Went to Moshi yesterday evening- a town closer to Mt. Kili- thought I might catch a better view of her before I leave on Monday. Can't say I had any luck in that respect, but it was a fun adventure. I took the 2,000 shilling- less than $2, 1.5 hour bus over. I sat by a guy from Barcelona carrying 2, 15-pound flower pots. He was quite an interesting guy and he told me about his travels in Europe, South Am, the US, and Africa-and asked for my number-haha.
Moshi is a fun place to walk around- I barely saw any wazungu (white people- NGO's or tourists or ppl like me) - and so I had a fun time meeting lots of people. It's fun to start talking to somebody and then they say "oo- unajua kiswahili vizuri"- your swahili is pretty good - which is relative - meaning it's better than most wazungu they meet.
So last night I stayed with my friend Amelia from Namibia- a country close to South Africa and we ate at a great place outside on the sidewalk. We had wonderful shish-ka-bobs, zanzibar pizzas, and passion juice- all for less than $2. Then we went for ice cream and that was a beautiful thing. I crashed at her place then last night and we ended up just sitting and talking for like 3.5 hours and drinking coffee. She and her family were missionaries here when she was growing up and she has amazing stories of the Lord's provision and how God blesses when we give him 100% control of our lives. She told me of how God provided her fam with food, places to stay, and outlets for ministry when they didn't have a plan - it was truly living by faith- way further out of their comfort zones than what most people consider going I think.
This morning I took a walk at 6 to try to see Kili with still no avail. Then Amelia went to work and I explored the town. Met some great Tanzanians - walked around the colorful sokoni- market with people selling everything from Obama t-shirts, tomatoes, khanga material and pineapples to coconuts, used (but washed) underwear, used shoes, and Maasai jewelry. I bought a cheap 2,000 shilling carry-on bag so I can try to bring back some Stoney Tangawizi for the fam. It's like ginger ale but way better and it's only manufactured in Africa.
There were all of these stands where Maasai were selling things in jars and I figured out it's natural medicine- it's all different types of bark and herbs that you boil or eat that supposedly treat many different ailments. Would be interested to learn more. Then I met Eddi- he showed me around and I met his Maasai friends and went to his curio shop and bought some last minute gifts. Alright get this- I saw cheap DVD's for sale- and I bought 1 DVD - for less than $5 that contains (brace yourself) (supposedly and who knows the quality)- all 6 seasons of LOST- mind you there have only been 5 seasons so far. So either it's a typ-o or I've got next season! all on one DVD! Either we're being ripped off in the states or the quality is going to be ridiculously low and every other episode will be missing. I've seen 1 DVD with all of the James Bond movies on it, all the seasons of 24, etc. We will see how that one goes, hey?
Then on the shuttle back to Arusha I met a sweet woman named Rose- and we passed her home and she pointed it out to me. When I got back to Arusha I went to the Maasai market- a place with all sorts of shops with jewelry and carvings, etc - pretty touristy- but it's fun when you barter. One of the guys asked if I would trade my water bottle or my backpack- (I traded my watch the other week- got like $13 discount!)- and I said I needed both of them. But I had an extra pair of Nike shorts I was going to leave here anyway in my bag and when I offered those, he got excited- so I got 2 pairs of earrings out of that- ha. Then I ate dinner with Scott, Annelle, and Ron the missionaries I'm staying with - we found a restaraunt with cheesecake! cheese. cake. Best thing I've ever tasted- 1st time I've heard it even mentioned since I've been here.
So it was an awesome 2 days. I wish I could describe it better- I just really love walking around... see all the shops- "dukas" are small and like store fronts, so everyone is outside - and it was busy bc it's saturday, so lots of friends to be made, people to talk to, things to see and learn.
So as you know- or don't - I leave on Monday! As in kesho kutwa- the day after tom! And I'm already missing this place. Tom is my last sunday at our Vineyard church which has been amazing. Then Monday I am making cake -keki- and cookies -biskuti- and we are having a little sherehe- party- with all of my friends who work here and the missionaries so that will be fun! But it will be difficult to say goodbye to everyone.
