November 1st, Morgoro, TZ

Habari za Yako (What is the your news?),

We are very busy each day and have little time to think of anything but learning Kiswahili and preparing our lessons or learning important cultural activities like cooking ugali( a type of corn meal mush) and fish in coconut sauce and of course rice and beans. This all starts with catching a ride on a dala dala to the market, bargining in Kiswahili and paying the price -- after figuring out the money and the amount communicated. Then, at home using the slow cooking electric burner and washing dishes that have piled up all day because there is not water during the day. Then of course boiling water for the next day to drink and taking a bucket bath with cold refreshing water after a hot day. It is a real education and I have a great respect for accomplishing employment and school duties on top of simply living!

Also, our Kaka (brother) arrived home this week unexpectedly from boarding school. He had been sick and was getting worse, so they took him to the hospital and found he has ascaries (worms) which was causing extreme diarrhea and weakness. He is on medication and is getting better each day. It was good to see him this morning in the kitchen getting some uji (porrage made from millet, corn, and rice flour) and a smile on his face. He is worried as he has national exams in two weeks and has missed school. But he is a good student and we hope he can get better and study hard. In Tanzania if you do not pass your exams you cannot go on to higher education. (And, all schools cost money that is very difficult for families to afford.)

Last weekend all the PCT(Peace Corps Trainees) took a vacation trip Saturday and Sunday to visit Mikumi National Park. We went on an afternoon and early morning safari ride to see the wild animals. We say a lion pair (on honeymoon), zebras, elephants, crockadiles, giraffes, impalla, water buffalo, warthogs, Hippopotomi, monkeys and more. I had my birding binoculras and my bird book. I saw many species that I learned three years ago. I saw several violet breasted rollers, fish eagle, egyptian goose, ibis, plovers, superb starlings, and more. I really enjoyed this. It felt like the first time I really got to enjoy the outdoors since we left.

This was our last week of teaching. I have only to write a test and grade projects and my internship teaching is done. We go to shadow another PCV(current Peace Corps Volunteer) at their site, week after next. Then, we get to learn where we will be placed - maybe - the following week.

John had a wonderful birthday party on Wednesday. I am so glad because we really missed being with you all for his 60th party. Mama Flora invited our PCT(Peace Corps Trainee) colleagues, teachers and some neighborhood/church friends (16 people). It is hard to explain but it was like a wedding reception with balloons, flowers, a fancy cake (with candles and Happy Birthday John) and a special table decorated for John and I to sit facing all our guests. Our Mama is a trained chef so the food was fabulous and plenty of it! Everyone sang to him and then they started clinking their glasses ( American custom thown in) to get him to kiss me. I liked that part a lot! Also, Mama brought in a full stereo system for music. We had a fun time visiting with new neighbors and our PC friends.

Siku mjema,
(have a good day)

Randee