After a relaxing weekend in Arusha, Edna and I moved into our new homestay which in Tanzania standards is amazing!! We have a mama, two dadas, and two kakas. Her husband died ten years ago from "high blood pressure" -- odly, everyone here dies of high blood pressure and there is awkwardly a large number of funerals for people around 50. She is one tough cookie and I absolutely LOVE living with her. Our home is incredibly homey and warm-- we have a large living room with tons of furniture and a TV-- World Cup is on 24/7. I think I've watched just about every game and if you aren't rooting for an African country you are booed out of the room. We have a dining room, small kitchen area, and there are 4 nice, large bedrooms. Edna and I both get our own bedroom which is soo nice- I feel like a princess!! We have a really big, nicely kept front driveway, yard, and back pasture where the cows and chickens are kept. The cho, however, is a different story. For how nice of a house it is our bathroom is quite a site. Its pretty much a hole in the ground. The saying that practice makes perfect is NOT applicable in this case!! Other than that, the homestay is everything I could have asked for, I love it!
Our week of teaching went really well- we taught primary school students 3 days in the mornings, and had community teachings in fields and at small dukas (little stores). The people in our village are so receptive, interested, and thankful for us being there and educating them. At the end of the day, it is really encouraging as a teacher.
On thursday, we took a 4 hour hike up to another village to see monkeys!! We had incredible views and it was absolutely beautiful!! After that, we visited one of our neighboring villages who organized a testing day at their secondary school. I manned up and got tested for HIV. The painful thumb prick (and my negative result of course) was definately the accomplishment of the day!!
A few other people, Jena, and I are headed off to Moshi for the weekend! It is the town at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro where we are planning to relax, shop, and drink south african wine- I can't wait!!
xoxo
Court
Wow, Courtney, what an amazing experience you are having!! I have enjoyed reading about your adventures and life in Tanzania and am almost tempted to book a trip after reading about the Avatar-like scenery! It also sounds like you are making a big difference in the lives of many children and having you there is probably so special to them! I can't wait to hear more, I've been sending them to Ryan who is in Europe for three weeks but I'm not sure he's gotten them. You two will have to trade stories when you get back! Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Gayle
Hey Court! Sounds like your group is having quite an impact there :) So happy to hear you are loving it! Give Edna a big hug from me!
ReplyDeleteLots of Love,
Mom
Dear Courtney,
ReplyDeleteWe are just finding your blog so interesting and amazing. Another world! Keep writing. It is so broadening to view the world from others perspective... such a wonderful way to reach out and grow.
So proud of you!
Aunt Sandy