Well -to all of you who read this- I expect my cell phone to be ringing off the hook when I get back TUESDAY AFTERNOON- bc I want to hear from all of you! ... well I might not after 24 hours of straight traveling- but yeah- I look forward to seeing all of you soon. Maybe I'll have a good story or 2 for ya :)
Mungu akubariki! God bless! Nitaangalia nyini sasa hivi! I'll see you all soon!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Cows and Kiwis
Alright someone tell me what’s wrong with this picture: I grew up in Amish country but waited until Africa to learn how to milk a cow? hmm- haha. But I helped out again today milkin' “Zawadi” which means gift- with 2 Maasai guys today- this was the 2nd time and they invited me back again tom morn- I think they are just amused at watching the funny American girl trying to milk. Hey I’m pretty good now though. hhaha
So today was a lot of fun- Arusha Vineyard is my home church here- love it and love the people here. Something that has been an awesome surprise here is that I have not only learned about African culture, but I’ve met a lot of people from around the world. Today I ate lunch with Amanda- from Georgia, Amelia from Namibia (near South Africa), and Cassandra from New Zealand. I’ve met some cool Aussies and Kiwis (New Zealanders), Chinese, and South Africans, lots of Europeans- Brits, Germans, lots of Danish and Scandanavian, etc. Who knew right? Lots of people and lots of Christians from around the world – it’s just great! What a blessing!
Hmm- I smell like cow- think I might wash up. but who said you need to shower everyday- that’s so American- we don’t even really get dirty –home to work to out to eat-who needs to shower? On second thought I think I’m going to go outside and walk Kahlua again- haha- hopefully it’ll be better this time. (Then I’ll shower :)
Until next time…
So today was a lot of fun- Arusha Vineyard is my home church here- love it and love the people here. Something that has been an awesome surprise here is that I have not only learned about African culture, but I’ve met a lot of people from around the world. Today I ate lunch with Amanda- from Georgia, Amelia from Namibia (near South Africa), and Cassandra from New Zealand. I’ve met some cool Aussies and Kiwis (New Zealanders), Chinese, and South Africans, lots of Europeans- Brits, Germans, lots of Danish and Scandanavian, etc. Who knew right? Lots of people and lots of Christians from around the world – it’s just great! What a blessing!
Hmm- I smell like cow- think I might wash up. but who said you need to shower everyday- that’s so American- we don’t even really get dirty –home to work to out to eat-who needs to shower? On second thought I think I’m going to go outside and walk Kahlua again- haha- hopefully it’ll be better this time. (Then I’ll shower :)
Until next time…
Friday, June 5, 2009
Soo... It's been forever- the whole blog idea hasn't been consistent as I had hoped- oh well- you've got to be flexible here in Africa. :) But I have better internet access now, so I might do a couple more.
I've been here in Arusha, Tanzania- an hour away from the almighty Mt. Kilimanjaro! I've been working with CMF International since the end of April -so by now I'm adjusted more to being here.
Excitement in my days:
I live on a missionary compound and I'm not allowed to go walking outside alone, so I walk the dogs outside. When you step outside the gate onto the dusty road, Mt. Meru- Kilimanjaro's less famous, but still very majestic sidekick looms in front of you. On a clear day, you can see the peak- it's an inactive volcanoe, so it looks very cool. When I walk past the small, mud houses each with a tin roof, the kids come running and yell "mzungu! mzungu!" which means white person- not an insult - just a statement. And they try out whatever English they know on me. "Good morning, teacher!" is the most common- any time of the day - morning, evening, it doesn't matter. So I just skip correcting them and say good morning back. So me and Kaluha- the dog - or the simba (lion) -I was walking were just strolling along when she saw a herd of mbuzi (goats)- she suddenly jolted against the leash- and altough I restrained her- I must have pulled too hard on her collar, because she broke free and dashed for the mbuzi. "Njo njo! Baya mbwa!" I yelled (come here come here- bad dog!) - but she wouldn't have it. With little kids screaming- and goats running everywhere I sprinted after her through a dusty shamba (field) kicking up a dusty trail behind me. There has been no rain for a long time here. And finally I caught her. Apologizing to everyone I explained in swahili that she isn't a mean dog- she just likes to play. hah- the kids were more amused than afraid and their Mama said "Hamna shida! Karibu tena!" No problem- you are welcome again. Which made me laugh- Tanzanians are awesome like that. But sorry Kaluha- no more walks outside. For me either probably.
