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.