something that I don't know if I could get used to. I understand it is a cultural difference and they do it to show respect to elders, but it made me a little uncomfortable when children would come up to me and do the same thing because I was older. After all the introductions we had lunch and then waited for the cows to come home . . . seriously right as the sun started to set you could hear the ringing of the cow and goat bells as they started getting closer to the village. Once they were all accounted for (Lesikar's father knows every single animal and if one is missing they have to go back out to look for it till it is found.) Then I got to help milk the goats and cows with very little success. That night the stars were amazing, the sky was clear and I saw more stars, planets, satellites than I have ever seen before!
The next morning we started preparing for our trip to Orpul, a sacred place where the Maasai go to heal spiritually, mentally, and physically. To orpul it was about a hour hike that turned into almost two hours because along the way we learned about the different plants and the medicinal uses. I got a toothbrush from one tree (I don't remember the name of the tree), and a leaf from a bush for good luck. Our purpose at orpul was to sacrifice a goat and make medicinal soup. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, we didn't have to do any of the actual butchering of the goat which was good. I passed on the eating of a fresh kidney, and the drinking of the goats blood, but I did try a piece of cooked liver. I also had a sip of the medicinal soup that included plants, the goats stomach, intestines, fat, and other parts that I don't really care to know. The taste was . . . umm well imagine what a goat or a farm smells like and that is what it tasted like. Luckily, I didn't have to drink a lot of the soup, because I didn't eat any raw meat. The soup is full of natural antibiotics that would kill off any ecoli, or other bacteria found in raw meat and blood. That night the people in the village got together to have a traditional dance. It was completely dark outside, the men were lined up on one side and women on the other. All I could see was the men jumping up and down and then all the sudden I could see the figure coming at me and then move backwards. At first this was so scary, I felt like I was in the middle of a horror movie. After a while the women were showing us how to dance and bringing each of us to the middle of the circle to try. I realized that I was among friends and when in the world would I ever be given another chance to participate and dance with Maasai warriors and their families. It was amazing how accepting everyone was and how much fun it was! There was a lot of laughing, chanting, and overall it was a great time.
We also got to meet some of the six Maasai warriors that ran in the London marathon to raise money in order to get a water source in their village. They ran the marathon in their traditional Maasai attire including the tire sandals, spears, and shields. (www. maasaimarathon.org)
During the first day we got to visit the secondary and pre-primary school they built and then walked the distance from the school to the boma to see how it would be like for a child to attend school. The journey took us about and hour and a half. We were greeted by the elders of the village and when we met Lesikar's father we had bow our heads to be greeted. This is something that I don't know if I could get used to. I understand it is a cultural difference and they do it to show respect to elders, but it made me a little uncomfortable when children would come up to me and do the same thing because I was older. After all the introductions we had lunch and then waited for the cows to come home . . . seriously right as the sun started to set you could hear the ringing of the cow and goat bells as they started getting closer to the village. Once they were all accounted for (Lesikar's father knows every single animal and if one is missing they have to go back out to look for it till it is found.) Then I got to help milk the goats and cows with very little success. That night the stars were amazing, the sky was clear and I saw more stars, planets, satellites than I have ever seen before!
The next morning we started preparing for our trip to Orpul, a sacred place where the Maasai go to heal spiritually, mentally, and physically. To orpul it was about a hour hike that turned into almost two hours because along the way we learned about the different plants and the medicinal uses. I got a toothbrush from one tree (I don't remember the name of the tree), and a leaf from a bush for good luck. Our purpose at orpul was to sacrifice a goat and make medicinal soup. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, we didn't have to do any of the actual butchering of the goat which was good. I passed on the eating of a fresh kidney, and the drinking of the goats blood, but I did try a piece of cooked liver. I also had a sip of the medicinal soup that included plants, the goats stomach, intestines, fat, and other parts that I don't really care to know. The taste was . . . umm well imagine what a goat or a farm smells like and that is what it tasted like. Luckily, I didn't have to drink a lot of the soup, because I didn't eat any raw meat. The soup is full of natural antibiotics that would kill off any ecoli, or other bacteria found in raw meat and blood. That night the people in the village got together to have a traditional dance. It was completely dark outside, the men were lined up on one side and women on the other. All I could see was the men jumping up and down and then all the sudden I could see the figure coming at me and then move backwards. At first this was so scary, I felt like I was in the middle of a horror movie. After a while the women were showing us how to dance and bringing each of us to the middle of the circle to try. I realized that I was among friends and when in the world would I ever be given another chance to participate and dance with Maasai warriors and their families. It was amazing how accepting everyone was and how much fun it was! There was a lot of laughing, chanting, and overall it was a great time.
We also got to meet some of the six Maasai warriors that ran in the London marathon to raise money in order to get a water source in their village. They ran the marathon in their traditional Maasai attire including the tire sandals, spears, and shields. (www. maasaimarathon.org)
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