Today I was told that I had the "hair of Jesus Christ"-meant as a compliment nonetheless! The immediate image that came to mind was one of my dad yelling "Jesus Christ" at home after not being able to find the remote, so naturally i was a little caught off guard. Ok fine, it was raining and my hair was a big mess of moppy (sp?) curls and frizz, so I guess I can see the connection.

Being a coordinator is so fun! I enjoy my duties, which include making sure volunteers are well adjusted, leading sessions during Orientation on how to lesson plan, removing salamanders and grasshoppers from bathrooms (in abundance!), showing volunteers around Arusha on our days off, and visiting homestays to meet homestay parents.

"hamnashida, kabisa. Hamnashida, kabisa. Karibuni, Karibuni, make yourself at home"--This translates into "no worries, perfect. No worries, perfect (as in, everything is perfect and could not be better)- This being the general response of homestay parents after meeting and discussing logistics. so great!

Arusha is a pretty drab city with crumbling buildings and such-- apart from the out-of-place tourist hotels and restaurants. Sometimes these lavish hotels are placed right next to local dumps, where a few townspeople can be seen digging through the trash looking for plastic bags.

The other day while accompanying someone to the airport I was able to see Kilimanjaro! We had a great view for at least 30 min. So neat! Even the snow-capped peak was visible. What a great ride.

Thats all I got for now----we move into the villages on Tuesday, so probably no internet for two weeks. usiku njema (safe night!)

Emmanuelle

Hi people,

things are still great. All the volunteers have arrived, orientation has begun with the teaching partners. For a week we will be staying at this agricultural college, where the vols and tp's will be learning how to work together, teach classrooms of different ages, and learn what to expect in the villages. I happen to be in Arusha for a few days running errands.

--Its so FRUSTRATING having to bargain/argue my way through prices everyday in Arusha. Being white makes you a walking dollar sign and so i cannot escape the mzungu (European) price--even when i bargain in Swahili! Even lunch prices at the same restaurant go up from previous days. the day my Swahili gets good to enough to impress shop owners will be THE day.

--I cannot stress enough the genuine hospitality that is so unique to Tanzanian culture. Everyone I meet is very polite and very welcoming.

--enjoy your hot showers people!!! Its a great day when the hot water heater works haha

Emmanuelle

" I like you because...(pause)..you look..(contemplation)...like a giraffe"

so said a flycatcher (street vendor selling local art to tourists) to Steena as we were walking down the central street of Arusha, ah what a great moment. Steena IS super tall and graceful, and that was a definite compliment on his behalf.

The volunteers' flights are all delayed because of the damn volcanic ash! ugh. they are coming in an influx late tonight, I cant wait to meet everyone.

People are so nice here, it is very refreshing. Greetings to everyone in the room or passerby is a necessity, and which I think Americans tend to overlook (its importance, I mean).

Jena and I are helping to lead a workshop today for hte Tanzanian teaching partners--going over the cirriculum and the program. lunch time, which is mainly beans, rice, spinach, bananas, avocadoes, its NOW! cant wait.

Man i miss you guys! Its a funny feeling being so far away.

Were in a hostel till the end of the week,a dn then starting on Monday we will be living dormitory style for two weeks for orientation. Homestay move ins start the 2nd (i think?). No homestay for Jena, Glady, or me this time, but a house--with a field!! thanks meggles for not letting me forget to pack a frisbee!!!

Cheers!

Emmanuelle

here!

Hey friends

made it!! I flew in last night around 9pm, haggled with Customs for a bit, and then got on shuttle to meet my manager and settle in to the hostel we will be staying for the next week.

I'll be working with two other coordinators, both of whom taught with me last summer. Jena is from USC and Glady is Tanzanian. Its gonna be a great time.
--I forgot how fun frigid showers are! Oh well
--Tanzanian breakfast is great. This morning we had bread with butter nad jam, scrambled eggs, and milk tea.
--the weather is nice today--a little humid and just a little rain
--we have today off to run some errands in arusha dn tomorrow I start my coordinator duties--Ill be picking up volunteers at hte bus station and showing them aroudn town for hte most part.

my TZ phone # is 0681051093 if you happen to have a great international phone plan and want to send a text my way

siku njema

Emmanuelle

leaving Tomorrow!

And so I depart for another voyage across the Atlantic!

Trying to get the cat to look at the camera ended up in high levels of frustration for some involved..


I fly into Kilimanjaro airport after a glorious 29 hr flight! Its gonna be great.

Here is a depiction of my surroundings for my 8 week stay: "Ilkiding'a ward is a lush, beautiful area on the slopes of Mt. Meru. The ward alternates between beautiful grassy hills and forests some of which contain colobus monkeys and dik dik gazelles. Parts of the ward have beautiful views of Mt. Meru, Arusha town, and lush ravines and valleys. People in Ilkiding'a mostly belong to the Waarusha tribe, which shares roots with the Masai, and they are very proud of their language and culture, including traditional styles of dancing and dressing. The ward has a very active support group of people with HIV, full of people who have braved stigma in their community to be open about their status. Community Health Workers are also very active in this ward. SIC's last program in Ilkiding'a was in 2006, so there will be fresh faces in the classrooms and in the communities, ready to learn from volunteers"

gazelles and monkeys??! yes please!

I love to hear from all of you, so don't forget to keep me updated!
love,
Emmanuelle