Habari Gani?!



I have safetly arrived in Tanzania and hit the ground running! It has been a great last few days, but it seems like it has already been a month! I am spending this week at the Danish Center near Arusha. It is kind of a safe bubble with a bunch of blonde hair Scandinavian development workers running around with their kids, but it is very nice, and it's probably best to have a transition from the US to Tanzania. Today we got up and left the center at 8:30am for the sokoni- market. It was an orgy of color and people- tons of fruits, vegetables, used clothing, and people. We walked amongst the crowds, always followed by an entourage of little kids who were fascinated by us. After the market we went to a potter's association where a group of women formed a type of co-op where they make pottery, farm, and keep cattle. They all work a few days and split the profits. The highlight however was the coffee farm. We visit this small farm where coffee beans are grown. We picked, shucked, dried, grinded, and roasted the beans and then were able to drink our labors! It was amazing how much work goes into a cup of coffee and how most of the money we would spend on a kilo of coffee beans does not go back to the grower. They make about a dollar on one kilo of coffee beans. We enjoyed having a cup of coffee with the farmer, who also had 5 very shy daughters. We convinced them to take their picture with us, and as soon as I figure out how to install a USB driver for my camera I will post them. Tonight we get to go to a wedding send-off party which will be a blast.



In terms of unusual sights, I think that just the massive number of people outside has been the biggest. There are virtually no private cars, and everyone walks with broken flip-flops and harvested crops balanced on their heads. The people are extremely friendly and I am very happy I learned the little Swahili I did because English is rare, which is slightly refreshing.



Yesterday we saw an entertaining performance by the Maasi warriors who are a tribe in Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya. They wear bright red kangas and some of them pierce their ears and incrementally make the hole bigger so they have a large circle flap of skin on their earlobe. It was amazing to see their culture, but it also frustrated me that here this amazing culture had to perform for the white people who only then would validate the culture as "cute" or "entertaining." I guess I've just discovered how rich Tanzania is in talents, skills, and friendly people. Sometimes the whole idea of development is frustrating because it seems that Tanzanians are better off without use interfering in their lives. Granted their hygene and living conditions are poor, but they are happy and work hard in the fields and enjoy their large families and community.



Besides the people, I have also had an interesting experience with animals here. I got back from the travels today and as I walked to my room, four monkeys ran away from my door. They had been nibbling on a little bit of trash someone had dropped. They are just like squirrels, except faster and better in the trees. Also, there are these animals here called "bush babies" that have this cry at night that sounds like a crying baby doll, sort of muffled and artificial, but very loud. It might take bit to get used to.



Last night we also enjoyed a dance with a Tanzanian band. They played a lot of reggae type music even playing a few familiar tunes like La Bamba. Then the 4 other girls in our group and I went back to my room where we had what I have to get used to: girl talk. Actually it was fun, we just got to know each other and we all get along very well. It seems already like we've been through so much together. It's like a little family. Hand to it the Lutheran Colleges to get that to work out.



I will hopefully get my amazing pictures up within the next 24 hours so check back to see them! Tanzania is an amazing place and the journey has just begun. The beautiful weather and exciting people beckon now. I will post again as soon as I can. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers and remember the Tanzanian motto: Hakuna Matata!