We’re living such the rough life. I woke up this morning and stayed in bed until I finished my book. Then I joined Nick and Amber at the table where we chatted and I picked up my other book. I ate my bread with peanut butter (lots) and jelly with a banana. I got my first workout in in the courtyard. It was nice to get moving and sweat due to exercise rather than just living/ existing/ breathing. I read some more and then ate my steady eddy of a banana and peanut butter for my lunch/ pre-‘hike’ fuel. Then, after Amber’s boiling party (for drinkable water) we were off on our adventure. And what an adventure it was!! It was amazing to get out and walk around and the scenery was nothing shy of gorgeous. I am so lucky to be placed here and each day just seems to add to the blessings. We walked out of Somonda to where people were just living. Houses sparsely dotted the landscape that was dominated by corn and rectangular rice patties, roaming cattle, working families, and beautiful trees, shrubs, and mountains. The goal of the mission today was a large rock/ mountain that we could climb and get a great view of the area. And we did just that. It was just perfect. So peaceful. It was a two mile trek on a dirt road before we turn off and walked on just a narrow path on someones land. We weaved around on the paths and the dirt embankments built up to contain the rectangular plots of rice. Only interrupting the lizards that darted in every which direction as we were summiting (it makes me feel more accomplished if I use that word), we walked around and just enjoyed the views. We’ll be back.. next time with all the essentials for a weekend picnic.
One last little note, the sun here is pretty scorching, even when it doesn’t feel that hot. After two days, I already have a chaco tan going on, my arms have a good color on them, and my neck has a good bit too much color on it. But no worries, I won’t be back super tan. The rainy seasons are drawing near and any color is get will be around my very modest shirts and long skirts.
The afternoon was nothing less than perfect. I sent a text to wake up mom and told her it was time to facetime! So, from 8-10 her time we caught up on everything. I gave her a tour of the house and told her about my last few days while she filled me in on all the news from home. The two hours flew by! Then I got to video chat with Katie and Sam and catch up on all of their news too! It was the first time I got to talk to Katie so it was so so fantastic! While I was chatting it up, Amber and Nick were slaving away, fixing dinner for us. We had mchicha (spinach), cabbage, and rice. They were totally cool with me missing out on the preparation. Nick told me that family time trumps all and I’m a fan of that motto.
This evening, two little girls delivered a note to the house from my headmaster. I have heard only great things about my headmaster, who is apparently a big guy in the community. Nick says he is a basically a big teddy bear and he is obviously so kind, caring, and welcoming since he is finding time to show me around even with malaria. So the letter... It was perfect. It reads:
Madame Kassie
Goodevening!
I’m Mr. Mahumi the Headmaster Biashara.
My condition is not well I have maralia. But I’m doing well. I could have visited you but I send my second to see you yesterday.
Tomorrow is holiday. But I’m, finding some time at 10:00 am to take you to BIASHARA. So get prepared.
Thank you.
Also, we got a text from Kim last night say that just an hour ago, tomorrow was announced to be a holiday. Amber texted Sana because he was going to pick us up and show us around and introduce us to some important people. His reply:
It’s true and been anaunced by president this night that tomorrow is public day hance our timetable of official introduction is distabed until othertime.
Tanzanian communication is awesome. There are so many steps to understanding what they are saying. First, you have to process the actual words that came out of their mouth from their Tanzanian accent. Then, you have to take those words and figure out what words they really meant. It’s a neat little brain exercise. We were just cracking up, thinking about how this would go down in the US. What would you think if President Obama made an announcement tonight at 8pm that there would be no school tomorrow for a public holiday? And speaking of holidays, we are having another one this week on Wednesday or Thursday. You may ask why I don’t know which day it is. Well, it’s because it depends on the moon! I don’t know what the moon is going to tell us and how but I guess we’ll get another presidential message.
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