Another fun moment. My good friend Elinipa (which means God gives) who works here on the CMF base and I were talking about music and she was saying that Africans love music. And I told her Americans do, too. "Kweli?" she said- "really?"- she seemed surprised- so I took my IPOD over yesterday and let her listen to everything from the Backstreet Boys to 1000ft Krutch to Coldplay to Savage Garden. And of course "I Bless the Rains Down in Africa" by Toto. She loved it- haha- we both got a kick out of it. She thought it was cool that the Americans had written a song about Africa. Good times!
So my next endeavor- is next week - Mama Joshua is going to teach me how to "kupika kuku" - thats right -cook a chicken- and by that I mean I'm going to buy a real live chicken :) -and we'll take it from there. She looked surprised when I asked her to teach me how to cook one. But she said okay- if I really want to. haha- so that will be an experience.
More to come on what God's been teaching me here and my work with CMF soon!
Well it's going good here! Can't include it all here, but no worries- hakuna shida!
Mungu akubariki!
God bless!
I've been here in Arusha, Tanzania- an hour away from the almighty Mt. Kilimanjaro! I've been working with CMF International since the end of April -so by now I'm adjusted more to being here.
Excitement in my days:
I live on a missionary compound and I'm not allowed to go walking outside alone, so I walk the dogs outside. When you step outside the gate onto the dusty road, Mt. Meru- Kilimanjaro's less famous, but still very majestic sidekick looms in front of you. On a clear day, you can see the peak- it's an inactive volcanoe, so it looks very cool. When I walk past the small, mud houses each with a tin roof, the kids come running and yell "mzungu! mzungu!" which means white person- not an insult - just a statement. And they try out whatever English they know on me. "Good morning, teacher!" is the most common- any time of the day - morning, evening, it doesn't matter. So I just skip correcting them and say good morning back. So me and Kaluha- the dog - or the simba (lion) -I was walking were just strolling along when she saw a herd of mbuzi (goats)- she suddenly jolted against the leash- and altough I restrained her- I must have pulled too hard on her collar, because she broke free and dashed for the mbuzi. "Njo njo! Baya mbwa!" I yelled (come here come here- bad dog!) - but she wouldn't have it. With little kids screaming- and goats running everywhere I sprinted after her through a dusty shamba (field) kicking up a dusty trail behind me. There has been no rain for a long time here. And finally I caught her. Apologizing to everyone I explained in swahili that she isn't a mean dog- she just likes to play. hah- the kids were more amused than afraid and their Mama said "Hamna shida! Karibu tena!" No problem- you are welcome again. Which made me laugh- Tanzanians are awesome like that. But sorry Kaluha- no more walks outside. For me either probably.
Another fun moment. My good friend Elinipa (which means God gives) who works here on the CMF base and I were talking about music and she was saying that Africans love music. And I told her Americans do, too. "Kweli?" she said- "really?"- she seemed surprised- so I took my IPOD over yesterday and let her listen to everything from the Backstreet Boys to 1000ft Krutch to Coldplay to Savage Garden. And of course "I Bless the Rains Down in Africa" by Toto. She loved it- haha- we both got a kick out of it. She thought it was cool that the Americans had written a song about Africa. Good times!
So my next endeavor- is next week - Mama Joshua is going to teach me how to "kupika kuku" - thats right -cook a chicken- and by that I mean I'm going to buy a real live chicken :) -and we'll take it from there. She looked surprised when I asked her to teach me how to cook one. But she said okay- if I really want to. haha- so that will be an experience.
More to come on what God's been teaching me here and my work with CMF soon!
Well it's going good here! Can't include it all here, but no worries- hakuna shida!
Mungu akubariki!
God bless!
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