I made it here!

What a wonderful world we live in where we can travel to the other side of the globe in less than 36 hours.  That’s what I kept reminding myself anyway being cramped in a flying tin can for 22+ hours, then battling it out with immigration, then the Department of Health and finally the Department of Finance at the Kilamanjaro airport.

They were not going to allow me to bring in all the wonderful medical supplies I had brought with me.  But finally, after being interrogated in a back office for hours, I broke down sobbing (truly) then all changed.  The kind hearts of these wonderful officials finally changed, they started patting me on the back, telling me, “don’t cry mama Anna” (My new official title here), one guard seriously even wiping a tear off my cheek.  I am not joking!  They finally waived me through.  Tough!  But phew!  Worth it.

Arrived at my volunteer house after another hour drive.    Um, not the Hilton, or even Motel 6.  Let me say, I will learn to be grateful for what I do have: which is a toilet that flushes, water (not hot, nope, sorry) and occasional electricity.  I did bring a mosquito tent, a waffle pad, and my own sheets.  So, I at least have those creature comforts.  This is an Adventure!

My bed with mosquito tent and makeshift closet.

I was awakened early this morning 5am by the Muzzeim’s call to prayer.  Must be a mosque close by.  Really kinda cool.  Also roosters crowing, donkeys hee-hawing, and some weird screaming noise as of yet unindentified.  It was great, I had time to organize myself, very badly needed.  My sister, Geneie had arrived earlier, she is working at a school/orphanage teaching children.  So good to see her.   She had a giant avocado which we slapped on toast and had tea.  As it was Saturday, and I can’t begin work until Monday, she had arranged with our sponsor to take us to a Masai village.  What an experience!  We spent the day with this wonderful group of people.  So friendly and accommodating.  We even saw glimpses of Mt. Kilamanjaro hiding behind the clouds in the background.

Oh, and by the way!  Having so much fun trying out my Swahili on everyone around me.  They laugh at me and my pronounciation must be horrible, but they are so tickled that I have tried to learn the language.  They love teaching it even more to me.  Been so much fun!  But I did learn when you say “Jambo!” (which means Hello), don’t slip and say Jamba!  Because that means you’re passing gas.  Ooops!

Here are the pictures from my first great day in Tanzania:

David, one of our hosts here at our volunteer program, is Masai.  He took us to his village.  The Masai people believe in poligamy.  Each man is to have at the minimum of 10 wives.  Or they are not thought of as a real man.

These are some of David’s brothers.  (He’s not quite sure how many he has, his father has 15 wives)  They sang and did the jumping dance for us.

One of the beautiful Masai children.  Yes, those are flies on her sweet face.  Genie is getting a cloth to wipe them off.

These people are the kindest most welcoming people.   I admire their sense of community so much.  Everyone was smiling and seemed so in tune with each other.  They live such a simple traditional lifestyle which is to be envied.

But there are flies here.

Genie with one of the children in front of some of the huts.  The children ran to us, greeted us with such smiles.  They loved to hold our hands, sit on our laps, or be picked up.  One little sweetie was especially fascinated by my wrist watch.

 

 

 

David then took us to a Masai market on our way back to our volunteer house.  This place was mind boggling.  I saw more goats, chickens, shoes made out of tires, colorful Masai clothes, donkeys, nuts, corn, you name it.

An incredible experience.

I don’t know if you can see it, but Mount Meru in the background.

 

 

 

 

 

These goats have really funny looking tails

 

 

 

 

 

What an experience this day has been.

I’m now exhausted, jet lag has hit full speed.  I’m going to take a tepid shower, brush my teeth, and climb into my mosquito tent.

Tomorrow church!